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Category Archives: 2013
What Australian Scott Donald said about the Jamaican in China will make you….
Like any good book reviewer, Scott Donald, the Australian founder of the Hungry Feet blog, is honest about his reading experience. So, I was a bit apprehensive about what he would say when he read a review copy of Guess Who’s Coming to Dim Sum: The Jamaican in China!, the blog-to-book, behind-the-scenes, blooper-and-outtake, parental-advisory version (nothing too salacious, really) paperback version of the Jamaican in China blog.
Well, the nail-biting wait is over. The review is in, and, I’d like you to head on over to Scott’s blog to check it out and let me know what you think.
First, however, in my never ending quest to manipulate you with completely biased, one-sided, often Jamaican-centric interpretations of life through the power of carefully-chosen words, I shall now provide a few slightly edited excerpts from Scott’s review. If any of these titillate, tantalize, terrify, entertain or enrage you enough, do the right thing and check out the full review on Scott’s blog
(I’ve had to take some lessons in creative editing from the recent US presidential elections in order to offer you, the public, compelling soundbites to further my hidden agenda.)
“Jamaican in China: Guess Who’s Coming to Dim Sum’ is a…. dirty little blighter.”
“.Walt Goodridge is..a stereotype….”
“Goodridge is….wandering the streets…”
“Goodridge… travels… pants off…”
Goodridge seeks…a moral compass…”
Of course, Goodridge is…less than…..”
Goodridge is a…blood flowing…voyeur…”
And, so that Scott won’t accuse me of taking ALL of his words out of context, I’ll end with this quote from his review, which needs no editing whatsoever:
“….I was rooting for the author the whole time. The man can write. He is a very likeable guy and author with a wicked sense of humour.
Well, that does seem to be at least TWO things I agree with Scott about. However, before you start the petition against him, check out the blog and read for yourself exactly what he said and if, perhaps, I might have taken some of those words a bit out of context. hee hee
Click here to view Scott’s blog
Don’t forget, there’s also a
full-color version of the book on Amazon
I’ve got a secret! The countdown has begun!
The countdown has begun. The day of significance is April 21. Yes, it’s about to be “on!” Only catch is, I can’t tell you exactly what “it” is! Stay tuned. In the meantime, enjoy life rhyme #402, and remember: there’s a life rhyme for EVERY situation!
”I’ve Got a Secret”
Psst, I’ve got a secret
But can’t say what it’s about
For silence is essential
for this nurtured dream to sprout
Psst, I’ve got a secret
Superstitious this may seem
But even little rain drops
have been known to drown a dream
Psst, I’ve got a secret
Man oh man it’s something big!
I’ll need my vim and vigor
while to this goal I zag and zig
Psst, Ok, you forced me
But the most I shall reveal:
I’m working on a gift for you
a gift no one can steal
So please do me this favor
And don’t think this all a bluff
A veil shall soon be lifted
And you’ll find out soon enough!
COMMENTARY:
As you plant, nourish and grow your dreams, take care to shelter and nurture them in the fertile soil of silence until they have blossomed enough to withstand the elements–the rain of suppression, the wind of disbelief, and the heat of judgment through which all great things must grow. For even a single drop of rain can drown the unprotected dream.
Walt’s Life Rhyme #402
(I’ve Got a Secret)
© Walt F.J. Goodridge
”I share what I know,
so that others may grow!”
LifeRhymes.com
Image courtesy of Master Isolated Images / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Hungry feet? Then get moving!
“Things were getting to the point for me that I was starting to get depressed. Actually depressed! Me!? I still can’t believe it. I would never have dreamt in my wildest horrors that I would feel depressed. Depression was for other people. It was stupid. Just a job. And yet there I was slowly imploding. I kept it to myself, too ashamed to admit this weakness to anyone until the signs started to show through and my beautiful wife stepped in to save the day and suggest that if we missed travel and Japan so much what are we still doing in Australia? Even writing this I am choking up at the memory. All my pent up emotions came out in a flood. In amongst the flooding waters was a life raft upon which my wife stood with a helping hand to rescue me from these troubled waters and sail with me off to new lands.”–Scott Donald, Hungry Feet Blog
That’s a quote from Scott Donald’s blog, Hungry Feet. When you check it out–and you WILL check it out–you’ll read about a man and his wife who, like me, felt like a piece of their souls were dying each day they submitted to corporate confinement and the status quo of the standard societal paradigm. Fortunately, Scott has not given in to the expectations of others, and has decided to pursue his passion for travel, honor is nomadpreneurial leanings and share these with the world in his blog and in a book, too!
Scott is a kindred spirit.
Scott is also my bestest new friend because he reviewed my Coffeepot Cookbook on his blog, and as a result, I’ve decided to offer a huge, Free, 66MB (did I mention free) bonus to anyone who reads his blog, finds his post about the Coffeepot Cookbook (hint: it’s on March 11) and does what it instructs to get the bonus! If you like food, and you like travel, satisfy both cravings at Hungry Feet!
All good things must come to an–um, upload on Youtube????
Laverne and Shirley. The Odd Couple. Colditz. The Wonder Years. Ally McBeal. What do these–my favorite shows–all have in common? Well, they all end up on Youtube for the perpetual entertainment pleasure of future generations. Want to know what else ends up on Youtube? Vinyl records from a chapter in my life during which I was partner in a record label!
In my latest book, Ducks in a Row??? Please. How to find the courage to finally QUIT your soul-draining, life-sapping, energy-depleting, freedom-robbing job now…before it’s too late..and live passionately ever after!, I tell the story of how I designed album covers, managed artists, and eventually started a record label all in an effort to free myself from corporate captivity. Well, real-life evidence of that chapter of my life —a good thing–has ended up on Youtube!
In a story I wrote for the Saipan Tribune, I introduced you to my long-time friend, fellow Jamaican and consultant, Wayne “Sound” Wright, who ended up on Saipan–of all the places in the world! It was Wayne’s Reggae group, Abeng, for whom I designed the album cover, performed management duties, and whose music was released on my “first” record label, Strata Records.
Check out the Youtube clips below and you can see our names, Wayne, Gurdeep and Sir Walt on the label. I came up with the name and logo for the label (not the best of designs, but it sufficed), and had a co-worker, Richard A., a drafter at my civil engineering job, smooth out the lines for the design.
Two tracks from the Unconquerebel LP are on Youtube!
Move Out Babylon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK62tbxiU48
Banana Man
So, for all you Reggae roots and culture historians and trivia buffs, you can learn everything there is to learn about Wayne, Abeng, the musicians featured on all the tracks, and see videos of live performances from the 90s, AND purchase the CD HERE (If you’re in China and can’t access Youtube, check out the website)
Note to the Youtube uploaders: I spoke with Wayne, and the now semi-defunct Strata Records has no copyright infringement issues with the uploaders on Youtube. However, feel free to link to say something nice as you share Wayne’s timeless and now documented contributions to Reggae history and entertainment!
Announcing DiscoveringLaos.com! The Jamaican in China presents…
Beginning with tours in Luang Namtha, Laos, Discovering Laos has begun offering all-inclusive one, two or three-day packages or individual tours that include kayaking, rafting, trekking, bicycling, cultural and eco tours, overnight camping in the National Protected Area, and accommodations including home stays with local villagers.
DiscoveringLaos co-founder and nomadpreneur, Walt Goodridge explains how he discovered Laos. “I was in Jinghong, China at the end of my first entry of a double-entry visa. Rather than take an expensive trip to Hong Kong, I decided to go south to Laos instead, and I’m so glad I did! I ended up staying longer than I had planned! These tours are for people like me who want to escape the concrete and congestion of big cities and experience nature and life and people the way they’ve been for centuries.”
Laos is home to 49 different ethnic groups or tribes, 17 of which are in Luang Namtha province. Most are living the way they have lived for hundreds of years. However, the realities of a money-centered world have intruded on life even there.
“Villagers earn money for the things they cannot grow or raise by selling crafts to visitors,” explains Discovering Laos vendor-partner, Vanxai Inyasone (of the Tai Dam tribe and owner of the Namtha River Experience). “There’s no obligation, of course, but a simple purchase can help a villager buy pens, pencils, clothing for her children.” In recognition of this reality, the Discovering Laos website was donated (designed, hosted and maintained free of charge) to the vendors and tour guides it serves.
To encourage visitors for these unique tours, DiscoveringLaos will provide pick up from the bus station or airport or will meet clients at the Luang Namtha airport or bus terminal, or the Thailand or Chinese borders. Vegetarian/Vegan travelers can request special meals prepared by a Tai Dam chef.
For additional ecotour details and offerings, or to donate to help villagers purchase clothing and school supplies, visit www.DiscoveringLaos.com
Jamaican in China weighs in on Volkswagen commercial, Jamaican accents, boycott
[We now join Walt’s special press conference already in progress]
WALT: …and so, in the spirit of social justice through activism, I hereby call upon the United Nations to impose sanctions!!!! And I encourage the unequivocal and unconditional boycott of Volkswagen, German beer, German pretzels, Lederhosen. Heidi Klum, Beethoven, and Milli Vanilli! And, furthermore…um, wazzat? excuse me…
[Covers mike while assistant leans in to whisper and show Walt controversial ad on smart phone]
WALT: [overheard whispering] –you gotta be kidding me..Is that it???? Is that all????
WALT: Get a life, people….and turn dat frown de odda way around!!
Why are there so many songs about Rudebwoys?
While going through his extensive collection of photos, a friend of mine sent me photo of myself and a fellow Jamaican with the caption “Rudeboy Connection.” This, of course, brought to mind the song Rainbow Connection as sung by international superstar Kermit the Frog. One thought led to another, coupled with having entirely too much time on my hands, and voila, here is the result. Stay tuned for a youtube parody of the song with the new title and lyrics. Altogether now: “One day we’ll find it, the Rudeboy Connection, the Rastas, the rebels, and meeeeeeee….la, la, laaa, la….
“Advantages of being Jamaican.” People google the darndest things!
Someone in Canada recently found my Jamaican in China site by googling “advantages of being Jamaican.”
What’re you kiddin’ me???!! The advantages of being Jamaican? Did you really ask that???
Well then. Hmmmm. Okay. let me start by saying: According to experts, there are 1,013,913 words in the English language (and that doesn’t include the creative additions to said language that have been contributed by Jamaican patois itself.)
Now, as we all no doubt recall from our high school math class on “factorials”, the number of possible combinations (not to be confused with permutations) of those words into sentences ranges in numbers that are beyond comprehension! The formula requires first computing the factorial of 1,013,913. Just for reference, the factorial of 1,000,000 is already a number with 5.5 million digits. So, that goes light years beyond the known duodecillion, tredecillion, septillion, and even the Eddington-Dirac number. (Look it up!) But enough fun with math, let’s return to the question at hand.
Ahem. Consequently, that puts the possible combinations of phrases one could construct in the worthwhile–albeit futile– attempt to capture just how advantageous it is being Jamaican into the millions of millions of millions as well.
I suggest, therefore, in response to our Canadian Googler’s query, that even with that magnitudinous palette of words, the world’s greatest minds, on the most dedicated of teams, with the noblest of intentions, and the strongest of commitments, toiling ad infinitum, with no restrictions on funding or technological computing power, could NOT begin to scratch the surface of the molecules of dew on the tip of the iceberg of widely-known as well as discreetly-discussed advantages of what it means to us, and to the world to be Jamaican.
And that’s just my introduction to this vitally important topic…I’m organizing the team even as we speak.
“Do Jamaicans have the freedom of speech?” People Google the darndest things!
Someone in Rhode Island, USA (see tracker image), found my Jamaican in China blog by Googling “Do Jamaicans have the freedom of speech.” This gives me the perfect opportunity to share my opinion on this.
Yes, this is my opinion. This blog, my books and articles are all my opinions on a variety of topics. I believe we’d all agree that everyone is entitled to an opinion, yes? However, I also believe we, as a society need to agree that not all opinions are equal. Some opinions are just plain wrong and shouldn’t even be debated.
The trouble with our “free” society is this insane yet pervasive and persistent idea that all opinions are equal. Opinions may be equal quantitatively as in, you have one opinion, and I have another, and therefore 1 = 1, but qualitatively, your idea may be horse puckie.
In my opinion, people—particularly in America—have misinterpreted this concept of free speech. As far as US law is concerned, “free speech” simply means there are no laws on the books that will be used to punish you for what you say–and for a country ostensibly governed by the “rule of law” that’s good thing. However, freedom of speech does not mean you have freedom from consequences. The universe is governed by the law of cause and effect. Just because you are legally protected, doesn’t mean there are no consequences to your words and opinions. Nor does it mean that your words and opinions actually have merit in the larger scheme of things—even if those opinions are held by other people. People will react and respond and there are consequences. For instance, Oprah had the freedom to say on her show that everyone should become vegetarian. However, there were consequences. She was sued by the meat lobby. House Representative Todd Akin had the freedom to opine on the logistics of “legitimate rape.” His freely spoken opinion was acted upon by the voting public. The NRA’s Wayne LaPierre has the freedom to advocate for more guns in society. However, his position is marginalizing him in the public dialogue. History is replete with examples of people who paid a price for speaking freely Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, John Kennedy, et.al.
Those last few examples should not be interpreted in any way as intended to discourage you from speaking freely for what you believe in. My point is simply this: There is nowhere on the planet–Jamaica or any place else–or in this universe where speech is really free. Your words, whether positive or negative, good or evil, have creative power. Words have consequences. Use them wisely! This is part of the unseen realm of reality I discovered when I went In Search of a Better Belief System.
Scrambled tofu revisited
In response to some questions, comments and concerns I received about yesterday’s How to Reverse Aging Facebook group invitation, let me say this about that:
1. First, it really was delicious, but since there isn’t a Facebook taste-your-screen app yet, you’ll just have to take my (and my guest’s) word for it.
2. I would consider that sort of meal more of an interim, transitional recipe for those who are new to being vegetarian and would like some of the comfort and familiarity that comes with replicating certain aspects of their current diet as they make the transition.
3. I personally haven’t had tofu scrambler or fakin’ bacon in about 10 years. These days (I’ve been vegan since 1992), I tend toward fresh, raw fruits and vegetables as much as possible, as you may recall from on my daily shopping excursions when I was in Xishuangbanna and Hainan, as covered in this special ChinaTravel.net profile and interview.
4. To read all of my health secrets, check out “Yesterday’s You! How to Reverse Aging using special foods, vitamins, supplements and a few little-known, secret practices
People Google the Darndest things: Worldview of Jamaican Culture
Once again, people’s interest in things Jamaican is ongoing, and provides us all with teachable moments upon which to expand our knowledge.Just a few days ago (according to my tracker stats), someone in Maryland, USA, found my blog by googling “worldview of Jamaican culture” most likely to learn more about this endlessly fascinating topic.
So, I did what any self-respecting Jamaican would do when presented with such curiosity: I first chuckle at his/her ignorance, and then condescendingly proceed to explain our worldview. I thought a graphical representation would be the most illustrative, and in searching on Google for maps of the world, I came across a quite unique one at
https://crzisme.deviantart.com/art/World-Map-Typography-262638545.
It shows each country’s name written in text at a font size equivalent to that country’s shape and land mass on the planet. However, the creator of this image, quite like our dear Maryland information-seeker, is forgivably unaware of the need for a slight adjustment to his map. Therefore, I’ve made said adjustment and present to you, and the world a “to scale” graphical representation of the Jamaican worldview. This is how Jamaicans see ourselves in relation to the rest of the world. Thank me later.
click to see larger image.
