By Ralph SeeramIn my youth and during my early adult days I always considered myself a strong swimmer. In fact I often wondered how people could drown if they know how to swim. I was confident that I could not drown.I swam in ponds, trenches, canals, creeks and rivers. One of my youthful fantasies was to swim the Berbice River from New Amsterdam to Blairmont on the western bank of the Berbice River. I even did some preliminary studies to see where I would start and with the current, where I would finish.Unfortunately that youthful passion was not realised, and I blame some of my friends who did not see the wisdom of accompanying me on a swim across the river.I have long come around to my friends’ point of view, and that boyhood dream will remain unfulfilled, why? Well some things are not worth risking your life for.This brings me to the dismissal of Magistrate Omeyana Hamilton. It seems unconscionable that this young woman could lose her job because she refused to endanger her life. I was on a jet boat to Bartica a few years ago,Cheap Jerseys, and I can tell you, there is no way I am going back on that boat. I don’t know if the idiots that fired her ever travelled on that ride. By what right or authority did those fools have to order Ms Hamilton to expose herself to the perils of the mighty Essequibo River.Speaking of judges, I have heard unflattering stories here in the Diaspora of certain judges. Let us just say that corruption is not limited to politicians. That, however,Cheap NFL Jerseys, is a subject for another day.I rather suspect that there must be more to the story than what is being told. From the reports I have read it would seem that the magistrate was a dedicated and hard working person. To dismiss her for something that does not even appear to be an infraction, or dereliction of her duty, seems to be very petty.In view of the backlog in the legal system in Guyana,Discount NFL Jerseys, one would have thought that the judiciary would try to reach a compromise and retain the services of Magistrate Hamilton. This dismissal could prove to be a potential liability for the Guyanese taxpayers.I personally feel that the young lady is within her rights to refuse putting her life and limb in jeopardy.Many years ago I worked in New York City as a Computer Network Technician. That was way before people heard of a computer network. The job required travelling frequently to various states to install computer systems. One assignment was to install a system for a very important client; in fact he was a billionaire and was featured on the cover of Time magazine.The trip called for travelling from New York to Boston, change to a smaller plane to Martha’s Vineyard and then on to my final destination of Nantucket. I completed my assignment, and on the way back discovered that I was the only passenger leaving the island for Boston.The airline decided to fly me out on a five-seater single engine plane. I was no stranger to flying; I had over 200,000 frequent flyers miles to my credit, but this was a very terrifying flight.That small plane dropped thirty feet suddenly, went up twenty-five and bucked like that all the way to Boston. I thought for sure I would have died that night.The next day I told my boss that regardless of how important the client is, I am definitely not flying in any single engine plane.Considering the liability, the company agreed with my position. On another occasion the company suggested that I drive some three to four hours to an assignment instead of fly, which would have taken about forty-five minutes. I opted to fly. I would have rather risked losing the job than open myself to danger.So I am back to magistrate Hamilton and that speedboat ride. I was travelling to Bartica and to a resort on the Essequibo. The resort provided the transportation. I recall the speedboat taking off from Parika. I asked for a lifejacket, and the one provided could not have kept a baby afloat.The boat was going straight, then a sudden ninety degree turn, followed by a forty five degree turn,Cheap Jerseys, then an S turn, and so it went. I asked the captain the reason for this, for which he replied, “Don’t worry. I know this river like the back of my hand. I know where de logs deh, where the tree root deh, where the sand and channel deh.” And so it went on. I looked at the mighty Essequibo River and said to myself, on my best swimming day I would not like to swim here. I had my daughter and sister on the trip, and considering how dangerous I perceived the situation to be I asked the captain to slow it down a little.I can understand why the Magistrate got nauseated. Those sudden turns are enough to make one vomit.I have seen people get nauseated and vomit on a large cruise ship. It was such an embar

…but Guyana’s Lisa Punch was unforgettable (By Mondale Smith)“Thank you very much for the overwhelming love and support that you have shown me throughout my Miss World Guyana journey and I do hope that you continue to support us as we continue to represent Guyana asMiss Guyana World Lisa Punchambassadors on the world stage. I love you guys.“Oh my God; Top ten.” That is the video message that Miss Guyana World Lisa Punch posted following the conclusion of the Miss world Pageant in Sanya, China.Miss Spain ultimately won the Miss World crown but the name of Guyanese Lisa Punch is now on the lips of at least one billion the world over in a celebrated, positive light.This Guyanese beauty, aged just 23,NFL Jerseys Wholesale, is the first Guyanese to win the talent segment of the pageant. She also placed among the top ten of the Miss World finalists and also in the top ten of the Beauty with a Purpose project from a field of more than 100 world beauties.However, the one time Charlotte Street beauty will ultimately be remembered for wowing billions on live television with her vocal abilities.The Miss Guyana and Miss World Top 10 Finalist and Talent winner, Lisa Punch, sang at the Miss World pageant during the live broadcast performing twice during the live television broadcast which was seen by over one billion people worldwide.She sang her original song “ One last time” in the first part of the show then belted out an Alicia Keys hit “If I ain’t got you” in the second part as part of the Miss world finals in Sanya, China.Best talent at Miss World 2015One of the most anticipated, emotional, and truly spectacular nights of Miss World,China Jerseys, was the Talent Fast Track Competition, at the Beauty Crown Theatre and singer-songwriter, Lisa Punch of Guyana, came out on top as the Miss World 2015 Talent Fast Track Winner!After singing an original song, titled ‘One Last Time’, penned in tribute to her deceased cousin,Cheap Basketball Jerseys For Sale, who was the first person in her life to envision and encourage her prospering singing career, Miss Guyana received a standing ovation from her fellow contestants and the crowd, who were left teary-eyed and spellbound by her flawless voice, captivating delivery, and emotional lyrics. After her victory was announced, Miss Guyana,Wholesale Authentic Jerseys, fighting back tears, said to the crowd,“This victory means everything to me. This proves that my cousin was right, and I thank him and everyone in the audience for making my dream come true.”“‘One Last Time’ is a song that I wrote a couple of years ago for my cousin, Samuel, who died. He was the first person to tell me I was going to make it big and would be the first person to purchase my CD.“I wanted to perform it tonight because Miss World is the biggest platform in the world that showcases talent and I knew that this would be the perfect opportunity to pay tribute to the first person that believed in me.“Even though he is gone, I want him to know that I am still continuing doing what he inspired me to do in the first place.”A shining star on the riseThis outstanding Guyanese youth is a product of young teenaged love that involved Nafeza Daniels. Lisa Mary Johanna Punch’s road to popularity started with her winning the Star Guyana in 2006/2007 belting out Whitney Houston’s version of ‘I’ll always Love you.’She became the vocal sweetheart of many as she went on to graduate as a student of excellence in 2009 from North Georgetown Secondary. Then she studied Communication and Law at the Bishops High school in 2010 before she ultimately got into the media.Her first taste of media was as a co-host of the Hard Vibes all girls talk show on Channel 2. She then became a full time announcer at NCN from 2011 up to 2013. She also did some airtime at Hits and Jams. All along she was singing and recording music with Brutal Traxx studios and then DP records.Lisa then made appearances practically on every stage and at almost every major as well as minor forum doing what she loves (singing).It was no wonder that her voice was the chosen one to deliver the CARIFESTA theme song when her native land last hosted the mega regional event. Lisa is one of the outstanding young Guyanese who has traveled the road. She had many ups and down; her family struggled to make ends meet but she always managed a smile that often turned the sad world upside down for many.She produced songs such as ‘Secret Admirer’ and her tribute to her mother,Wholesale Jerseys, ‘Oh mamma’ amongst others. However her tool to winning the Miss World talent was her original song titled,? ‘One Last Time’ done in tribute to her cousin that left many? in China? and around the world with watery eyes.Punch who dubs herself a go ge