Sunday 29 March 2009
Wednesday 11 March 2009
Greed
A short story by
Greed- “the selfish desire for our pursuit of money, wealth, power, food, or other possessions, especially when this denies the same goods to others. It is one of the seven deadly sins.”
Bread, Pounds, Dollars, Euros and Dough. These are but a few words that mean money. All the above are referred to differently by many nations but the one thing they have in common is that they all speak the same language, money talks!
From when I was young, I was told go to school, get an education, be someone important in life. Be a doctor, lawyer or even a pilot. The reason, you ask? To make money. So why not just become a drug dealer, I ask?
Dealing drugs is a profitable business, you start small and work your way up a ladder as such but there are a lot of snakes on the way. Let’s start from the first step. You’re just a pawn on a chess board, you’re doing all the work but you’re still the most important piece. It’s you making the money while protecting your king. Effectively all you’re doing is looking out, making sure your friends on the street are not being watched by police. A simple job for sure, but you’re getting chump change. You now see where this is going? You start to ask yourself why can’t I be selling the drugs? Still pawns in the game but you move up one, to the person that is selling the drugs, your title a drug dealer.
You have now earned your right to sell, prove you can be tr
usted and warned what the consequences will be, failing to deliver the product or money. Imagine standing outside on a dark winter’s night, waiting on a street corner with a flickering florescent orange light, glass littered on the floor, with the ambient noise of a dog howling. A blue soft top BMW (Black Man’s Wheels as it is sometimes referred to) pulls up with black tinted windows, shiny 20” rims, the passenger window slowly winds down with a thick smoke escaping to give you the silhouette of a male. After the smoke disperses you see a well dressed man in an Armani suit not a black man but white and who says society does not stereotype? He then asks with a husky voice “give me an eighth of weed”. This is a small clear plastic bag that a set of earrings would come in but not filled with earrings but weed. He then hands over a tattered £20 note with white residue on it, not all yours to keep as there is still a hierarchy you report to, that gets a percentage of your intake.
By this time you’re still making small change. The hours spent standing on the street corner in the freezing cold is having a lethargic effect on you. Putting up with the lingering smell of vagrants while they are begging for you to give them their next fix, their hands as dark as coal like they have seen war holding out shrapnel to pay you. The ladies of the night occupy the same corner as you, a symbiotic relationship where they provide you more revenue and you provide a hallucinated world, where dirty old men are not committing adultery on their estranged wives.
This is still a business. You move up by making a profit and taking out your competition, while giving your consumer a product that is superior quality. Best for less is the motto but is it less money? No it’s less drugs. Having this knowledge you make it to be a Queen, The King has married you into this title, no coronation. The board is open, you answer to no one but one. Every part of the business is discussed with you.
The management level, holding board meetings will always seem like a chore to the common society but for drug dealers it was a time to sit in a desolate building and discuss current events. Who was taking over territory; who did not give part of their intake and finally how they would be disciplined. The general consensus of the meetings all led to one end result, maximising financial status.
The king still makes the most money, one word comes to mind, treason. Should the king be killed, so his throne can be taken? The king can only make one move at a time, always watching his back making sure that the system doesn’t have him in check. Scared to leave his domicile, fearing another drug dealer will de –throne him. Using pawns to protect him and conduct his business, this won’t last forever as the pawns go down the board they want to get promoted. No turning back, only going forward.
Hear ye, hear ye...
A simple pay rise will suffice. It’s not your time to be king, you decide. Soon all the bad points of being king seem to not worry you anymore. The good points outweigh all the bad ones. The parties you go to, women flocking to you, letting go of all their inhibitions, having the power to control people a role reversal of Adam and Eve, only the apple being drugs. You finally step up to be king, first thing on the agenda your palace.
A palace fit for a king, more rooms than you alone can sleep in, and each room has an en suite toilet. Your security is the best in the world, you have large security gates to make sure no one enters. All over the premises you have security cameras for your safety with guard dogs posted around. What more could you ask for? You have your palace and you’re now king. What more could you ask for? You want your freedom! A palace fit for a king, prison. Sure you have had your house warming by now.
So why not just become a drug dealer I ask? I was, but I am now known as prisoner LG5238.
With thanks for the use of images to - BMW, Chess black and white, Chess King, factory, belmarsh
Greed- “the selfish desire for our pursuit of money, wealth, power, food, or other possessions, especially when this denies the same goods to others. It is one of the seven deadly sins.”
Bread, Pounds, Dollars, Euros and Dough. These are but a few words that mean money. All the above are referred to differently by many nations but the one thing they have in common is that they all speak the same language, money talks!From when I was young, I was told go to school, get an education, be someone important in life. Be a doctor, lawyer or even a pilot. The reason, you ask? To make money. So why not just become a drug dealer, I ask?
Dealing drugs is a profitable business, you start small and work your way up a ladder as such but there are a lot of snakes on the way. Let’s start from the first step. You’re just a pawn on a chess board, you’re doing all the work but you’re still the most important piece. It’s you making the money while protecting your king. Effectively all you’re doing is looking out, making sure your friends on the street are not being watched by police. A simple job for sure, but you’re getting chump change. You now see where this is going? You start to ask yourself why can’t I be selling the drugs? Still pawns in the game but you move up one, to the person that is selling the drugs, your title a drug dealer.
You have now earned your right to sell, prove you can be tr
usted and warned what the consequences will be, failing to deliver the product or money. Imagine standing outside on a dark winter’s night, waiting on a street corner with a flickering florescent orange light, glass littered on the floor, with the ambient noise of a dog howling. A blue soft top BMW (Black Man’s Wheels as it is sometimes referred to) pulls up with black tinted windows, shiny 20” rims, the passenger window slowly winds down with a thick smoke escaping to give you the silhouette of a male. After the smoke disperses you see a well dressed man in an Armani suit not a black man but white and who says society does not stereotype? He then asks with a husky voice “give me an eighth of weed”. This is a small clear plastic bag that a set of earrings would come in but not filled with earrings but weed. He then hands over a tattered £20 note with white residue on it, not all yours to keep as there is still a hierarchy you report to, that gets a percentage of your intake.
By this time you’re still making small change. The hours spent standing on the street corner in the freezing cold is having a lethargic effect on you. Putting up with the lingering smell of vagrants while they are begging for you to give them their next fix, their hands as dark as coal like they have seen war holding out shrapnel to pay you. The ladies of the night occupy the same corner as you, a symbiotic relationship where they provide you more revenue and you provide a hallucinated world, where dirty old men are not committing adultery on their estranged wives.
This is still a business. You move up by making a profit and taking out your competition, while giving your consumer a product that is superior quality. Best for less is the motto but is it less money? No it’s less drugs. Having this knowledge you make it to be a Queen, The King has married you into this title, no coronation. The board is open, you answer to no one but one. Every part of the business is discussed with you.The management level, holding board meetings will always seem like a chore to the common society but for drug dealers it was a time to sit in a desolate building and discuss current events. Who was taking over territory; who did not give part of their intake and finally how they would be disciplined. The general consensus of the meetings all led to one end result, maximising financial status.
The king still makes the most money, one word comes to mind, treason. Should the king be killed, so his throne can be taken? The king can only make one move at a time, always watching his back making sure that the system doesn’t have him in check. Scared to leave his domicile, fearing another drug dealer will de –throne him. Using pawns to protect him and conduct his business, this won’t last forever as the pawns go down the board they want to get promoted. No turning back, only going forward.
Hear ye, hear ye...
A simple pay rise will suffice. It’s not your time to be king, you decide. Soon all the bad points of being king seem to not worry you anymore. The good points outweigh all the bad ones. The parties you go to, women flocking to you, letting go of all their inhibitions, having the power to control people a role reversal of Adam and Eve, only the apple being drugs. You finally step up to be king, first thing on the agenda your palace.A palace fit for a king, more rooms than you alone can sleep in, and each room has an en suite toilet. Your security is the best in the world, you have large security gates to make sure no one enters. All over the premises you have security cameras for your safety with guard dogs posted around. What more could you ask for? You have your palace and you’re now king. What more could you ask for? You want your freedom! A palace fit for a king, prison. Sure you have had your house warming by now.
So why not just become a drug dealer I ask? I was, but I am now known as prisoner LG5238.
With thanks for the use of images to - BMW, Chess black and white, Chess King, factory, belmarsh
Wednesday 4 March 2009
The Diploma Roadshow
Can you explain how Lewisham College were selected to host the Diploma Roadshow?
The Diploma Roadshow is organised by The London Borough of Lewisham and The Department for Children, Schools and Families. Lewisham College were asked to host the event, due to us running quite a few of the diplomas at the college from September 2009.
Which other organisations will Lewisham College be working in conjunction with and what roles will they play in promoting these Diplomas?
We will mainly be working in conjunction with The London Borough of Lewisham. Other schools involved in the roadshow are Christ the King and Bonus Pastor Catholic College, who will be present to promote the diplomas on offer in their establishment.
Is this the first Diploma Roadshow at Lewisham College?
This will be the first Diploma Roadshow at Lewisham College, as diplomas are a fairly new qualification. However, there was previously a Diploma Roadshow in the London Borough of Greenwich and in many other boroughs across London.
How many schools do you propose, shall be in attendance at this event?
Secondary schools from across Lewisham Borough were invited to attend the roads
how, and over 200 students are expected to attend.
As this event is aimed towards secondary schoolsm, is there a specific age group that the Diplomas are targeted at?
Diplomas are targeted at 14-19 year olds
Which Diplomas are Lewisham College showcasing?
Lewisham College began offering diplomas in September 2008. This is the Higher Diploma in IT in conjunction with Bonus Pastor Catholic College. Lewisham College will be promoting the new diplomas that will start in September 2009: Advanced Diploma in IT in conjunction with Bonus Pastor and Higher Diploma in Hospitality in conjunction with Haberdashers’ Aske’s Hatcham College.
What are the benefits for students undertaking these Diplomas and what other diplomas already exist?
Students who study for a diploma qualification benefit from a mix of theoretical and practical study and learn about the industry they have chosen. They also have the option to study other subjects alongside the diploma. Students will also study functional skills in English, maths and ICT, and will gain at least 10 days work experience.
There are diplomas in a variety of subjects including Creative and Media, Hospitality, IT, Society, Health and Development, and Engineering.
How are the Diplomas structured and what is the length of these courses?
The Diploma is available at three different levels:
Foundation – equivalent to 5 GCSEs at grades D to G
Higher – equivalent to 7 GCSEs at grades A* to C
Advanced – equivalent to 3.5 A levels
Diplomas are recognised by universities and employers and can be a route into either.
If someone wishes to find out more about these Diplomas, can you advise what the entry requirements are for applicants and how would they apply to undertake this course?
There are no entry requirements to take the Diploma qualification. Students can apply via the school where the diplomas will be carried out.
The Diploma Roadshow is organised by The London Borough of Lewisham and The Department for Children, Schools and Families. Lewisham College were asked to host the event, due to us running quite a few of the diplomas at the college from September 2009.
Which other organisations will Lewisham College be working in conjunction with and what roles will they play in promoting these Diplomas?
We will mainly be working in conjunction with The London Borough of Lewisham. Other schools involved in the roadshow are Christ the King and Bonus Pastor Catholic College, who will be present to promote the diplomas on offer in their establishment.Is this the first Diploma Roadshow at Lewisham College?
This will be the first Diploma Roadshow at Lewisham College, as diplomas are a fairly new qualification. However, there was previously a Diploma Roadshow in the London Borough of Greenwich and in many other boroughs across London.
How many schools do you propose, shall be in attendance at this event?
Secondary schools from across Lewisham Borough were invited to attend the roads
how, and over 200 students are expected to attend.As this event is aimed towards secondary schoolsm, is there a specific age group that the Diplomas are targeted at?
Diplomas are targeted at 14-19 year olds
Which Diplomas are Lewisham College showcasing?
Lewisham College began offering diplomas in September 2008. This is the Higher Diploma in IT in conjunction with Bonus Pastor Catholic College. Lewisham College will be promoting the new diplomas that will start in September 2009: Advanced Diploma in IT in conjunction with Bonus Pastor and Higher Diploma in Hospitality in conjunction with Haberdashers’ Aske’s Hatcham College.What are the benefits for students undertaking these Diplomas and what other diplomas already exist?
Students who study for a diploma qualification benefit from a mix of theoretical and practical study and learn about the industry they have chosen. They also have the option to study other subjects alongside the diploma. Students will also study functional skills in English, maths and ICT, and will gain at least 10 days work experience.
There are diplomas in a variety of subjects including Creative and Media, Hospitality, IT, Society, Health and Development, and Engineering.
How are the Diplomas structured and what is the length of these courses?
The Diploma is available at three different levels:
Foundation – equivalent to 5 GCSEs at grades D to G
Higher – equivalent to 7 GCSEs at grades A* to C
Advanced – equivalent to 3.5 A levels
Diplomas are recognised by universities and employers and can be a route into either.
If someone wishes to find out more about these Diplomas, can you advise what the entry requirements are for applicants and how would they apply to undertake this course?
There are no entry requirements to take the Diploma qualification. Students can apply via the school where the diplomas will be carried out.
Thursday 5 February 2009
It's Snow Fun!
A wonderful snowman, created by Nick Linford, the Director of Planning and Performance at Lewisham College. It looks great in the day - and the evening too!
Sharon Muncie, Acting PAL in the School of Business and Computing saw the amazing snowman below under construction near the Ranger's Hut in Greenwich Park.
Not all Lewisham College students stay in Lewisham. Darrell Stroud, who did the Introduction to Computing course eight years ago sent in the picture below from near his home on Bodmin Moor. Darrell is now a professional e-Bay seller and is hoping to set up his own bespoke website in the near future.
Please send us your snow pics! use the submit button at the top of the home page! Thanks!
Wednesday 4 February 2009
Another Chance to Learn
Am I too old to learn?
It is never too late learn. Going back to study is a great opportunity for everyone. Once you make your first step you are there and the world is open to you.
English is not my first language so what can I do?
To speak another language is not easy, especially if you have to pick it up at an older age. Everything seems to be twice as hard, but my determination keeps me going. With the help and support of my teacher, I have learnt from word to word, and then slowly merged it all together to make a sentence. It is a joy to learn something new every day and it gives me great pleasure to discover myself and other people.What course should I take to work in an office?
My ambition is to work in an office and it seemed like it was far away, but the NVQ Business and Administration course makes it feel closer to me. From this course, I have learnt how to send emails, write out memos, type a document and operate office equipment. We also had help to build our confidence, telephone communication skills and many more other things………..
Do I get any training from the course?
So far I have been involved in several activities. I have helped the College with packing the goody bags for skill London 2008 Exhibition where over 1500 people visited I have escorted ESOL students to assessments rooms. I also experienced working in the Finance Department. It was lovely to meet people from different back ground and ages. This was a brilliant experience for me and this is only the beginning……………
Monday 26 January 2009
NVQ Business and Administration Students Display their Culinary Skills on their Enrichment Programme
Mark’s cooking adventure
Hello I am doing a NVQ Level 1 in Business administration at Lewisham College. I am enjoying the course so far and hope to gain a qualification at the end of my course.
Recently I took part in an enrichment class doing cooking at the college and that involved cutting up onions, carrots, preparing vegetable, browning the mince and doing a bowl of spaghetti bolognaise.
I found it quite easy to do because I do cooking at home and I like doing spaghetti bolognaise when I am hungry and also it is good for your health and gives you a lot of energy. Also it is better then going out and getting a take away every time which it is bad for your health.
It was my first time doing cooking it at my college and it was a worthy and good experience because I learnt how to cook with different Ingredients and which I had never done before.
Also I feel that the college should do these types of experiment for younger students and foreign students in the college because it will help them in the future to cook different types of food. It will also give you more confidence cooking different types of food and using different ingredients. It only takes practice the more practice you have the better cooker you will be and also you will be able to cook for family and friends.
Becky’s Cooking Adventure
In our Business Administration class there is a group called the Enrichment class which consists of a mixture of boys and girls aged 16 to 18. We had a cooking adventure to do. Our adventure was to cook a bowl of spaghetti bolognaise from scratch as you can see in the pictures.
All the ingredients were bought by our tutor Sue and we had to pick out what ingredients we wanted to use. We were not allowed to use the sauce mixture that you get from the shops.
At first we chopped and cooked the vegetables, we added the garlic and mince meat. We then made the sauce which was tomato puree and water, including peppers and onion if we wished to. We then cooked the spaghetti once that was done, put the mince and spaghetti into a container and added parmesan cheese.
For me, the cooking experience was strange as I have never cooked a meal in my life - so it was a great way of learning how to cook because I had all my friends around me to help and now know how to cook spaghetti bolognaise!
Friday 23 January 2009
Dispose of the weapons and let’s live our lives
Life was once sweet and smooth
In everyone’s neighbourhood
When youths were all nice and cool
When there was peace between the chicks and the dudes
When children use to be happy doing their chores
When they would not be disciplined by force
It was so till a bad idea came to us
And when it came it extended like a curse
Every youth used to be delightful in one’s eyes
But nowadays they form a web of lies
Some of the good ones are merely in disguise
And now they find the need to defend themselves with knives
When the first person was killed
We hoped for a better tomorrow
But all our hopes were dismissed
When we saw the beginning of an era of sorrow
War use to be “dogs against dogs”
Fangs against fangs
But now the war is “youths against youths”
Gangs against gangs
The fight for respect and territory use to be between animals
Horns against horns
But now the battle is between us humans
Guns against guns
I wonder if some people really want a good life
But then I also wonder if the choices are theirs to decide
The pleasure of sin has captured so many minds
And made it uneasy for one to act right
The news of a dead youth makes my heart mourn
But the news of a murdered youth itches to the marrow of my bones
Respect is never earned by being vile and ruthless
Criminals and thugs always end up fruitless
No living man has power over life and death
So separate the thought of evil from yourself
Because such things one will always regret
The result of using a weapon is worse than the weapon itself
If inside your keep weapons are concealed
Then a terrible act of evil is guaranteed
To resolve a problem, one does not have to bleed
In shootings and stabbings I do not see the need
Put yourself in the shoes of your victim
Point the gun again and see if you can shoot him
Ending another man’s life is not as simple as it seems
We all have the same coloured fluid in our bloodstreams
How much time will it take you to realize
That so much is expected from the chicks and the guys
That they have to be smart and organised
And contribute to the progress of all our lives
How long will it take you to realise
That your limit is beyond the sky
That your task is to touch people’s lives
To turn a sad face to a high smile
To place happiness in people’s faces
And love them whatever their race is
To extend your good works across the earth
And to love people as much as you love yourself
We should not be hunting our fellow man
Let’s not take laws into our hands
Dispose of your guns and your knives now
And detach yourself from those fruitless gangs
Ask yourself “what has this gang done for me?”
“And what success has it made me achieve?”
In alliance with evil, success is not guaranteed
And you may spend the rest of your life paying for your deeds
Stop walking on the wrong path
Use your energy positively on the right track
And when you do, never look back
Life is forwards ever, backwards never
The energy of our bodies and minds
Should be dedicated to the people of our time
So snap and wake up from your empty dreams
It is time to arise and shine
Let us shine like fire
Not hide in the dark like cowards
Let us live long to the farthest future
Not die in the streets like fowls
Let us now concentrate on the good
Let us work hard today and be honoured tomorrow
Let us develop ourselves more
So that in the future, we shall never have to borrow.
If you are evil, then have a change of mind
And say to yourself “criminals are no friends of mine”
Do not let worthless friends waste your time
Turn to the right path and dispose your knives
In everyone’s neighbourhood
When youths were all nice and cool
When there was peace between the chicks and the dudes
When children use to be happy doing their chores
When they would not be disciplined by force
It was so till a bad idea came to us
And when it came it extended like a curse
Every youth used to be delightful in one’s eyes
But nowadays they form a web of lies
Some of the good ones are merely in disguise
And now they find the need to defend themselves with knives
When the first person was killed
We hoped for a better tomorrow
But all our hopes were dismissed
When we saw the beginning of an era of sorrow
War use to be “dogs against dogs”
Fangs against fangs
But now the war is “youths against youths”
Gangs against gangs
The fight for respect and territory use to be between animals
Horns against horns
But now the battle is between us humans
Guns against guns
I wonder if some people really want a good life
But then I also wonder if the choices are theirs to decide
The pleasure of sin has captured so many minds
And made it uneasy for one to act right
The news of a dead youth makes my heart mourn
But the news of a murdered youth itches to the marrow of my bones
Respect is never earned by being vile and ruthless
Criminals and thugs always end up fruitless
No living man has power over life and death
So separate the thought of evil from yourself
Because such things one will always regret
The result of using a weapon is worse than the weapon itself
If inside your keep weapons are concealed
Then a terrible act of evil is guaranteed
To resolve a problem, one does not have to bleed
In shootings and stabbings I do not see the need
Put yourself in the shoes of your victim
Point the gun again and see if you can shoot him
Ending another man’s life is not as simple as it seems
We all have the same coloured fluid in our bloodstreams
How much time will it take you to realize
That so much is expected from the chicks and the guys
That they have to be smart and organised
And contribute to the progress of all our lives
How long will it take you to realise
That your limit is beyond the sky
That your task is to touch people’s lives
To turn a sad face to a high smile
To place happiness in people’s faces
And love them whatever their race is
To extend your good works across the earth
And to love people as much as you love yourself
We should not be hunting our fellow man
Let’s not take laws into our hands
Dispose of your guns and your knives now
And detach yourself from those fruitless gangs
Ask yourself “what has this gang done for me?”
“And what success has it made me achieve?”
In alliance with evil, success is not guaranteed
And you may spend the rest of your life paying for your deeds
Stop walking on the wrong path
Use your energy positively on the right track
And when you do, never look back
Life is forwards ever, backwards never
The energy of our bodies and minds
Should be dedicated to the people of our time
So snap and wake up from your empty dreams
It is time to arise and shine
Let us shine like fire
Not hide in the dark like cowards
Let us live long to the farthest future
Not die in the streets like fowls
Let us now concentrate on the good
Let us work hard today and be honoured tomorrow
Let us develop ourselves more
So that in the future, we shall never have to borrow.
If you are evil, then have a change of mind
And say to yourself “criminals are no friends of mine”
Do not let worthless friends waste your time
Turn to the right path and dispose your knives
The world of the youths is still so long
The distance of your journey is still so long
Turn away from crime and live a life of fun
Have a conscience and dispose of your guns
Leave the dark and come to the light
Although the decision to be good is a big fight
Firmly stand for what is right
Dispose your weapons and let us live our lives
BY NOSA IGUNBOR
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