Dear Editor,
A WEEK of activities, last week to “lift” the spirit of the people with the fisher folk grant injection, oil boom at home and success in Barbados, and, an event to daunt the mood with the road death of a school girl.  Old people say, “too much laugh does make you cry”. But laughter is a good medicine, so the doctor says too.
1. Jamaica was unable to draw first blood from Guyana as the Eagles avoided the Scorpions’ sting and a drawn game was played.
2. “Size doesn’t matter.” Words of experience spoken like a true Leader in Barbados.
3. “And we all know that public opinion can be unkind.” Spare the rod and spoil the child. This time around, it’s the Queen’s expression in London.
4. To forge is fraud (illegal). But when local businesses forge partnership with Barbados private sector, it’s fruitful (legal),
5. “My God, what have I done?” vs “Did I do that?”  It didn’t happen in a dream, it’s a living nightmare! Yes, we’re not hallucinating about Raphael’s two per cent raw deal!
6. Ricky Nelson sang “I need you.” In Guyana, who really needs who? You need me more than I need you or vice versa?
7. Don’t be the attacker when fighting, be the defender. Biden arms Ukraine with new rockets but they cannot use them to fire into Russia’s terrain due to a 50Km range limitation.
8. The foot and mouth (no, not the disease) can tumble from a stumble. It allows some to talk the walk and others to walk the talk. Now, there are those who talk the talk and walk the walk. Which talk do you walk or the opposite? Gets confusing!
9. By hook or crook, they will look into every nook and cranny inside and outside of the book to rig the election with their agents stationed here, there and everywhere.
10. Ever heard of EAGE (European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers)? Now EVERYTHING has an E (including the word): E-age, E-
E-Networks, E-mail, E-Cigarettes E-Ticket, E-bike……
11. “We cannot see ourselves as opposition sides of the wicket, we have to see ourselves as a singular, collective, one partner working together to bring prosperity to the people.” Finally, words of wisdom from the Opposition leader?
12. Politics vs Cricket vs Business. “I’ve had enough of this. Five months and I’m out of this.” No, not the election racket, nor the LoO appointment but personal preference. It’s business… as usual, so the story goes.
13. Shoot first and then ask questions. The days of the Wild West never left us as the bullets were meant for the dead man’s friend.
14. If you do not borrow money, then, you do not owe anyone anything. $9M? Tch! Thanks for saving the day and the bacon Mr. VP.
15. The case of Tom (no, not Jeff Thomson the fierce Australian fast bowler), vs Joel (no, not Big Bird Joel Gardner, the feared WI fast bowler). A game of finance ends up on the field (battle?), Economics vs Politics. End result?  Umpire calling out students at tertiary exam due to failing to read the pace instead of fairing with ace!
16. “Clean up your mess!” Famous, familiar and final words from a parent to a child. Heard that “clean up” money encourages the mess to stay at the bottom of the sea which will do more good than harm for marine life.
17. The pen (feather) is always mightier than the sword (word). From home wrecker to future consort, The Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla, will be known as “Queen Consort” when Prince Charles becomes King of England, as per the Queen “sincere wish”.
18. “The way forward” points to only one route. That road does not tolerate no one to hold the government at ransom and try to bully and behave in any way that is contumacious and contemptuous either of the government or the important constitutional processes. It’s very clear in plain and simple language!
19. Sticks and stones may break our bones but gamma cherry (agriculture) will glue us together. Soca and chutney make a dancing pair with Prime Minister Mia Mottley tangoing with President Irfaan Ali in Barbados.
20. Hope to be in the final play off. No, not Shai Hope but the Harpy Eagles… if they qualify!
Yours sincerely,
Jai Lall