My name is Nigel Rudder and I more or less supervise a retail sports store. People often ask if I'm related to [soca star] David Rudder. He's actually a second cousin or something like that. Originally, I'm from Belmont. Just like David, I guess. I went to Belmont Junior Sec and then went into Tranquility College from form four. I live in Champs Fleurs now.
I don't treasure material stuff, so I wouldn't say I want to be rich one day. I just want to be able to take care of my family and live a long life to the fullest. Crime is my number-one worry. I used to live Laventille and I experienced all the craziness in certain parts. Laventille has a lot of good people but you would have guys who just love to terrorise people. I would hear gunshots almost every night. It's not a good feeling. I feel safer in Champs Fleurs. But it doesn't matter where you go now.
Anybody could hold you up anywhere. I come from a fairly big family. They say the Rudders are spread out like a grapevine. I've got one 14-year-old girl myself, Aaronné. My wife, Annessa, chose her name, so I'm out of that one. There was a time I was really into the church. But you look at things, how the services go, the things they preach about, if you're not comfortable with it ... Well, I didn't stay there very long.
Books were always useful but I was never one to learn from books. I learn faster by being involved in things directly. I would call myself an academic, but not too much. I was a real football junkie, back in the day, and played a lot in the Savannah. I was in a club when I was a little guy. I actually played with [national T&T player] Brent Sancho. He was in my group.
Relaxing for me is just being with the family, home. Take in a little movie now and then, both DVD and cinema, if it's worthy, like Avengers. I look like I don't eat much but my wife will tell you otherwise. People are always, like, "Where does it all go?" I love pasta and pizza. I don't partake in the high-end meats too much, simply because of the price. I always try to do things within my means. I love cheese. It's my thing.
I'm a video-game junkie. I like a lot of car-racing games. I'm a speed demon, but only in the game, though. I drive very sensibly. Since I'm married, a lot of things have been put into perspective. Especially driving. I listen to all kinds of music but I have my preferences, like hip hop. Not too much dancehall. Soca music that makes sense, like Destra, Kees, Nadia Batson. You have some soca that just doesn't make sense.
I used to drink casually but then I stopped completely. It doesn't make sense. I'm more into juices and stuff. It's really weird, but I work in a sports store and don't take part in any sports! I really love to play football but, you know, my priorities have changed. I run the day-to-day operations of the store. If anyone comes in, I show them merchandise and help them choose.
West Indies shirts sell very well, even if the team isn't doing well. And I've heard the team isn't doing too well, compared with long-time. I don't know too much about cricket but, being in a sports store, I have to learn. It comes in to you. The best part about the job is the people.
You get all kinds coming in, locals, foreigners, all very nice, interesting folks. And I get to understand a couple of things about business, how it works, what people look for. I can't say I've seen a downside to my job as yet. I really enjoy it, and I've got a great employer.
I would never say anything is wrong with my country. Except maybe the way it's run. Trinis are very curious, excitable people who love attention. Any bacchanal happening, they know where to look for it. And they find it. And they talk about it. And we LOVE to follow outside influences. Trinidad & Tobago is home to me. I will never leave it. I especially love Tobago.
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