Alan Rickman, from the movie Quigley Down Under, said, "Some men are born in the wrong century. I think I was born on the wrong continent." Well, I'm beginning to think I was born in the right country, just maybe at the wrong time. Before you think I'm flying in God's face (as my devout aunts would say), I think my life is just fine. It's just that every now and then I wonder what would have happened if I were an adult at another point in this island's history.

Take the '70s for instance. Groovy times, man! Make love not war and all that jazz. Not being American, I hardly think I would have had to worry about the Vietnam draft and Jamaica was, by all indications, a calmer place. If for no other reason, the '70s and '80s were arguably the best time for music.

The Bee Gees, Abba, Michael Jackson (when he was black) and Kool and the Gang plus countless other names that I simply don't have the space for. They have some of the most memorable songs I've ever heard. Imagine me at the discos! Then, of course, considering all the history that I have seen in my still youthful days (from the '90s to now), maybe if I had been alive longer than I have been, I would have had an even greater appreciation for them.

Then again, knowing me, I would have been an even more miserable person then than I am now. I might still not have blended in well with my peers and thus rebelled against all those guys wearing afros and bell bottomed pants. Also, it means I would have had to really confront the violence of the '80s and, since hypothetically, I would be of working age when the financial meltdown of the '90s came around, it would have hit me harder. And even if I got through that, by now I would be of retirement age for sure, and with this current crisis, who says I could have survived on my pension?

Good life

But reality is, I am an adult in a Jamaica, that is holding its own in all areas from sports to business. Our people and their achievements have gained more recognition now than ever and, as a word flipper, I have the chance to get the word out there even more. So it's a good life.

But I just can't help but wonder sometimes; would I have looked good in an afro with sideburns? Obviously we'll never know, but that's not a bad thing. When you've only got one life, it makes sense to try your best to live it right, regardless of the time. Later.

Picture me in a suede suit at daviot.kelly@gleanerjm.com