Home From the Cold - A Caribbean Cruise Pt. 7

Hi, peoples. This is where Kal-F's current adventure ends. I'll try and convince to give us some on the remainder of his cruise. Here we go....

Satisfied at last with the quantity of salad accumulated through multiple orders, our attention then turns to the main courses. As a vegetarian, the only one at the table, listening to the options being read from the menus, I quickly realize that there are still sizable challenges ahead.

There are four choices: beef, pork, chicken, (all with fancy names too esoteric to mention here) and for me, a glimmer of hope: cous-cous. No one at the table has any idea of what cous-cous is, so I enlist the help of Pedro, the Barbadian waiter, who happens to be wandering by.

Pedro confidently advises that cous-cous is similar to cou-cou. For the sake of the non-Barbadians reading this: cou-cou is a soft pudding-like substance (vaguely similar to porridge without the lumps), the result of corn-meal being boiled and stirred in water and okras, usually accompanied by any type of fish you like, swimming in a plentiful amount of sauce with onions or tomatoes, etc, regarded as a delicacy by some, including myself. At that assurance from Pedro my enthusiasm surges and I gleefully say, "Yes, Alex, I'll have the cous-cous," not sure whether or not the final 's' is emphasized in the pronunciation.

Soon Alex's cart is back again, and the amount of servings on the massive plates is this time marginally more promising than in the case of the original salads. Everyone else has ordered a meat dish but I am alone with my cous-cous. As we dig in, within minutes, I start to get a feeling akin to the 'loneliness of the long- distance runner.' I take a look around the table; everyone seems to be making good headway with their chosen meal. My cous-cous, however, is as different from cou-cou as night is from day, as different as Monica Lewinsky and Mother Theresa when they are on their knees.

This cous-cous has the consistency of gravel that has been downsized in a blender. Cou-cou is smooth and eases gracefully down your throat. The version of the cous-cous in front of me is, without any accompanying sauce, as dry as a wind across the Sahara and so gritty that it can be used as an effective antidote for bones lodged in the esophagus.

"How do you like the cous-cous , Uncle Kal?" asks Shelley, whose cheerful voice tells me that she has had better luck in her choice than I have in mine.

"Oh, just great, Shelley, just great," I lie, "I think I'll ask Alex to get me the recipe."

And so, my first night in the Universe Dining Room is not a night to remember. The final offering, the desserts, are generally not any more memorable than what has preceded them. Except for the Dutch Apple Cake. Aha! finally something to stimulate the sensories. This time I have lucked out and my order has topped all the others. The Dutch, known all over for putting their fingers in dikes and keeping them there for a long time, seem also to have had a hand in cake-making.

The news that my Dutch Apple Cake is indeed a slice of delight spreads like wildfire all around the table. Immediately, my sister Pam, whom I love most of the time, asks me if she can sample a taste. My love for her is now being severely tested because if there is one thing that I secretly have a big problem with, it is sharing food, especially food that I like. I notice that earlier no one asked to sample the cous-cous, and rightly so.

But while I toy with the idea of telling my sister that my love for her does not extend to sharing my food with her, a loud announcement suddenly pierces the general boisterousness of the room and the Captain announces his presence, welcoming us onto the Carnival and then introducing the movers and shakers on the ship, the people he says whose job is to make sure that we all have a great time.

This little formality lasts for a few minutes at the end of which the ship's entertainment supervisor takes the mike and is soon leading all the crew that has been serving in the dining room in a song which I have never heard before but from the general reaction of the crowd seems to be well-known. The song is also pre-choreographed because the crew are all moving in synchronized body movements.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see that Mamma Smith is up and boy she is right in there jiving with the crew, moving her body in perfect harmony. Where she has learned the moves I'll never know but I am convinced that had she been on the Titanic when the band struck up "Abide with me", she would have cheered up everybody.

This temporary distraction has summed up almost everything that has happened to me during the evening. While my eyes are transfixed on Mamma Smith and the jiving crew, my loving sister has reached over and unbeknownst to me, taken my Dutch Apple Cake. Probably like Eve in the garden, she does not at first intend to eat it all but it is better than anything on the menu this evening. As my apple cake slowly disappears into her mouth, she looks at me with her disarming smile, " Oh, Kal, this is so good."

The next time I see Alex, I say, "Oh, Alex, is it possible to get another piece of Dutch Apple Cake?"

"Sorry, Kal, that was the last one."

My sister still doesn't know how perilously close to dying she came that first night on the Carnival Destiny.

The End

Home From the Cold - A Caribbean Cruise Pt. 6

By Kal-F

The disaster of the soups does not necessarily prevent us from keeping hope alive that the rest of the meal will be an unqualified success, and when we see Alex in the distance pushing a cart with monstrously large plates, our hearts and appetites are indeed lifted to the next level.

The thrill is short-lived. As Alex starts dishing out the salads we can’t help but admire the plates; they are big, heavy even and have wonderful decorative designs but where, we wonder, are the salads? The Ceasar salad that is promised is no more than two pieces of lettuce and three bread-crumbs (perfectly square admittedly), daubed I guess because this is an upscale restaurant, with a fulsome amount of mayonnaise.

For a moment we think that the order has been misunderstood and they are convinced that we have ordered a plate of mayonnaise with two pieces of lettuce and a few bread-crumbs at the side. Likewise, what they present as a Garden Salad we see as two slices of sweet peppers, half a carrot and a pretty slice of tomato. After the second mouthful, all that is left on the plate are the nice decorations.

Some people deal with the disappointment better than others. The people at the table beside us, made up of acquaintances from Orange Hill, St. James, the village where I grew up, have decided that they will leave and advise us to do the same. They are heading for the Sun and Sea Restaurant, where, they tell us, a midnight buffet is about to be unveiled. We decide to stay and sojourn on, discovering a perk that comes with dining in the Universe Lounge: one can order as many plates as one likes. We now therefore beckon to Alex and each of us put in three more orders for salads. We volunteer to help him cart the plates: he bravely declares that it is not a problem and he can handle it.

Does Rihanna still sing? + Joe Jackson needs to sit down

Remember the days when Rihanna used to make hit music? I understand she's currently working on a new album, but it seems to me that she spends a lot of time these days sauntering around to events or hanging with friends.




Maybe she's getting a jump start on her modelling career, 'cause girlfriend looks pretty cool. I see you in your Michael Jackson-styled outfit, gloves and all, Ri-Ri....


It seems that every time I turn on my tv I see Michael Jackson's father Joe holding some press conference about his son's death/estate/kids/funeral. For a man who's supposed to be grieving he sure seems excited to be in front of the camera. And as for pimping his record label at the BET Awards...tacky beyond belief.

Joe Jackson, sit down and shut up. Don't tarnish your son's memory and legend by turning his death into a circus.

Home From the Cold - A Caribbean Cruise Pt. 5

By Kal-F

Unlike the Sun and the Sea Restaurant where the service is buffet style (which means that you wait in line for 40 minutes until the hundreds of people in front of you assiduously make their selections), our service in the Universe Dining Room is catered by two waiters. One of them, Alex, is from the former Yugoslavia and the other, Pedro, from Barbados.

Alex brings us the menus and gives us advice about this evening's special. The special doesn't sound very much like a special and we resort to reading the menus. Trevor and I seem to be getting perilously close to the age of geriatrics, an undeniable sign of which is that we now find it difficult to read the menus without our glasses. We also seem to be gradually losing our memories and have forgotten the glasses in our respective cabins. We now find ourselves in the hapless position of having our respective spouses read the menus to us, a situation that portends a questionable future.

Soups and salads are there for starters but since it is now after 9:00 p.m.,( half an hour after we arrived) we have all exercised a collective indiscipline by devouring the bread rolls and butter that have been offered and re-offered to us. I am almost full by the time the soups arrive.

My choice, a lovely pale-green vegetable chowder is unfortunately more appetizing in the looks than in the taste. After the second spoonful, I wonder out loud if the chef has accidentally spilled an entire container of salt into the mix or if if he is forced by limitation of time and space to scoop up ocean water to do his cooking.

Pedro, probably witnessing the more than ordinary contortion on my face, comes over to inquire how things are progressing and to my suggestion that he should advise the chef to go a lot more lightly on the salt, confides that with the present chef it is a hopeless cause, the suggestion having been made on divers occasions before, to no avail. I am thus reduced to pushing the soup aside and taking my chance with the rest of the offerings which Alex is now carting to our table.

Memories of MJ + Top 20 Fave Michael Jackson singles

Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight,
Here one day, gone one night.
Like a sunset dying with the rising of the moon,
Gone too soon.

I have been trying all day to start this post. I must have erased the first few lines of this paragraph several times. I'm still not sure I can write in any coherent, fluid way about how I'm feeling right now.

I don't usually get overly emotional when Hollywood stars or musicians or any 'star' dies, and that held true when I heard of Michael Jackson's passing. I was at an appointment, and as I watched the coverage of his death on television I was just saying 'wow, this is so sad, the world has lost a true musical icon'.

When reality really hit home was this morning, when I started to listen to the all-day tribute to the megastar on LOVE 104.1 FM. All Michael, all day. As his hits reverberated on the airwaves back to back, almost every one held some significance, marked some event in my life. And I ain't shame to tell yuh, I cried.

A lot has been said about Michael Jackson over the years, both negative and positive. I don't expect that will end with his passing. Truth be told, I'm bracing myself for the conspiracies and the custody battle over his kids and his finances.

All I know, is that the most talented musical artiste, bar none, to walk the face of the earth to date is no more. Almost every song he released was a hit, the releases of his music videos were international events, the man invented dnaces that defied gravity and wrote lyrics that could stir the coldest soul.

As a tribute to this music icon, I've attempted to do the near impossible: to list twenty of my fave Michael Jackson tunes and the album they were from. When a person has been performing for about 42 of their 50 years that's a lot of songs to choose from, especially when I pretty much loved them all. Anyhoo, here goes....


20. Off the Wall - Off the Wall
19. Remember the Time - Dangerous
18. You Are Not Alone - HIStory
17. I Just Can't Stop Loving You - Bad
16. Heal the World - Dangerous
15. Happy - Music and Me


14. Black or White - Dangerous
13. She's Out of My Life - Off the Wall
12. Will You Be there - Dangerous
11. One Day in Your Life- Forever, Michael.
10. Rock With You - Off the Wall


9. Speechless - Invincible
8. Gone Too Soon - Dangerous
7. Billie Jean - Thriller
6. Human Nature - Thriller


5. Man in the Mirror - Bad
4. Cry - Invincible
3. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'- Thriller
2. Lady In My Life - Thriller
1. Don't Stop Till You Get Enough - Off the Wall

RIP MJ, your legacy will live on forever.

Images: theybf.com

The King of Pop - Gone Too Soon

1958-2009

Home From the Cold - A Caribbean Cruise Pt. 4

by Kal-F

The Universe Dining Room is on Deck 3 and 4 of the ship. Each deck has a special name; from top to bottom: Sky, Sun, Spa, Lido, Verandah, Empress, Upper, Promenade, Atlantic, Lobby, Main, Riviera, and Zero; so while there are actually thirteen levels, the number thirteen is not used. The Medical Centre is said to be on deck Zero, the bottommost deck and the second deck, Riviera, is counted as deck one.

At 8:30 p.m., we step out of the cabin and head for the see-through elevators. As we rise we see that the Lobby Deck is teeming with people all dressed to kill, some posing for pictures standing within set backdrops that show various tropical scenes.

We step off the elevators at the Atlantic Deck and squeeze our way past another throng of people posing for more pictures and inspecting the duty- free jewellery and fragrance shops. These are probably the people who have have dined earlier because they don't seem to be in any hurry to go anywhere. We walk past the Galaxy Dining Room and head to the aft of the ship to the Universe.

Everyone is already there except for Pam and Trevor. At the head of the table is Papa Smith, the father-in -law to Shelley. His name is Robert. That is also the middle name of his three sons, all of whom have other names beginning with the letter R. All of his sons still live at home, including the two who are married, so when a letter arrives addressed to Mr. R. Smith there is a family conference to decide who will open it. On Papa's right is Mamma Smith, who is probably in her late 50s but doesn't look a day past 35. She doesn't say much but see her come alive when music, any type of music, starts to play. She's up and moving and man, can she move her body!

Across from her is her second son Robert, Shelley’s husband, a handsome young man with a big dimple in his chin and a ready smile, and like his mother, hardly says a word. This evening, however, he actually speaks but in such subdued tones that Shelley, who's sitting beside him, has to translate for the rest of the table. Beside Shelley is her brother Barry, freshly arrived from Miami where he is going to university. Barry did not turn down the offer to go on the cruise when he discovered that his parents would pay for it.

Barb and I are greeted by the others as we take our seats opposite each other. We sit and while awaiting the arrival of Pam and Trevor trade stories about our experiences so far. Shelley has already discovered room service and has vowed to exploit all its benefits. By the end of the trip the workers know her voice intimately. She doesn't even have to give her cabin number. Barry has already spent time in the internet cafe and by the end of the trip they are almost about to offer him a job there.

Soon everyone is turning their glances towards the entrance as we wonder where the final two are. Papa Smith, a man of routine who goes to bed at 7:00 p.m. and awakes at 4:00 a.m. so that he can be the first to arrive in his office at 6:00 a.m. five days a week, glances furtively at his watch. He is too much of a gentleman to start dinner without them. When they finally arrive, Pam, cheerful and bubbly as always and Trevor, decked out (no pun intended) in the best outfit that I've seen him wear in years, so much so that I have to look more closely to recognise him, the mood at the table suddenly changes to one of eager anticipation to the fare that is about to be served.

Home From the Cold - A Caribbean Cruise Pt. 3

Hi, all. I was pretty busy yesterday so I couldn't keep my promise of a new chapter of Kal-F's Caribbean cruise. So, to make up for that, I'm going to give you two chapters today. Enjoy.


by Kal-F

In the last four months of the year in Barbados the sun sets around 5:30. By 5:45, the twilight falls for another fifteen minutes until 6 o'clock when the law states that vehicles must have their headlights on when driving.

From deck twelve of the Carnival Destiny one can see the lights on the west coast of the island popping on. Closest to us are the warehouses of the harbour surrounded by wide, cemented open spaces where mostly red quadrangular containers temporarily await their next journey. Behind them to the left are the lights of the Spring Garden Highway (aptly named for the lack of either a spring or a garden) where the remnant of the rush-hour traffic out of Bridgetown inches its way northward.

Further away in the distance are the suburban hills: Free Hill, Hinds Hill, Cave Hill where the Barbadian campus of the University of the West Indies commands a magnificent view of the harbour and the curved contour where the west coast bends into the south coast. There are some areas where lights shine more brightly than the areas surrounding them. We surmise that one is the National Stadium where a football (as in soccer) game may be going on and the others may be cricket fields accommodating the increasingly popular night cricket games.

Our eyes shift to the right of the ship: Carlisle Bay (the concave costline south of Bridgetown named after the Earl of Carlisle to whom an English King, Charles 1, with a simple stroke of a pen gave ownership of the island in 1628) reflects the shimmering lights of The Boatyard and The Harbour Lights nightclubs, two of the most popular tourist night spots on the island.

Not very often does one get this offshore view of the island from twelve stories up. For a small island 21 miles long and 14 miles wide, Barbados almost seems vigorous: a lot of lights and an awful number of cars (100,000 at the last count). But I remember that this is Bridgetown, one of the oldest port towns in the Caribbean (it celebrated its 375th anniversary in 2003) and it is the heart of St. Michael, the most populated of the 11 parishes in the island and as Bridgetown is still the chief commercial centre of the island, it draws a great percentage of the island population into itself during the day. At night it is almost a ghost town as its dayfarers wend their way home at the supper hour.

It's close to my supper hour as well and I remember that my sister has pre-booked a set time for the ten of us in the Universe Dining Room, one of the two dining rooms where Ship's protocol stipulates that dress be formal. I say goodbye to the lights of the city and head to the elevators which, except for the doors, are all glass so that one can see the midship decks as one rises or falls to one's destination. I head to the cabin wondering whether the jacket that I have worn only three times in the last three years will still fit me.

Home From the Cold - A Caribbean Cruise Pt. 2

by Kal-F

Actually, peoples, this isn't Day Two yet, it's a continuation of Day One. Sorry about that.


Barbados is actually the fourth stop on the Carnival's itinerary. The majority of passengers board at San Juan, Puerto Rico, and from there go to St. Thomas, part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Dominica. After leaving Barbados, the ship spends an entire day at sea before entering the port in Aruba. From there it is another day at sea before entering Puerto Rican waters again.

Security on the ship seems to be tight. One enters and leaves the ship with a sign- in-sign-out card which brings up your picture and cabin number on a monitor. All packages are screened and one goes through a metal detector machine the same as at an airport.

Reboarding the ship the second time after depositing my car at home, I head straight for my cabin and decide I would have a quick snooze before dinner time. Barb is still somewhere exploring and I am able to catch a few winks before she appears with the news that she has run into Pam and Trevor, my sister and brother-in-law who have a cabin on the same deck but on the side of the ship opposite to us. She again brings up the topic of the local economy by stating that Pam was annoyed at Trevor's disinclination to hire a porter to carry her numerous bags.

This information is given in the spirit of self-vindication as in not only, "See, I wasn't the only one who wanted a porter" but also with the veiled suggestion: "Why are you guys so cheap?" The latter idea doesn't bother me as much as the awakening concern for the local Barbadian economy, so much so that I consider leaving the ship again and getting a porter to help me back onto the ship with my now empty backpack.

However, before I can voice this redemptive suggestion, Barb announces that she is off again, this time to the Purser's desk to report that the cabin safe is not functional. The worry about the local economy immediately subsides with her departure and I doze off into the comfort of the king size bed which is actually two double beds pushed together, probably with the thought that a couple not yet in their fifties would inhabit the room and regard the lack of distance between the beds as a significant asset. No longer an issue with the current inhabitants.

More tomorrow...

Home From the Cold - A Caribbean Cruise

Hey, peoples. Hope all is well with you out there and that you're taking the necessary precations against contracting the H1N1 virus. Here in Bim we've got four cases, thankfully mild. Check out the GIS' website here to find out what's happening with the virus and how government is responding. I wish they would do some research on the four patients and cross-check where they've been in the last two weeks or so, but I guess that's wishful thinking....

Anyhoo, a while back I introduced you to a relative of mine, nicknamed Kal-F, who has returned to live in Barbados after many years in Canada.

In this particular segment of his adventures, he is relating his experiences on a cruise around the Caribbean with some relatives. Names have been changed to protect the innocent.:) Hope you enjoy.

A Caribbean Cruise on the Carnival Destiny

Day One

Barb, who has arrived from Toronto just two days ago has already packed her duffle bag while I do some last minute mowing around the house so that the height of the grass will not overwhelm me when I get back. I get up around 6:00 a.m. and mow the grass for about two and a half hours. It takes me another hour to pack my suitcase, put the house plants where they can get some light, and pump up the front tire of the car which has been slowly leaking air for the past two weeks.

I am glad that I picked up that bicyle pump from Canadian Tire in Toronto two years ago. Overnight the tire goes completely flat and the service station is too far away to drive on it. Would you believe I have gotten it fixed twice already! The tire still has good treads on it and with the price of tires down here, I would like to get at least another year's use of it.

By 10:00 a.m. Barb's chorus (more like a plaintive wail) begins: Are we ready to go yet? This refrain will be repeated until we actually get the car out of the driveway and pointed toward the south of the island. Last minute checks: windows closed, curtains drawn, water turned off.

By 11:00 a.m. we're on our way. The plan is to check in (check-in time is between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.), get our cabin, for me to drive the car back home and then take the bus back to Bridgetown, the capital city. We have plenty of time; the ship doesn't leave until 11:00 p.m. We first drive to my sister Pam to drop off her boarding pass which I have downloaded from the computer. She is still packing. Her daughter Shelley and son-in-law Robert are already on the ship. Shelley is always two hours early for everything. She certainly doesn't get that from Pam, who has never heard of the word punctuality.

We arrive at the port a few minutes before noon. I drop off Barb and the suitcases and exit the port compound to look for a parking space: I find one near Pelican Village, a local arts and crafts centre just outside the port and run into Judy whom I had not seen since 1980 when I spent a year in Barbados. She and her husband had beautifully renovated a house in Sunset Crest, a vocation village near Holetown, one of four towns on the island and where 80 British men and 10 African men, plundered from a Portuguese slave ship, had landed in 1627.

Judy's happy experience in Sunset Crest was not to last long, however. There were too many break-ins (a situation which I am told has been subsequently cleaned up). Judy has still retained her youthful looks, though much to my surprise and disappointment, has taken up smoking. (It looks like women aren't smarter than men after all). Judy and I chat for a little while. I explain my identity as I am sure that she doesn't remember who I am. After all, the last time she saw me there was hair (lots of it) on my head and my beard was black, not grizzly as it is now, a fact that makes strangers (mostly young men) on the street in Barbados address me as 'daddy': Would you like a car wash, daddy? By 'daddy' they mean 'old man', 'very old man'.

Judy and I promise to catch up now that I know where she works and I return to the port to go through Customs. There is a little hike to the ship and half-way there, Barb starts her plaintive wail: I don't see why we can't get a porter; after all , it would help the local economy. When I left home that morning I wasn't thinking much about the local economy but after she has mentioned it numerous times, I start to think that she is probably right but by now there are no porters in sight and we're almost at the ship's entrance: we have only two suitcases between us and mine, the heavier of the two, has wheels.

The check in goes quickly and soon we're on board on the third deck at the information desk awaiting our passport checks and the key cards to our cabin. Within 45 minutes we're comfortably esconsed in our second deck cabin which has a window and at the moment is on the port side of the ship. We quickly unpack and soon head up to the restaurant on deck nine to have lunch.

The restaurant is a big expansive room with an extension on deck ten so that one could look over the entire city of Bridgetown, which from the perspective of twelve stories up actually looks attractive. Service in the restaurant is buffet style and there is a wide variety of food. One nice thing about the Carnival Destiny is that smoking is not allowed indoors except in the casinos and seeing that that is one place that I will hardly frequent, I am happy.

Forty-five minutes later we're back in the cabin and realize that it is actually freezing; the air conditioning is noticeably cold and it looks like there is no way that we can adjust it. Barb decides to go exploring and I prepare to go back to shore to drive the car back home. As I leave the ship I feel a bit of raspiness in my throat and wonder if I'm coming down with something or if it's just the air conditioning. I hope and pray that I don't come down with something to put a damper on the trip. I return to the car and notice that the front tire again needs air and once again have to bring out the handy bicycle pump.

In a few minutes I'm on the Spring Garden highway heading north for St. Lucy, the most northerly parish on the island and the name that invariably evokes the response: You mean you live that far! (It's actually only 35 minutes away from Bridgetown, though you should bring along a lunch with you if you attempt it in rush hour).

On the way I take a detour to Warrens Shopping Centre a mile and a half to the east and the Glinko Biloba that I took this morning surprisingly kicks in to tell my memory to tell me that I should get some film and maybe a pack of dominoes. As soon as I enter SuperCentre Supermarket I run into Debbie, the travel agent who booked my cruise last January. We chat for about ten minutes and I don't have the heart to tell her that I am about to go on another cruise seeing that I didn't book with her this time. That won't happen again though. Her service was much better than what I received this time from my sister's travel agency. Debbie has to get to the bank and I have to get moving. We say goodbye and she promises to keep in touch. I pick up the film but forget to inquire where I can get dominoes. Must remember to increase my Glinko Biloba dosage.

As soon as I back the car into my garage, Michael, my next door neighbour, hails me, surprised that I am still on the island. I explain what the plan is and that the boat doesn't leave until 10 p.m. He kindly offers to drive me to Bridgetown saying that it would give him an excuse not to work in his garden where he has been labouring since dawn (since quitting his job six months ago he has become a full- time farmer). I accept his offer but tell him that he can drop me in Speightstown, only 15 minutes away, and I would take the bus from there to Bridgetown.

On the bus to Bridgetown my throat continues to feel raspy and I wonder where I will be able to find cough medicine at this hour. Most stores close up at 5:00 p.m. and it is now approaching 6 o'clock. Luckily when I get off the bus, a supermarket, a short walk from the port, is still open. I get the cough syrup and head for the ship.

Day Two on Monday.

Rihanna sits courtside at Lakers/Magic game

It's been a while since I've had a Rihanna post, 'cause frankly I was tired of all the drama with her and what's his name and then the leaked photos....whatev.

Anyhoo, a post about our local superstar would help to balance out the gloom of the previous one on H1N1, so here goes.

On Saturday, Rihanna took in a Lakers game against the Orlando Magic and she seems to have had a grand time.






I see Rih-Rih's still sporting the big hair. Even Halle Berry has cut hers again. Anyhoo. do your thing, girl. Just make some more music and ease of the drama....

Images: theybf.com

And then there were two...

Barbados has recorded another case of influenza A/H1N1, this time a young female unrelated to the previous case. You can read the news story here.

I know it's too early to start implementing extrme measures like limiting travel or large social gatherings, but I know that personally I plan to avoid activities involving large groups and take all the sanitary precautions. With a baby at home I'm not taking any chances.

You all be safe out there.

Image: www.cealagar.com

Some facts about H1N1/Influenza A

Hey there, peoples. I came across some facts about this H1N1 virus and I though I'd share. It's from the Barbados GIS website here

Remember to take all the necessary precautions so we can prevent this virus from spreading!

How do people become infected with Influenza A (H1N1)?
Influenza A (H1N1) is caused by a virus, similar to the common cold or the virus that causes regular influenza, but this is a new type of virus. Outbreaks in humans are now occurring from human-to-human transmission.

When infected people cough or sneeze, infected droplets get on their hands, drop onto surfaces, or are dispersed into the air. Another person can breathe in contaminated air, or touch infected hands or surfaces, and be exposed. To prevent spread, people should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing, and wash their hands regularly.

What are the signs and symptoms of infection?

Early signs of influenza A (H1N1) are flu-like, including fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and runny nose, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhoea. There must be a travel history to affected countries within 7 to 10 days or contact with someone with symptoms who has traveled to an affected country

How can you prevent the spread of H1N1?

The most effective way to prevent and control the spread of this respiratory illness is through general hygiene measures:

Cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissues when coughing and sneezing, and dispose of the used tissues properly.
Wash your hands with soap and water often and thoroughly, especially after coughing or sneezing. An alcohol based hand sanitizer gel can also be effective.
Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth, as the virus can enter your body this way.
In addition, using a nutritious diet, managing stress and getting adequate exercise are recommended measures for maintaining or boosting natural resistance to infections.
Persons traveling from affected regions and having symptoms should seek medical attention from a doctor and report to public health authorities if instructed. Persons with mild symptoms may be advised to stay at home and limit contact with others in order to control the spread of the infection.

Do Healthy People Need Masks?

No! The current recommendation from the World Health Organisation (W.H.O) is that masks should not be used as a prevention measure for healthy persons. The general use of masks may provide a false sense of security and it is likely that they will be used incorrectly. The prevention measures outlined above are more effective in preventing spread in the general population. Masks may be used by ill persons if they have to be out in public.

What is the treatment for persons affected by H1N1?

Treatment will depend on the severity of the symptoms. For mild cases the normal measures that could be used for any influenza will be employed. These may include increased fluids, rest, and medication for pain, fever and other symptoms e.g. paracetamol. For moderate to severe cases medical attention must be sought. The doctor may prescribe antiviral medication, antibiotics and other treatments according to the specific needs of the patient. Protocols have been put in place for the use of antiviral medication. Please note that depending on the severity of the illness, hospitalization will be necessary.

Is it safe to travel?

W.H.O. is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza A (H1N1) virus, but persons will need to exercise caution if travelling to highly affected areas. Today, international travel moves rapidly, with large numbers of individuals visiting various parts of the world. Limiting travel and imposing travel restrictions would have very little effect on stopping the virus from spreading, but would be highly disruptive to the global community.

What should I do if I think I have the illness?

If you feel unwell, have high fever, cough or sore throat:

Stay at home and keep away from work, school or crowds.
Rest and take plenty of fluids.
Cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissues when coughing and sneezing, and dispose of the used tissues properly.
Wash your hands with soap and water often and thoroughly, especially after coughing or sneezing.
Seek the advice of your health care provider.

Adapted from World Health Organization
Fact Sheet on Influenza A (H1N1)

Barbados records first case of H1N1 influenza virus

Hi, peoples. Word just hit the streets that Barbados has recorded its first case of the dreaded H1N1 virus. I understand that the individual, a young man, is quarantined at home and the health authorities are urging residents not to panic and take the necessary precautions.

Here's the full statement delivered by the Acting Minister of Health, Sen. Irene Saniford-Garner, about an hour ago:

Statement by the Ministry of Health
Update on Influenza A H1N1
As you know, over the last eight (8) weeks, an increasing number of countries throughout the world have been experiencing outbreaks of a new type of influenza.

In response, the Government of Barbados has been proactive and undertook preparatory measures in anticipation of the possibility that this condition could reach our shores. The Ministry of Health wishes to inform the public that based on testing conducted by the laboratory of the Caribbean Epidemiology Research Centre (CAREC), Barbados has now recorded its first confirmed case of Influenza A H1N1 2009.

Members of the public are urged to remain calm and to note that our Public Health Officials will continue to undertake all protective measures as are needed at this time. You are reminded that simple measures, e.g. covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, along with proper disposal of tissues and thorough hand washing are the most effective measures for preventing the spread of respiratory infections. You should also avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands, as the virus may enter your body this way.

Persons with respiratory type illness consisting of cough, fever, shortness of breadth and malaise should stay away from school or work and avoid going out in public or public places.

Influenza A H1N1 2009 is a viral illness that can be easily transmitted from person to person, but most persons who become ill with this condition are likely to experience only mild forms of illness. The symptoms of this condition are similar to regular influenza and include: fever, chills, cough, stuffy nose, headache, fatigue, sore throat, body aches and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea.

If you are ill with flu-like symptoms and especially if you have travelled to an area that is affected by Influenza A H1N1, have been in close contact with someone who travelled and was ill, or someone who was diagnosed with Influenza A H1N1, you should seek medical advice. Persons experiencing mild symptoms are encouraged to have adequate fluids and rest and may use over-the-counter medications such as Paracetamol / Panadol / Tylenol for relief of pain and fever.

If you are pregnant or suffer with certain chronic conditions, you may be at greater risk of complications and should call your health care provider for medical advice. These include asthma and other lung conditions, heart disease, diabetes and impairment of the immune system. If persons develop difficulty breathing, mental confusion or worsening symptoms, immediate medical attention should be sought.

The Ministry of Health will give regular updates and as the situation warrants. For additional information about Influenza A H1 N1 call the Ministry of Health’s hotline at: 436-2437 or 436-2444.

It was only a matter of time before the virus landed on our doorstep. The world is a very small place when it comes to viral infections; people are on the move for holidays and work on a daily basis.

I'll keep you up to date on what's happening here. All the departments and agencies Ministries involved have done the drills, but this is the real scenario here now.

Weekend fun: Ten tv characters I'll miss

This month tv fans bade farewell to several of their favourite shows as the regular television season came to an end. Some long-running heavy hitters like ER have ended their run, while relative newbies like Pushing Daises have been cancelled.

I don't know about you but this year I feel that too many great shows have gotten the axe. I know it's all about the ratings but judging by the way fans have been fighting to keep their shows on the air people aren't happy. Just because 10 million viewers don't tune in to watch a show every week, does that make it a failure? Thank God they reconsidered cancelling Chuck....

Anyhoo, many of my fave tv characters have been written off, in more ways than one. Here's my list of the ones I'll especially miss.


Denny Crane and Alan Shore - Boston Legal. The quirky legal drama Boston Legal had a roster of fun characters, but it was the bromance between Alan and Denny, especially during their road trips, that provided some of the shows finer moments. I thought this show would have been good for another season, but alas, no.


Sarah Connor and Cameron Phillips - Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. It goes to show you never know what will or won't be a hit. Given the success of the Terminator movie franchise, you would have thought a tv version whould have been a sure thing with viewers. Not so, and The Sarah Connor Chronicles was cancelled.

Lena Headley's Sarah and Summer Glau's Cameron were the high points of the reasonably good show, and I'll miss their uneasy "mother-daughter" relationship.


Tasha Mack - The Game. I know Derwin and Melanie are the stars of the show, but I'll miss the sassy, tough-talking Tasha Mack (played by Wendy Raquel Robinson on far left) the most. Even though The Game has been cancelled by the CW network, talks are on to parlay the comedy into an hour long dramady, possibly on BET. I'll be watching.


Rochelle, Julius and Chris - Everybody Hates Chris. It's not often black families are portrayed on tv, and positive black familes, even less. Although Chris and his family were far from the Cosbys, you had to love his mother's don't-mess-with-me attitude and his father's cheapness. Oh yeah and Chris was pretty cool, too.


Vic Mackey - The Shield. After seven seasons on FX, the gritty cop drama The Shield has come to an end. Although Michael Chiklis' Vic Mackey was a corrupt, twisted soul, the character was such a work of art I can't help but give him props. Mackey has left the Barn.


Michael Scofield - Prison Break. SPOILER ALERT!!! Whether you called him Fish, Pretty, Papi or Michael, the resident engineering genius on the hit show Prison Break will be universally missed. Thousands of fans were on twitter and various blogs crying their eyes out because he died in the season finale, denying him his deserved happy ending. But never fear, Scofield and the rest of the gang will be back in a DVD movie coming out in July.

Until then, thanks for the memories, Scofield.

Hello again

Hey, peoples. I know you all must have been wodering if I dropped off the face of the earth, but no, I'm still on terra firma.

The last few weeks have been tough with work, family duties and some personal losses. Even my pet dog whom we've had for years up and died on me so, what can I tell you. but, by the grace of God I'm back and I hope to be blogging more regularly again.

A lot has happened since I last blogged. We've had to face H1N1 virus fears, enjoyed a visit by US Attorney-General Eric Holder Jr. and cringed as Rihanna's naked booty was splashed all over the internet. I'm not going to rehash any of that since I'm sure you're all up to speed via the many blogs and websites in my roll.

The recession is still ticking along, but it appears as if it's business as usual here in Bim; people are still feteing hard and shopping up a storm. Are we living in a fool's paradise? Time will tell....

Apologies

Hey, peoples. Many, many many apologies for neglecting you the past weeks but the day job has been brutal. I'll be back soon, as soon as I get some breathing space.

Peace to all.

Obama takes some early licks at Summit

Hey, peoples. Well, President Obama is in Trinidad for the Summit and the opening ceremony is underway as I type. Already President of Nicaragua Daniel Ortega Saveedra is tearing some holes in US foreign policy; Obama will have a lot of work to do to win over the leaders in this part of the region.

I can't wait to hear Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's speech. He was very pleasant when he met the President earlier, so we'll see.

Disappointingly First Lady Michele Obama stayed home, and I suspect she might have gone a long way to smooth things over with her effortless charm.

I'm watching a very drizzly, audio deficient feed from a Trini network. I'm also following on twitter here.

Latin American leaders have a reputation for being very verbose, so this ceremony could go on all night....

Summit of the Americas

Hey, peoples. It's been a hectic week so I'm now getting around to posting. Hope all is well with you and yours.

Well, all eyes will be focused over the next few days on Trinidad, where President Barack Obama will be attending the 5th Summit of the Americas. I must admit now that although I would have been thrilled to get a glimpse of Mr. President, I don't think we could afford the expense that comes with hosting him. Reports suggest that T&T is spending TT$1.2 billion on the summit....thank God they have oil money. No bosie, it doesn't make sense putting ourselves in the poor house to put on a good show for the Americans.

Part of the President's surveillance has been set up here at the Grantley Adams International Airport, and I imagine all their satellites must be trained on Trinidad at this moment. All the criminals will probably be lying low this weekend....

Hopefully all will go well, even though the preparations have hit a few snags.

Anyhoo, Cuba has gotten a little ease from the Leader of the free world, so let's see what the rest of us will get out of this Summit.

Top 10 fave 80s mystery/detective tv shows

Tomorrow's a holiday here in Barbados, so I'm starting the weekend early with another list of faves.

It's no secret that I loved 80s tv. (I was a schoolkid then so I had a lot of time (homework permitting) to indulge in being a couch potato.) In retrospect, as corny as the 80s were in terms of fashion, that decade produced some of the best television shows to date.

I had a hard time trying to rank my favorites because there were so many and oh so good, but I did the best I could. Today I'm listing my fave mystery/detective shows, so this post doesn't include some of my old adventure faves like Knight Rider, A-Team, Street Hawk and Battlestar Galactica. I'll deal with them another day.

Well, here's my list. Let me know your faves and we'll take a walk down memory lane together.


http://entertainment.uk.msn.com
10. Hill Street Blues (1981-1987)
Long before the Law and Order and CSI franchises existed, the police drama that had everyone talking was Hill Street Blues. The gritty, award winning show boasted a talented ensemble cast, and yielded a future director in Betty Thomas (Sgt. Lucy Bates) and Emmy winner in Dennis Franz who later went on to NYPD Blue. What I especially remember about Hill Street Blues was the roll call at the beginning of each show, and the sergeant who would also warn the officers to "be careful out there".


http://redriverpak.wordpress.com
9. Matlock (1986-1995)
Andy Griffith's bumbling style in the legal drama Matlock was an excellent cover; the bad guys always thought they had outwitted him and then he would tie them up in legal knots on the witness stand. I liked to watch the show as well to see if Matlock would wear any other suit apart from a white one. He never did.


www.mortystv.com
8. Murder She Wrote (1984-1996)
I loved me some Jessica Fletcher. Who would have thought that the premise of a elderly author solving mysteries would work? Millions tuned in weekly to watch Ms. Fletcher solve mysteries, and somehow she always got the bad guy/gal to confess, with the police waiting conveniently outside. And she only got into a physical altercation once that I remembered. Criminals were obviously softies on that show....


assets.hulu.com
7. Simon and Simon (1981-1989)
Rick and AJ Simon were as different as brothers could be, and their contrasting approach to detective work was the heart of the show. Gerald McRaney (Rick) went on to other roles in Promised Land, Jericho and Deadwood. Jameson Parker (AJ) I never saw on tv again.



www.textuality.org
6. Miami Vice (1984-1989)
Miami Vice was more than a tv show, it was an assault on the senses. Men in pastel colours (shocker!), sun-drenched beaches, half-naked women, power boats and crocodiles made for a powerful aphrodisiac. And oh, Don Johnson wasn't bad to look at either.


http://forum.detik.com
5. Hunter (1984-1991)
Fred Dryer (Sgt Rick Hunter) was like a modern day Dirty Harry with his big gun and wisecracking attitude. Hunter could never drive a car without crashing it, so his partner Dee Dee McCall never let him drive her hot ride, a red Dodge Daytona, if I remember correctly. His catchphrase was "It works for me", and this series worked for me as well.


www.magnum.tv-website.com
4. Magnum P.I. (1980-1988)
To this day I still dream of visitig Hawaii because of the lush scenery I glimpsed on Magnum P.I.. Also, because of the show's star Tom Selleck, moustaches and Hawaii shirts became ver popular. I also have fond memories of Higgins, TC, Rick and of course, the Dobermans.


www.majorspoilers.com
3. Macgyver (1985-1992)
To show the popularity of this show, even now when people rig up some contraption or other, it's described as "macgyvering". Richard Dean Anderson could manufacture a weapon or an escape device out of anything it seemed, which was a good thing since he always seemed to be in a tight spot. Anderson later went on to fame in Stargate SG-1, but to me he'll always be Macgyver.



norwelten.blog.de
2. Remington Steele (1982-1987)
I believe Pierce Brosnan was destined to play James Bond. His stint on Remington Steele proved he looked good in a suit, could think on his feet and had charm to spare. Co-star Laura Holt (Stephanie Zimbalist) didn't stand a chance against him and we fell in love with him right along with her.



www.thetimetravellers.wordpress.com
1. Moonlighting (1985-1989)
"We'll walk by night, we'll fly by day, moonlight strangers, who just met on the way..."

Al Jarreau's theme song for the smash hit Moonlighting is synonymous with the show which introduced Bruce Willis to the world and oh yeah, Cybill Shepherd starred in it too.

But seriously, the love/hate relationship between David Addison and Maddie Hayes was the centre of the show, and frankly it wasn't the same after they hooked up. The witty dialogue and sexual tension between the co-stars are unmatched to this day.


Anyhoo folks, have a Blessed Easter and see you next week, si dieu veux.

Retired boat captain Andrew Burke passes

I would like to extend condolences to the family and friends of the late Owen Andrew Burke, who passed away last weekend after a long battle with cancer.

Burke, who had lost an arm and collarbone to the disease, came to the public's attention in February last year when he sailed solo around Barbados for charity. In January, Burke was awarded with a Silver Crown of Merit by the Governor General.

I didn't know Mr. Burke personally, but he seemed like a courageous man with a good heart.

May he rest in peace.

Image: www.gisbarbados.gov.bb

Chris Brown pleads not guilty to assaulting Rihanna

A sombre-looking Chris Brown pleaded not guilty in a Los Angeles courtroom a few hours ago to two felony counts – assault and making criminal threats – in the alleged Feb. 8 beating of his girlfriend Rihanna.

You can read more here.

And this drama isn't going to be over anytime soon...Brown is due back in court on April 29.

Image: www.people.com

Rihanna parties in Barbados; Brown goes to court

Hi, peoples, hope you all had a good weekend.

Well, Rihanna was home this weekend to attend her grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary party, and she also took the time to attend the reggae show at the National Stadium on Friday night.


I hope this guy (is that Rihanna's brother?) doesn't step back on that Banks bottle...


Hi, there Sizzla. Bless up!


Looks like even the Prime Minister has more of a social life than me these days....

Anyhoo, as I type Rihanna's ex-boyfriend Chris Brown is appearing in a LA court on assault charges. Hip Hollywood.com has a live stream of the action outside the courtroom, for all those of you are interested.

On another note, I won't bother ask what in the frazzled mop hell is going on with Rih's hair these days, these are some trying times for her so I'll leave well enough alone....

Images: http://theybf.com

Aloha Rihanna

Bajan superstar Rihanna is currently in Hawaii to work on an album. After all the recent club-hopping photos of her out there it's good to see she's getting back to work.





The girl has women all over the world chopping off their hair and now she's growing hers back, or something....

Images: http://theybf.com

The Obamas meet the Queen

Of course President Obama and First Lady Michelle's trip to England would not have been complete without an audience with Queen Elizabeth 11.

The First Couple met the Queen and her husband Prince Philip yesterday at Buckingham Palace, and the media is abuzz that Queen Elizabeth never looked so pleased.




Tongues were especially wagging when the Queen casually placed an arm around Mrs. Obama, and the latter returned the gesture.


Protocol dictates that persons aren't supposed to touch the Queen, but she didn't seem to mind. In fact, it was reported that the Queen was so taken by Mrs Obama she even said: "Now we've met, will you please keep in touch?"

The Obamas are just kicking down barriers wherever they go. I can just imagine Prime Minister of Trinidad Patrick Manning giving Mrs. Obama the sweet eye at the Summit in a few weeks....



Images: http://theybf.com; www.msnbc.com