Random thoughts on experiences and matters of interest. Hoping to foster a vibrant community of readers and contributors. It's the next iteration of Buzzing Around, which began as a school project.
Just after midnight, at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, the world welcomed it's newest republic - the Caribbean island of Barbados! 😊
Greetings to everyone who visited the page since the end of October.👋
Those of you who are not new to the blog know that in November the focus is on things Barbadian.
As I considered this November's topic, I wanted to pay tribute to a deceased trio who excelled in very different ways. Then Prime Minister, the Hon. Mia Mottley threw a Republic inauguration surprise - by announcing Robyn Rihanna Fenty as Barbados' 11th National Hero. Rihanna and her success has been one of my fave subjects in recognition of Barbados' Independence celebrations as you will see when you follow the links all the way back to my first feature on her for a school project.
Rihanna sits pretty at Barbados' inaugural Republic Status celebrations
Still I cannot post this blog without a few words on the late Dennis "DJ" Johnson, who died on November 2, 2021. He interviewed me and the team from work on more than one occasion during promotional segments and I used to work with his wife, Joycelyn. They would give me a lift to work on several occasions when they saw me at the bus stop decades ago. So I had to acknowledge his passing - publicly.
This much-loved veteran broadcaster was known for his frank comments as a talk show host of a popular call-in programme, "Down to Brass Tacks", and his exquisite musical taste when he was on-duty as an announcer - among other admirable traits. Minister of Home Affairs, Information and Public Affairs, the Hon. Wilfred Abrahams gave a fitting tribute on the late broadcaster.
Veteran broadcaster, Dennis Johnson, at the mic doing what he loves
Other Barbadians who recently died and who made an indelible mark on Barbados in their specific fields of expertise were entrepreneur as well as Barbados and regional cricket legend, Rawle Brancker, and business magnate Sir Charles Williams, whose company literally "Moved the earth to please" as their popular slogan states in keeping with their major work as road builders and upscale real estate developers. May they rest in peace.
In tribute to these remarkable men, here is Edwin Yearwood's cover of Moving On(he is not featured, only the studio team).
For those who have not realized it, Barbados now has a President - Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason. So, the island has a female Prime Minister, a new and only second female National Hero, and a new female President.
Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason
Here's to the world's newest republic - Barbados! 🥂
Keeping Buzzy took a trip around the world over the last few weeks. So I greet those who visited the page from: Barbados, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Moldova, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States of America. 👋
Having missed a few month's entries, I am writing 2 for this month on a similar theme - favourite historical dramas - this time from the Western hemisphere.
So happy viewing...
Bridgerton:
I was late to the party. Having been preoccupied with the Korean dramas and not having subscribed to Netflix, when an Fb contact mentionned how much she was enjoying it earlier in the year, I wasn't even curious.
Then, when my computer crashed recently and I had to spend a whole weekend not being able to watch anything on my computer, I decided to get a Fire Stick. Guess What? It had to be configured. So I went a weekend with no access to anything other than cable - yawn. The smartphone is old...not much memory...no help in this situation.
My first subscription on getting back the computer and having the Fire Stick in hand - Netflix. First drama watched - Bridgerton! Colourful. Diverse cast. RJP as the Duke - 👍👍.Then there are my fave girls, Penelope and Eloise - both unconventional for their time. If you haven't watched it, I'll say no more. Click for the trailer.
Rather than the Duke of Hastings, RJP turned his character into a Duke of Hearts!
Downton Abbey:
Before Bridgerton, there was Downton Abbey - 5 seasons of it. Stellar cast. Sumptuous costumes. Witty barbs from the Dowager Countess. The only series I've ever watched in parts more than once.
The Downton Abbey Cast
Poldark:
Another British series developed from novels with a heartthrob for a male lead and an excellent cast. A tortured Poldark returns from fighting in the American Civil War to find his first love married to his cousin 💔. This marks the beginning of a new love story.
A much-loved couple, Poldark and Demelza
A Caribbean Dream:
Can any of you imagine a Shakespeare play with a Barbadian twist? That is what A CaribbeanDream is and it was brilliantly done. Check this trailer for the showing in the UK. Vibrant. Exotic even. Just wonderful to view. 👍👍
As Barbados will be declared a republic in 30 days, perhaps I should have led with A Caribbean Dream? Home drums should beat first.
A warm welcome to my readers from across the globe. Today I highlight those who visited the blog from: Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Vietnam, Barbados, Canada, USA, France, Russia, Germany, Ukraine.👋
I know it's been a while, I did not get to do a post in September - my spare time online was spent watching k-dramas. Yes, I'm a fan of Hallyu as a prior post shows. So today, I'm going to share on some of my fave k-dramas and one classic Chinese drama. To view the videos, you can click on the links and they will pop up in a new window. I'm using this method as a friend said she doesn't see the videos when I embed them - and she is not the only one I'm sure. My goal is for you to enjoy the blog and get the full effect.
Scarlet Heart
After watching the Korean version, I decided to watch the Chinese drama on which it was based - and it provided considerable clarity and much enjoyment. The Chinese version also had three beautiful ballads for their OST. This one, Seasons of Waiting, is especially catchy and a definite favourite.
In this image 4th Prince Yinzhen (future Emporor Yongzhen) is imagining Rouxi dancing for his eyes only. It was a beautiful scene.
Scarlet Heart Ryeo
So I can also share Three Inches of Heaven, I had to feature the Korean version - also quite entertaining. I put off viewing it when I saw a clip of what Wang So (4th Prince) did to not leave the palace. I cringed. Still it was the first time seeing actor Kang Ha-Neul and for such a young man he so rocked in the role of the 8th Prince that he won an award for the performance. Since then, I've seen him playing a schoolboy in The Heirs and most recently as the father of On Dal (the male lead), General On Hyeop (seen in the next video), in River Where The Moon Rises (which will become a classic in time).
The leads of Scarlet Heart Ryeo (l-r) Lee Joon-ki, IU and Kang Ha-Neul.
River Where The Moon Rises
This is a brand new k-drama, released earlier this year. The original stars were Kim So-Hyun and Ji Soo (one of the princes in Scarlet Heart Ryeo), however he was changed due to a personal scandal - and Koreans don't mess with actors involved in scandals, they are rejected from film projects. This turned off some fans, then the film's popularity just grew and grew with the new lead - Na In-Woo, who was so awesome in the role of On Dal that he received a national award nomination for Best New Actor.
The actor who beat Na In-Woo to the award for Best New Actor was Lee Do-Hyeon who plays the 18 year-old version of the male lead. I saw 17 Again with Zac Effron and it was quite delightful so I could not miss viewing the Korean verison and it was very heart-warming. Do-Hyeon was outstanding in the role. Still, I would've given Na In-Woo that award though. Both young men are quite talented actors. I can't speak Korean but these dramas are very emotive and for the most part the subbers give a good enough translation for me to get the gist of what they're saying. Lee Do-Hyeon as second lead of sorts impressed in Hotel del Luna also.
I really shouldn't complain for who can resist that face? Click on the link above for a great intro to the drama.
These are just a few of the k-dramas among my favourite things. If I had to feature every one I like (and that is most of them) that's all I'd be writing about for the rest of the year.
August 1 is celebrated in Barbados as Emancipation Day, so today will be a bit of a history lesson.
First though, let me greet the reader/s from Singapore who helped to increase my viewership to more than 3,500. Thank you. 🎊Also shouting out the visitors from Vietnam, USA, Barbados, Canada, France and Sweden, who checked the blog in the last month.
Emancipation Day is the day on which the emancipation of black African Slaves occurred in the British colonies in 1834 - although the Act was passed the year prior. First, though, it may be useful to understand how slavery came about in Barbados - one of the first colonies established in the "New World" and unfortunately the blueprint for slavery in north American colonies. This BBC documentary provides magnificent views of rural Barbados and is a fine introduction to the concept of plantation life for those who do not know it:
The Sugar Plantations of British Barbados [Source: Whitehall Moll History Clips, June 2020]
There are many in my country who do not understand the effect of centuries of instutionalized slavery on the psyche of people today, when there is debate about reparations to these colonies for the damage done to their people by the historical practice of slavery.
Indeed, the movement in England to free the slave labourers was fuelled by uprisings and resistance throughout the colonies over the four decades prior. Barbados' most renowned rebellion occurred in April 1816 and one of its leaders became a national symbol for the fight for freedom, the Right Excellent Bussa. Here is a dramatisation of an interview with him by the local Government Information Service:
Back from the Past - Episode 1 - The Right Excellent Bussa [Source: thebgis, April 2015]
A statue called the Emancipation Statue, and commonly called the "Bussa Statue" is the location for a march and speeches every Emancipation Day - that is why I featured the Bussa interview above.
This brief clip provides another perspective on his contribution to the fight for freedom from slavery in Barbados.
National Heroes Promo - The Right Excellent Bussa [Source: thebgis, April 2018]
As always, I like to feature the work of a local artiste, this time it is spoken word by Adrian Greene:
Emancipation Poem, Adrian Greene [Source: NCF Barbados, August 2019]
Of course, I cannot sign off without a song and this is one of my faves of all time from the man voted entertainer of the 20th century, Bob Marley.
Bob Marley & the Wailers - Redemption Song [Source: Bob Marley, February 2020]
"Old Pirates, yes, they rob I. Sold I to the merchant ships, minutes after they took I from the bottomless pit..." Sounds like Bussa's experience of his capture, doesn't it? Of course, Marley goes on to sing: "But my hands were made strong by the power of the Almighty. We forward in this generation triumphantly." Those are words of hope and speak to the progress these West Indian island nations were making as they evolved politically, socially and economically in the post-colonial and post-Independence era. Thanks to the Sars-Cov-2 pandemic, we've been thrown a curve ball. Only time will tell how we progress from here.
I'm celebrating more than 3,400 visits to the page. 🍹Here's to you who visited from the USA, Barbados, Canada, Turkey and St. Vincent & the Grenadines in the last month. I always appreciate your visits.
The month of May is recognised in Barbados as Child Month. I so wanted to feature a young environmentalist, however it did not work out for May. Now, let me introduce you to Maria Marshall, an award-winning environmental activist. Better late than never, we say in Barbados when an opportunity is almost missed.
Maria rose to prominence, both nationally and internationally, when her environmental video received a UN award. This message to reduce, reuse, recycle and repair is the winning video in the UNDP SIFF (Small Island Future Fest 2019) and the award-winning video for the 2019 National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA) - a local showcase for creative arts.
Little Thoughts On Big Matters [Source: Little Thoughts On Big Matters, 2020]
So, who is Maria Marshall? Let's see what she reveals in this video highlighting her love of the environment and her parents' role in developing that interest.
A Little Look At Maria [Source: Little Thoughts On Big Matters, 2020]
Then there was the winsome interview with Orlando Bloom, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador - who wouldn't be excited to be interviewed by Orlando Bloom?
Orlando Bloom discusses sustainability with 11-year-old Maria for World Children's Day [Source: UNICEF, 2020]
Since then, Maria has shared tips on dealing with volcanic ash - remember the impact of volcanic ashfall on Barbados was the subject of my last write up - and she highlighted the importance of water conservation and preservation for World Water Day 2021.
I usually end my musings with a song. Lyrically, I liked Michael Jackson's "Heal the World" best to match today's subject - although the video was for ending war. You can follow the links for the videos.
Turtle swimming - Beaches around Barbados are nesting sites for turtles.
I want to thank Maria's Dad, Neil Marshall, for giving permission for me to share her videos today. I hope you enjoy viewing her work.
Join me in telling Maria: "Well done!" 👍👍
If you have young ones at home, gather them to view her "Little Thoughts On Big Matters". Let's all do our part to heal this world, this one environment that we have to live in.
Warm greetings to everyone who visited the blog! 👋 I acknowledge visits from you who live in Bolivia, Mexico, Qatar, here in Barbados, Greece, India, USA, UAE, Canada, Russia and Portugal. I hope you visit again soon. Remember to view web version, depending on your device.
Today is National Hero's Day. I've featured some of them already, so today I'll focus on the day volcano ash covered this island.
La Soufrière Volcano in the nearby island of St. Vincent, part of a small archipelago with the islands of the Grenadines, erupted on April 9, 2021. That was the first of several eruptions. Barbados was placed on a warning for potential ash fall from then and for several days. The real damage occurred on Saturday, April 10, 2021, when people awoke and wondered why outside was overcast - only to discover there was ongoing ashfall. It was worse in the north of the island. By the next day, the south was badly affected. Over that weekend Barbados was affected from north to south by ashfall. Checkout this family's experience on April 10. It seems they decided to live in Barbados for a while and have been documenting their life in Barbados on Youtube.
La Soufrière Volcanic Eruption - Barbados Ash Fall Part I, The Flip the Script Family [April 2021]
It is fascinating viewing. Yes, my car looked like that too. Actually I refused to clean my car except for the windows, rearview mirrors and windscreens for two weeks because on the road as large vehicles zipped by and covered my little car in dust, it would have been a waste of time. I only recently tried to clear some small areas of my property. It's been an experience for sure.
This is not the first time Barbados was affected by La Soufrière. In 1979, it erupted and an ash cloud came to Barbados (also in the month of April) but most of us alive at the time, do not recall such sustained ashfall or that degree of cleaning.
In my research, it seems that La Soufrière erupts early in the century as the last really significant eruption to affect Barbados was in 1902. Prior to that, recorded eruptions were 1812 and 1718 - so except for 1979, an eruption occurs in the first couple of decades of a new century. An eruption was due.
One of Barbados' eminent creative writers and educators, now deceased, Kamau Brathwaite wrote "The Dust" to commemorate the effects of the 1902 eruption on Barbados. He was writing in a spoken word style before "spoken word" artistes were fashionable. In this excerpt, Merle Collins reads from "The Dust" in celebration of his 90th birthday in May 2020.
Night 15: Merle Collins reading Kamau Brathwaite's The Dust, Kamau Brathwaite Remix Engine [May 2020]
Her accent is not Barbadian, but you get the gist.
Staying with the dust theme, when I was a youth, we would say someone "dusted" the competition to describe being soundly beating in a race, a sport, any kind of competition where the leader wins by a large margin. So in parting, I will share the work of another renowned Caribbean artiste, David Rudder, who is a multiple calypso competition winner in Trinidad. This one was a fine tribute for the steel-pan bands when competing in the steel pan competitions during Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival celebrations. The winner would "dust" the competition. Listen to David Rudder's Dust in Dey (pronounced "day") Face. Do you hear that pan? The sweetest sound in the world, I say every time.
This month, I want to greet readers from the USA, Canada, Brazil and India! Hello there. 👋Good to see you visited. Remember thsi is best viewed in Desktop format, no matter the device.
I'm still amazed at how popular V.I.P. is! I hope those of you reading get the message and share it with young people you know.
It's almost the end of the month of March 2021. This has been quite a month.
It began with the furor over Meghan Markle's claims that she experienced racism in the palace. I fully understand why she made the revelation. What would her children think 15 years later when they discover some of the horrid comments about her in the British press, if she never gave her perspective? They need to know her side. I say bravo to Prince Harry for leaving the Royals to protect his family. Some men (race does not matter) do not take their wife's side against blood relations/connections. That I call shameful.
Racism is everywhere. It needs to be revealed. I was introduced by a relative, who looks white, as a "friend" when I was young. I understood why. I continued to interact with the relative. I still recall when as a young adult visiting family (who look white) at a local hotel, I noted the surprise on the security person's face when I explained that "I'm taking my cousin (a rosy, red-haired 3-year-old) back to his room." He said nothing.
That leads me to ask you who have children, to raise them to respect others who are different - racially or who have various challenges. The experience that rankles most with me was being harassed by some brats in a cinema. It was just us. The little tyrants chose to pelt hard candy throughout the movie. One landed no more than a foot from my foot and I was sitting ahead of them and several seats to their left. So it was purposely done. I was not in their line of fire. At the time I was twice their age and wanted to do nothing more than to put each of them over my knee and give them 3 hard slaps on their backsides (not being polite enough to use the term "bottom") and give them 3 months of community service in a non-white neighbourhood. I was an international student, they're not my children so I could do nothing but complain to the duty manager afterward. I was refunded since there was no attendant in the cinema - and there should've been so they would behave their bratty selves. Other than that I've never been uncomfortable looking different from those around me on the train, the plane, the bus, when travelling. I stopped caring what people say about me a long time ago.
Then Bachelor Nation was rocked when their first African-American bachelor, whose choice for partner was the white woman, split up on learning she had made racially-bigotted comments in the past. I understood that too. While their children would be no darker than Harry's and Meghan's children (they'd look white), they still have to be raised to understand the reality of their dad's existence - being followed around in a mall, possibly being stopped by police in a certain neighbourhood. It was good to see that he was conscious enough to know why the relationship could not continue. Of course it's pretty obvious she was smitten but she couldn't wrap her head around his reality. Hopefully they both have a happy outcome in the future.
Now we have anti-Asian sentiment in the USA and another African-American man lost his life at the hands of the police, this time in Virginia. Not going there again.
This month was Awards season. 👍👍 to the Golden Globes for showing some diversity. Andra Day won the Best Actress Award for her portrayal of Billie Holliday in the United States vs. Billie Holliday (basically she was targetted for highlighting in song the dastardly practice of lynching, mostly African-American men, in the southern states) and it is a much more gritty portrayal than the sweetness and light of Diana Ross' 1970s portrayal in Lady Sings the Blues.
Andra Day makes her acting debut as Billie Holliday
The late Chadwick Boseman won the Best Actor Golden Globe posthumously. He was in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, in which one of my fave actresses, Viola Davis, stars; her portrayal of Ma Rainey looks quite brassy and brash. Daniel Kaluuya won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting actor in Judas and the Black Messiah (depiction of the 1960s/70s pro-black militant Black Panther movement). Chloé Zhao, of Asian heritage, won the Golden Globe Best Director award for Nomaland, while Soul (featuring the voice of African-American actor, Jamie Fox) won the Golden Globe for Best Animation. I say kudos to the Golden Globes for that.
Still, none of these was my subject for March. The Christian community celebrated Lent (a time of reflection on the temptation and ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, the Christ) in March. Many, even non-believers try to give up or sacrifice something in Lent - a popular television programme, an unhealthy eating habit. One Lent I started a liquid fast one day a week. It was hard. Then I got used to it. It turned out to be rather therapeutic. I continued it. Last year I tried a Passover meal. It was quite good. Did not plan for it this year. March 27, 2021, was Passover. March 28, 2021, is Palm Sunday - when the Christian community remembers Y'shua's triumphant entry into Jerusalem on a colt. People sang "Hosanna" and greeted him as king. Within a week, they called for his death. It was never my favourite season, yet it is the most critical observance in the Christian calendar. His death made possible his resurrection. His death made possible our salvation. Most people, even churchgoers, do not fully understand it. Check this Palm Sunday service from the James Street Methodist Church. The message was quite riveting.
As it is the most sobering season in the Christian faith, I decided to go for the gospel and share some children's messages. Gather the young ones around and listen...
First up is a message for children on love with Pastors David (from China) and Nicholas (Trinidadian) who tell us that love makes all the difference using a scientific experiment, before they are joined by Bro. Bolsom (from Africa) on the drums...
Methodist Church of Barbados Children's Corner July 26, 2020 [Source: James Street Methodist Church Media Team, August 2020]
This message is an encouragement for students as they transition from one class or school to the next, having completed their exams, as well as a showcase of some Barbadian culture. Check the diversity of this group. We're all one people.
Methodist Church of Barbados Children's Corner August 23, 2020 [Source: James Street Methodist Church Media Team, September 2020]
I will end on a positive note by sharing the music of one of Barbados' music ministers, Pastor John Yarde, who collaborated with Nathanael to "Count Your Blessings". Please teach your children to be grateful and kind, to count their blessings. They are all around us.
John Yarde feat Nathanael - Count Your Blessings (Official Music Video) [Source: John Yarde, January 2020]
