As nature gets more ferocious in this changing climatic era, our antidote to an increasing number of disasters has to be DRR which for the experienced Caribbean engineer, Tony Gibbs means that "great hurricanes and earthquakes (can) be experienced as fascinating and awesome events which, nevertheless, do not lead to disasters."
I take it all back, the doubt, the cynicism, the indifference, the Olympics have been awesome. The last week has been great for sport, Britain and of course - Jamaica. To be honest, I've never been more proud of my Jamaican heritage. Never mind the fact that I was born here and have only been there twice.
Perhaps the difficulty is in shifting people's perceptions of these regions. Away from the stereotypes of poverty, corruption and violence, there is an alternative picture materialising in Africa. Anyone who does business there will tell you of the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit that goes hand in hand with a growing economic power.
It has long been recognised that poetry is a valuable device for introducing new words in isolation - such as 'contrary' in 'Mary Mary' but it is the 'garden of silver bells and cockle shells' that will fire the creative imagination and inspired teachers no doubt take the form further by looking at the enthralling stories borne out of the context from which many such rhymes originated.
In a day full of Jubilee TV, Gary Barlow: On Her Majesty's Service achieved the honour of being the most nauseating show of all yesterday.