What does Tomb Raider and a Mastectomy have in Common?

What does the movie: "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" and a Mastectomy have in common? If you haven't already heard, I'm sure you maybe wondering. I'll tell you. Think of the woman with the trademark chapped lips in Hollywood. If you watched Tomb Raider, Salt, The Tourist--Mr & Mrs. Smith; you already know who it is.

That's right.

The poster child for Lara Croft: Tomb Raider; is now the poster child for cutting off your boobs for health reasons. I present:

ANGELINA JOLIE: Double Mastectomy patient. <-- (READ IT)

What is a mastectomy you ask? Check out this definition.

Now a lot of people may be wondering why the hell she would do such a thing. If you're a boob lover like me (confession is good for the soul), then you probably wouldn't initially be a big supporter of such a move.

You can see my initial reaction below:



 Then, I kinda got a little outrageous... (Just a little teensy weensy bit *nervous smile* **)

However, after my brief outburst I decided to read and find out exactly why. Turns out, her mother died of breast cancer at age 56 (Jolie is 37 now) and after doing tests, she discovered she has the genes that gave her an 87% chance of getting breast cancer, and a 50% percent chance of getting ovarian cancer. Those genes are called BRCA1 and another faulty gene, called BRCA2.

**If it makes you feel better, I already knew about this procedure; I knew why it was done, although I had only seen it once before, so my initial outburst was just me wondering if she was just doing it 'cause she could, like several celebrities tend to do with various operations and procedures.

Now I, like many people, have a SPECIAL hatred for cancer. My hatred is due to cancer killing so many good people I knew, and affecting Seventh Day Adventists especially, despite us claiming to have the health message.

I really couldn't imagine my wife (to be) having to cut off her breasts though, but at the same time, after reading up on Angelina's case, I completely understood and supported her decision. We ALL know its a serious thing when people say "prevention is better than cure".

So guys (or girls, if you totally have a girl crush on Angelina), don't worry. If the image of a flat-chested Jolie in upcoming movies is plaguing your mind like it did mine, I have good news:

 

The Tomb Raider body shall remain! \o/

This is a really brave and commendable move from the iconic star, and I'm sure her husband--wait, dem nuh married yet nuh tru?! I cudda swear they were! But I know he supports her. If you don't know who is her husband, please to slap yourself several times and read the story > HERE < to find out is who. I'll give you a hint: his name rhymes with "Bad Wit"...

I'm sure that like many other celebs the lady who always looks like she needs chapstick Angie will definitely inspire many women to be proactive and do what they have to do to stay healthy and give themselves a better chance at having longer lives.

However, one major drawback is that the test alone costs US $3000. O_O That's alotta money. That's almost $300,000 JMD. It's a high price to pay for just a test. Imagine the whole procedure.

Overall, even though I'm a quintessential breast lover, I fully support Angie's move. It'd be tough for me to deal with if I was her husband, but I think I'd definitely want to increase my woman's chances of being around longer too. If I ever get to that bridge, I hope we'll be rich enough to pay for implants!

You can read a more personal account of Jolie and her mastectomy <---- here.

Cancer sucks, so kudos to the Tomb Raider for unearthing the confidence to make a move so bold that may just prolong her life, and eventually, the lives of many other women.

Why are Jamaicans, and Blacks by extension Homophobic?

>>>>>>>>>>DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT SUPPORT HOMOSEXUALITY<<<<<<<<<<<

I am a huge basketball fan. However, on April 29, 2013, something hardly basketball related--save for the fact that it had to do with a basketball player, opened my eyes to a pretty interesting question.

Jason Collins

Jason Collins (NBA player of the Washington Wizards, now a free agent) became the first active Major US Pro athlete (meaning in Hockey, Basketball, Baseball or Football i.e. NFL) to come out and openly admit to being gay. There have been instances where former players have “come out of the closet” to disdain by many and with support from a few, but an active player? This was unprecedented.

Being the opinionated fellow that I am, I posted an opinion on Facebook, (in jest) that I would no longer watch sports. A friend of mine took my jest literally but it was all in fun to me. However later on, this prompted me to ask a very pertinent set of questions. (And yes I still intend to watch sports).

What’s the reason for homophobia being so high in Jamaica & other Caribbean countries, while at lower levels in North America and Europe? What’s so different with us? Why are we so anti-gay when the rest of the world isn’t? Mind you, I’m not pro-gay, because I believe in the Bible which is against it, and I think homosexuality is unnatural.

Imagine my shock to receive an answer saying: “Educated people are more open minded & liberal, so make of that what you will.”

Okay, WHAT?! -------> /:O (see link)

Am I to understand that straight people are uneducated?! I had to restrain myself from responding the way I really wanted to. Because we don't agree or support a position? Please. Have several seats. That is a faaaar cry from being uneducated.

Thankfully, a friend of mine says she’s secretly a historian and pointed out to me that:

 “Homosexuality was introduced forcefully to Africans. White men raped them into submission they feared.”

She added that the practice has been a part of world dominant cultures and to maintain dominance, men raped men. If true, this would explain why black people are so homophobic, and with good reason I’d say. Therefore, people of the Caribbean (who are made up of mostly African descendants), have merely inherited the fear of our forefathers. I won't accept that at face value as plausible as it sounds; therefore, I intend to research this further, make myself more "educated" if you will. It's something I need to get to the bottom of... LOL

You know I had to put a pun somewhere.


P.s. I do not believe homosexuals are to be beaten, or treated unfairly even though we do not agree with their decision to lead that lifestyle. So even though I do not support that lifestyle and I will flatly refuse ANY suggestion that I should be accepting of the lifestyle, they should be treated just like any other human beings. I don't hate them, and will never hate them as people, I just hate what they're doing, just like any other thing that is a sin.

Alwayne - The Philosopher!

Sooooo.... I recently posted my thoughts on love. What love entails is an age old question that will continue to be asked. Answering it will now be easier, thanks to me! :D My definition got so much traction, I thought I would share it here. As it came to me (fairly) randomly, I posted this on my Facebook:

"What is love?

My new definition: Accepting someone unconditionally; faults and all, and being able to harmoniously co-exist by building on their strengths and helping them along with their weaknesses. The latter must never be mistaken for or substituted with trying to change someone into what you want them to be. Love will make amicable compromises."

*Only one detractor has said I'm "myopically philosophical". Meh... Haters gonna hate!

Mahatma Alwayne coming to a location near you!

2009... Yikes...lol

The Hair Chronicles - Chapter One: Men's Hair and Corporate Jamaica

DISCLAIMER: THIS POST IS LONG... ish If you don't care about hair, you may go.

If you do, or you're curious, great! \o/

Now you may carry on :D

I love hair. Women’s hair, and my hair. I love hair so much; I want all women to have a lot of hair, and I want to have a lot of hair too. I don’t like when a woman cuts off her hair, and frankly I’d rather not cut mine either. Don’t judge me, you have things you really love too I’m sure. Don’t worry women with short hair, I love you all too. My love for hair has prompted me to grow my own hair twice, with one successful attempt and the other short lived as an act of pleasing my mother (who detests males having a lot of hair).

The hair in all it's splendor

Where am I going with this? Just ‘hair’ me out. 

I am now a member of corporate society. I’ve already had to cut my hair for work once, and I wasn’t pleased about it, because I wanted to lock my hair. Not to become a Rastafarian, but I just like the style. As I write, I still want to lock my hair, but I’m on the verge of another haircut!

This is Jamaica, and corporate men have a certain look; a look that if you are found outside of that box, you are frowned upon. Even more recently, my boss asked me if I don’t go to the barber, as I have acquired over a month’s worth of hair. 

Isn't this corporate enough?

I joked that I was becoming a Rasta, to which I was rebuked and told “oh no, no. We don’t have that here.” In this day and age, 2013, when so many other things have been accepted, why is corporate society still against a black man and his hair. I turn to the words of my best friend, Carl Cunningham, who so aptly wrote a feature piece called “Picky Picky Head—Dead”.

He drew from the words of the song, “Rasta Love”:

She didn’t know how to tell him, she was in love with a Rasta man” are the words that ring out from reggae prodigy, Protoje and veteran artiste Ky-Mani Marley. The song is titled “Rasta Love”. The profound and very true-life lyrics narrate the predicament of a Rastafarian man who happens to be in a relationship with a high society girl.

She doesn’t know how to tell her family, particularly her hoity-toity father that “she was in love with a Rasta man”! He would never have it! The relationship was growing and she was eager, but too timid to tell him, her father, what was on her mind. The song itself is very metaphorical in nature, using the story to represent a familiar societal prejudice: African descendants have not embraced their natural beauty. Picky, picky head- Dead!”

You think Bob would've been accepted in the corporate world?
Yeah... Didn't think so either.

Time and time again I’ve seen it. Places I’ve worked, church, school—you name it. After all, I did have a lot of hair once. In Carl’s experience (one relating to both males and females),

“I have seen parents, family friends, and “well-wishers” contort their faces at the sight of locked, twisted, plaited and or just afro hair styles. [TRUST ME, I would know! I was one of those with the hairstyles!!!] But, I have never seen those same faces screwed-up at the sight of a freshly processed—or should I say damaged, head of hair. Instead there is delight and reception. I have seen friends reluctantly remove an entire head of rich African hair to go to a job interview after patiently nurturing its growth for years. Why do we as Africans resent our natural hair texture?”

YOU SHOULDA SEEN THE LOOKS WHEN I DID THIS!!!

As a matter of fact, lemme roll the footage! ***

*** Auntie Karen seh mi get electrocuted!!! loool too funny. We love the Morgans though, and I know they love me too :D

Personal Experience

I remember--somewhat painfully--the experience of coming to Kingston to sing at church one Sabbath (Saturday) afternoon. My family came to hear my choir. My hair was twisted at the time, but I left that surprise for them to see upon coming to the church. As these church events normally go, you meet up with folk you haven’t seen for a while. When it was over I was standing by my family, and my dad met up with someone he knew from way back. I was standing right there and in the way only he does he said, “Oh, do you know my son?” (Twisted hair and all) and introduced me. Now I know my mother loves me dearly and I love her to death too, and I put my arm around her and she did not want me to hug her. Why? Because she wasn’t pleased about my hair. Ain’t that something? I said some words to her, not anything disrespectful, but I was stern about how I felt about her response to me. Basically, I thought that as her son, regardless of what I do, or how my hair looks, she should accept me and love me the same. 

My family <3

Corporate Jamaica’s Lack of Acceptance

Returning to the issue of corporate Jamaica, and the workforce, an article contributed to the Gleaner by Tesi Johnson in 2005 stated that corporate Jamaica seems determined to keep Rastafari out of their circle, and they discriminate against Rastas who seek employment. The icon of the “natty dread locks” is a far cry from the clean-cut image of the corporate world, and it seems as if corporate Jamaica is doing what it can to preserve that image by marginalizing Rastas. And even if men sport locks as a hairstyle rather than a symbol of their religion, they still face discrimination in the corporate corridors.

8 years later, has this changed much? A little maybe, but on a large scale? No.

A conversation I had with the General Manager of the media house in which I did internship, really enlightened me. She told me when I arrived there for internship and she saw my appearance and heard the way I speak, she didn’t really expect much from this tall, lazy-voiced guy in dire need of a haircut. However, she added that as time went by she got to know me, my work and my commitment to being a good media practitioner; she actually grew to like me as a person and for what I was able to do, and not how I looked! Granted, she was still quite happy to see me approximately 6 months later without my hair, as her personal preference is for men to keep their hair low, but she pointed out to me that though it should not be so, when going for interviews and job opportunities, some people pay a great deal of attention to appearance only, and less to the responses given to the questions and the qualifications of the person. She added that she got to know what I could do because I was placed there by my school for internship, and not because of a personal choice. She said most people probably would not be afforded the opportunity to get to know me in such a way and would simply turn me down because of my hair and appearance.

For my first “real” job, I went into the interview with my hair, but after being told I got the job, I was informed that my potential locks had to go. Well, kudos for the manager for seeing past my hair at least for the interview. (Although, I've gotten wind that he was just desperate... oh well!)

My hair wasn't styled before being cut though (clearly) but here's a short before and after! And yes, I know after wins -__-

Before:

then after:

                                       

1970 and 80’s

Unfortunately (or fortunately), I wasn’t around in the 1970’s or 80’s—at least that’s the period where I think afros were in style at the time (historians, and people that were, you know, there; correct me if my timeline is wrong). What happened in those days? What kind of hairstyles did corporate men have? Was there even a corporate Jamaica? Did men have to cut their afros for work? I’m merely asking, because I really don’t know. I blame youth. 

Check out these pics; seems like there existed some acceptable looks back then that aren't so acceptable to now (never mind the pose in the 2nd one):

This looks QUITE Corporate to me!!!

And what's wrong with this one? Not big on the pose,
but he looks quite fine, hair and all!

           

Conclusion

I believe that the kind of hair a person has, should not determine how he (or even she) is perceived in the workplace. If the hair is being grown but can be kept neat, personally, I don’t see what the big fuss is. With the majority of our population being of African descent, we didn’t ask for the kind of hair we have. It’s not our fault we can’t slick back or easily maneuver our hair like Caucasians or Asians do. Why do we think that (as men) our hair has to be kept low to be considered attractive or appropriate for work? I think we need to step away from this mentality. Just like how a male African Lion is seen as graceful and attractive with his mane, men can and should be accepted if it is our desire to have our own ‘manes’.  Our hair doesn’t stop us from being productive, so why continue to let it be a hindrance? Weekly or monthly haircuts are hardly the panacea for the problems in corporate Jamaica, and even in the wider society. I end with what Carl said to end his piece, and this applies to both men and women: 

“There is nothing barbaric, primitive or distasteful about natural African hair. We need to realize that our young girls are victimized mentally and psychologically by these facades in the business world. They are forced to change their physical features and are given the impression that their natural hair is unprofessional and ugly. We need to realize that regardless of religious persuasion, hairstyle, dress or speech, everyone deserves fair treatment, respect and the equal opportunities. Until we release ourselves form these false values, we will always be mentally enslaved and picky, picky head will always be dead. ”

To this I raise my comb and afro pick and say “Hair, hair!”

P.s. for the record, the image below is never appropriate.

Hairwise, or any other other wise.

WHAT WAS I THINKING?!!!

SING IT SESAME STREET MUPPET! ^_^

So you wanna cut carbs? Lose weight? Here's how!

I've finally broken the Bloggers block! Cuz if you've been paying close attention, I certainly havent been having writer's block!

Okay, so I know you're probably thinking, "lawd Alwayne, yuh done skinny aredi, wah yuh waa cut carbs fah?" But hear me out, trust me, its worth it. AND MI NUH SKINNY!!! >:S

PLUS, you think *snaps* alla dis jus came naturally?! It's hard work! Plus, due to how I NEVER intend to have a beer belly, I'm learning the right thing from now, as I notice my body fat percentage seems to be going up. I gotta keep sexified! Lemme get a small halleluyer over here!

On Thursday (April 11, 2013--wow, a LONG TIME mi start da post ya enuh!) I went for lunch, and I decided, "you know what? Dem people yah eva pack up mi box wid one bag a rice. Mek mi eat some food (ground provisions) today yaa man." Ended up with a dumpling, 3 pieces of yam and 1 piece of sweet potato. After finishing my food, (I had chicken chow mein with it btw, and you know that has noodles in it--curses!) I wondered, is this really healthier than rice? So with the remaining 20mins of my lunch time, I proceeded to consult my best friend when I don't know or I'm not sure of something, Mr. G. Oogle! He knows everything! Here's what he told me:

There are "Good Carbs" vs "Bad Carbs"
As I was already aware, there are some carbs that are good for you, and some that really aren't. When you check it out, you find that the bad carbs tend to be in what we eat most. I can't live knowing that!


And THIS is how they end up looking :/




This is how our plates SHOULD look

VS









This is how we want to look (for the guys);
Eye candy (for the girls)

And this is what ends up happening
because we don't eat right and exercise
(For both sides) 

VS

Don't you just hate that when that little spare tire starts to develop? It grieveth I! That's why I shan't let it occur!

If you're serious about this and you really wanna get into the down and dirty of this subject, here's --> an article <-- that kinda glosses over the whole carb debate. However, I beg of you--do NOT be the diabetic man who thought fried rice was Brown Rice. You just does not does that.

For you lazier peeps who I know won't read the article because, well, probably because you just don't wanna, because I love y'all I'll tell you the important points.

"Good carbs are plant foods that are eaten as close to their natural state as possible, with little or no processing. These nutritional angels, which include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds, contain more fiber, vitamins and other nutrients than plant foods that have been altered from their natural state.

What are bad carbs?

Bad carbs are formerly good carbohydrates that have been refined and processed, resulting in food that has significantly less fiber and fewer nutrients than good carbs. These dietary devils include such processed foods as cookies, white bread and "fruit" punch, foods that contain the white flour and refined sugar that remain when grains and other plant products are stripped of their fiber and nutrients to make them taste better or have superior "mouth feel.""

Translation? Raw plant stuff? Good. Processed stuff bad. Alwayne like. Alwayne agree :)

It even has this funny (ish) comment too:

"While they may not have the literary value of a Charles Dickens novel, nutrition labels on food packages can reveal the difference between good carbs and bad carbs and help you spot fictitious good carbs that are really bad carbs in disguise."

I've actually found myself reading the labels of everything when I go to the supermarket now, so you must know I'm pretty serious about doing this.

Now if you wanna delve EVEN DEEPER and get rid of the "wagga wagga" as Keneice loves to say, here's the link to an awesome carb cutting article/blog (Beware, it's lengthy, but oh! so! good!)
http://www.amazingbodynow.com/nlindex/bad_carbs.html

And again, for those of you too lazy to open the link and read for yourself *glares* because I like you and you're reading MY blog, I have selected some excerpts for you:

Best carbs to eat --

1. Oatmeal - "Oatmeal is a great carb because it gives you a burst of energy (like all carbs do), but it's also full of fiber. Which means that all that fiber is undigestible and it pushes through your system quickly."
2. Whole Grain Bread - "The author of this blog says she's amused by breads that claim they are "100% Whole Wheat" and "Healthy", but when you turn it over to the back and look at the ingredient list, it has the bad processed ingredients and chemicals you want to AVOID.

Such as:

- Enriched flour
- High-fructose corn syrup
- Sugar
- Natural and/or Artificial Flavors

If your bread has ANY of these in the ingredient list, DON'T EAT IT."
3. Brown Rice - "Brown rice is another "whole grain" and it is a complex carb that digests slowly.  Slow digestion is good because the calories enter the blood stream gradually - meaning you have more ENERGY and less hunger for a longer period of time."

4. Sweet Potatoes or Yams (Food!!!) Big up JA for having nuff a dis! - "Sweet potatoes are a high-fiber complex carb which means they are very good for you and give you energy without making your body store fat.'
5. Fruits and Vegetables (DUUUUHH!!) - Fruits and vegetables are the MOST important part of a healthy diet. They give you the vitamins and minerals you need to support your immune system, fight cancer, prevent aging... and all those other reasons you want to get healthy other than just losing weight.

Finally! Carbs you should avoid:

1.  Chips
2.  Sugary deserts (donuts, [NO! Not donuts!!!] pastries, cookies, cakes, pies, candies)
3.  Cola and carbonated beverages
4.  Sugar, honey, syrup, jam, (Grape and guava jam are necessary, mi sorry!) jelly, molasses (thought molasses was good for you)
5.  White bread - Everybody knows this

Special note from the writer (her name is Andrea btw) "Now, you may notice that pasta is not on this
"avoid" list.  That's because I know that pasta is one of the hardest foods to stop eating (I've only recently been able to stop after years of trying). So, if you're going to eat pasta...

ONLY EAT ONE SERVING!"
You heard the lady!

You can find even more useful info and success stories on this site and an amazing video of Andrea's transformation: http://www.amazingbodynow.com/ (and no, this is not spam!)


Its time for our meals to look like this

And we oughta stop being like the folks depicted by
<-------this lol

This last pic, I thought it was funny.

Lol. You don't have to change who you are and how you look it you don't want to, because despite what this picture says, we're all beautiful creatures of God.

But, in order to live a happier, healthier life, I suggest we all start eating that way, and start by cutting the carbs!

If you're a Proscratinator (you probably are :P) this is for you!

Howdy y'all! Imma gonna talk about something that I know aaaaaaall a wi have a problem with! Procrastination! Cyaa bodda...Lemme write this later yaaa...
..................
..................

(clearly you can see below I didn't listen to myself. See? I'm improving :D)

This is a letter I wrote to the editor, it was published in the Jamaica Observer... Seems like Gleaner a fight mi ought cuz from wah day dem naa publish mi tings, but is awrite!!!
You can see the letter here ----> MY LETTER <---- (and the glaring error the editor made changing around mi tingz! Mi grieve enuh! Chuh!)

"Being a master procrastinator myself (and I’m not proud of it), I know a problem when I see it. It’s probably a culture thing, but it’s something that really needs to be addressed.

Procrastination.

It’s an ugly problem that seems to rare it’s ugly head in all facets of Jamaican society. Something needs to be done to help coerce Jamaicans, and for this particular instance, mostly men, to fix this problem.

Why in God’s name, do these people wait until right before the deadline, when serious penalties will occur to do very necessary transactions, especially when it comes on to paying motor vehicle related fees?

The massive throng at the TA's door and underneath the tent
Photo courtesy of Alwayne's Blackberry :D

I was at the Transport Authority during the last week of the period earmarked for the renewal of road licences. Fate would so have it, that the Easter Holiday came during this time and cut the period by a day. Imagine my disgust at the huge throng of angry men (and women), acting like the very hard-working cashiers weren’t doing anything and just sitting looking pretty instead of attending to them. Almost everyone acted as if only their business was important, and people had all sorts of stories of why they thought they needed to be seen before the persons with earlier ticket numbers than theirs. It was madness!
None of these persons seemed to find it convenient however to remember that the renewal period had been open since February 18, 2013 and not during the week of March 24-31, 2013 (Road licences expired on March 31, 2013). I think that this is just downright irresponsible, and the cashiers should not be blamed. Seeing them [the cashiers] personally, they are doing their best to move as quickly as possible.



Hundreds of persons at the Tax Office
Photo Courtesy of Jamaica Observer

I can also clearly remember the everlasting lines at tax offices at the end of the period for the (fairly) recently concluded ticket amnesty. I suspect there will be something similar, albeit on a smaller scale, as there is an amnesty currently on for illegal public passenger vehicle operators to get legal by June 30, 2013. For those interested in hackey carriage licences, there are only 100 of that type being offered, on a first come, first serve basis, and these must be done through a taxi association. This however does not mean persons can operate illegally in the meantime, so if your plan is to make this your livelihood, the sooner you act, the better. I hope these persons will act speedily and responsibly in this regard, and for anything that may come up in the future.

Procrastinators! Please procrastinate…tomorrow."

Agreed? I hope so! This particular situation probably doesn't apply to you, but I'm sure you're smart enough to make it applicable to other areas of your life without me having to spell it out. Afterall, only smart people read this blog *straightest face in life* and for the billions of people who haven't (due to me having only a smidge over 1300 views at this point)... well... uhh, hi! *waves* lol

(hope you got that last line... "proscrastinate tomorrow', as in you're procrastinating to procrastin--nevermind, I think you got it ('_')

Later peeps!

Give Us an "Iron Lady"

Margaret Thatcher - The Iron Lady

By now I'm sure you're aware of the passing of arguably the best Prime Minister Britain has seen, in Margaret Thatcher, also known as the "Iron Lady". She died peacefully yesterday (Monday April 8, 2013) at age 87, after suffering from a recent stroke.

Boy, from the stories Daddy tells me, she was tough as nails! She would always make tough decisions, no matter what anyone said. These tough choices saw her elected thrice as Britain's Prime Minister, until ultimately she resigned after having waning support from her own party; a blow so deep, she said she would never forgive those persons. (I can still hear this clip playing in my head; thanks BBC) Daddy was so impressed by her he made me download the movie "The Iron Lady" for him to watch a year or two ago.

Funny enough, my dad used to be a police (surprise surprise for those who didn't know), and actually worked with her once when she visited Jamaica as part of her security detail. They did such a good job, she sent a letter (which I think he still has to this day) thanking the police high command for the good service he and the other police gave that day.

Now I only have one question...  well... a request really.

Does she have any Iron granddaughters to spare?

Big and serious!
If so, just like how we've borrowed British policemen to help with our efforts in Jamaica, can we borrow one of Thatcher's next generation? Please?

Somebody needs to lead Jamaica. Because clearly our government lacks leadership. Give us the offspring off the iron lady! *draws for pitchfork* who's with me?!!

*WAR CRY*

(lol... please take the time out to watch some of her memorable remarks, and if you have and opinion of her leadership, share it in the comments below)

 

 

Btw, mi serious!!! I want one of the Iron Grandchildren out here pronto!