Merry Christmas, y'all!

Hey, peoples! Hope you're all enjoying the merriment and joy and peace and goodwill and all that jazz associated with this time of the year. Here in Bim we're experiencing beautiful, breezy sunny days and everything's all aglow...sigh, loves it.

Anyhoo, I wanted to wish you and yours a blessed holiday. I'm on vacay from next week, so I'm not sure how much posting I'll be doing before Christmas. There's a tree and house to decorate, traffic to navigate and shopping malls to frustrate, you all know the score.

Next year I hope to finally put pen to paper on this story I've been carrying around in my head for months. I have some new characters for you to meet; hope you all like 'em.

Take care and God Bless.

Tiger 'transgresses' + Common didn't call me!

Wuhloss. It seems that no celebrity is immune from scandal these days. On the heels of him crashing his Cadillac SUV into a fire hydrant and a tree, golf great Tiger Woods has pretty muched confessed to what has been rumoured in the last week; he's been cheating on his wfe Elin Nordegren, apparently with at least three other women!

He issued the following statement on his website yesterday:

I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors with my family. Those feelings should be shared by us alone.

Although I am a well-known person and have made my career as a professional athlete, I have been dismayed to realize the full extent of what tabloid scrutiny really means. For the last week, my family and I have been hounded to expose intimate details of our personal lives. The stories in particular that physical violence played any role in the car accident were utterly false and malicious. Elin has always done more to support our family and shown more grace than anyone could possibly expect.

But no matter how intense curiosity about public figures can be, there is an important and deep principle at stake which is the right to some simple, human measure of privacy. I realize there are some who don’t share my view on that. But for me, the virtue of privacy is one that must be protected in matters that are intimate and within one’s own family. Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn’t have to mean public confessions.

Whatever regrets I have about letting my family down have been shared with and felt by us alone. I have given this a lot of reflection and thought and I believe that there is a point at which I must stick to that principle even though it’s difficult.

I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves. For all of those who have supported me over the years, I offer my profound apology.

Now, I feel personally insulted. Tiger Woods come down here to Buhbadus to marry Elin. He block up the roads leading up to Sandy Lane and yuh had to detour all bout St. James. He nearly give we heart attack with the fireworks they let off up at the country club on the wedding night. He had paparazzi mekking people miserable trying to climb up pon roofs to get photos (though some locals mek a good buck, don't fool yuh foot). And after all that he got the audacity to cheat pon she? I feel like he cheat pon me, too!

I swear that I will NEVER understand men. What dem does really want, though? To feel needed? To feel important? Cause it seems that even if you is the prettiest woman pon the face of the earth yuh gine still get cheated on.

Look at this woman, then.




I know that all that glitters ain't gold, but Elin far better looking than that cocktail waitress or them other women. Wuh Tiger want, really? He better do more than apologise, 'cause if Elin get a good lawyer she coming for dem billions! Fore!


And talking about men, that one Common, yeah that cute rapper fella, playing he come to Buhbadus and ain't call me. I hear he and Serena had a good old time here last weekend. Is alright, though. Uh still like yuh, Lonny.



Anyhoo, check out AirBourne's site here to see the pics.

Happy Independence, Barbados!!!

To all my Bajan peoples at home and abroad, to all adopted Bajans from around the world, I wish you a Happy Independence Day!

Let's give God thanks for our wonderful nation. We are blessed.

Congratulations are also extended to our newest Knights (we're still very British, ain't), Sir Philip Greaves and Sir Maurice King. I've posted the full list of honourees below.

God Bless Bim!

2009 INDEPENDENCE DAY HONOURS LIST


KNIGHT OF ST. ANDREW

For extraordinary and outstanding achievement and merit in service to Barbados or to humanity at large.


1. Mr. Philip Marlowe Greaves, Q.C.

For his distinguished career and his outstanding service and contribution to Barbados and public life.

2. Mr. Maurice Athelstan King, Q.C.

For his distinguished service and contribution to the legal profession and public service.


COMPANION OF HONOUR

For distinguished national achievement and merit.

1. Mr. John Andrew Connell, Q.C.

For his public service contribution to the legal profession.

2. Mr. Lionel Seymour Craig

For his outstanding contribution in the area of community service.

3. Mr. Robert Livingstone Morris, GCM

For his outstanding contribution to the labour movement.


GOLD CROWN OF MERIT

For highly meritorious service or achievement in science, the arts, literature, sports, civic duties or any other endeavour worthy of national recognition.

1. Mr. Winston Alfred Cox
For his contribution to central banking and his meritorious contribution to the Region on economic matters.

2. Dr. Juliet Michelle Daniel

For her highly meritorious work in the area of cancer research.

3. Mr. Owen Lynderson Estwick

For his highly meritorious service in the area of public administration and cricket administration.

4. Mr. Joseph Cecil Ince

For his highly meritorious service in the area of tourism in particular cruise tourism.

SILVER CROWN OF MERIT

For meritorious service or achievement in science, the arts, literature, sports, civic duties or any other endeavour worthy of national recognition.

1. Mr. Ryan McDonald Brathwaite

For his winning a Gold Medal in the 110 metre hurdles at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin.

2. Mr. Jerston Sherlock Clarke

For his meritorious service in the area of athletic coaching.

3. Miss Elizabeth Eileen Alice Deane

For her meritorious service to horse racing in Barbados and the Caribbean.

4. Dr. Edward Augustus Layne

For his meritorious service in promoting Barbados and developing linkages with the Atlanta business community.


BARBADOS SERVICE STAR

For meritorious work in the civil, fire, military, police, prison or other protective services or any other similar field of endeavour.

1. Miss Eleanor Elaine Catlyn

For her contribution to nursing.

2. Mrs. Yvette Patricia Scantlebury

For 25 years of service to Government working in Cabinet Office.

3. Mr. Desmond Charles Weekes

For his contribution to the development and promotion of spouge music.

4. Rev. Dr. Carlyle DaCosta Williams

For his contribution to religion, in particular to the Wesleyan Holiness Church.

5. Miss Sylvia Oneta Wilkinson

For her contribution to the public service.

BARBADOS SERVICE MEDAL

For meritorious work in the civil, fire, military, police, prison or other protective services or any other similar field of endeavour.

1. Ms. Joan Wilma Glasgow

For her outstanding contribution to the community.

2. Mr. Frank Herbert Reid

For his outstanding contribution to education.

3. Mr. Weldon Adolphus Spencer

For his contribution to the community and in particular his contribution to the Police Force.

4. Mrs. Marseta Bynoe-Walcott

For her contribution to community development, in particular, her work with youth and civic organisations in Christ Church.

5. Ms. Evelyn Margarette Walcott

For her contribution to the hospitality industry.


BARBADOS BRAVERY MEDAL

For acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances.

1. Mr. Terry Tyrone Omar Ifill

For his act of bravery in rescuing two visitors from drowning while swimming at Bathsheba, St. Joseph, on September 2, 2009.

2. Mr. Victor Leon Lewis

For his act of bravery in rescuing two visitors from drowning while swimming at Bathsheba, St. Joseph, on September 2, 2009.

Vincentians reject new Constitution

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves must not be in a good mood right now. Oh well, that's life. Read all about it here.

Fave Old Time Proverbs

Hi, peoples. Here's another flashback to one of my 2007 Independence posts. Enjoy.

As a "grandmother child" (i.e. child raised by grandparents), I grew up hearing a lot of Bajan proverbs and sayings that remain with me till this day. We Bajans have some very colourful sayings and here are 10 of my favourites:

10. Every fool got ‘e sense:
No matter how dull and ignorant, everybody is knowledgeable in one area or the other.


9. Cat luck en' dog luck
What one person may get away, may cause problems for another.

8. When yuh en' got horse, ride cow:
Utilize whatever resources you have available.

7. Don’t tek a six for a nine:
Do not misunderstand a person’s real intentions.

6. De berry don’ drop too far from de tree:
Children inherit traits and attitudes from their parents.

5. De higher de monkey climb, de more 'e show 'e tail:
The more you show off, the more your faults are brought to the open.

4. Evah skin-teet en' a laugh:
Not all outward signs of friendliness should be taken as genuine.

3. One smart dead at two smart door:
No matter how smart you think you are, there is somebody smarter than you.

2. Yuh could hide and buy ground but yuh can’t hide and wuk it:
It is impossible to hide your actions all the time.

1. De sea ain’t got nuh back door:
The sea is not that safe a place; take every precaution necessary.

For more proverbs, check Bajanfuhlife.com.

How to make conkies

What's Independence in Bim without conkies? Find out how to make them here.

Independence Cheese flashback

It's blue, yellow and black time again in Bim and I thought I'd share some of my fave posts from November 2007. Every day until November 30th I'll try to post one for you all.

THe first up is some pics of Bridgetown all lit up for Independence. You can find them here

Rihanna needs to wuk-up

Hey peoples! It's good to be back with you and I hope you're all well out there. Thanks for sticking around and gracias muchisimo for your mail.

Well, last night the American Music Awards went down in Los Angeles and of course home girl Rihanna took to the red carpet and the stage.





Love the cut out rose motif, hate the hair ....

And she performed a set which included the singles 'Hard' and the 'Wait Is Ova' off her new album Rated R, released today, in this outfit:



She reminds me of Charlize Theron in Aeon Flux for some reason, or that chick from the Bruce Willis movie The Fifth Element . Anyhoo, I know I'm going to get a lot of flack for this, but I gotta say that I find Rihanna's performances boring. She wears eye-catching outfits, she has a lot of props, but sorry, she needs to work on her stage presence. And I think I've found just the way for her to improve her shows. She needs to wuk up. Seriously.

It worked wonders for Shakira and Beyonce, and even Lady Gaga is trying a thing these days. All Rihanna has to do is check soca queen Allison Hinds when next she's back home for some lessons. She gine sort she out real good.

Images: theybf.com

Rihanna's 'Russian Roulette' video

Hey, peoples. Check out Rihanna's video for her new hit 'Russian Roulette', quick quick before it gets pulled down.

Serena's coming to BIM

Tennis ace Serena Williams will be in Barbados later this month for a tennis clinic for kids, and I'm pretty excited. She clawed her way back to the top of the rankings this year and really proved her metal.

Can't wait to see her, and I wonder if she's bringing her guy Common? If she does, hold me back, y'all!

Rihanna is simply GLAMOURous

Congratulations to Barbadian superstar Rihanna, who was presented with Glamour Magazine's Woman of the Year Award on Monday night. Not a bad way to end a pretty rough year.

Folks are raving over her gown, which does wonders to highlight her svelte figure, but I guess I'm not that into haute couture. I'll be kind and leave it there.




Now this gown, which she wore to an afterparty, I likey very much, though it's split so high it could cut her throat. Do you, Rih-Rih, do you.


Images: theybf.com

The Rihanna 20/20 Interview

Here's Rihanna's 20/20 interview with Diane Sawyer, aired last Friday. Although I'm skeptical in terms of the timing of the whole interview, she does sound sincere and truly shaken up by the ordeal. Hopefully she can move on with her life now.

Catching up again

Hey, peoples. I swear everytime I get bogged down in work etc, things get interesting around here and I can't get a chance to blog.

Since I last posted, we had a former PM going at it with his former deputy, and now Ms. Rih-Rih has broken her silence on the Chris Brown debacle, just in time to promote her new album....

Anyhoo, first things first.



The Owen Arthur/Mia Mottley "showdown" was an eye opener, not so much for what was said, but for what really wasn't said. Let me break it down for you folks who aren't clued into the political scene in Bimshire.

For about 14 years and up until January 1998, Barbados was led by Prime Minister Owen Arthur. In the latter stage of his administration, he had as his Deputy Mia Mottley. However, prior to the last election, he overlooked Mottley in favour of former Opposition Leader (yes I said Opposition Leader) Clyde Mascoll to be the co-leader of the Barbados Labour Party.

When the BLP's plans for re-election went to hell in a handbasket, it was alleged that that party decided to do some bloodletting, and Arthur was the chief victim. Mia Mottley was named Leader of the Oppposition and Arthur faded quietly into the sunset.

Or so it was thought. Bear in mind, Owen Arthur still had his fans, and many still believed he was the best choice to lead the BLP. That led to all kinds of perceptions of a power struggle in the BLP camp, and Ms. Mia finally put her foot down and went public, requesting a referendum of her parliamentary council on who they wanted for a leader.

Arthur didn't turn up for the vote, which Mottley won, but the next day held a press conference and put his former deputy on blast.

"The challenge facing Ms Mottley and the party is not within the parliamentary group. The challenge is to have a leader who enjoys wide aceptance and acceptability in the wider society and wide acceptance in the parliamentary party.

"That cannot be resolved by a vote among the parliamentary group," he said.

Arthur advised that his former protégée now needed to "recognise that there are things that you may like to do that could affect the standing of your party"; prepare herself for the fact that everybody was not going to like her; and immerse herself and "work harder than anybody else".

In typical Arthur style, he appeared to state his lack of interest in contesting Mottley's leadership of the party, but in fact threw her to the wolves by raising a lot of unanswered questions. And what did he mean by Mottley needing to "recognise that there are things that you may like to do that could affect the standing of your party"? You better ask a friend here in Bim, 'cause I ain't touching that one....

And now Ms. Robyn Rihanna Fenty. Girlfriend has finally gone public about her treatment at the hands of what's his name, sitting down with Diane Sawyer in an interview that will air on ABC'S 20/20 tonight. Snippets have hit the web, and I've posted two for you below.





Serious stuff. You all know Brown's camp is going to retaliate in some way, with his album coming out in a few weeks. Keep your chin up, Rih-Rih.

Rihanna will be 'Rated R' on November 23

As most of you know by now, Rihanna will be releasing her fourth album, entitled Rated R, on November 23. You can check out the promo video for the album below.



The first single Russian Roulette has already hit the airwaves, and as you can see from the photo above, she's planning to push the envelope even more, going for an even 'edgier' look.

The blogs are going nuts with folks saying the song is about her selling her soul to the devil...it's hilarious. I agree she's sold her soul...to some sweet American greenbacks. Girlfriend is doing whatever it takes to keep people interested, and that's a must, unfortunately, in the music biz these days.

Anyhoo, I prefer the old days when it was about the singer's voice, not their looks or fashion sense....

Image: theybf.com

Obama awarded Nobel Peace Prize

Congrats to President Barack Obama on being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Of course the US netowrks are falling over themselves asking if he deserves this honour.

Whatev. He didn't award himself the prize, so suck it up, critics.

Damn that Iman!

Does this woman look 54 years old? What can we say to Somalian model, actress and entrepreneur Iman but, damn that Iman!

Image: www.theybf.com

Rihanna - Best in show

Hey, peoples. Hope everyone had a good weekend. I want to welcome my newest follower Manny to the Cheese-on-Bread family!

Anyhoo, remember I told you all how Rihanna's been turning sidewalks into her own personal catwalk? Well now she's doing the same at all the fashion shows presently underway in Europe.

I can't recall the names of the shows she attended, nor the designers she wore (Jean-Paul Gaultier is in there somewhere), but here's a look at what our girl has been parading around in.

Rihanna's criss-crossed top reminds me of a haute couture mummy costume.




Obviously Rihanna real hard ears and forgot what I told her a while back about catching cold. The expression on the face of the guy in the photo says it all.


"Boots, boots, boots and more boots". Rihanna looks downright dangerous in this outfit. All she needs is a whip and horse.



With her looks, fame and money, I know Rihanna probably doesn't have one ass to worry about, but still, no need to show off, Rih-Rih!



Image: theybf.com; justjared.com

Justice for Ian

On Tuesday, September 29 just before sunset, the body of 11-year old Ian Gibson was laid to rest in the graveyard of St. Martin's Anglican Church. While the death of one so young is always tragic, in Ian's case it is even more tragic.

According to news reports, Ian's death was as a result of a sustained campaign of terror unleashed on him by two older boys. These bullies first targetted Ian at primary school, and Ian's father Victor Cadogan removed him from that school and sent him to a private institution.

Unfortunately, when Ian entered secondary school a few weeks ago, he encountered the same two bullies again. After Victor went to the school to complain about the boys' behaviour towards his son, they beat Ian so badly that he had an asthma attack.

Police were called in, the boys were warned, their parents notified. All to no avail. Two weeks ago, while trying to outrun the bullies, Ian ran blindly across the street and was struck by a car. He died a few days later at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

I did not know Ian Gibson, nor do I know his father Victor Cadogan, but when I read how this young boy died I could not help but cry. As a mother, I cannot imagine the pain Victor Gibson feels at losing his child, especially in such a senseless manner.

For most persons who survived the high school system, bullying was almost a right of passage, to be endured and forgotten once school life was over. However, many carry the scars of that abuse for life, and Ian paid for it with his.

So now we must decide - do we turn our attention to the next news story to make the headlines or demand justice for this young boy? I vote the latter, because what happened to Ian Gibson should be prevented from happening to another child in Barbados or elsewhere.

We need to reinforce to the powers that be the need to devise some kind of policy or rules to stamp out these violent acts in schools. Teachers must have the authority to discipline students whom they see abusing others, instead of being tied up in red tape and having to "wait on the Ministry".

Sure, the whole sordid episode has made bullying in schools a national debate, but what good will that do the loved ones Ian left behind? That's why I'm asking, if you condemn these act of violence in schools, make your feelings known in the comments section. I'll be emailing this post to as many persons as possible for their signatures and hopefully we can make a start in getting some justice for Ian.

ADDENDUM
Join Victor Cadogan's campaign to stamp out bullying in schools. Email your comments to justiceforian@hotmail.com. Comments will be printed and presented to PM David Thompson.

Image: The casket bearing Ian Gibson's body proceeding through a guard of honour at St. Martin's Anglican Church (Nation News.com)

Rihanna's fame goes to her head

As I said some time ago, Rihanna (or her people) knows how to play the fame game. Change your look, keep people interested and talking. Her hair has taken on a life of its own these past few months and she has turned the sidewalks of LA and New York into her own personal catwalk.


If it wasn't so hot in Barbados I would jack her for those Stella McCartney perforated boots.




I can see th girls here trying to copy this punk/skunk look...


These pants gives new meaning to the term skin-tight....



As my grandmother would say, wuh yuh could do wid de young people, nuh? Do you, Rih-Rih, do you.

Damn that Halle Berry!

We all know Halle Berry is hot. After all, her career is built on her hotness, even though having an Academy Award doesn't hurt.

But for her to look this good at 43 and after having a baby, all I can say is 'Damn that Halle Berry!'





Images: http://theybf.com

Motorcade photos, more Oval photos

Here're some of the photos from Ryan Brathwaite's motorcade from the airport to Kensington Oval, and some of the action at the Oval.



Leaving the Grantley Adams International Airport. (His longtime coach Alwyn Babb is in the orange jersey and his Kansas-based coach Matt Kane is in the yellow shirt.)





Ryan meets the Cabinet.


Proceeding through the guard of honour.


Ryan enjoys the evening's proceedings. Also seated up front are his parents, Prime Minister Thompson and other Cabinet members.

Well, that's it folks. Have a good weekend!


Credit: Charlie Pitt/BGIS

Photos from Kensington Oval

Hi, peoples. Sorry for the delay in uploading the photos from yesterday but it's been a busy day. Cheese-on-Bread contributor dreadlocs took some atmoshphere shots at Kensington Oval, as school children and adults awaited the arrival of hurdles world champion Ryan Brathwaite.



Pupils from Ryan's alma mater Lawrence T. Gay Primary anxiously await his arrival.




Students of Ryan's other alma mater, Lester Vaughan Secondary, form a guard of honour to salute the champion.




Aerial views of the stage, where Lester Vaughan Secondary School's Choir perform a tribute to Ryan.




The sun sets on the near 9,000 strong audience.


More later....