Rocks Shore
(Bahamas AI Image - ©A. Derek Catalano)
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Sunday, September 27, 2026
Thursday, September 24, 2026
What Happens in the Church Office, Stays in the Church Office
Do Not Disturb
What Happens in the Church Office, Stays in the Church Office
I
Behind the doors where holy business gets discussed,
Where sacred words are spoken and reputations are trusted,
There sits a little kingdom, with papers in a stack,
Where everybody's smiling—until somebody talks back.
The preacher wears his Sunday smile, respectable and bright,
But Monday morning brings another kind of light;
For sermons may be heavenly, with angels in the air,
But church-office conversations can become a different affair.
The secretary knows the schedule, the passwords and the files,
She knows who missed the meeting and who stayed away awhile;
She knows who gave five dollars and who gave fifty grand,
And who shakes the preacher's hand while hiding something in his hand.
And everybody whispers, though nobody will confess:
"What happens in the church office stays in the church office, I guess."
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
The Tide of Abraham's Bay
The Violet Eye
The Tide of Abraham's Bay
I. The Salt and the Silence
The island of Mayaguana did not care for memory. It was a place constructed of scrub palmetto, iron shore rock sharp enough to skin a boot, and a vast, indifferent silence that stretched from Abraham’s Bay outward toward the Caicos Passage. For forty-eight years, David Charlton had understood this silence. He had fished the dark deeps off Southeast Point, mapped every coral head in the south lagoon, and carried the quiet, heavy rhythm of the island inside his ribs like a second heart.
At sixty-one, David was a man carved by sun and sea salt. His hands were leathered, his shoulders permanently sloped from decades of hauling handlines over the gunwales of The Bonefish, his twenty-foot fiberglass skiff. He lived alone in a small mortar-and-conch-shell home near Betsy Bay, where the radio signals from Nassau barely scratched through the static on rainy nights, and the electricity died whenever the diesel generator at the station felt the weight of its years.
It was late October, the season when the trade winds dropped into a suffocating, glassy stillness before the cold fronts began their march down from the Florida Straits. The water had turned to hot oil. On the evening of October 24th, David sat on an overturned plastic crate outside his back door, scraping scale off a pair of red snappers.
To his left, the sea was an expanse of bruised purple, swallowing the last crimson fringe of the sun. The air smelled of sulfur from the tidal flats and the dry, peppered scent of sun-baked white sage.
Then, the birds stopped.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
No Means No
"No!"
No Means No
In every space, in every night,
Beneath the soft or glaring light,
A simple word stands clear and strong,
To mark the line of right and wrong.
When passion breathes or tempers rise,
Look deeply in a woman’s eyes,
And if she speaks the word of clear intent,
Remember love demands consent.
When she says no, it isn’t play;
It isn’t "maybe" in a way.
It isn't a challenge to persuade,
Nor part of some game to be played.
"No" is a wall, a boundary line,
A declaration firm, divine.
It means to stop, to step away,
And let her carry on her day.
A real man acts with honor, grace,
And dignity within his space.
He knows his strength is not meant for control,
Coercion, or a selfish goal.
Immature scum will push and plead,
Driven by reckless, blind, and selfish greed,
Ignoring tears and quiet doubt,
And casting decency right out.
Beneath the soft or glaring light,
A simple word stands clear and strong,
To mark the line of right and wrong.
When passion breathes or tempers rise,
Look deeply in a woman’s eyes,
And if she speaks the word of clear intent,
Remember love demands consent.
When she says no, it isn’t play;
It isn’t "maybe" in a way.
It isn't a challenge to persuade,
Nor part of some game to be played.
"No" is a wall, a boundary line,
A declaration firm, divine.
It means to stop, to step away,
And let her carry on her day.
A real man acts with honor, grace,
And dignity within his space.
He knows his strength is not meant for control,
Coercion, or a selfish goal.
Immature scum will push and plead,
Driven by reckless, blind, and selfish greed,
Ignoring tears and quiet doubt,
And casting decency right out.
Monday, September 21, 2026
Vanishing Millions: The $700 Million NIF Mystery
Abracadabra! Now You See It, Now You Don't!
Vanishing Millions: The $700 Million NIF Mystery
A political controversy has emerged regarding the National Investment Fund (NIF) and $700 million in excess government borrowing.
At the center of the dispute, Free National Movement (FNM) Opposition Leader Michael Pintard accused the Davis administration of misrepresenting public finances. Pintard cited correspondence from Central Bank Governor John Rolle confirming that the NIF's Board of Governors had never formally convened. Because no operating board was active, the opposition argues that an official NIF account could not legally exist or authorize transfers, leaving questions regarding where the $700 million went. Fiscal reports showed an NIF balance dropping from $265.3 million in December 2025 to $200,000 by March 2026.
Friday, September 18, 2026
Bahamas Junkanoo Lionfish T-Shirt
Bahamas Junkanoo Lionfish T-Shirt
Design: ©A. Derek Catalano
Also available without text
Shipping included
The Anatomy of Hubris: How Overconfidence Drives Catastrophic Downfall
Hubris in Leadership
The Anatomy of Hubris: How Overconfidence Drives Catastrophic Downfall
Introduction
Overconfidence—often termed hubris—is one of the most persistent catalysts for personal, organizational, and historical ruin. While self-assurance fuels ambition, initiative, and leadership, overconfidence distorts reality. It manifests as an ungrounded belief in one's superior capabilities, flawless judgment, or invulnerability to risk. When conviction detaches from competence, blind spots widen, critical feedback is dismissed, and catastrophic miscalculations become nearly inevitable.
Thursday, September 17, 2026
The Fat Sea Biscuit
A Sea Biscuit I found on Jaws Beach, New Providence, Bahamas. It was stained and discolored so I soaked it overnight in bleachy water. This type is called a Fat Sea Biscuit.
Fat Sea Biscuit
©A. Derek Catalano - Download full size
The Fat Sea Biscuit
The fat sea biscuit (Clypeaster rosaceus) is a heavy-bodied species of irregular sea urchin within the family Clypeasteridae. Inhabiting the tropical shallow-water marine environments of the western Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico, it represents a remarkable evolutionary divergence from typical radial urchins.
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Coccoloba uvifera: The Ecology, Culture, and Legacy of the Bahamian Seagrape
Seagrape Tree
©A. Derek Catalano
Coccoloba uvifera: The Ecology, Culture, and Legacy of the Bahamian Seagrape
The Seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera) stands as one of the most defining botanical icons of the Bahamian coastal landscape. A resilient, evergreen member of the buckwheat family (Polygonaceae), this coastal woody plant thrives along sandy shorelines, limestone bluffs, and coastal coppice communities across the archipelago. Its striking visual features—leathery round leaves, vibrant red venation, and dense clusters of grape-like fruit—make it instantly recognizable, while its ecological and cultural value renders it indispensable to island life.
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Lunatics Are Loose in the Wild
Tropic Island Town and Wharf
Lunatics Are Loose in the Wild
I
The moon hangs low above the town,
While shadows creep and darkness falls down;
The streets grow strange beneath the light,
And reason disappears into the night.
The sane look on and wonder why,
As reckless fools go racing by;
No fence can hold them, none can hide—
The lunatics are loose in the wild.
II
They speak of power, gold, and fame,
And set the world itself aflame;
They chase their hunger without shame,
Then point at others, shifting blame.
They promise peace with sharpened tongue,
While wicked deeds remain undone;
They laugh while innocence is defiled—
The lunatics are loose in the wild.
III
Some wear a suit and some wear rags,
Some wave their flags and carry bags;
Some sit in halls where laws are made,
While others lurk beneath the shade.
Some shout their madness from the street,
Some hide their madness in deceit;
The mask may change, but not the style—
The lunatics are loose in the wild.
Monday, September 14, 2026
The Algorithmic Threat: How Artificial Intelligence Endangers Mankind, the World and the End User
Under AI Control
The Algorithmic Threat: How Artificial Intelligence Endangers Mankind and the World
While artificial intelligence drives notable breakthroughs in medicine, climate modeling, and economic productivity, its rapid proliferation introduces unprecedented vulnerabilities across individual, societal, and existential dimensions.
Introduction
The rise of advanced AI marks a profound shift in human history. Unlike past technological revolutions that automated physical labor, AI digitizes and scales cognitive processing, decision-making, and creative synthesis. However, the same capabilities that make AI transformative also make it destabilizing. The speed of AI deployment has far outpaced our regulatory frameworks, ethical consensuses, and safety protocols. Understanding the full spectrum of AI-induced harm requires examining risks at three distinct scales: immediate psychological and financial harm to individual users, systemic disruption to global society, and long-term threats to the survival of humanity.
Review: Dynamism of Odissi Classical Dance on Display at Mandala Makers Festival
A review of our son Carlito Catalano's recent performance in Chicago. He is now in New York attending a dance workshop.
Carlito Catalano
Review: Dynamism of Odissi Classical Dance on Display at Mandala Makers Festival
Review written by Julia Rademacher-Wedd.
As I contemplated which shows to review this season, I wanted to be sure to see Indian classical dance. When South Asian touring companies come through town I always admire the precision, complexity, and expressiveness of their performances. Luckily, I did not have to wait for an answer, because the eighth Mandala Makers Festival was in full swing, bringing Chicago-based and international multidisciplinary South Asian performing artists to stages across the city.
Mandala South Asian Performing Arts, founded in Chicago by artistic director Pranita Nayar, connects audiences and students with the vibrancy of the performing arts traditions of South Asia. I went to see a night of Odissi classical dance on September 11 at Comrade Chicago. Performances featured Carlito Catalano, Colin Mascarenhas, Sigma Satabdhi, and Arushi Mudgal & Company. Taken as a whole, the evening showcased the depth and range of an art form which, drawing from a tradition that goes back thousands of years to the temples of the state of Odisha, is given continued life and relevance through its contemporary practitioners.
The first performer of the night was Carlito Catalano, who briefly contextualized the work, explaining that the type of dance he would perform, called sthai, brings the poses of temple statues to life through movement. He took the stage in bright orange pants and drew us in with sure footwork, sustained poses, and sweeping floorwork. I was especially impressed by his ability to maintain long balances while simultaneously changing the focus of his eyes. Read more>>
About Carlito Catalano
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle: Strategies for Building Wealth in The Bahamas
Building a Savings Plan
Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle: Strategies for Building Wealth in The Bahamas
It is said that most Bahamians don't even have $1,000 dollars saved in their bank accounts.
Financial vulnerability remains a major issue across The Bahamas. According to central bank observations and local banking industry reports, a significant majority of working Bahamians—estimated at nearly two-thirds—possess liquid bank balances under $1,000. In an economy where high import costs and structural inflation drive up everyday prices, maintaining financial security is a persistent challenge.
Building a savings buffer on the national minimum wage of $260 per week ($13,520 gross annually) requires tight spending control and strategic planning.
Thursday, September 10, 2026
Puppet for Satan
Puppet for Satan
I’d like to address the ladies now,
Just please explain and tell me how—
How could you dress like that to go out?
A girl with milk still round your mouth.
Yet age don’t matter, for I’ve seen things
From full-grown female human beings.
You pull the glass up to your lips,
And sip by sip the shadow slips.
When you drink rum, you drink him in,
And fill your blood with burning sin.
For Satan slides into your soul
To take complete and total control.
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Guardians of the Archipelago: The Mangrove Forests of The Bahamas
Mangrove Creek with White Egrets and Fish
Guardians of the Archipelago: The Mangrove Forests of The Bahamas
At the interface of terrestrial stability and oceanic fluid dynamic lies one of the planet's most resilient yet fragile ecosystems: the mangrove forest. Known colloquially as the "blue forests," these halophytic (salt-tolerant) trees occupy the intertidal zones of tropical and subtropical coastlines across the globe.
Nowhere is the dynamic relationship between land, sea, and community more pronounced than in The Bahamas. Comprising an archipelago of over 700 islands, cays, and islets spread across nearly 100,000 square miles of ocean, the Bahamian landscape is defined by low-lying limestone platforms and ultra-shallow marine waters. Within this fragile geographic framework, over 600,000 acres of mangroves form a biological shield. They serve as vital nurseries for the nation's marine life, a primary barrier against cataclysmic storm surges, and a key frontier in the global effort toward carbon sequestration.
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Harbour Is. Homecoming
Harbour Is. Homecoming
Music & Cultural Festival
Bay St.
Harbour Island
Oct. 8th - Oct. 12th, 2026
The Earth is on Fire: Understanding Global Warming, Its Planetary Impacts, and Strategies for Adaptation
The Earth is on Fire
The Earth is on Fire: Understanding Global Warming, Its Planetary Impacts, and Strategies for Adaptation
The planet is warming at a rate unmatched in modern human history. Year after year, global temperature records are broken, with recent years continually ranking as the warmest ever recorded since instrumental data collection began in 1850. What was once discussed as a distant projection for future generations has manifested as an immediate global reality: heatwaves of unprecedented intensity, rising ocean temperatures, and destabilized weather patterns across every continent. Understanding why the Earth is heating up, how this warming affects the intricate web of life on the planet, and how humans and animals can adapt is crucial to navigating the reality of a warming world.
Monday, September 7, 2026
The Fractured Screen: Demographics, Economics, and the Structural Collapse of Linear Television
Decline of TV
The Fractured Screen: Demographics, Economics, and the Structural Collapse of Linear Television
The decline of cable and broadcast television represents one of the most profound structural shifts in modern media history. For nearly seven decades, "linear television"—a distribution system defined by fixed programming schedules and synchronized viewing across geographically anchored networks—dictated entertainment, news consumption, and shared cultural moments.
Today, this paradigm has irrevocably fractured. Driven by technological innovation, shifting consumer behavior, and economic pressures, linear television is in an accelerating spiral. The transition from traditional pay-TV to on-demand, algorithmic streaming marks not merely a change in delivery format, but a fundamental realignment of the entire entertainment economy.
Mamey Sapote
Mamey Sapote
From a tree at least 30 years old. A peculiar tropic fruit that some people like and some don't. It doesn't seem to have the fondness or appeal to most people I've met, like we have for many other native fruit. It's a strange, powdery texture with a banana, orange taste. I think you can eat the skin too but I just eat the inside.
Derek
Sunday, September 6, 2026
Benefit Gala and Dance Performance
Benefit Gala and Dance Performance
The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas
A Culinary Experience by
HORATIO ALEXANDER
Live Music, Silent Auction and Dance Performance
Saturday, October 10th, 2026 at 6PM
Tickets: $100
available for purchase at
or at
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Our son Carlito traveled this morning to perform again in Chicago and to attend another dance workshop in New York.
Derek & Tracy
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