“Another pillar of the strategy was the creation of a global brand for Barbados, using modern technology. Getting Rihanna to endorse this brand, via the visitbarbados.org website saw an increase from 2,000 to 68,000 hits per week. This association with Rihanna is also expected to take the Barbados brand into 19 million homes via social media like Facebook and Instagram.“
Barbados Tourism Minister Richard Sealy on the DLP website
Category Archives: Celebrities
We discover Dominick Gravel’s blog – a creative feast for eyes and imagination
Cricket, anyone?
You know how it is surfing aimlessly on the web… you are reading something about Bristol Centaurus sleeve-valve engines and then about three clicks later you are someplace you never intended to go. Sometimes it is a treat, sometimes not – but it is all part of the adventure and fun of surfing.
And so it was that I discovered the photos of Dominick Gravel early Monday morning when I couldn’t sleep.
I’d say I “wasted” two hours at his website and blog, because I should have been sleeping so I could be human for work in the morning, but I couldn’t stop. Mr. Gravel’s photos took me around the world and every one of them was more than art. Playing lot cricket in India, school girls in Japan, riding bicycles in Nepal, a smile from the Dalai Lama, speeding across the plains of Tanzania, an alleyway in Hong Kong, releasing a captured bear somewhere. Who is this guy?
The photos draw you in. You are immersed in the colours, the stories, the action, the moment or the look in the subject’s eyes. I know that I could never do what he does no matter what training you give me. I have great equipment. Mr. Gavel has talent… No contest.
Robert
Have a look at his blog and website, but I warn you… be prepared to blow at least an hour. Well worth your time.
Filed under Celebrities
Van Cliburn and “My favourite chopping”
Memories of Auntie
Van Cliburn died yesterday and there is not one in 100 people on this island who would recognize his name, let alone know who he was: one of the first 20th Century classical pianists to have rock star cult status.
I only know who he was because Auntie lived with us for her last ten years and she had one Cliburn ‘record’ that she loved and played over and over and over. And then played some more.
But Auntie called the album “My favourite choppin” as in chopping onions, not listening to ‘show-pan’.
We never had the heart to tell her.
When I read that Van Cliburn died I thought of Auntie and it made me sad and happy at the same time. I hope you don’t mind I shared that with you.
Robert
Filed under Celebrities, Music
Rihanna attacked on London street, bottle thrown, knee cut in fall
Attacker shouted something about Chris Brown
Rihanna was not seriously injured in a fall caused when a madman attacked her as she was leaving a London club. The man threw a full drink bottle at Rihanna after shouting something about Chris Brown. Rihanna fell trying to avoid the projectile (which by some reports did not strike her) and had to go to hospital to be treated and then released.
The attacker was not apprehended, which is a little surprising.
Further Reading
DNA India: Rihanna injured by fan
Hollywood Gossip: Rihanna injured in bottle attack!
Yahoo UK: Rihanna hit after crazed fan chucks bottle at her, slices open her leg
Photo courtesy of The Examiner: Rihanna Injured
Filed under Celebrities, Rihanna
Steve Jobs one year after his death. Why did we cry this morning?
Mom? Dad? Why are you crying?
Very few people really change the world, and do it for the better. Shona and I believe that Steve Jobs did.
So we had to explain ourselves this morning to our #1 son when he found us at the table. Say what you will, doesn’t matter. We miss Steve.
Steven Paul “Steve” Jobs
February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011
Steve Jobs on death and life (Steve was a Buddhist)
From his 2005 Commencement Speech, Stanford University…
When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: “If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.” It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.
Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart…
… continue reading Steve’s commencement speech: Goodbye Steve… and thank you
Filed under Celebrities, History, Technology
Oh Harry! (What happens in Vegas… gets posted on the Internet)
HRH Prince Harry – All of ‘im
Secretly taken photos of a nude Prince Harry cavorting with a nude woman in Las Vegas seem to be causing more smiles than shock – and that’s true at our house too. “His Royal Highness is in good shape. Cute bum too!” was the first response of Shona just before she poked me in the belly. (hmmm… yes, not as taunt as it used to be, I know dear.)
So far it looks like Harry was unaware that someone was taking his photo, and that probably garners him some sympathy and leeway. If he knew and allowed the photos that would be another matter, but if some friend betrayed his trust and he didn’t notice, that shifts the perspective.
It looks like Prince Harry is another victim of the new reality: people don’t carry cell phones, they carry cameras capable of making calls. So you’d better be sure you’re with friends if you want to play strip poker, strip pool or any of the other variations that young men and women have been playing for a hundred years.
Further Oogling
TMZ.com – Prince Harry: Naked at Vegas party
Filed under Celebrities, Ethics
Ian Bourne: Oprah’s Rihanna interview “PR fluff, a travesty”
As staged as any Broadway production
For what it’s worth, we agree 100% with The Bajan Reporter. Oprah was once a serious journalist who broke important stories. She was once a skilled interviewer who was unafraid to ask ‘difficult’ questions.
It looks like those days are long gone, and gone forever…
“Where did Oprah fall down? Many areas, where to start? Since Oprah herself pointed how TIME listed “RiRi” as one of the 100 most Influential People of the Year, then knowing the Westbury girl is considered a role model whether she likes it or not, then why did Oprah not ask her about how Nivea cancelled her huge contract?
What was Rihanna’s big idea of sporting C**T on a pendant into a Catholic Church – how could Oprah miss such a thing if she is truly concerned about women’s rights? Even “RiRi” using the same jewellery when taking photos with young fans at their parents’ ire?
If this gal from Westbury is so into God and loves her Grandmother so much, then why accept a lapdance from a midget Dominatrix which could confuse and upset the old lady – you don’t think she’d hear in this day and age of Technology, if the grandmother did not view it herself then she could have been told by a neighbour? Oprah should’ve ALSO asked why Rihanna does these extreme bad things which contrasts with “RiRi’s” Cultural Ambassador status for Barbados?”
From the Bajan Reporter story Rihanna’s So-Called Interview With Oprah – What was NOT there…
Filed under Barbados, Celebrities, Rihanna
Nivea CEO trashes Rihanna contract as Barbados Tourism Authority announces her new promotional campaign
Rihanna pays strippers for oral sex show.
Can Rihanna effectively market upscale products and destinations while promoting her wild lifestyle, drugs, raunch and drunken puking in public?
by Passin thru (with Marcus)
Along with many other Bajans, Barbados Free Press sadly watched as homegirl Rihanna turned from a fresh faced young talent into a superstar queen of wild living and raunchy public displays that prove money can’t buy wisdom, class – or true happiness. Yes, I know she’s worth millions and she picked up oodles of big awards and that her music is everywhere. I like most of her music. The girl sure can sing, but sing isn’t all that this Barbados Tourism Authority spokesperson does…
The argument that the photos and scandals we’re seeing in the press are a normal young person’s missteps that only came to light because of Rihanna’s fame, doesn’t hold water when you follow her Twitter feed and realize that she herself promotes her wild lifestyle (including drugs) to her young fans.
August 8, 2012: Rihanna’s latest Twitter to the world “Typical fuck shit! Please, by all means, shock me next time…”
Rihanna actively promotes her bad behaviour through her own social media
Look, if Rihanna or any young woman wants to behave that way, that’s hardly my business in the normal course of events. I may have even been out with a few wild girls myself a few years back. I may have even looked for them as men often do.
I wouldn’t bring that type of girl home to meet the parents though. No Sir. I would have been too embarrassed to try that.
Bad girls can do what they want and it’s none of my business – except that Rihanna’s wild child life is my business when we are talking about whether her life choices might degrade her ability to properly represent Barbados.
Nivea has doubts about the value of Rihanna’s name for their purposes; should Barbados have any doubts? Continue reading
Filed under Barbados, Barbados Tourism, Celebrities, Rihanna
Rihanna back with her abuser Chris Brown – Will Oprah tell it like it is?
“I’m going to beat the shit out of you when you get home. You wait and see.”
…Chris Brown as said to Robyn Rihanna Fenty. Detailed in court documents read on Oprah’s show, March 6, 2009
Rihanna and Oprah are in Barbados today, touring about and filming for an upcoming Oprah television spot. Oprah sent out a photo to her fans of the big O being driven around the island by RiRi. And by a strange coincidence (ha ha) the Barbados Tourism Authority announced another media campaign with Rihanna in the spotlight telling about how wonderful it is in Bim. And so it is.
Then in the middle of all that positive vibe we have the news that Rihanna and Chris Brown are back together as a couple.
… and that JAY-Z has given Rihanna and Chris Brown’s relationship the seal of approval.
A little advice from Auntie Moses for all the girls including Rihanna who appears to have left her self-worth somewhere else in her travels…
“He beat you once, he beat you again. Doan fool yourself about ‘sorry’.”
“Rihanna & Chris Brown: A Violent Mix
The court also heard that, as is often the case in these couples battles, there had been previous incidents of violence by both Brown and Rihanna. The sentencing report also confirmed the rumours about Chris Brown smashing the windows and mirrors of Rihanna’s Land Rover when they were in Barbados as a couple.
Hopefully both of them will have learned something from their mutually-destructive attraction for each other. The big life lesson is this: at the first sign of abuse – whether physical or verbal – terminate the relationship immediately.
It’s just not worth it to try and save a relationship that has already deteriorated to that point. At the first hint of abuse, I’m outta there permanently…”
… from BFP’s August 26, 2009 article Chris Brown Sentenced To Probation In Rihanna Assault – Court Reveals Ongoing Assaults By Both, Confirms Barbados Land Rover Damage Rumour
Filed under Barbados, Celebrities, Rihanna
If Soca star Machel Montano came out as gay, what would happen?
Our old friend Karel McIntosh of Outlish Magazine takes a look at how mass media transforms attitudes to gays. But does the same apply to gay Soca artistes?
by Karel McIntosh Outlish Magazine
Studies show that people are likely to be less prejudiced towards gay people through parasocial contact via mass media. What this simply means is that you’re socialised through one-sided interaction. You know a lot about the other person – the celebrity who’s gay or the gay character in “Will & Grace” or “Sex & The City” – but the celebrity doesn’t know much about you.
And, through regular consumption, your prejudice levels begin to drop – most likely, I suppose, because you begin to see them as human characters, and not as “that gay man or woman”.
But does increased tolerance really mean that people are ready to see homosexuality, which is still viewed as an alternative lifestyle, represented on the big stage?
Would thousands jump up in Soca Monarch for a gay artiste? Would the grassroots in general admission go for it?
Would thousands jump up in Soca Monarch for a gay artiste? Would people be cool if a male singer put “he” where they’d have expected “she” in a song? Or would we really not care because, oh lawd…de song sweet!
Read the full Outlish Magazine article Soca and Sexuality: What if your Favourite Artiste was Gay?
Filed under Barbados, Celebrities, Culture & Race Issues, Human Rights, Music
In memory of Eva Louise Kemeny Rausing
“Through her endeavours, both with her personal involvement and charitable contribution, Eva and Hans Kristian “saved” thousands of lives – tragically not her own. This is a stark reminder that the illness of addiction knows no social class or gender.”
A message from the Kemeny family
The Kemeny family is deeply distressed by the tragedy of their daughter, Eva’s, death and have seen the widespread worldwide media coverage of her difficulties over the last few days. Eva would have wanted the memory of her life to be used to benefit others facing similar addiction challenges in their lives. The Kemeny family hopes this tribute will be used to draw attention to the tragedy of drug addiction and to generate awareness and financial support for this cause in the future. In due course they will launch a foundation.
American philanthropist, loving wife and mother, who helped countless addicts, and children
By Tom Kemeny, Eva’s father
Eva Louise Kemeny was born on 7 March, 1964 exactly nine months and one week after Nancy and I were married in Goldsboro, North Carolina on 1 June, 1963.
Eva lifted by mum Nancy
Eva was born in the Matilda War Memorial Hospital on the Peak of Hong Kong. Our darling Eva was literally delivered by me and a 16 year old assistant nurse, since the doctor had failed to show-up. When Eva was born, I wrapped her up in a towel, still attached to Nancy’s umbilical cord, and held her up to show Nancy our beautiful first born. Nancy said, “Oh, a boy!” And I said, “Not exactly, what you’re seeing is the umbilical cord.” Thus Eva entered dramatically into our world.
From Hong Kong we moved to Sydney and from there to Milan where her sister, Be, was born. We then moved to Rome in 1967, where Eva attended the original Montessori Nursery. In 1970 we moved to London and Eva first attended Garden House School, and then later Queens Gate, followed by the American School in London. She was an immensely bright, loving but very shy little girl.
We think she started experimenting with drugs in her late teens to overcome her shyness. The drug dependency impacted poor Eva, and her attendance, at Occidental College in Los Angeles.
After attending many drug rehabilitation centres in the USA and the UK, Eva finally recovered in the late 1980′s. Her recovery was strong and, as is customary in the 12-Step Programme, she went around London and the UK sharing her life and experiences to explain that recovery is possible and to give hope and support to others. This became a major defining endeavour in her short life: to help others, especially those with drug addictions. Continue reading
Filed under Barbados, Celebrities, Health
