Yardies at home and Farrin (part12)

[MSNELLY 0]

Thanks Nells and Jakes... I work 2 jobs and don't have much chance to get on VJ during the day at work, so when I get home I spend all my night catching up and don't get to say anything. Eventually when hubby gets his EAD and I don't need to work my azz off, I can be a regular and not a lurker!

its ok with me i knosw the feeling of working 2 jobs man i did it for 3yrs sometime i ask myself how did you do it but hey gotto do what you have to

right jakes good nite again

[Oneil's_wife876 0]

Night to anyone still around... off to bed finally.

[MSNELLY 0]

ok good nite i am going to bed myself

[TRELAWNY PARISH 10]

Good Morning Ladies;

Sorry I've been MIA, but I had to get my guest situated for the celebrations this past weekend and yesterday. I was given the opportunity to meet people from all over the world the last 4 days and it's just amazing. I can truly say that OBAMA is the "People's President"...I also learned that 2 shot glasses of APPLETON rum and a cup a of coffee, plus a little vaseline smeared all over your face goes a long way in freezing temps. We were at the mall for a huge prayer meeting (it was beautiful) people just walked up and either held someone's hand or just laid their hand on their shoulder. A few of us walked back to a friend of ours condo (now I see why she spent so much money) for that unit, the VIEW is spectacular. You can see just about everything. I should have taken today off as well, since I haven't slept in 34 hours....

and; Gill, I didn't see you with the JAMAICANS, but we were out there in FORCE. A report asked one of the men in the crowd if he'd rather be in JAMAICA right now and he said NO, this is where I belong at the moment, Jamaica will always be there.

My grandmother had another stroke, but she's doing okay. She refused to go to the hospital, but instead choose to drink something concotion she mixed up a few months ago. She says she can sense when they're going to come on. I know the time is drawing near. She asked me if my sister and I got the dress that I'm going to wear to her funeral and I told her yes, last time I told her no and she cried nonstop. I don't know what to make of it. Yesterday I called her after Obama was sworn in so she could hear all the noise comming from DC...she was happy.

Nish -- thanks for keeping up with me with weekend.

Manya -- you going back to work today?

Okay, I have about a dozen PMs so mi ago read dem.

[TRELAWNY PARISH 10]

You've got to be kidding me...am I reading this RIGHT!

Sex in recession - Prostitutes slash prices - Parlours see 50% decline - Layoffs hurt businesses

Published: Monday | January 19, 2009

Nadisha Hunter, Gleaner Writer

The economic meltdown that has triggered massive layoffs and production cutbacks in the formal business sector has spread to the illegal sex industry as prostitutes and sensual massage parlours have reported at least a 50 per cent decline in profits and clientele.

The manager of a well-established Kingston massage parlour, which offers sexual services, said she may be forced to close doors soon. While accustomed to making $8,000-$10,000 on weekdays and up to $15,000 on weekends, the operator, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the economic crunch has depressed revenues to roughly $15,000 weekly, an 80 per cent hit to the till.

Staff reduced

Erosion of the bottom line has sparked job cuts too, as she has had to reduce her women-only staff from six to two.

Contingencies to cushion the fallout include a 33 per cent reduction in hourly rates from $1,500 to $1,000, the manager said. The clamour for discounts has risen in recent months, but she said further price reductions were impractical in an industry which has already become uneconomic. Staff cuts have also driven away business.

"The clients are suffering from a limited choice. Once they could pick, choose and refuse who they want to perform the service, but now they have limited choice," said the operator.

Another parlour manager who declined to disclose her identity because of risk of prosecution stated that the economic downturn is stifling her business.

"Men who used to take on three girls have to limit to one, as well as men who used to take a double round have to limit to strictly one time and so I am losing big time," she lamented.

Only $10,000 a week

Before the crisis, she said she earned up to $30,000 per week; now she barely makes $10,000. The manager said she had explored price adjustments and other strategies to accommodate more clients.

"A package of one hour that normally costs $1,500 will be reduced to $1,000, as well as persons who are regular customers will have to be considered for discounts," she told The Gleaner.

While most parlours contacted reported a drastic decrease in business, one operator who employs six women said there was only a slight decline in her clientele.

"Things could be worse, considering the problem we are facing, so I can't complain. All I can do is thank the Lord for providing," she said.

Motels which double as sex shops are feeling the pinch too. According to a manager of a motel in Kingston, revenues of approximately $15,000 per day have virtually dried up, cutting his take by more than 50 per cent.

However, he said he would not decrease charges - $1,200 per hour or $5,500 a night - as reductions would lead to closure.

Prostitutes in New Kingston, a long-time hunting ground, said they have been forced to offer discounts and deals to retain dwindling clientele.

A sex worker who goes by the name 'Lushus' said patronage had declined significantly, explaining that men have been reporting increased financial challenges. Earnings of up to $7,000 per night have largely evaporated - to a low of $2,000 - and sometimes no clients turn up, said Lushus, whose base rate is $1,000.

"Business rough, and that's why mi glad it never work out fi wi pay tax, 'cause nutten nah gwaan," she said, referring to calls last year by a government functionary who lobbied for the incorporation of sex workers into the tax net.

Opinion is divided on decriminalising prostitution. Some health experts and liberal advocacy groups have said decriminalisation and regulation would reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections, as well as diminish personal safety dangers.

However, political administrations have shied away from legal reform. Decriminalisation would be an unpopular move in some quarters, particularly with religious conservatives.

Police crackdowns on prostitution have been sporadic, sex workers re-emerging after a lull in prosecutions.

"It nuh pretty on the street again but I just want fi make a smalls 'cause mi nuh have no money," said a sex worker in another section of New Kingston, a business district with many residential communities on its outskirts.

"Sometimes we make a price for $2,000 depending on the person and it drop to $1,000 and less," she added.

Although there are no official figures on the underground sex industry, it is believed to generate several millions of dollars annually.

[sus 70]

Morning all!

Sounds like an awesome weekend, Lawny - Sorry to hear about Grandma, I know how hard that is -

[Sonshyne 2]

Good morning!!

Lawny sorry about your Grandma..

[1luv 1]

Sorry abt ur grandmother, Lawny. I will keep her in my prayers

[sus 70]

Yesterday in Halfway Tree:

Spectators view Barack Obama's inauguration on a big screen in Half-Way Tree Square, St Andrew. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Half-Way Tree, the busy St Andrew capital, was transformed into a theatre yesterday as scores of pedestrians stopped to watch the inauguration ceremony for Barack Obama.

Under the scorching sun, the exuberant crowd watched with pride from a television screen erected at the bus stop at Mandela Park, across from the Jamaica National building and the transportation centre.

Screams and shouts

When Obama took the oath of office and was named president, screams and shouts echoed on the the busy Constant Spring Road.

"Obama to the worl', yes! Wow! How yuh mean," were some of the exclamations from spectators. A few men took off their hats and waved them, while others captured the moment by taking photographs.

"This is a significant moment and I could not miss it. I was on my way to the store but I had to stop," Althea Chin told The Gleaner.

Carlton Brown journeyed from his home in downtown Kingston to 'Wembley' - the term he used to refer to the area in which the big screen was erected.

Could not miss it

Wearing a T-shirt bearing the image of Obama, Brown said he could not miss the significant event.

"History has been made. We now have a black man in the White House," he said.

Natasha Leiba was on her way from school and was hoping that she would find a television to watch the ceremony. When she got to Half-Way Tree, she was happy to see the throng gathered to watch the event.

"Being a student of history, and reading about the experience of the African-Americans, to see that they have reached this point is great," Leiba said.

Open many doors

She noted that Obama's achievement would open the door for many more African-Americans.

Three United States students who are studying at the United Theological College in St Andrew were on their way from Spanish Town, St Catherine, and asked their driver to stop so they could witness the historic event.

Melissa McNair said she was very excited that Obama was now president, noting that she was looking forward to the changes that are to take place in the US society.

"I think it is extremely significant because Barack has turned the world upside down, going from bottom up instead of top down," Jennifer Sumner, another US student, said.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com

[MSNELLY 0]

Morning ladies, Tre will be praying for granny, she sound like a very strong woman I must say..... Ok ladies have a good day.

[TRELAWNY PARISH 10]

Lawd smadi help me my mind can't function.

I'm looking for reservations for mommy BWI to MBJ 1/23-1/31. dates flexible so is the time since air jamaica is giving me the run around with a voucher my mom recieved last year I just can't function right now, I'll be back.

[*JG* 2]

hey lovesponge

Hey All.....I'm back at home catching up with everyone. I'm still unwinding from my birthday, the Steelers celebrations, the Inauguration stuff and from walking around New York for 4 days. LOLLLLLL

How's everyone?

b]GO[ OBAMA!!!![/b]

Hey, T......I'm rooting for the Steelers too. Was hooting and hollaring at the TV Sunday. Don't even think I'm rooting for Warner just cause he won us a superbowl here. HATE him.

[*JG* 2]

I just tried a recipe that didn't go as planned. I was going to make coconut candy based on a recipe on-line. Directions were 3 cups sugar, 1 cup milk & 3 cups coconut. Boil sugar & milk until thin syrup forms, add coconut until mixture thickens, spoon out on cookie sheet w/wax paper. Well, the darn mixture never thickened properly so I just started spooning. It's blobs of coconut steeped in sugar milk syrup. Maybe it will harden a bit when it cools....oh well, you win some, you lose some!

Brown sugar? Did you chop up fresh coconut? Conconut drops those are. Love those.

[*JG* 2]

I do admire Shakira for her entrepreneurial skills....she's a good business woman and a GREAT marketer for herself. She has made herself successful and that's admirable. I just don't like her voice much.

Hmmm....I don't know that I know more spots than you....I'm not a very good tourist. I don't feel comfortable in the tourist environment. It is surprising though just how many Jamaicans have never had the opportunity to see the different parts and attractions of the island. Last trip, we brought a kid from the neighborhood with us to the beach to have pizza. It was the 1st time he'd ever had pizza and possibly the 1st time he'd been to Negril beach.

It's like me living in San Francisco and not seeing the sights. I definitely don't enjoy as much of our local offerings as tourists do. But you KNOW I've gone and done the touristy thing by myself if I felt like it! I also love when friends come to town so I have an excuse to do touristy things.

OMG....I love her song underneath your clothes. I like Shakira.

[*JG* 2]

Thanks Nells and Jakes... I work 2 jobs and don't have much chance to get on VJ during the day at work, so when I get home I spend all my night catching up and don't get to say anything. Eventually when hubby gets his EAD and I don't need to work my azz off, I can be a regular and not a lurker!

its ok with me i knosw the feeling of working 2 jobs man i did it for 3yrs sometime i ask myself how did you do it but hey gotto do what you have to

right jakes good nite again

Yeah, I say the same thing.

You've got to be kidding me...am I reading this RIGHT!

Sex in recession - Prostitutes slash prices - Parlours see 50% decline - Layoffs hurt businesses

Published: Monday | January 19, 2009

Nadisha Hunter, Gleaner Writer

The economic meltdown that has triggered massive layoffs and production cutbacks in the formal business sector has spread to the illegal sex industry as prostitutes and sensual massage parlours have reported at least a 50 per cent decline in profits and clientele.

The manager of a well-established Kingston massage parlour, which offers sexual services, said she may be forced to close doors soon. While accustomed to making $8,000-$10,000 on weekdays and up to $15,000 on weekends, the operator, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the economic crunch has depressed revenues to roughly $15,000 weekly, an 80 per cent hit to the till.

Staff reduced

Erosion of the bottom line has sparked job cuts too, as she has had to reduce her women-only staff from six to two.

Contingencies to cushion the fallout include a 33 per cent reduction in hourly rates from $1,500 to $1,000, the manager said. The clamour for discounts has risen in recent months, but she said further price reductions were impractical in an industry which has already become uneconomic. Staff cuts have also driven away business.

"The clients are suffering from a limited choice. Once they could pick, choose and refuse who they want to perform the service, but now they have limited choice," said the operator.

Another parlour manager who declined to disclose her identity because of risk of prosecution stated that the economic downturn is stifling her business.

"Men who used to take on three girls have to limit to one, as well as men who used to take a double round have to limit to strictly one time and so I am losing big time," she lamented.

Only $10,000 a week

Before the crisis, she said she earned up to $30,000 per week; now she barely makes $10,000. The manager said she had explored price adjustments and other strategies to accommodate more clients.

"A package of one hour that normally costs $1,500 will be reduced to $1,000, as well as persons who are regular customers will have to be considered for discounts," she told The Gleaner.

While most parlours contacted reported a drastic decrease in business, one operator who employs six women said there was only a slight decline in her clientele.

"Things could be worse, considering the problem we are facing, so I can't complain. All I can do is thank the Lord for providing," she said.

Motels which double as sex shops are feeling the pinch too. According to a manager of a motel in Kingston, revenues of approximately $15,000 per day have virtually dried up, cutting his take by more than 50 per cent.

However, he said he would not decrease charges - $1,200 per hour or $5,500 a night - as reductions would lead to closure.

Prostitutes in New Kingston, a long-time hunting ground, said they have been forced to offer discounts and deals to retain dwindling clientele.

A sex worker who goes by the name 'Lushus' said patronage had declined significantly, explaining that men have been reporting increased financial challenges. Earnings of up to $7,000 per night have largely evaporated - to a low of $2,000 - and sometimes no clients turn up, said Lushus, whose base rate is $1,000.

"Business rough, and that's why mi glad it never work out fi wi pay tax, 'cause nutten nah gwaan," she said, referring to calls last year by a government functionary who lobbied for the incorporation of sex workers into the tax net.

Opinion is divided on decriminalising prostitution. Some health experts and liberal advocacy groups have said decriminalisation and regulation would reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections, as well as diminish personal safety dangers.

However, political administrations have shied away from legal reform. Decriminalisation would be an unpopular move in some quarters, particularly with religious conservatives.

Police crackdowns on prostitution have been sporadic, sex workers re-emerging after a lull in prosecutions.

"It nuh pretty on the street again but I just want fi make a smalls 'cause mi nuh have no money," said a sex worker in another section of New Kingston, a business district with many residential communities on its outskirts.

"Sometimes we make a price for $2,000 depending on the person and it drop to $1,000 and less," she added.

Although there are no official figures on the underground sex industry, it is believed to generate several millions of dollars annually.

OMG.....that's funny. And, really sad.

Tre....I say you must take after your grandma!!!! I hope she is feeling better soon.