A Roof Please...

By Kerwin De Matas

Homelessness, socially displaced, transience etc. These are some of the names used to describe people that doesn't have an address to go to, or in other words, they don't live anywhere. It is sad, to see countless persons on the streets, dirty, hungry, simply, displaced...

An Indigenous Man In New Zealand

What causes this problem? There are a lot of reasons why people are on the streets, starting with simply not having enough to pay the home or apartment. It is really frightening that one day you have your own address, and because of economic problems, no matter what you do, the ends are just not meeting...You get two jobs, plus little side jobs, but the damage is already done, The payment just cannot be made. Maybe you might have a sympathetic landlord/lady to understand your plight, but if your dealings are with the bank, and you don't have an insurance for unemployment to help pay the debts, then forget it, look for another address!!

Homelessness Does Not Discriminate

What causes such distress? I don't think I am the one to give the answer, but I'll try anyway. Cost of living in an environment, where everything is so expensive and salaries too low to back up the costs. A person with a low salary, and in most cases not knowing how to budget their finances, causes such a build up of credit with the banks or department stores making it impossible to respect the payments that were due. Maybe this is asking too much, but I think to discontinue this trend, employers should help their employees with programs on how to manage their finances, not telling them how to spend their money, but just showing the basics on budgeting their finances.

Feeding Programs For The Homeless

Other causes for homelessness are, drugs, mental illness, pregnant women being thrown out of their homes by family members, poverty, escaping whatever abuse in the home, kids left abandoned by parents doing jail time, or simply left, never to return. What about war in certain countries, losing everything that was owned, or family that was loved. Famine, in some countries are so severe, that the area would just be unlivable, the home would be impossible to sell, and in the end, everything would just have to be left behind, whether in the care of someone, or alone, to migrate in search of better livelihood.

Natural Disasters

Of course, there are people who are really lazy, they don't want to work, and just prefer to live on the streets, an easy way out? The worst I guess, would be natural disasters. First of all, most insurance agencies don't cover natural disasters, so imagine in the case of hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes etc, if personal funding cannot be found, then everything has to be done from scratch, most people don't have the capacity to do that.

What About The Famous Skid Row In Los Angeles



Looking for refuge at a family's home might be an alternative, if no other can be had. If not, then the search for a roof has begun, where ever that might be... So there you have it, in my little opinion, this situation can happen to anyone of us, one day we can be under a roof, the next day, no..... Whenever we see homeless people in the street, just think of these situations that put them there in the first place. My aim is not to scare anyone, but just to be aware of the ' WHY ', there is always a ' WHY ' in every situation. Have a good day.

Candidate For Mini Tombs...

By Kerwin De Matas

In Chile, there is a type of tradition, when someone dies on the road or highway, may it be by accident or intentional, they would construct roadside memorials in the form of mini tombs. I don't intend on criticizing any one's culture or traditions. But I would really like to comment on these mini tombs we see daily, where ever we might be commuting or walking.

Which Colour Would You Need?

First, it is no surprise for me seeing or hearing about the road side accidents, since people just don't give a damn when crossing. Everyone just crosses on red lights, without a care in the world. Sometimes it's as if the pedestrians dare drivers to crash into them, or to just humble and slow down! Zebra crossings I respect, and it really is a shame when drivers just don't give a shit, and fly across these crossings regardless of people in the act of walking across.

Doesn't Matter, Respect Them!!

As a driver following the rest of the traffic guidelines, it is precarious driving on the roads of Santiago. It would be a sad day if a driver was to hit some one on these roads, because guess what, even if the driver was in the right, forget it, because witnesses are always on the side of the pedestrian. So might as well look for a good lawyer! Now if a victim dies in an auto accident while crossing, the family would construct a mini tomb on the roadside where the victim was struck. It doesn't matter where the accident occurred, a tomb would appear! First the flowers would arrive, then candles, finally the tomb. It's incredible how many of these mini tombs I would see on a daily basis, to and from work.

They Have Grown To Roadside Cemeteries















More curious, when there would be a cluster of these little tombs on an intersection, appearing like little cemeteries, and people would still continue anyway with this don't care attitude of crossing on red, but then suffering the consequences in the end. This ignorance or refusal to accept the traffic code, is something that is very common in this city, and is one of the greatest causes of roadside fatalities, but evidently, no one's learning, or they just don't give a shit!! So I guess, more roadside cemeteries then!!

Sacrifice Of Kids....

By Kerwin De Matas

God help us!! The things we see in the news sometimes, are simply unbelievable. Have anyone seen or heard what's going on in the Congo? Child soldiers....Okay, so this item has been discussed over and over again, it happens in a lot of countries, UNICEF had been looking into it for years, but it's still going on, and more than ever even. They say that the Congo can be one of the most richest regions in Africa, because of the supposed diamond deposits that exists there.

Africa

But because of the ongoing conflict that's pestering the economic state of this region, poverty is a factor which is destroying the very fabric that this region was sewn from. Help on terminating this conflict looks really remote. As for the diamonds helping the economy, I don't know. But from what I read few years back in the News Week, the Russians are known to have a huge reserve of diamonds locked away very safely, acquired from their exploits in those same African and Asian territories in their glory days.

Human Shields In Asia

It is said that if they had to put the entire bulk of their diamond holdings on the international market, the price of diamonds can very well go down, not to the extent of being very cheap, but definitely, not at the prices they go at right now. Coming back to these child soldiers in the Congo, it's really grave. These kids are under going training like any other soldier, on intensive warfare, learning to kill to be exact.

Indian Child Soldiers

To refer to them as cute, innocent kids, would be an understatement, since most of them are seasoned veterans in killing other human beings in cold blooded confrontations. Seeing an adult man or woman killed in combat is unsettling, but to see a kid, no matter what they have done, killed on the battle field, is simply a chilling experience I don't want to go through. Imagine a kid killed in this manner, could have been an adult some day, living the dream of following a normal career, having a family, living in a civilized society; Or if they were to continue living where they are in this moment, to just grow up into an adult soldier perhaps dying anyway...

Palestian Kids Prepare For Battle

I consider this a chilling reality that has to stop! Kids have the right all over to get a proper education, reach adulthood, then choosing a career they want to practice later on in life. Of course, child soldiers were used centuries before, in an undeveloped world, where there existed undeveloped civilizations. But as the world is developing now, we are in modern times, then why the hell in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, kids are still used for war. LEADERS, STOP IT, OPEN YOUR HEARTS, GET CIVILIZED AND JUST STOP IT!!

Injured Child Soldier

No End To The Nonsense!!

By Kerwin De Matas

" There are people in society who pretend to be good and pure, but are really wolves and snakes, believes Muslim leader Maulana Ibrahim Bin Yaqub ". www.trinidadexpress.com

What a nice start to an Eid sermon eh? Instead of trying to get involved on stopping crime in Trinidad; Instead of trying to stop all things that are dividing our house holds; Instead of trying to do something to get our youth back on track, the only thing this supposed leader, could have done on such a blessed day, was to give a sermon that would be enough to create more adversity to an island that is right now suffering.

A Muslim Mosque

Instead of attacking each other, now is the time where all the religions should come together to bring our peoples in unity again. These church leaders, after all, are very much looked up to in their respective congregations. Everyone knows the island is in trouble, but name calling won't help anyone! No religion in my opinion, should live as if they are in heaven, when in reality they are still in hell here on earth.

A Hindu Temple

All concentration should be on the ills that attack human kind, along with help, sympathy, compassion, and every other good us humans can give to each other. All I ever hear, is people trying to do things, to please God, so that they would be accepted in heaven.

A Catholic Church

Those persons are hypocrites! We should just try living a good and decent life, helping and giving with genuine love or concern, and depending on how our life was lived, then we would be judged later on by God for acceptance into heaven. But no, it's never like that...Concentration is always on how the things are done and it's like payment is always expected, whether it's earthly, or heavenly!!

We All Occupy The Same Earth, We Should All Get Along!!

Cut it out, and stop looking for payment on good deeds done! Whether people are pretenders or not as this Imam said in his sermon, others who are supposed to be genuine, are supposed to look beyond that, and continue living side by side with humanity, instead of maintaining their heads in the clouds. Let's be good to each other please, because we never know how long we would be on this earth, and we need to help each other from the heart...Now more than ever, it's necessary.

Life Goes On....

By Kerwin De Matas

I am getting older, seems like yesterday I was just a kid, and of course I still feel like a kid. It's really a strange feeling for some people when they have finally crossed over into their thirties. Before, while still a teen, or in the twenties, it didn't matter. A teen felt like a grown up, whilst in the twenties, a person would feel like they should be responsible for something or some one. But once the thirties have been reached, it's like wow, I reached. When I started going over the thirty mark, that's when I felt, whoa man, slow down, because then I felt like the years were really beginning to go too fast. It's incredible the amount of reflection I did on the life that I have lived so far.

An Interesting Book

Fine, I worked on a cruise line, made enough money so that I could have my own home in Chile, but then what? How many more years would pass before I turned sixty, not too far away now. I am thinking, this is the time to get serious and do something quickly, I don't know, maybe study? Yes, that's it, I should try studying to get a proper certificate, so that I can get a better job before forty. That way, I can send my kid to a good school, give him the chance to grow up in a secure environment, and still have extra dough to send my other son to university. That way I can say later, yes, I did something worth while with my life, and that I didn't waste it! I know that money is not everything in life, but again, it is necessary. If I wanted a hippie life, maybe then I wouldn't have to care too much, but I'm not living that life.

Time To Slow Down!

People always tell me that I should just live this life day by day, and not worry so much...How can I, when there are so much things to do, and so little time to them. Anyone reading this might say, this guy is exaggerating a little, I don't think so. I think that we should try planning our lives to the extent, so as not to have nasty surprises later on. When I am in my old age, I would feel a lot more relaxed knowing that I wouldn't have to worry economically, physically, mentally etc. Talking about being rich would be jumping the gun, even I know that, but it is sad when people reach retirement, and they have to continue working so hard to make ends meet, it's too distressing to even think about.

Now This Is What I'm Talking About!!

Of course, knowing my self, I would want to continue working, but because I would want to, not because I would have to. That's the difference that I want to make in my life, and I want all the preparations done while I still have the extra energy to do so... How fantastic it is to still experience the feeling of celebrating another year, to feel the goose bumps, when I think about it, but to also remember, that life is running, and it is running fast. I am young now, but it would be a shame, if the life was to run out, and I wasn't prepared to run it. For me, that is going to be an important lesson to teach my kid that's on the way. He should enjoy his life to the fullest, but he should also be prepared to run through life in good stride, with out falling down too hard, when he might fall down sometimes. Another year has come, and it is going...But my happiness is still with me, thank you God, if I did not thank you too much before....

Conning Charity....

By Kerwin De Matas

If someone has to sit back and think of the things that can piss them off, maybe it can be many, or maybe nothing at all. Charity is all well and good, helping a brother or a sister is something people should get involved in. But when fraud, in the form of charity sets in, that's where I personally draw the line!

Has To Be A Very Experienced Researcher!

It's these jerk-offs that causes the rest, that are in genuine need of help, to be shunned. Where ever you go in this world, con men, and women, can be found, scheming and planning new ways to con generous people, with supposed projects to help unfortunate people. These crimes against society, should be heavily punished, why? Because, when genuine projects to help genuine poor people are introduced, these projects are avoided on a grand level by people worried of getting conned.

Should We Laugh?

Care, on the part of organizations whose names are used to carry out these cons, should be taken and to ensure that the people who are supposed to be helped, are helped, and not just taken for a ride!! Getting into big time charity cons, is something that is just too big for me to comment on, due to the sophistication put into their elaborate plans, and so I leave that to the experienced reporters. But looking at ordinary cons, like the all famous begging. Who's who, is just too frustrating to try figuring out.

Who's Who?

It's sometimes difficult when walking or driving, on every corner can be found some person begging, but the styles of begging would sometimes be so hilarious, a person wouldn't know if to laugh, or to be pissed off. Very well, the famous blind person; one with a good heart, would be touched immediately and want to give a few coins, but to the end of the day, the shameless rogue would just take off the spectacles, hop a bus and go home with a nice haul. What about the cripple..the extent some people would go to in getting money from passers by. A crook in a wheel chair, sometimes their legs doubled under them, or simply pretending an accident had happened a long time ago, and now cannot walk.

What About The Wristband Scam?...

Or what about the people that can dislocate their limbs, walking around with their limbs dangling. It's totally disgusting, when a person finds out that they were false. These are only some of the shit one can see on the streets on a daily basis, now how the hell can someone like myself give to these people, when I don't know who's who!...What really breaks my heart though, is to see parents taking their kids out of school, teaching them to beg, or to get money by stealing, or worse, prostitution. How the hell can a parent, put their kid on the street all day in whatever weather, dressing up as clowns, dancing in front of cars, doing acrobatics at the traffic lights etc.

Kids Used To Sell On The Street

This is without a doubt, against all regulations according to the UNICEF, on child labour. Sometimes, or I should correctly say, all the time I wonder, where are the authorities to clamp down on kids being used to get money, and to ensure that their education is continued, so that they can benefit, in this life that is so damn hard, and getting harder. Remember, speaking for myself, I think that I would still go on giving money, and if one of the persons that I gave money to, was in fact a con person, then of course, God never sleeps! Don't be stupid you crooks, and find a job!!

Unicef Cannot Do It Alone

Hey! Lighten Up!

By Kerwin De Matas

What makes people get along from the start, I mean, what makes people tick? For example, there was this friend of my wife's that she hasn´t seen in a long time. This lady was visiting from the south of Chile, and was to stay at our home for one night. Fine, we reached at the bus terminal to pick-up this lady, and I don´t know, there was just something that happened. Not being a professional in these things, I can´t give a name to what occurred, and why it occurred, it was totally weird. Of course, experiences like these has happened to me before, and again, I just could not explain why.

Am I?

There would be people that I like immediately from the first; then people that I would have to get to know better, but then eventually liking, or not; but then people, I just could not get the vibes with for some reason, at the very start! I just can´t explain. Why´s that? There was a time I thought I was really anti-social; could not, or would not talk to just anyone; staying away from groups when I was younger, because I felt like I just did not belong. So, that´s it, I thought that I was an unfriendly person, until I found out, I won´t say where, but I found out that I was not unfriendly, or anti-social, but was just timid...Great, means that I am normal, and that I don´t go around making friends that easily, but for those that are my friends, I do cherish their friendship. Alright, so I am timid... but that just does not explain why, when I meet some people for the first time, they just go against my grain. Coming back to my wife´s friend. She looked like she was a good person I guess, but the plans that my wife was making for us to go to the south on a visit at her home, well, I guess I don´t know, speaking for myself of course. Now, for me it´s incredible, that my wife and her friends, studied together years before, yet the contact between them is just awesome.

Something That We Should Learn At A Young Age?

For me, having friends like that would be fantastic, or no?... Don´t know the answer to that, after all, apart from my wife, I can pass all my time alone and enjoy it, how weird. I won´t say I am a loner, I can integrate a group now, and enjoy myself a lot, sometimes even being the center of attention. But, if I had the choice, I think I would just relax with my time off, being alone with my wife, or just by myself. Now, if someone reading my blog can explain to me, why is it that I am like how I am, I would really appreciate it. If I feel like one of nature´s freaks, hell no! I love life, and I appreciate the fact that there are people in it. Until I can find a proper explaination for my lack of enthusiam sometimes, in the social circle, I am just going to enjoy this life like I know how to...Have a good Monday!!

No To Bounty Hunters!!

By Kerwin De Matas

Basdeo Pandy wants to promote bounty hunting in Trinidad. Mr. Pandy, be careful what you ask for. Remember Pandora's box? In the United States, bounty hunting has laws that control bounty hunting activities, some states still condone this activity. Without these bounty hunting laws in the U.S, there would just be a burst of outlaws, hunting criminals for money, without regard for the law. In the United States, bounty hunters are normally affiliated with bondsmen and are known in the judicial system as,' bail enforcement agents or fugitive recovery agents '.

Organized Bounty Hunting In The U.S

Even with these fancy names, sometimes they go over the law committing crimes such as, invasion of private property, kidnapping, physical abuse etc... These people can go onto some one's property with out even a search warrant, in search of a possible fugitive of the law, what do you think about that? Until now, it's only in the U.S.A, that the laws for bounty hunting are much more developed, and had been drafted into their laws for centuries. In most other countries, bounty hunting is totally, ILLEGAL! Imagine now, our little twin island state of Trinidad and Tobago, where crime is a serious factor, and the local police service cannot combat it, introducing bounty hunters? That would just be the icing on the cake!! This is not something to be thought up of like that, and then do it! In an island so damn small, bounty hunting seems so ridiculous, forgive me, but it is!!

A Bounty Hunter's I.D

The village where Riaz Khan was from, wants to put up an alarm system to alert other village members of a crime in progress. I think this is a damn good idea, because catching the delinquent/delinquents in the action, and then giving them a good cutass*, would be justice well done, and then turn them over to the police! Other communities, need to put their heads together in getting back communities from delinquents, and hopefully the police service would cooperate with them on getting back the peace...Now of course, the judicial system should try revising some of their laws to avoid putting scumbags, back on the streets also. Citizens should be given helpful information on citizen arrests, and when carried out, they must be applauded and encouraged when trying to help in maintaining law and order in Trinbago again.

Citizens Organized By The Local Police Service

Mr Panday, Trinbago does not need bounty hunters, Trinbago needs competent police, politicians, judges etc. We as citizens, need to get together on putting a stop in crime, and not adding to it. Think very well, when you come up with these ideas Mr.Pandy. Where Trinbago is heading, I just don't know. You, then Manning,God help us! Robinson was an idiot, but I just can't recall him doing so much nonsense, as you two...

*This is Trinbagonian slang for a beating.

Vietnam 2

By Kerwin De Matas

Well done Mr Bush...this what you wanted? World wide recognition to help you, and your crony sidekick, Mr Donald Rumsfeld, go up the political ladder, getting national acclaim while you are at it...Sheriff and deputy, what a beautiful couple you guys make, for making the biggest blunders, that is!! Take a good look, both of you. You want to glorify all your actions; You want to call the young men and women, that go across there and die, heroes; The thousands of " heroes " that died since this ridiculous war started, on both the U.S and Coalition sides, are simply astounding, sirs!

No End To Road Side Bombings

If not for the respect that I have for my friends and their kids, whom I know, read my blog, I would really use some really colourful vocabulary to describe you jerks. Everyone reads the news, sceptics always go on about the media making up half the stories on their tabloids...I hope to God those sceptics are right! Because the numbers are really scary, are you determined to continue sending kids across there, knowing full well that most of them might not come back? This war is becoming more and more like Vietnam every day sirs! The insurgents are recuperating, and organizing themselves much better in guerrilla warfare, idiots! Don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that one, Mr President and side kick. It is all good and well to serve country with honor, but only if intelligent Intel can be gathered to avoid unnecessary slaughter

How Can They Be Stopped?!

Study these guys and their way of fighting, look at their strategy...For crying out loud, you guys are supposed to have the best military minds at the Pentagon, what the hell is going on? So far, it looks like these guys are always a step ahead of the security forces, having connections that are just sophisticated among their own country men, to find time in mounting road side bombs, incredible. If a solution cannot be found to put an end to the insurgency in Iraq, I am seeing the drafting process coming back into full effect in the United States. Since it was the U.S that started this quagmire in the first place, of course it has to be them to solve it with all hands on deck, along with a lot of U.S tax dollars. Mr.Bush says that everything is under control, and soon the U.S would be out of there; Guess what Mr Bush, everyone agrees that you are full of bull***t!!

I Bet They Pray A Lot To Get Out Of There!

Look...Today, I had a totally different topic that I wanted to talk about, but on seeing CNN, I was just blocked, my mind went empty. There are a lot of professional writers and reporters, that cover these events as they happen, if they are affected by what they write, I don't know. But I think amateur writers, from what ever country they might be in, should write their displeasure on this war in Iraq, pressuring the Bush administration to correct this blunder, so that all this suffering on both sides would come to an end. Let's not have a Vietnam repeating here, please, it's just too much!

Some One's Best Friend

By Kerwin De Matas

Maybe this is nothing important for most people, but for animal lovers like myself, it means a lot. There are feline lovers, rodent lovers, insect lovers, I mean, the love for nature's species comes in different forms. I myself, am a dog lover. As a kid, I always brought home strays, and then my mother would always send me back to leave them where I found them!

Military Dog

Then as a teenager, I had a motley crew of pets , that when I think about it now, is just to laugh at. But my real weakness were for the dogs. Who really runs things, I wonder sometimes, dogs or us? One time I saw a movie, and it voiced those very questions, it was very hilarious! Do we walk the dogs, or do they walk us? We have to clean after dogs, not them after us!

Sporting Dog

When we are hungry or thirsty, we have to satisfy ourselves, but when man's best friend is hungry or thirsty, we have to serve them! It really is curious, isn't it? Then what use, are dogs to us? It's not really hard to answer that question. Dogs has been part of our lives for as long as we can remember, they do take care of us if we really think about it... They can be trained to save lives in the mountains, at sea, in jungles or forests...they help in police work, and have proven themselves capable of a job well done in this field.

Seeing Eye Dogs Are Really Incredible

In farm work, they are proven, indispensable as ranchers, working very well with sheep, cows etc. To see them working with handicapped people, sometimes I don't know if to feel touched, or just damn proud to see an animal that I have so much faith in, working with people that depend on them with their lives! Now even if there are dogs that might not be trained to the extent of the dogs mentioned above, they still prove themselves as the most trustworthy partners to the people they live with.

Who Would Be Their Owners?

Then why is it there are people that just don't give a damn, wanting to be dog owners, but neglecting their dogs. Or worse, people that just don't like dogs, going out of their way to mistreat them in ways, that are just too horrible to accept. Come on people, when taking on the responsibility of dog ownership, this is something that should be taken seriously!! It really is sad to see some kids, and adults with their new puppy.

Why?!

They go around thinking that they really love their new pet, but finding out later, that when the dog is bigger, it just isn't cute any more, and they just don't want anything more to do with it...too sad. When taking on a dog, just think that this dog would be your friend, this dog would worship the ground you walk on, if the proper attention is given to it. A person would be surprised at the things that dogs would do, when it receives genuine love. My recommendation, don't adopt a dog, or even buy one, if there just wouldn't be the time or patience to care for it.....

Hard Competition!

By Kerwin De Matas

Competition...what a heck of a word. From day one, man has been known to be very competitive, it's just in our blood I would guess. Some people get very nervous just hearing the word. But guess what...competition is very much part of our daily lives. Without this in our lives, development would not happen, simply speaking. Have you ever noticed for example on the way to work. You would leave your home, if you don't have a car of course, you would be walking very fast to get to the bus stop, why?

Competitiveness In Exams

It's so that you won't miss the bus of course ha ha! But seriously, you are walking so fast, but at the same time an occasional glance to the left and right, to see if anyone is walking faster than you are to get a good spot in the line at the bus stop. Curious, isn't it? Almost every thing we do on a daily basis, is on a competitive beat.

Sporting Competition

When I worked on the Cruiseline, competition there was very intense. I don't think anyone had, in the department where I worked, a true friend... Working in the bar department, everyone was your potential competition. Money was made on a commission basis, with a very small base salary.

Product Competition

Now when one had to leave their home for a period of six months, and in some cases eight months, the only choice was just to become a money making machine for both yourself and the company, or the crew member just won't be of any use. In an environment like that, activities are always provided by the crew relations department,(which is equivalent to a human resources office), to lighten the atmosphere a little bit, but one would still find themselves withdrawn on the inside, whilst trying to appear normal on the outside.

Cruise line Competition....


Competition is definitely a part of a crew member's life while on board. So speaking on the part of present or ex-crew members, competition is nothing to be nervous or scared of, after all, to survive in life, competition is necessary. This is a part in life that demonstrates a person's will to go on to make an acceptable life for one's self and/or their family.

....Makes Crew Members, Just As Competitive


As I have learnt, money is not all, but it is necessary in a developed environment. So for people that might be frustrated a little of the competitiveness of other people, don't be, it just means that you also have to get into the competitive mode, good luck!