Welcome to 6.0 minutes — a round-up of random semi-related issues.

Bermudian Brushes

First off the bat, condolences to the family and friends of Mr Peter Woolcock; one of the many media folks that I never had the chance to meet in person.

Often I was gifted with his annual stocking stuffer “Whoppened”.

Many of his drawings I found funny, while others left me and many that I knew scratching our heads. Such is the power of the pen and perception.

Which merely goes to state that no matter what an artist or writer puts out, there may always be someone less than amused with your work.

From a columnist standpoint, I can say he was the consummate professional right up until the end by delivering his weekly piece on time before deadline. From that I gain the appreciation for the dedication that it takes to deliver for decades.

His passing leaves not simply a void but an opportunity for someone else to take up the mantle of “Bermudian Political Cartoonist.”

My first thought goes to Bermemes as they have the pulse of many of the young people of Bermuda. Then there is ‘Haz’ Bartley and a few young Bermudian illustrators.

At any regard, that decision is above my pay scale but Mr Woolcock’s legacy demands that someone pick up the baton.

After all those two lizards need a new home now.

AC2017

For the last week, we have been inundated and over saturated with the near utopian-like message that Bermuda has captured the America’s Cup. For many in our community, this has become a lifelong dream come true.

This is great news on a number of fronts:-

•Tourism exposure

•Financial influx

•Construction jobs

Recently I asked few young people what exactly they know about the America’s Cup and yacht racing in general. Their answers were a reality check of where we are as a community and how far we need to go as a community. There are some who say well, this is a perfect opportunity for us to come together as one. To that I say, bravo, bravo.

However it should not take a hurricane or America’s Cup for us to come together as one.

It should not take America’s Cup for everyone to potentially get a share of the economic pie.

It should not take America’s Cup for Bermudians to acknowledge our strong maritime history.

It should not take America’s Cup for us to realise that we are our own greatest assets.

2017 will come and go and hopefully many will have come here, enjoyed themselves and will speak highly of us. What we need to do, is to think highly of ourselves and our fellow Bermudians every day before, during and after AC2017.

6:40

A few months ago, I attended my first Pecha Kutcha event at Devonshire Rec and was immediately hooked with the concept.

One day subsequent to that event, I received a Facebook message to partake in the November Pecha Kutcha at City Hall. My immediate reply was “Are you sure you have the right person? Because I am not sure your crowd may like what I have to say”

The immediate reply was “Yes, we want you to speak freely!”

OK, my former Sargent Major Eddie Lambe taught me never to back down from a task so I accepted.

I had to put together 20 pictures/slides and prepare to speak for 6 Minutes and 40 seconds on the topic of “Facebook’s impact on Bermudian politics.”

So the evening comes, I get there early to psyche myself up to be on the stand. As the room filled, I looked out at the crowd and was feeling like Custer at Little Big Horn.

I must say that 6:40mins went by faster than expected and all I can say is it was beyond worth it.

I would encourage more Bermudians to partake in this socially bonding event. Bring your stories and experiences and share with others.

I wish to thank the organisers of Pecha Kutcha, Chewstick and Channel 82.

The video should be out soon. So you may judge how I performed.

Love you all