Obama feted at the Lincoln Memorial

The Presidential inaugural festivities kicked off yesterday with the 'We are One' celebration at the Lincoln Memorial.



With the imposing statue of Abraham Lincoln serving as a backdrop, musicians paid tribute to the man who will be the 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Obama. Mary J. Blige, Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen, John Legend, Bono, Cheryl Crow and others performed at the stirring ceremony to a massive crowd of appreciative, if chilled supporters.



Of course the cute First Kids, Sasha and Malia, were there to support their Daddy.



You can watch the video of Obama's speech at the Lincoln Memorial below.



Tomorrow's the big day, peoples! Where will you be at 12 noon?

Photos: www.ybf.com

Miracle on the Hudson

Who says miracles don't happen? The crash landing of US Airways Flt 1549 in the Hudson River and the survival of all on board can only be attributed to a higher power. Well done Captain Sullenberger and crew and above all, thank God.

Rihanna is Billboard's #1

Congrats go out to Bajan superstar and Def Jam recording artist Rihanna, who has been named Billboard's #1 Pop Artist of the year. The "Good Girl Gone Bad" songstress and fashionista took home three American Music Awards and sold 11 million copies worldwide of her chart-toping album last year.

Not a bad way to start the year at all. Well done, girl.

Obama's letter to his daughters

Hey, peoples. Well, the countdown is on...only six more days before President-elect Barack Obama becomes the 44th President of the United States. I hope to step up my inauguration coverage over the next few days to mark this special occasion.

President-elect Obama recently penned a special letter to his daughters, which was featured in Parade magazine. You can check it out here.

Awwww.


Photo: www.ybf.com

Red carpet from the BMA's

As promised, here're some of the red carpet pics from last Sunday's Barbados Music Awards, thanks to Bajanfuhlife.com.

First, the men....


These two dapper dudes looked like they were thrilled to be on the red carpet


Hmm. Sweater over a shirt and tie. Channeling old Jay-Z much? The colours are interesting though.


I don't know where this poor soul thought he was going...


Where to start? The ill-fitting pants, the shoe and jacket matching thing, drinking on the red carpet...so many fashion snafus, so little time.

Then there were the ladies...


These ladies brought a splash of colour to the red carpet.


Out-going US Ambassador Mary Ourisman missed her calling as a fashion model.


This duo opted for more conservative colours on the night.

And finally, the copules...

Nominee Buggy and his companion made a cute couple.


Reigning Calypso Monarch Adrian Clarke and his wife couldn't go unnoticed on the night.


Multiple BMA winner David Kirton and his wife Noelle have contrasting styles but still complement each other.

That's all for now, folks. Have a good weekend!

Grenada pulls up saggy pants

For a long time now one of my pet peeves has been the saggy pants worn by young men these days. Not only do they look idiotic, but they stand the risk of tripping and falling on their silly heads.

I was therefore pleased to see that lawmen in Grenada have launched a campaign targeting youngsters who show their underwear in public by wearing their pants below their waistline.

According to the Nation Newspaper, the crusade is the latest of several new initiatives introduced by new police commissioner James Clarkson, who was sworn in shortly after last July's general election.

"There [are] some people, especially young men, who forgot at this point where their waist in their body is. They think their waist is by their knees," said Clarkson, who has also served in police forces in New York and Trinidad and Tobago.

"We need morals back in our society; so we are going to address this problem and remind them," he said.

The so-called "sagging pants" trend has been linked to the international hip hop culture but is said to have its roots in prisons where inmates' pants often hang off their butts because they are not allowed to wear belts.

Grenadian youngsters have also caught on to this growing fashion trend, made popular on videos of the rap genre and which has been a major subject of debate in the United States where some states have passed laws banning the practice.

Now, don't get me wrong. I don't believe in a police state, 'cause frankly it's crazy that lawmen have to waste their precious time to tell grown folks how to dress properly. I'm just glad someone is taking a stand on this parade of boxers and briefs going on. I mean, fellas, you look like you got up off the throne and forgot to fix yourselves properly. Get yourselves sorted. It's a new year.

Photo: http://img.thesun.co.uk

Seacrest...in

Most people know that Barbados is the favourite haunt at this time of year of American Idol judge Simon Cowell, and this time around he's invited along his sometimes nemesis but obvious good bud Idol host Ryan Seacrest.

The two were recently spotted taking in some jet ski action on the west coast.




Double dang. If they take Idol outdoors I just might start watching it again....

Photos: www.justjared.com

Barbados Music Awards Winners

Square One

So, another Barbados Music Awards show has come and gone and this year seemed a little low-keyed to me. Maybe because star girl Rihanna wasn't in attendance? Nevertheless, kudos to producer Ronnie Morris for once again staging the event, especially in the current economic environment where sponsorship is hard to come by.

This year, mega soca band Square One were the recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award, while the International Lifetime Achievement Award went to R&B songstress Regina Belle.



The Living Legend Award went to songwriter extraordinaire Anthony Walrond, while a posthumous Award of Merit was bestowed on artist Winston Jordan. Several Cornerstone Awards were presented to the band Ivory, cultural icon Wayne 'Poonka' Willock, actress Myrle Niles and broadcaster Win Calendar.

Some of the main winners of the night were:

Best New Artist - Stabby De Guard


Soca (up-tempo) Single - Blood- That Is What I Talking Bout


Reggae Artist of the Year - David Kirton
www.davidkirton.com


R&B / Soul Artist - Hal Linton
www.crsmusic.com


Song of the Year - Shontelle- T-Shirt
www.gossiponthis.com


Video of the Year (Female) - Rihanna- Disturbia


Band of the Year - Krosfyah
www.decooler.com


Songwriter of the Year - Edwin Yearwood
www.afromontreal.com


Female Entertainer Of The Year - Rihanna


Male Entertainer of the Year - Khiomal


Platinum Certification - Soca Queen - Alison Hinds


Award of Excellence - Peter Ram


Tomorrow, the red carpet critique.

Photos: www.bajanfuhlife.com

Shontelle's 'T-shirt' Video

Happy New Year, my fine peoples! Here's wishing you all God's blessings in the coming year.

To get this party started, I'll begin with a video from up and coming international star, our own Bajan beauty Shontelle. Her first single T-shirt took the airwaves by storm and incidentally, was named Song of the Year at last night's Barbados Music Awards (more on the awards later).

The talented Shontelle is also a great songwriter, having penned "Roll" for Allison Hinds and the song "Battle Cry" which is on Barack Obama's celebratory album. She also made Rihanna drop and give her push-ups when they were in Cadets together, so you know she don't play.

Enjoy and later on in the week I'll bring you some pix from the awards.

Cheese-on-Bread 2008 Ministerial Awards Pt. 3

The final Ministerial awards are:

The Firestarter Award
This award goes to the Minister who knows how to light a fire under the projects he undertakes. A former DLP administration had a firestarter in Harcourt Lewis, the just departed BLP administration had one in Dame Billie Miller. Good things are expected from this currrent firestarter and I'm sure he won't disappoint.


The award goes to Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment, Urban and Rural Development, Christopher Sinckler

The One-to-Watch
Every now and then there's a Minister who gives off a good vibe, who appears to have the potential to go far in the political sphere. It's early days yet, but the vote of confidence he just received from the PM says a lot.
The winner of this award is:


Minister of Health, Donville Inniss


And the final award is the Minister of the Year. This award goes to the hardest working Minister of the year, the one who didn't let the grass grow under his feet atall. His tireless efforts to secure homes for the people of Barbados have been commendable. Without further ado, the Minister of the year is...


Minister of Housing and Lands, Michael Lashley. Good job, Minister.


Anyhoo, Happy New Year you fine peoples. Be safe out there.

Cheese-on-Bread 2008 Ministerial Awards Pt.2

Here we go again with the awards...

The Strongest Sex Appeal
No, it's not what you think. The recipient of this award did not win based on his physical attributes, but instead because of his recent comments in the House of Assembly. He created a furore by urging his Cabinet colleagues to declare their sexual orientation so that they wouldn't be considered "hyocrites" when they discuss matters of a sexual nature. He's either real brave or mad as wuh....


The winner is Minister of State, Education and Human Resource Development, Patrick Todd


The Nice Guy Finish Last Award
Now don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with being a nice guy. However, politics ain't got a thing to do with being nice, and these two appear a little too laid back, especially when it comes to claiming their share of the spotlight. They may be getting the job done, but if they don't hype themselves they're going to get left in the lurch. They were both given a second chance recently; I suggest they pick up the ball and run like the wind.

Tied for this award are:


Minister of Int'l Business and Int'l Transport, George Hutson and


Minister of the Environment, Water Resources and Drainage, Dr. Denis Lowe


The Macbeth Award
"Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."

People expected so much from this award winner. In opposition he fussed and fretted and shadowed to the hilt, only to fade into the pale as a government minister. In all fairness he had an insurmountable task and maybe the recent change in portfolio will do him some good. The winner is:


Former Minister of Health, currently Minister of Economic Affairs, Empowerment, Innovation, Trade, Industry and Commerce, Dr. David Estwick.


The Foot-in-Mouth Award
Every Cabinet has one of these; the Minister who can't seem to open his or her mouth without ticking off someone. Whether you call them frank or tactless, they can sure do with a copy of Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People.

The winner is:


Minister of Education and Human Resource Development, Ronald Jones


The final awards tomorrow....

Cheese-on-Bread Ministerial Awards for 2008

Hey, peoples. Hope everyone had a good Christmas and it was filled with love and cheer and all that fuzzy stuff.

So, it's almost been a year since the DLP took over the reins of government here in Bimshire and I haven't really blogged much about their progress so far because frankly I didn't have the time. Not to mention, I wanted to give them a chance to get down to work. Tis only fair, right?

Anyhoo, I think enough time has passed that we can get a measure of the men and women of Cabinet and to pass out some year-end awards in the following categories:


The Most Eloquent Minister
Most politicians like to talk, even though many of them don't often make sense. This award goes to the Minister who not only has a way with words, but appears to have the heart of a poet. The winner is...


Deputy Prime Minister and Attorney General, Freundel Stuart.


The runner-up in this category was Minister of Culture Steven Blackett, who is a former broadcaster and can make the simplest sentence sound real sweet.

The Most Photogenic Minister
The winner in this category won't come as a surprise. Never before has a Minister of Government other than a Prime Minister received so much press coverage, and did the camera ever love her! Hands down, the most camera friendly Minister was...


Minister of Family, Youth Affairs and Sport, Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo. She's much quieter these days but who knows what 2009 will bring.


More awards later....

Chrianna heads home (his) for the Holidays

Everybody's fave loved-up R&B crooners Chris Brown and Rihanna are apparently spending Christmas in his hometown of Tappahannock, Virginia.



The two were also spotted getting their groove on in a Paris nightclub last weekend.



Well do your thing then, Chrianna. Hope you two have a Merry Christmas and if you can't be good, be careful.

Photo: Young, Black & Fabulous

Stanford downsizes the Legends

I knew that we hadn't heard the last of that ongoing saga between Texan billionaire Sir Allen Stanford, the West Indies Cricket Board and Digicel.

News broke a few days ago that Sir Allen had suddenly dissolved the Stanford 20/20 board of directors, throwing into doubt his future involvement in Caribbean cricket.

The Texan billionaire, who has pumped more than US$100 million into the sport since 2006, will apparently conduct a full review of his 2008 programme before outlining his plans for the 2009 programme next month.

If you recall, there was major wrangling earlier this year between the WICB and Digicel, which was claiming that the Stanford Superstars team chosen to play in Stanford's Super Series was a West Indies team and the dispute went before the London Court of International Arbitration, who agreed with Digicel.

Anyhoo, Stanford has now gone and dissolved his 20/20 board, which comprises 12 legends of West Indies cricket, - Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Everton Weekes, Reverend Wes Hall, Lance Gibbs, Sir Vivian Richards, Andy Roberts, Joel Garner, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Richie Richardson, Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh.

I was always concerned that Stanford's love affair with West Indies cricket would come to a bad end one day. He has what the business of cricket needs to operate efficiently (plenty moolah), but I always felt that the commercialising of cricket has led to its downfall in the region.

I'm not in a position to say what WI cricket needs, Lord knows they've tried everything except an exorcist. All I can say is that it looks bad to open a paper and see that a WI cricket legend has been fired....

Size 10 farewell for George Dubya

Hey, peoples. By now most of you must have heard about the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at U.S. President George W. Bush. I missed the video on the news and checked around for it online, and after watching it I decided why not post it up.

All I can say is that it's a good thing the guy wasn't firing a gun, 'cause he can 'pelt' straight, as we Bajans would say. It's only because of Bush's quick reflexes (then again he's been ducking for the past two terms) that he missed. The Secret Service really fell down on the job, I thought one of them would have thrown themselves in front of Bush and taken the shoe for him, haha. They best step up their game when the new sheriff hits town in January....

Happy Holidays from the Obamas!

Hey peoples. Well, it's that holly jolly time again, the time for good cheer and all that jazz. To get you you in the mood, here's a holiday video from the President-elect of the USA Barack Obama and his family. Sigh...I never get tired of saying that.:)