Sunday 18th February was supposed to be the 3rd day of the Annual Carnival celebrations.

A time where everybody is comically dressing up and masquerading stretching back to the 16th century in this country.

Life can be a comedy a times, but it can also be trivial and easily lost.

On Sunday afternoon, a former classmate (and friend) from my university hey-days lost his life tragically in a motorbike accident. With some bad luck, it could have easily been a case of a dual Engineering Class of '98 loss that day.

As it happened, while I was trekking between boulders, part of the rock I held to gave way, resulting in a 1.5 storeys fall. Fate had it that I fell on grass in an area which is usually paved with rock and shallow sea shore.

I did have bruises and sores on my hands and arms to show for my fruitless efforts to grab at crevices within the rock (which slowed the fall momentum), and a couple of scars in my face to add to some scratches. However, no fractures and no internal injuries. A case of cheating serious injury. Or worse.

Albeit a practising Catholic, I always have been sceptical of others being alongside you in spirit, minding your steps.

Just outside the clinic where I got treated, a friend took a photo of my stitches. She complained that at different angles she was seeing a strong light in front of me at the time. We couldn't explain what it was. I have a copy of the digital photo for those who want to see it.

However, somehow, I believe was not alone when I fell that afternoon.

Conrad