1. Wow, I didn't know I shared the IJEST brand with such academics!!

   
   

   International Journal of Engineering Science and Technology ...

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   International Journal of Engineering Science and Technology, IJest is an international online journal in english that publishes research and review articles in the ...

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2. IJEST Home

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   Internation Journal of Environmental Science and Technology.

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3. ijest

   www.ceers.org/ijest/

   Number of articles 496. Number of pages 4448. Number of references 15738. Number of contributors 1,630. Number of databases 86. IJEST Usage Statistics ...

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4. www.ijest-ng.com - International Journal of Engineering, Science ...

   www.ijest-ng.com/

   This site may harm your computer.
   International Journal of Engineering, Science and Technology (IJEST) is an open access journal, free to readers. AJOL contains updated IJEST's papers, which ...

5. Entertainment for All - Roger the Jester

   ijest.com/

   Just learned how to post to my website from my Iphone, including pix and video. I see a new part of my show! July 3rd, 2012 | Tags: Live | Category: Events ...

6. IJEST - Bannari Amman Institute of Technology

   www.bitsathy.ac.in/ijest.html

   Home; Indian Journal of Engineering, Science & Technology (IJEST). Indian Journal of Engineering, Science, and Technology (IJEST) (ISSN: 0973-6255) ...

New new

I'm back.  I haven't written anything in a long time, but not because I haven't done anything, I just haven't written. I have recently worked with a business coach, Amber Chand, and have sorted a lot of things out that should benefit the business of Roger Reed.   I also have created a new web site.  The old one was made is 1997 and has served me well for all those years, but it was long overdue an overhaul.  Check out the new look and lots of new info.
ijest.com
I also have a Facebook page that has pictures from recent performances as well as some older ones.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Roger-the-Jester/121182797967616   "Like" me if you like!
I'm also gathering videos to put on my You Tube channel.  http://www.youtube.com/user/TheRogerthejester
Subscribe and be the first to see some of the old footage I'm digging out!!
As you might imagine, there is a mountain of stuff, so it'll take some time, but it will happen.

A Surprise

Roger the Jester turns 37 this year. That’s right, I’m still working on it.

Recent experiences have confirmed my solid belief in the importance and longevity of my work.

While in Antigua this winter, I had the opportunity to revisit a 81 year old Antiguan woman who is an old friend of my wife's family. Two years ago, I had done a 79^th birthday performette, a small and intimate performance for her, her grand daughter, a caregiver and a neighbor, as well as my wife and mother-in-law, an audience of six. One of the things I did was to transform a paper napkin into a rose, a sort of origami manipulation.

I was not going to be on island for her birthday this year, so decided to visit her on Valentine’s Day. When I arrived, she was sitting out on her porch. After greeting her, and deciding to do my thing inside, where I had previously, she told me she had a surprise for me!! I was simply stunned when she produced that paper rose, that she has guarded dearly for the last two years!! It was a little tired looking, but a couple of twists and pinches spruced it right up.

Little did I realize, two years previously, what an impact and effect that simple little trick would have on this woman’s day to day life. Her caregiver said that she daily admires it and charges everyone to treat it with care and respect.

Now, I don’t make roses for everyone I perform for, yet I do believe that I do leave them with a memory, an imprint of laughter and light, that lasts a very long time. Makes me wonder, how many other roses are still out there?

Not only did I make her another white one, but my mother in law came up with a red napkin, and I made Dora three more valentine roses for her birthday.

Croix de Bouquets

I am home now and catching my breath, but want to finish writing about my last two days in Haiti.

Thursday would be a travel day for us. We would go to PAP with LaFleur and his family, drop them at the airport and then continue on to Croix de Bouquets, where the orphanage is that I am delivering the quilts made by the Berkshire Quilt Society, the cash designated for them and doing a performance!

The drive to PAP is beautiful in the crisp morning air. We left around 9 am, and it definitely felt cooler as we went up over the mountains. It was great to see all the corn hanging to dry. I had only seen it once on my trip in May, but now it was to be seen everywhere. Huge bunches of corn hang from 30 feet in the air, suspended from a crossbeam in a palm tree. I assume it is to keep it away from rats and other nibblers.

There were also the huge baskets of produce waiting to be picked up. They are so big, I can't imagine how heavy one is. I finally see one being loaded up onto a truck by four men, lifting it straight up 5 feet onto the bed of the truck.

PAP is dusty, crowded, smelly, and loud. Certainly makes me glad to be spending my time in Jacmel. But that is not to say I wouldn't go there!!

Our driver takes us to CdB, about a 30 minute ride. It is an outskirting part of PAP, but has a nice, more peaceful feel to it. We check into our hotel, Club Continental. It is clean and comfortable.

After a phone call to Gerald, the director of the orphanage, we are met by Chantal, a young woman from the orphanage, who is very nice and welcoming. We agree to meet at 3:30 to go for the show.

After a short rest, we decide to wander down the street. The address for the orphanage seems to be on the same street as the hotel. The street has a wonderful feel to it, very neighborhoodish. We are a little confused by the numbers, ask and are directed a little further down the street. I then spot a banner across the street with FRADES on it. We found it!

Behind a large sliding green gate, sits a newly built house where the children now live. They are waiting patiently on the porch.

I launch into my show. They are so attentive and receptive. Laughter soon fills the house. What a gift it is to me to be able to help these children add laughter to their lives.

After the show, I open the big bag and start to pull out the quilts to give to them. I take the first out and show it to them, the second, third, and then invite them to help me 0pen them up. Soon I am surrounded by the children who receive the offered quilt, and open it to see the beautiful colors and patterns put together back in February by a group of Berkshire women!

What a pleasure it was for me to be the carrier of these quilts.

I then sit on the floor with them and make some jumping spiders, hand out rubber bands and pencils. I explain to them that although there weren't enough of any one item, they all would get something. And more important was the fact that the laughter that they had experienced was theirs to keep, and there was plenty for everyone to have their fill.

We bid them adieu and head back to the hotel.

Robin, Shaun and I sit around the pool and have a beer on our last night in Haiti. As we have our dinner on the veranda, the rain buckets down again into the night. Lightning flashes, illuminating the street briefly to show the foot traffic that seems to pay no attention to the falling rain.

la pluie ap tombe

When I went for my morning walk and cafe, I was surprised to see that the little girl who I've gotten my cafe from every day this week was nowhere to be found. Once again I had taken the shoes to see if I could solve the mystery, but the saga continues.

We go up to Morne Oge for breakfast and then head out with two taptaps packed to the gills with people to go to Raymond Beach. It was a great ride through town and out into the country. I could ride around like this all day, especially if I could stop when I wanted to! I see lots of opportunities to perform, interesting activities and beautiful photos all missed due to the never ending rush to get there. Once again I am reminded how so many are focusing on the destination, not the journey!!

When we arrive at the beach, there are a few young boys around hawking shells that they have found on the beach. I make some jumping spiders for them with some packing straps that I found outside the kitchen. I also do a couple of rubber band tricks. I am so surprised that I see so many Haitian children with several rubber bands on their arms, not the silly shapes so popular in the States, but just plain rubber bands. I am reminded of all the ones I gave out in March and May.

As always, we are surrounded by vendors soon, the ground is covered with paintings pinned down with stones, two tables full of jewelry made of shells, wood, horn and plastic are carried and set right next to our table.

I go for a swim before lunch, the water is so warm, it feels so good to float in the bobbing waves and feel the sun beating down. When I get out of the water, I see the opportunity to do a little playing, so I grab my diabolo and head down the beach a bit to an open area. I soon am surrounded by about 30 people, mostly young boys and young men. They were very responsive and playful. Thankfully Kelsey had seen me and grabbed the video camera to capture some of it. One fellow who turned out to be one of the jewelry hawkers wanted to try his hand. He caught on rather quickly and for the next two hours, I would see him here and there up and down the beach showing off his newly acquired skill. I would check in every once in a while, give him some coaching tips, taking him to the next level. It was very satisfying to see him progress so quickly. At the end when I was leaving, it was difficult to ask for it back, but I am quite attached to some of my props and couldn't let it go. I also have more work to do before I leave! I talked to him about making one, and he was already thinking about how to do it. He said the next time I came he would have one that he would turn out of wood!!! That would be so cool . It could be the beginning of a diabolo revolution in Haiti!!

I had arranged to go to Caleb's feeding program on the way back with a little difficulty. It seems that there is some friction between the LaFleur camp and Caleb. Not really sure what it is all about, but I do not want to get in the middle of it. I merely want to perform for his children again. They do agree to drop us off. When we arrive, it seems sort of familiar, but I am disoriented. His tarp is in a different spot and there are tents set up in what before was an open area. The children had been sitting and waiting for us to arrive, so sweet. They break into song as we are given chairs to sit in next to them. There are about 80 in all, from 4 to 16. They are crammed onto the benches, eagerly awaiting. We all introduce ourselves, and I go last. And off I go. They were so happy to see me again. An old woman brought her own chair and sat right behind me, totally into the event. Caleb was wonderful in encouraging them to applaud.

We then help serve out the food. The littlest ones sat on the floor on the porch of the house, and we set the piping hot plates of wheat and beans on the floor between their legs. Then we formed a line and passed out the plates to all the older ones waiting patiently on the benches. No one ate until everyone was served. Caleb offered us some but we had just finished our lunch, so declined. He served himself last, and then gave his plate of food to a young boy who had managed to topple his plate to the ground; a little puppy quickly moved in to clean up.

Time was growing short, so we asked Caleb if he could get motos for us to go back to the hotel. It was a great ride back through the town; Kelsey and Shaun on one, Camilla and I on the other. Caleb and his cousin from NYC came with us back to the hotel to retrieve some shoes, sheets and clothes that we had brought down.

Soon it was time to return to Morne Oge for an event recognizing those children who had good grades in school. It was quite the fete, tons of food, cake and ice cream and lots of goodies being given out. The church looked very festive with all the balloons that Robin had brought with him. It bucketed down for a very long time, the rain pounding on the tin roof. It leaked in one spot. By the time the event was over though, the rain had stopped and we rode back to the hotel through the quiet abandoned streets, such a difference from day to night.

Stars started to peak out and the moon pushed her way through the clouds as we drifted off to sleep on our last night in Jacmel.

orphanage

My day starts as usual, out for a morning stroll and cafe, then back to write.

The taptap comes at 8 to take us up to the church for breakfast. We play with the children again, they are so physical, I think I have a red ring around my wiast from all the grabbing and pinching to get my attention.

At 10, we all pile into the taptap to go see the new land. It is a beautiful ride there, through very lush greenery. Coralita grows everywhere, showing off its bright pink blossoms. Already it is blazing hot. Not a cloud is to be seen in the sky. Just as we are about to leave, an old lady and small girl arrive with a stack of amazing hats. One catches my eye immediately. We have fun trying them on in the shade of a tree. How is it that she is selling hats out here in the bush? Then I realize that I had seen the hats on a table at one of the houses we had passed to get here. She had seen us, and figured there might be a sale. We ended up buying three! She was right. What a beautiful sight it was. Of course, Zelmo was blowing his horn, ready to leave.

After lunch there was the feeding program again. I dried the hands of every youngster after they patiently stood in line to wash. A little wiggle and a shake along with a squeeze was usually enough to get a glowing smile from each one.

In the afrternoon we were taken to an orphange nearby. It was for boys only. They ranged in age from 8 to 20, probably 25 all together. I performed for them in the corner of a dusty soccer field in a small yard. they were so much fun, very open to laugh and cheer each other on as I called them up to volunteer. After I spoke to them a little and they asked questions, like why did I come to Haiti. It was great to voice my beliefs about the importance of laughter, not only in a disaster situation but also in every day life. They all nodded in agreement. One boy wanted to know how I threw the knots into the rope, so I taught him how, and found a shoelace on the ground that I gave to him to practice with. He picked it up quite quickly.

I was so parched after the show and noone had any water. I need to stay hydrated!!

After a short rest back at the hotel, we all wandered out to go to some shops. One mann recognized me from my visit in March!

We eneded up at the beach again, meeting up with our artist friend from Pinchinat. I told him that we had been there yesterday, but he had to go the the clinic because his tent had collapsed on himm in the night, bruising his chest.

He took a bracelet off his arm and put it on Kelsey's, asking her to wear it. It was beautiful. Upon closer inspection we saw that kit was wound wire. We commented on how creative it was, and he disappeared up the beach. He came back in a few minutes with wtrands of phone wire, electric cord and copper wire bouncing from his hand. In about 10 minutes he created another. they sere so great, we asked how much he could make them for. We then asked him to see how many he could make before we left on Thursday. He accepted the challenge!! We will see. I siad no more than 2000.

When we got back to the hotel, Lindor Wilking was there with his soda pop bags. Robin had a long chat with him about commerce and pricing. What an opportunity for this young man to learn from someone in that business. i got two beauties from him to bring home.

It was another full on day.

Pinchinat

I love waking early and hearing the town come back to life again. The nights are incredibly still, but soon before daybreak, the wheels start moving again.

I walk to my morning cafe spot, the young girl is still there. I figure the concession has been handed on to her. Her mother? has moved on. Without her new size 8 shoes.

We are off at 8 am sharp to return to Morne Oge. Today will be the second and closing part of Robin and Camilla's art workshop.

Again, it is so nice to be greeted by name as we arrive. Already the young boys are busy painting one of the new houses. I go and see it and joke with them that it will be my house. Gabby replies "kai." I am puzzled. That is my son's name. i soon learn that in Kreyol it means "my house." Sweet.

I see a woman doing laundry and I give her my shirt to wash. She accepts it without missing a beat. I later see it hanging on the line amidst her wash. I like the idea of me being in the middle of it all. After lunch she walks up to me and hands me a beautifully folded clean shirt. She asks for nothing and walks back to her "kai," I follow her and give her 25 gourdes, less than a dollar, for her services, she gives me a huge hug. Win, win, win.

Shaun is busy repairing some of the table that have broken. It's a challenge, but we find tools here and there, find some extra lumber, and with the help of some of the young boys, he makes the tables sturdy enough to sit on. Before they had collapsed when asked to bear that kind of weight. it was great to see the young boys assisting him, they must have learned how to make it stronger.

Kelsey is constantly holding a child. At one point a boy of 6 snores away on her shoulder.

I go for a bit of a walk down a path I hadn't been on berfore, it is beautiful walking down the dusty path. Soon I hear my name being called. I look across a small valley and I see Souvenis, one of the cooks and several children. Next they are running toward me repeating Roget, Roget, Roget. They take me by both hands and lead me to their home, a tent set on top of the small hill. Her husband sits on a moto holding a baby boy, not yet one. I meet her family of 6 and she shows me the state of their tent. It has rips on every side, patched with tarp, but certainly no longer waterproof. After 7 months in the sun, it hs become so brittle, that it rips very easily. And with 6 children, the oldest maybe 14, I can only imagine the activity. Her daughter cooks some rice over a small coalpot. She sends me off back to the church with one of her daughters, we walk hand in hand the whole way. So touching and poignant.

Today it is very hot, with not a cloud in the sky, the temperature bakes the earth and anything on it. We all are exhausted from the heat. But like magic, just when the time is right, those little sachets of water appear, the perfect amount of good tasting rehydration. And ice cold!! How can that happen in this blazing heat? Later in the day I had one that still had ice inside, so they might buy them frozen? However it happens, it is always so refreshing and revitalizing.

At one point, there were several children sitting in the back of the taptap. I climbed in with them and had so much fun. We all pretended that we were moving in the truck. First i would call our allez, allez, allez. Then we would bounce up and down going over the bumpy road, then a corner to the left, more bouncing, then a right, more bouncing, then a HUGE bump, more bouncing, then a stop. And then repeat, again and again and again. We did it so many times, the children chortling with glee, that finally Fedony yelled at them to be quiet. He hadn't seen that I was the instigator of all the noise. So then we pretended to sleep, wake up, wash our skin, eat some food, and sleep again. This went on for some time until it was time for our lunch.

After lunch, we helped carry the plates of rice and beans out to the younger children. I danced with the plates, they laughed. I then helped dry their hands as they stood in line to wash before eating. I made it fun, they lined up to have me dry their hands, I shook their arms as I dried, making it fun.

We left at 3 to visit some tent cities. We first went to Pinchinat, where I had been back in March. It is much smaller now. They have moved many people out. There are drainage ditches to help deal with the rain. The latrines are brightly painted, one for men and one for women in a different part of the camp. We stop under a tree and I hop out of the truck and start to set up for a show. There is a lot of distraction with all of us, so it is a slow beginning, but as I continue the crowd grows, not as large as in March, but understandably, there are fewer people here now. Nevertheless, the children are delighted and the adults join in as well. I had hardly finished and Zelmo, our driver was in the truck beeping his horn for us to get in. A man came and asked me to do another show in another part of the camp but we were whisked away before it could happen. That did not sit well with me.

We then drove to another camp, this one newly set up, possibly with people from the one we had just visited. It was very orderly, with streets, drainage ditches, lighting and new tents. Very impressive. It seemed that we were going to just drive by, but I could not let the opportunity go, so I asked to stop. It was a very sweet show. An elderly man was totally into it and kept commenting back to the rest of the group. A woman watched from inside her tent from across the street. I knew because I kept hearing her laugh. I was so glad that I had asked to stop. Again, I had barely finished and Zelmo is blowing his horn again. I was not happy with his impatience.

We asked to be dropped at the beach for our daily end of the day routine. It is a great way to end the day, it is so beautiful there, there is so much to watch, and it always offers an opportunity.

We decide to walk back to the hotel, picking our way along the dark streets, stepping around heaps of rubble, avoiding the oncoming motos and trucks, and going with the flow of the people on the street..

Dinner was great, we had asked for some real Haitian hot sauce and one of the cooks had mixed up a special batch for us. It was heavenly, definitely making for the best meal we have had yet. We ordered a couple of bottles to bring home.