Any OJ for OJ?

Oct 08, 2008 Features / Columnists

The Parrot is amazed at the impact OJ has on millions across the world. In Guyana that impact is no less. Yes, OJ is big. OJ is everywhere; on television, newspapers, radio and the internet. Can’t escape from OJ, always popping up when one is relaxing in front of the telly.

Some love OJ; some don’t. Some can’t do without OJ; some can. Some can only take OJ in the mornings; some in the evenings while for some, it’s morning, noon and night. OJ in the night? Hmmm.

Around the world people are fascinated by and attracted to different things; things that some may find distasteful.

Remember the reality TV show “Fear Factor”? Some found the segment in which contestants had to eat insects and worms extremely gross; gross to the point that their digestive process, just after dinner, defied gravity, causing undigested food to spray like gasoline from the nozzle at a filling pump. Others however, found it exciting and ate while “glued” to the telly.

I say this to expound the point that some find OJ unpalatable and others palatable. The latter group would even defend their palatable stance on OJ. They would say OJ is good for you. I am sure many here would tend to agree.

OJ can “inject” a certain kind of vitality in life. Some believe that this kind of vitality can even prolong life. Some in the US of A would obviously disagree. Some there despise OJ. They simply hate the tenth and fifteenth letters of the English alphabet when used together. OJ is bad for them. They are fed up with the attention OJ has, and is, attracting. Others are completely opposite.

OJ is big business. Some other OJs try to market themselves as the real thing. We know better; we know the real OJ from the fake. You don’t necessarily have to be an ardent OJ fan to know the difference. Children are also divided on OJ; some for and some against. Some parents are forced to force their children to take their OJ, Orange Juice that is.

What did you think I was talking about? For the last three and a quarter paragraphs I was simply referring to orange juice. Yes, you can appreciate that some like and others dislike it; you can appreciate that the production and advertising of orange juice are indeed big businesses; billions of dollars worth.

Maybe this is where OJ, the person, got confused; he thought that HE was big business. So thinking, he sought to reclaim items that were marketed in his name; items, not necessarily his name, that can be sold for a hefty much. Pricy. Of course his actions led to many reactions.

The most impacting reaction was the one by the Judge; she reacted to the prosecutor’s actions and made a not-so-now-cuter OJ a celebrated guest of the State. It happened exactly thirteen years after he was “refused” entry as a State’s guest. What was the guy thinking? Old people seh “wha miss yuh, nah pass yuh” and “de langest rope gat wan end”.

Is this the end of OJ, not the juice, the guy? Obviously the number thirteen has been proven to be unlucky for him, OJ that is. I am sure he wouldn’t be watching “Friday the 13th” or “The 13th Floor” or “The 13th Warrior” in his concrete suite. Would OJ be afforded OJ during his “stay”? He may now see the real worth of OJ; orange juice that is. Maybe Foundation Mark can share some survival tips.

Squawk! Squawk!