Monday, September 23, 2024

The State of Dilapidated and Crumbling Buildings in Nassau, Bahamas: A Comprehensive Report

 
Aged Historic mansion on tropic beach

 "Aged Historic Mansion" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano
 
 

The State of Dilapidated and Crumbling Buildings in Nassau, Bahamas: A Comprehensive Report

 

Introduction

Nassau, the capital city of the Bahamas, is renowned for its vibrant culture, historic landmarks, and colonial-era architecture. However, the city’s architectural heritage is under threat due to the deterioration of many aging buildings. The sight of dilapidated and crumbling structures is a growing concern, as neglect of these historic buildings compromises both Nassau’s cultural legacy and the safety of its residents. This report delves into the current state of old, dilapidated architecture in Nassau, highlights the dangers posed by these neglected structures, and discusses the significance of preservation efforts for the city’s architectural landmarks.

Ancient Tech Costume

 
Ancient Tech Costume

"Ancient Tech Costume" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano
 
 
 
Ancient Tech Costume

"Ancient Tech Costume" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano

Flowers With Butterflies - PC Wallpaper

 
Colorful Flowers With Butterflies on black background.

"Flowers With Butterflies" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano
 
Download full size wallpaper: 5376x3072

Sunday, September 22, 2024

The Echo of Empty Promises

 
Political campaign rally ob tropic beach.

 "Island Rally" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano
 
 

The Echo of Empty Promises

In the twilight of speeches, where hope took flight,
A thousand promises, bright as the night,
Were whispered with fervor, loud and clear,
To the ears of the people, eager to hear.

“We’ll build a future, grand and free!
A world of justice, prosperity!”
The banners flew, the voices roared,
And the voters, hopeful, pressed forward.

But seasons turned, and time revealed,
That words once golden were never sealed.
The pledges, bold as morning sun,
Faded like shadows when the day was done.

Saturday, September 21, 2024

Drunk in Public

 
Drunk man falling down on beach.

"Falling Down Drunk" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano

Drunk in Public


Did you know it is illegal to be drunk in a public place in The Bahamas?


TITLE xv
COMMON OFFENCES AGAINST
PUBLIC ORDER, HEALTH AND MORALITY

Drunken, Riotous and Disorderly Conduct


200. (1) Whoever is found drunk in any public place shall be liable to a fine of five dollars or imprisonment for four days.
 
 
(2) Whoever is drunk and disorderly or drunk and incapable in any public place shall be liable on a first conviction to a fine of fifteen dollars or to imprisonment for seven days and on a second or subsequent offence to a fine of fifty dollars or to imprisonment for fourteen days. 
 

201. (1) Whoever is drunk and behaves violently or indecently in any public place or is drunk on the premises of any person, to the annoyance or disturbance of that person or of any inmate of the premises, shall be liable on a first conviction to a fine of fifteen dollars or to imprisonment for seven days and on a second or subsequent offence to a fine of fifty dollars or to imprisonment for fourteen days.


(2) Whoever, having been thrice convicted under the provisions of any law for having been drunk and behaving violently or indecently, is, within one year from the first conviction, found drunk in any public place, shall be liable to imprisonment for three months as an habitual drunkard.

 
 
Related poem: I Don't Like Rum

Yellow Elder Tree - Nat'l. Tree of The Bahamas

Yellow Elder Tree in bloom.

"Yellow Elder Tree" - ©A. Derek Catalano
 
 
Yellow Elder Tree in bloom.

"Yellow Elder Tree" - ©A. Derek Catalano

Tropic CandyLand - PC Wallpaper

 
Tropic CandyLand

"Tropic CandyLand" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano
 
Download full size wallpaper: 5376x3072
 
 
Tropic CandyLand

"Tropic CandyLand" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano
 
Download full size wallpaper: 5376x3072

Junkanoo Santa

 
Junkanoo Santa

"Junkanoo Santa" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano

Hydra 242 - PC Wallpaper

 
Hydra 242

"Hydra 242" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano
 
Download full size wallpaper: 5376x3072
 
 
Hydra 242

"Hydra 242" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano
 
Download full size wallpaper: 5376x3072

Friday, September 20, 2024

Roadside Mexican Petunias

 
Roadside Mexican Petunias

"Roadside Mexican Petunias" - ©A. Derek Catalano
Wellington St., Nassau, Bahamas
 
 

"Roadside Mexican Petunias" - ©A. Derek Catalano
Wellington St., Nassau, Bahamas

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Bertram and the Square Grouper

Fisherman with bail on dingy boat.

"Bertram and the Square Grouper" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano



Bertram and the Square Grouper


Bertram Lowe, a middle aged fisherman in The Bahamas, was out in his dingy boat on the sea fishing when he spotted an object floating on the water. He approached it cautiously and discovered it was a bale of marijuana wrapped and tightly sealed in plastic, fresh and undamaged. A big square grouper. It must have just recently been in the sea. Probably lost overboard somehow.

Bertram was happy and afraid too, because he was sure the marijuana belonged to drug traffickers who would want it back. Nevertheless he pulled it aboard and covered it with the tarpaulin he kept onboard that he used to cover up with just in case it rained when he is out fishing.  He sped home with the surprise catch being careful not to be seen and buried it in the bushes by his home, not reporting his find to the police with the hopes that maybe he could make a lot of money from it.

Psychedelic Cuttlefish

 
Psychedelic Cuttlefish

"Psychedelic Cuttlefish" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano
 
 
Psychedelic Cuttlefish

"Psychedelic Cuttlefish" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano

Dancers

 
Dancer

"Dancer" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano


Dancer

"Dancer" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano

Taureneas - PC Wallpaper

 
Futuristic city on planet seashore.

"Taureneas" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano
 
Download full size wallpaper: 5376x3072

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Promises Made, Promises Broken

Couple facing each other with concern on beach with overcast sky.

 "Couple Of Concern" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano
 
 
Promises Made, Promises Broken

I promised you the moon and stars,
A love untouched by time or scars.
With every word, a future bright,
But shadows crept to steal the light.

I swore to hold your heart with care,
Through storm and calm, always be there.
Yet winds of doubt began to blow,
And I let go what I couldn't show.

We danced in dreams we made as vows,
But dreams can fade, and so do hows.
The promises once sealed in gold,
Became the lies we left untold.

Tropic Thunderbird

 
Pink Thunderbird on colorful island street with seagulls and pastel buildings.

"Tropic Thunderbird" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano

Neon Dancers

 
Neon Dancer

"Neon Dancer" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano


Neon Dancer

"Neon Dancer" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano
 
Related images: Neon Blacklight Junkanoo

Xuvona - PC Wallpaper

 
Futuristic city on planet shore.

"Xuvona" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano
 
Download full size wallpaper: 5376x3072

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Harvest Moon

 
Full moon through banana trees.

"Harvest Moon" - ©A. Derek Catalano

Comprehensive Report on Why Marijuana is Illegal

 
Marijuana Leaf

 "Marijuana Leaf" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano
 

Comprehensive Report on Why Marijuana is Illegal

 

This comprehensive report outlines the major reasons marijuana remains illegal and the various forces—historical, social, political, and economic—that have contributed to its prohibition.

 

Table of Contents:

  1. Introduction
  2. Historical Context of Marijuana Use
    • Ancient and Traditional Uses
    • Marijuana in the United States Pre-Prohibition
  3. Early 20th Century Movements Against Marijuana
    • Racism and Political Agendas
    • The Role of the Media and Public Perception
  4. The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937
  5. The Influence of the War on Drugs
    • Nixon’s Role and the Controlled Substances Act
    • Reagan’s Intensification of Drug Policies
    • Mass Incarceration and Social Impacts
  6. Medical Research and Health Concerns
    • Studies on Marijuana’s Effects
    • Concerns Over Addiction and Mental Health
  7. Economic and Political Interests
    • The Role of Big Pharma, Alcohol, and Tobacco
    • Prison Industrial Complex and Law Enforcement
  8. The Slow Path to Reform and Legalization Efforts
    • Shifts in Public Opinion
    • Decriminalization and Medical Marijuana
  9. Conclusion: The Present-Day Status of Marijuana and Future Perspectives

1. Introduction

Marijuana, also known as cannabis, has been at the center of legal and societal debates for over a century. Once widely used for its medicinal, spiritual, and recreational properties, cannabis became illegal in many parts of the world, particularly the United States, due to a complex mix of social, political, and economic factors. This report explores why marijuana became illegal in the U.S., focusing on the historical events, political strategies, public perceptions, and interests that led to its prohibition.

Marijuana

 
Marijuana

"Marijuana" - Bahamas AI art

Unlocking the Power of ChatGPT for Small Business Owners

Small Business AI

"Small Business AI" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano

Unlocking the Power of ChatGPT for Small Business Owners 

A Step-by-Step Guide to Boosting Your Business with AI


Table of Contents

  1. Introduction to ChatGPT and Its Potential for Small Businesses ............ 1
  2. Setting Up ChatGPT for Your Business .................................................. 2
  3. Integrating ChatGPT into Customer Support ........................................... 3
  4. Using ChatGPT for Marketing and Social Media Content ....................... 4
  5. Streamlining Operations with ChatGPT .................................................. 6
  6. Automating Administrative Tasks with AI ............................................... 7
  7. ChatGPT for Research and Market Analysis ........................................... 8
  8. Future of AI in Small Businesses ............................................................. 9
  9. Conclusion: Growing Your Business with ChatGPT ............................... 10

1. Introduction to ChatGPT and Its Potential for Small Businesses

ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, is a powerful tool that small business owners can use to enhance customer service, create content, and streamline operations. It’s more than just a chatbot—ChatGPT can help you save time, improve efficiency, and even increase revenue by automating many tasks traditionally handled manually.

This report is designed to guide small business owners through the process of setting up and using ChatGPT effectively. Whether you're a local retail store, a small e-commerce shop, or a service-based business, this step-by-step guide will demonstrate how you can leverage AI to optimize your daily tasks.

Potion

 
Obeah Man mixing potion.

"Potion" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano


Obeah Man mixing potion.

"Potion" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano

Neon Dancers

 
Neon Junkanoo Dancer

"Neon Dancer" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano


Neon Junkanoo Dancer

"Neon Dancer" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano
 
 Related images: Neon Blacklight Junkanoo

Natera - PC Wallpaper

 
Futuristi city over the sea.

"Natera" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano
 
Download full size wallpaper: 5376x3072
 
 
Futuristi city over the sea.

 "Natera" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano
 
Download full size wallpaper: 5376x3072

Monday, September 16, 2024

In Due Time

 
Ancient clock in the sea with nebular night sky.

"Ancient Nebular Clock" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano


In Due Time

A seed is sown beneath the earth,
In darkness, cold, and still.
Yet patiently it waits its birth,
For spring’s warm touch to fill.

The river’s path knows where to wind,
Though slow its journey be.
Each stone it shapes, in course and time,
It flows eventually.

The stars that shine, though light delayed,
Have seen a thousand years.
Yet every twinkle, perfectly made,
Appears when it’s meant to appear.

Oumaru

 
Female Lucayan warrior with spear

"Oumaru" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano

More Sci-Fi Junkanoo

 
Sci-Fi Junkanoo dancer

"Sci-Fi Junkanoo Dancer" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano
 
 
Sci-Fi Junkanoo dancer

"Sci-Fi Junkanoo Dancer" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano

Titania - PC Wallpaper

 
Futuristic city on the sea.

"Titania" - Bahamas AI art
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
Download full size wallpaper: 5376x3072
 
 
Futuristic city on the sea.

"Titania" - Bahamas AI art
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 
Download full size wallpaper: 5376x3072

Saturday, September 14, 2024

The Booga-Man of Inagua: A Bahamian Folklore Mystery

 
Booga-Man in the tropic bush.

"The Booga-Man" - Bahamas AI art
 ©A. Derek Catalano
 

The Booga-Man of Inagua: A Bahamian Folklore Mystery

Chapter 1: Shadows in the Dark

The island of Inagua, located in the southernmost reaches of the Bahamas, is a place of natural beauty, seclusion, and mystery. Surrounded by pristine waters and dense forests, the island's residents live a simple life, relying on fishing, small-scale farming, and the occasional visitor from Nassau. The settlement is tight-knit, everyone knowing everyone else. But it’s also a place of old legends — and none is more feared than the Booga-Man.

Playful Dolphins

 
Playful Dolphins under a colorful sea.

"Playful Dolphins" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano

Sci-Fi Junkanoo Dancers

 
Sci-Fi Junkanoo Dancer

"Sci-Fi Junkanoo Dancer" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano


Sci-Fi Junkanoo Dancer

"Sci-Fi Junkanoo Dancer" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano

Friday, September 13, 2024

Getting Ready For Junkanoo

 
Junkanooers making junkanoo costumes in junkanoo shack.

"In Da Shack" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano


Getting Ready For Junkanoo

The time is drawing near, the countdown is on,
Preparing for Junkanoo from dusk until dawn.
In the shacks they gather, with joy in their eyes,
Building their pieces under moonlit skies.

From concept to structure, the work begins,
Shaping with cardboard, as the vision spins.
Crepe paper in colors so bright and bold,
Each creation a marvel, a story untold.

Feathers, glitter, mirrors that gleam,
Rhinestones and sequins add light to the theme.
Sculpted with foam or papier-mâché,
Airbrushed with hues that take breath away.

Reef Canyon

 
Colorful undersea reef canyon.

"Reef Canyon" - Bahamas AI art
©A. Derek Catalano