dogjones
Graduate Poster
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2005
- Messages
- 1,303
Quo Fata Ferunt. That is the motto of our little island of Bermuda, and it means "Whither the Fates Carry Us." Well, this phrase is particularly apt - because the ogre by the name of Hurricane Florence is currently thundering towards our little island like the inexorable tide of Fate. Because of this, many of us here in Bermuda are reflecting, or musing if you will, upon the nature of life and death. The Meaning of it all. The Reason, the Telos, the Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me. And most of us have wisely come to the conclusion that it is silly (and actually quite self-indulgent) to worry about such things when you have a vast quantity of rum, a reasonable stock of gin, a cellar of cheap wine, limitless tonic water and a case of Heineken.
The thing is about us Bermudians, we have our priorities straight. In fact, there are a number of traits that we have that really set us apart from the rest of the world.
As outlined above, we know that philosophy is the refuge of the terminally ungrateful. An average Bermudian can easily refute 3000 years of human enquiry... with one sound, alcoholic belch.
Moving on... what particularly lifts my heart is how the community comes together in times like this. A case in point: my neighbours are not here but their garden was full of toys and furniture. All of that furniture and toys is now in my house. They can buy it back for reasonable market prices when they return. This is demonstrates two more of our uniquely Bermudian values: kindness, and entrepeneurial spirit.
Of course, when the storm actually hits, the other glorious aspects of the Bermudian people will be showcased - namely, resourcefulness and quick thinking. For instance: suppose one of my parents' windows blows in. I have planned for this contingency in advance and have observed that my father is of the perfect height and width to plug the hole. So I will remain calm, wait for the eye, and then plaster him to the frame. This is but one example of the organisation, combined with the calmness under pressure, of the Bermudian people, which makes Bermuda truly 'another world'.
But I wax sentimental. Enough.
Anyone from Bermuda reading this, good luck and stay safe. To the rest of you - spare us a thought!
Love,
Doug
The thing is about us Bermudians, we have our priorities straight. In fact, there are a number of traits that we have that really set us apart from the rest of the world.
As outlined above, we know that philosophy is the refuge of the terminally ungrateful. An average Bermudian can easily refute 3000 years of human enquiry... with one sound, alcoholic belch.
Moving on... what particularly lifts my heart is how the community comes together in times like this. A case in point: my neighbours are not here but their garden was full of toys and furniture. All of that furniture and toys is now in my house. They can buy it back for reasonable market prices when they return. This is demonstrates two more of our uniquely Bermudian values: kindness, and entrepeneurial spirit.
Of course, when the storm actually hits, the other glorious aspects of the Bermudian people will be showcased - namely, resourcefulness and quick thinking. For instance: suppose one of my parents' windows blows in. I have planned for this contingency in advance and have observed that my father is of the perfect height and width to plug the hole. So I will remain calm, wait for the eye, and then plaster him to the frame. This is but one example of the organisation, combined with the calmness under pressure, of the Bermudian people, which makes Bermuda truly 'another world'.
But I wax sentimental. Enough.
Anyone from Bermuda reading this, good luck and stay safe. To the rest of you - spare us a thought!
Love,
Doug
