The One Love Blogger Award

The Wickedest Time was recently presented with the One Love Blogger Award - an award that's meant to encourage and uplift others who seek to promote their true love of Jamaica in the blogging world. People who use their blog to share what Jamaica is all about by promoting the great things Jamaica has to offer like the food, the music, the people, the culture.

I must say, it was a pleasant surprise!

Thank you!! Thank you all for noticing!

I, EmpressDoms, put a lot of time and energy into The Wickedest Time but I wouldn't make it if it wasn't for lovely folks who help me every step of the way. First and foremost, my writers!!

MissDivaS, XperienceJ, and Ms. Nika - you probably haven't seen too much from them YET, but we have some great things in store for you all! Just watch us GROW!

I have to thank the people who support, inspire and encourage me - My friends, my family, the fans, and the industry players! I appreciate the memos in my email, the shoutouts on facebook, twitter and caribtweet, the comments on the site, the DJs who big up the site at the clubs, the promoters who let me bring my big ass 6ft banner to EVERY party, the record labels who give me the VIP treatment - no questions asked, the sites that make space for The Wickedest Time on their link list, the artists for their patience and trust me, the list goes on and on!!

Thank you ALL for showing us LOVE!

Now, its time for me to show some love to the Jamaican bloggers who I feel deserve this award as well..

Jamaica And Beyond

My favorite Jamaican forum! It's a great community of really cool people who you will literally miss not having at the table for Thanksgiving dinner.

Jamaican Groupie & Met
Oh Lord, please forgive me, but this site is HILARIOUS! It's ALL gossip about the celebs and their groupies. I love it like a fat kid loves cake, and seriously, reading it is like eating dessert!

Mad A Road
I come to this one for the music. They have a section called MadMixTape and I'm a woman who can appreciate choices. I don't have to download anything to enjoy a good mix CD - but I can if I want to.

WorldFlavas
This one I adore because its updated just about everyday so it's always filled with fresh and new info and I actually sit, click and watch damn near EVERY video posted. It's crazy because it ranges from daggaring videos, to music videos, to videos on how to know if your breath stink - but no matter what kind of video is up, they're all great and all interesting. I love it!

But when talking about the blog that I would hand over the One Love Blog Award to, it would HAVE to be JAMAICA MY WAY!!!!

How can I be the favorite blogger of my favorite blogger??

It is by far THE MOST interesting site that I've come across that is dedicated to Jamaica.

WHY? Because Kristi (the author) takes the Bull by its horns! She constantly take trips back and forth to Jamaica, visits as many places as she can and take pictures of EVERYTHING, video clips of EVERYTHING, talks to EVERYONE - nothing passes her!

Her site is like a Jamaica guide book for tourists or folks who are skeptical about visiting Jamaica, showing you the best accommodations, teaching you how to get around, the people, the schools, the currency - everything! She is all about hands on experience.

Either way, she is a Jamaica lover, just like me, just like you!

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So there you have it! I paid it forward. If you were mentioned, the rules are as follows:

Please select 1 blog that you feel is an exceptional example of this award.
Next, select 4 blogs as runner ups then PAY IT FORWARD by sending this award to them.
Once received, they also have to pay it forward by selecting one exceptional blog choice and 4 additional choices.
Link back so we can see who has gotten the award.
Irie Gal from A FE ME PAGE DIS IYAH will keep the updates so everyone can see all the wonderful Jamaican blogs out there. Please paste the rules along with this award so people who are sending it will know the requirements.

5 Year Old Brings 9mm Gun To School

I don't even know where to begin.

I found this article a little scary. This sweet little 5 year old boy brought a gun to school with intentions to shoot his friend for sitting and eating with his 'girlfriend'.

According to The Star, this little boy was sent to counseling.

During lunch, he was talking with a teacher when he said he wanted to shoot his friend. A few days earlier he saw the boy sharing lunch with a girl people joked was his 'girlfriend'.

The teacher told the child not to say that. However, he reportedly continued to show that he was irritated and spoke more about his girlfriend being stolen.

The conversation got even more serious when the child admitted to having the gun. Reports state that the teacher thought it was a joke but was surprised when the young man went for his bag and told her to take a look inside.

She said she was frightened when she realized the boy was not joking.

"Frightened? You have no idea, frightened is an understatement...I had to call a male teacher to come hold the bag until the police came," she said.

When describing the child she said, "he is a very bright student who is very quiet and attentive in class."

According to the little boy, he found the gun in the bushes close to his home.

Since the incident, concern has surfaced that the boy and his family may be at risk. "In light of this recovery, we don't know who the weapon belongs to so we have to be keeping in close contact with the family in case they may be blamed or threatened by any criminal elements," a detective from the Area One police said.

Source: The Star

Jamaica's Labor Productivity Is On A Rapid Decline

Recently, a Productivity Summary Report (1972-2007) was outlined by the Chairman Joseph A. Matalon at the Jamaican Porductivity Center (JPC). This report outlined and reflected the grim reality that Jamaica has the lowest Gross Domestic Product capita, which is way below Jamaica's Caribbean neighbors, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, and Barbados.

Jamaica's neighboring countries have continued to show growth while Jamaica is on a rapid decline.

Over the 35 year period of the report, the labor productivity of the Jamaican worker has declined at a rate of 1.3 percent each year. The decline in recent years has doubled to 3.4 percent per year.

The reality in the rest of the Caribbean is vastly different. Dr. Peter-John Gordon, research fellow at the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies, and board members of the JPC outlined his findings that unlike Jamaica, countries such as Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago and St. Lucia have experienced a 1.5 percent increase in productivity each year since 1972 and over 2 percent over the last ten years.

Dr. Gordon, who is a part of JPC stated, "The report gives people an explanation of why we live the way we live, in this beautiful country of ours. The position thatwe stand in is not a position that we came in overnight, but it clearly indicates to us that we've been paying attention and giving focus to the wrong things. If we are going about and not focusing on the things that matter most, if we are not focused on trying to achieve specifics, then we are wandering around aimlessly and we are beat out by our competitors who have that single-minded focus," he said of other Caribbean countries.

"Increading the output per worker continuously over time is the only way to have a sustainable increase in the standard of living of the population." Dr. Gordon said during his presentation.

"And recall that there are some elements of the population that will not be able to participate so those of us who are working will have to work that much harder so that they too can have an increase in their standard of living."

Hopefully this issue can be on the road to resolution before the estimated length of time that was predicted. Jamaica needs to work together as a country and try to unite and help each other by committing themselves to help raise these decreasing numbers.

Continue to log on to www.TheWickedestTime.com for more information. Thanks for your continued support!

Jamelle Silas
Writer

Source: Jamaica Observer

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun @ Central Rock - Dec. 18th

The top most elite New Jersey female promoters MpressD and NickStar, is bringing to us fans again the 3rd annual 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!' This grand event will be kept Friday, December 18th inside of Central Rock Hall located at 583 Central Avenue, Newark, NJ.

Big D who is a top selector in Brooklyn will be spinning hit tunes alongside some of the prominent DJ's in New Jersey; Desperado, Banky Hype, and Dynamik Force.

People, this bash is going to be the talk of the town. Last year this event was filled to capacity so please come out early and enjoy the festivity. This will be a night for celebration and liberation!

We girls just wanna have fun!

Jamelle Silas
Writer

Playlist: Vybz Kartel - Life We Living [Official Vid]

Wow Kartel... a REAL video?!

I haven't seen one of these from you in a long time. I mean, one with a story line, wardrobe change, talking about real issues and all!

When I hear people talk about Vybz Kartel you get something from the both extremes, the stories range from him being a GOD all the way down to him being evil and demonic.. and I guess, everything in between.

I think he's one of the most talented artists in the industry, who likes to pick fights to entertain himself. I think he knows how great he can be at his full potential but realizes that we'll accept trash, so figures - why work so hard?

I can't blame him. Work smarter, not harder.

Check out his latest release 'Life We Living', I'm proud of him on this one, its time for him to find a movie to star in.

Playlist: Mavado - Fall Rain Fall

Dis tune is INSANE..

"Watch yuh step, watch yuh step step..

Work dem a work yuh fi mek yuh drop and bruk yuh neck yute"

So true, but as long as you stay focused and remember seh you were built to LAST.. dem cya trouble you!

Playlist: Sizzla Kalonji - Gwaan Bear

Sizzla.. are you back?!?!

Hands down.. Sizzla was my all time favorite reggae artist.. PERIOD!

You remember the days of 'Give Me A Try', 'Woman I Need You' or 'Dry Cry'? Yes, that's the Sizzla I fell in love with...and then things changed.

I was so sad for so long.

He was out doing the 'hip hop' thing and as a devout fan I tried to stay with him but he was taking it too far, going too deep in the other direction - but then I heard this song, 'Gwaan Bear' and it really gives me hope.

He may not be COMPLETELY back yet, but he's definitely turned around!!

I think I love him ALL OVER AGAIN!! But I'm gonna wait, I'm gonna listen to a couple more of his new releases, see where his mind is, and use discretion before I fully embrace him again.

But I can't act like he's not one of my BIGGEST inspirations. I can't act like Sizzla isn't the reason why I LOVE reggae music as much as I do. I just can't!

I am proud that I can FINALLY feature him on the site!

Yes, I get emotional when it comes to Sizzla - don't judge me!