The 100 days of summer, as Bay Radio likes to refer to the ‘silly season’, is probably more than half way there.  As I lay on the deckchair tapping on my Ipad with the Islands of St Paul sitting honourably guarding this part of the island it just hits me what a blessing our weather is.  Not that I am too keen on Summer but let’s face it, the climate does encourage some respite. 

1.  My first musing this time round is attached to the BA in Journalism that will be offered as from October by MCAST.  I need to make a mention here of Ambassador Anthony Debono of the Tumas Fenech Foundation for Education in Journalism who pushed for the first ever degree in journalism for many a years.  Ian Attard, lecturer at MCAST who has brought it to life merits a mention and a plaudit.  This is such an important moment in the development of journalism.  I am indeed chuffed to have been part of this initiative.  The Maltese Institute of Journalism ably led by Karl Wright have been supportive of this project right through.  We hope that this will bring in fresh new blood into this sector and well prepared professionals to lead the Fourth Estate. 

2.  Recently I interviewed Rosanne Camilleri, the CEO of the Pharmacy of Your Choice (PoYC) unit.   This government-run service is exemplary in the way our state services should be managed.  Apart from taking care of stock, distribution, analytics and coordination, this unit is continually reflecting on its practices to ensure that the thousands of people getting the service (an estimated one fourth of our population) are being dealt a good deal (full interview on Ghandi xi Nghid on Radju Malta next Saturday 28/8, starting at 9.05am).

3.  Josef Bonello strikes me not only as a gentleman, an excellent broadcaster and wine connoisseur but is turning out to be an outlandish social commentator.  I encourage you to take a look at his Facebook page (naturally everyone has his downside and his happens to be his fixation with Man United, bless his soul!).

4.  Recently tvm.com.mt reported that Netflix are close to striking a deal with the Malta Film Commission to produce and film a series here in Malta.  Engelbert Grech, the Malta Film Commissioner, announced this during last Saturday’s edition of Ghandi xi Nghid.  He also stated that last year Malta had benefitted from €100 million worth of film productions, an extraordinary turnover.  This industry is close to supplying circa €50 million in the Maltase economy per annum.  I would really like to see more of that money going towards supporting the local productions.  It is important that as Engelbert said we keep upgrading the facilities we have to add to our competitive edge.

5.  Finally football has started and my commitment to Southampton FC is warranted even though it looks like it is going to be an uphill struggle this year.  Catching sight of Southampton FC facing Prince Pogba was terrifying I must admit.  My only consolation was seeing him stick his third digit up King Fergie's ego with a fantastic display of football artistry.

6.  Looks like Xarabank is back.  I will never stop being critical of my friend Peppi however I believe that there is still space for Xarabank but it really needs to recreate itself.  There is enough talent in that team for this to happen.  The fear of getting out of a prescribed model is hard but it could be done I’m sure.

7.  Gozo remains enchanting.  The moment I board the ferry it’s like travelling into another world.  The peacefulness and serenity, the sweetness of the people, the gentleness of the landscape are the perfect remedy for our hectic life.

8. Whilst we're mentioning Gozo, kudos to Parliamentary Secretary Dr Justyne Caruana who has shown impeccable commitment to the disability agenda.  Having a Parliamentary Secretary dedicated to this sector was a recommendation I had made to Lawrence Gonzi in his old offices at l-iStamperija when he was still Secretary General years back.  This Parliamentary Secretariat is important for the wellbeing of persons with disability and their families to provide clear and overarching direction.

9.  The tattoo culture that is on the ascendency in our community is indeed amusing.  At the beach it is one piece of art next to another - well not all is art, some actually are drivel – don’t people think things through before they get inked?

10.  Omran Daqneesh, that little boy from Aleppo captured on camera dusting his face after almost getting killed, is the latest symbol of our degenerate, immoral and debauched society.

11.  Whatever the reason it is indeed cheerless that Salvu Mallia’s Madwarna was not confirmed on PBS.  It is one of the few heritage and cultural programmes produced locally that are not only informative but fun – can I gently ask for a re-consideration?

12.  Ivan Grech, this great singer, musician and person has once again graced our music scene.  Ivan is not only a fantastic artist but an excellent communicator and great raconteur.  I believe the reason is simple - his music is about people’s life.

13.  I’ve read the rulings of Magistrate Joe Mifsud a number of times.  He strikes me as using his judgment to pass on a message not only on the case that lies in front of him but attempts to share some thoughts on how we could have better communities.  I really do not agree that our judiciary should be completely disconnected from our society, they have so much to offer.

14.  Life is indeed fragile.  Peter Paul Bugeja, a talented banker of international repute, has succumbed to cancer and passed away.  He leaves to mourn his wife, four children, extended family and friends.  Peter Paul was a devout Christian, committed to human values and a former classmate when years back we shared the school bench at St Aloysius College.  I’m not saying this simply because he departed but he was a lovely chap, a good soul, unassuming inconspicuous and modest.  Peter Paul reminds us of the fragility of life but of the beautiful legacy we can leave.  Another of the good ones passes on.

15.  Was watching the Olympics Basketball Final in Rio last night between USA and Serbia.  With all due respect but the opponents of the US were non-starters.  What a spectacle.  This dream team turns sport into art.

16.  Josianne Camilleri the editor of Newsbook and RTK is one of the journalists I admire highly  - such a low profile but with an incredible sense of justice, fairness and cordiality shown in the way she leads her news portal.

17.  It is so much fun seeing Banksy’s graffiti.  Unfortunately, it seems that this England based artist turned political activist might have had one of his most famous works destroyed.  Whilst in terms of style and talent there is still work to do, the graffiti in the Msida skate park is fascinating – and it lights up with the talented BMX stunts and skateboarders aerial tricks.

18.  Immanuel Mifsud, the poet and author, is an extraordinary important voice in Maltese social landscape.  Who knows maybe we need to listen more to what poets and artists are telling us. 

19.  I am no feast enthusiast but let’s face it they give colour to our communities and provide for an important moment in our towns and villages (apart from the economy).  But if we really want people to see the good instead of the bad and the ugly we need to be more courteous, considerate and well-mannered whether it’s traffic management, controlling waste or sound pollution – if this situation was more controlled I am sure that the festa enthusiasts would have less issues to struggle with.

20.   There are so many people who are dedicated to supporting people who lie at the margins of our society.  Dr Roberta Lepre Director of the Victims Support Unit, Leonid Mckay, Director of Caritas and Anna Calleja, Director of Special Olympics Malta all come to mind.  We are so fortunate to have so many people engaged in our community, people who lead and inspire, not by what they say but by what they do. 

If there are any more holidays left in you, take them.  Enjoy life.  Life is also about having fun,  taking care of self and others and not just working – look who’s talking!