Reality Setting In

We have only now realized that we have been totally and willfully negligent with the territory's finances. REAL cost cutting measures are being put in place and I am sure there are more to come. Like I said in a previous post, we have to run the territory like a responsible household. The legislators are taking a cut too and I am with them. We have to work together to get the place in line.

I still see little inconsistencies but hopefully these kinks can be ironed out. It will take a while and the young people will have to learn to cope. This is the only the beginning and there's a lot more come. We have to brace and keep pryaing.

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POEM: Me, The Critic

I am quite a disturbed critic
but I'm conscientious with my lyrics
I see it as it is
I know how the world spins
I interpret with a global perspective -
being terse, real and selective
because living a lie ain't cool
neither is acting like an old fool
When I send my children to school
they best use the educational tools
to broaden their minds
cause while some people are kind
many are wicked and devious
so you have to be wise and equipped
to avoid constantly getting licks
hold on tight to God
cause prayer can loosen any clod or clog
so whether you are a critic, pessimist or optimist
set your priorities on your list
and set your life in motion
and live with patience, love and devotion

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Uses for Purchased and Giveaway Tote Bags

Tote bags can be very useful, but having too many takes up space. Find new uses for purchased and giveaway tote bags.

Tote bags are given away at trade shows, from stores, promotional events and also can be purchased from department stores and high-end boutiques. Tote bags can be used for travel, trips to the

beach, for text books, for storage and are also environmentally friendly. Extra tote bags can also be shared with family and friends so that they can enjoy the many uses.

Tote Bags are Environmentally Friendly

In this day of environmental awareness, public service announcements fill the media encouraging shoppers to refrain from taking their purchases in plastic and paper bags. Having a few strong and large tote bags that can hold the heavier groceries like a 1-gallon bottle of milk or a ten-pound bag of rice is very helpful. Tote bags can also be used when shopping at the mall for clothing and shoes. Most tote bags, although some are promotional giveaways, can be easily cleaned and washed making them last longer and friendlier for the environment.

Tote Bags are Great for Carrying Textbooks

Keeping textbooks in a tote bag reduces the chance of the books being lost or misplaced. This works especially for persons who are taking part-time college courses while working full-time. Of course, if there are several heavy text books, it is more advisable to purchase a backpack with comfort straps and back support.

Take a Tote Bag to the Beach

Giveaway tote bags in most cases have enough holding space to place the beach towel, change of clothing, sunscreen, water, snacks and other items that are needed for a trip to the beach.

Storage in Tote Bags

Some tote bags are large enough to hold laptops or children's puzzles that have cardboard bases. Rather than have the puzzle pieces lost in the house, the puzzles can easily fit in a zippered tote bag safe for future use. Other children's toys, small electronic equipment and other household supplies can be stored in a tote bag for future use so that pieces will not be misplaced.

Travel with a Tote Bag

Tote bags work for land, sea and air travel because the bags can be packed lightly while holding necessities such as deodorant, change of clothing, slippers and other items.

Extra Tote Bags Can be Shared with a Friend

Extra tote bags can be shared with a family member or a friend so that they can enjoy the benefits. Extra bags can also be donated to a thrift store. Tote bags come in different styles and colors and can be obtained at no cost or can be purchased. Use the bags for travel, storage, textbooks and groceries.

Tote bags are especially useful because the bags are environmentally friendly and most can be cleaned or washed for constant reuse.

Use Your Hobbies to Save Money & Gain Additional Income

Saving is key and hobbies can be used to save money or gain additional income. Cooking, sewing, hair braiding and farming are just some ways to save more.

Today, people want to stay ahead of their monthly bills and commitments and also want to want to travel or treat themselves and their families. Sometimes, regular income may not cover all of the outgoings so that any treats can be enjoyed. However, there are some hobbies that can help the family to save or generate additional income to make the treats or trip a reality.

Grow Food to Make & Save Money

Fruits, vegetables and herbs are always in demand in the home. So if someone has a container garden with herbs, these fresh herbs can be used in the kitchen and there will be no need to purchase them from the supermarket or other places.When there are excess fruits and/or vegetables, the extras can be sold aroundthe neighborhood or to a Farmers' Market or hotel or restaurant.

Design Greeting Cards

For persons who like to design and have a knack for crafts and creativity, greetings cards can be created for special occasions rather than spending at the stationery store. This hobby requires a good printer, card stock paper and any scraps of cloth, colored paper, shells and any other creative scraps for decorative detail. The cards can be made for birthdays, anniversaries, Mothers' Day, Fathers' Day, weddings, Christmas and any other special occasions. If other family members or friends express interest in the cards, then this can grow into a business where special cards are made upon request.

Culinary Enthusiasts Can Bake & Cook to Make Money

Baking at home saves money from purchasing store-bought breads or cakes which sometimes have exceeded the shelf life. People who love to bake can also offer to bake cakes, cookies, pies or tarts for special functions as a way to make extra money. For those who enjoy cooking, submitting bids to cater for small functions can be profitable but it is important to weigh the expenses so that costs are covered.

Sewing, Knitting & Crocheting Generate Income

 Having a sewing machine and knowing how to operate it well can help a family save money especially if any family member wears uniforms. By sewing for the family, it is easy to gather a few customers in the neighborhood, at the children's school or at the workplace. Knitting and crocheting are excellent hobbies to create items such as doilies, dresses, sweaters, wall hangings and other items which can be used at home or sold. These items can also be entered into exhibitions or fairs in competitions which may have cash prizes.

Hair Braiding at Home

In the Caribbean, most of the primary or elementary school-aged children wear braids or cornrows of their natural hair (without extensions) to school. A braided hairstyle for a child can cost a minimum of US$20 at most hair salons. It is much more cost effective for women to braid their children's hair at home. If the braiding skills are good and the talents extend to the braiding of extensions or sewing of weaves, then additional income can be generated from family and friends who need their hair styled.

While hobbies can help a family to save and attract extra income for the family, it is important to keep a balanced home life. If a hobby starts to take over the time spent at home or at work, then the hobbyist would have to decide to take the hobby to a small business level.

Music from 2000: My Name is Joe by Joe Thomas

Fans of R&B are quite familiar with Joe Thomas and his melodic music. My Name is Joe was released in 2000 with songs like "Stutter" and "I Wanna Know".

Released in 2000 via the Zomba Recording Corp., Joe Thomas gave fans a thrilling journey with My Name is Joe. Fourteen tracks comprise this album including hits like "Stutter", "I Wanna Know" and "Thank God I Found You". For this sophomore album, Joe incorporated artists like NSYNC, Nas and Mariah Carey to give this album a fresh musical twist.

Joe's Discography

Joe Thomas first debuted in 1997 with All That I Am with songs like "All The Things (Your Man Won't Do)". And Then... was released in 2003 with "More & More" and Ain't Nothin' Like Me and Better Days in 2007. A compilation titled Greatest Hits came in 2008. Follow-up albums include Joe Thomas, New Man (2008), Signature (2009), Joe Live From Japan (2010) and The Good The Bad The Sexy (2011). **The Songs of My Name is Joe** Joe co-wrote several of the tracks on My Name is Joe and also co-produced it with Josh P. Thompson. The tracks include a short "Intro", "Table for Two", "Black Hawk", "So Beautiful", "5,6,3" and "Get Crunk Tonight".

• "I Wanna Know": Joe, J. Skinner and A. Gordon co-wrote this sultry love song that states "I wanna know what turns you on…I wanna know what makes you cry, so I can be the one who makes you smile". In 2000, that was a strange request coming from a male and this is why the ladies loved this song. "Girl he never understood what you were worth, and he never took the time to make it work" start the second verse.
• "Treat Her Like a Lady": "Tell me when was the last time you brought her roses home from work" start off this track that asked all men to take care of their ladies. "Treat Her Like a Lady" contains a portion of Isaac Hayes' "Bumpy's Lament" and all the instruments were arranged by Steve "Stone" Huff. In the bridge, Joe admonishes men by singing "if this don't apply to you, then keep doing what you do".
• "I Believe in You": Joe collaborated with the then boy band NSYNC which included members like JC Chasez, Justin Timberlake, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick on "I Believe in You". Allen Gordon, Jr., Joe and J. Scott Skinner wrote this song that affirms that agape love can exist. The men sing "I believe, I swear that forever from today, no one will take your place…and I believe our love will last always" in the chorus."
• "Thank God I Found You": "Thank God I Found You (Make It Last Remix Edit)" comes from the original "Make It Last Forever" performed by Keith Sweat. Joe collaborates with rapper Nas and Mariah Carey to give this classic R&B track a hip flavor. "Your touch is wonderful, your love is so marvelous…nothing, no one, could compare to what we have" are a sample of the lyrics.

My Name is Joe is classic R&B from 2000 that which including infusions of hip hop, soul and R&B. Joe is an artist who has made an impact in the music industry and his music is respected.

POEM: Surviving

My spirit is alive
and my heart continues to thrive
because as I open my eyes
I am enticed by the new sights
the new ideas and fresh promises
aware of the specifics
of getting by and surviving
sticking hard and fast and striving
I know that I have hills to climb
but these are the days when life is sublime
because even with the ups and downs
a smile or a hug can turn it around

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Government Running Like a Household

Crisis is surrounding us more and more all over the world. We have problems in the Government, in the homes, in the churches and in the schools. The streets have another set of issues, however the streets also has its own form of justice. What troubles me is the lack of common sense in human behavior. I think back of the tough decisions that I have had to make in 2011 and even further back. I think of the many sacrifices I have had to make to keep afloat. I watch many others with their lavish lifestyles, fancy rides and over the top looks and I just smile, applaud and stay focused on my goals.

I think the many governments need to run the public’s business like a responsible household. It is really the same concept – manage the assets and minimize the liabilities while seeking opportunities for growth. However, most Government officials pretend like their countries finances are a bottomless pit of wealth. Too many are crying deficit right now and it brings a foul air of uncertainty for their constituents.

It crawls my blood to hear officials talk about layoffs, pay cuts and the like when they remain on their wealth level. What message are they sending to the youth – get yours and don’t care about anyone else! I feel for example that the BVI Govt needs to hold on festival celebration event in 2012. They would have to show me a significant increase in government revenue around the festival time to show me that there needs to be a festival in Virgin Gorda in April, Cane Garden Bay in May, Long Look, Cane Garden Bay and Road Town in August. If the various communities can fund these festivities then let them go ahead but when festival becomes more important than education – I can’t stand it.

It’s either that we are going to wake up or die in poverty.

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