Never a dull moment

Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

My dears, it has been said elsewhere that when someone is determined to commit suicide, there's absolutely no need to murder him, and it would seem that is definitely the case with Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who seems hell-bent on committing political suicide!

The only problem is, the Jamaica Labour Party leader has opted to play out his political suicidal bid in the public arena, forcing all and sundry to observe the spectacle, and were it not for the tragedy of it all for good governance, one might have been inclined to applaud his demise. Sadly, when our leaders fall short, it is the country that is left to not only pay the price but also to pick up the pieces, so there can be no joy, schadenfreude or otherwise, in Mr Golding's determination and path of implosion.

Anyway, it should be clear to Golding and his bird-shooting entourage by now that the sport - if killing animals for fun can be called a sport - does not embrace him with the same passion he embraces it, as this is the second or third time that he has become the PR casualty of such an outing, so enough already!

Anyway luvs, the spectre of yet another scandal swirling around the administration made for good copy and cocktail chit-chat as it did the rounds, once again underlining the fact that there's never a dull moment here in Jamaica, but oh for a return to the promised platform of governance!

Ben johnson autobiography

Then the one-time ace sprinter, Jamaican-Canadian Ben Johnson, is all set to rock his adopted country of Canada with his new book, From Seoul To Soul, in August, as he goes on a book and autograph tour to promote his autobiography.

No confirmation yet, but the buzz is a Jamaican stop is in the works. Then California residents Pepe and Ann-Margaret Olmos jetted in last week for a few days of rest and relaxation at their resort of choice, naturally, Hedonism II in fabulous Negril. Also jetting in for a some fun and sun is New York-based publicist and writer Dave Rodney.

And people are still talking about Caribbean Fashionweek (CFW), and the buzz is, it was all good with the talent finds of the season being new Negril-based young model Canaan Wallace, who is now being touted from Negril to New York as the hottest new face to have emerged on the Jamaican fashion scene since Oraine Barrett!

The other find was not on stage but young ace photographer Luca Khouri. The buzz is that the young Khouri, who was apprenticed at Pulse, was so impressive at CFW that a number of international designers and models are now queuing to have the hot new talent shoot them with his fab-fresh new perspective, as they say he is all set to light up the world of international photography.

And speaking of fab events, people and places, my dears, the rush is now on to secure reservations at Negril's preferred resorts for this year's staging of 'summer of fun and frolic' with the annual staging of Smirnoff Dream Weekend and the attendant parties and fab lymes! Pumpkins, it promises to be an Independence weekend to remember. All bets are off as the story is that the events are now receiving more bookings from overseas guests, so the stampede is on, and then some.

Birthdays

Then happy birthday wishes to: the lovely Debra Collins; the fab Rashida Bryan; and David Brooks, in Linstead, St Catherine, who all celebrate their birthday today.

Celebrating tomorrow will be: architect Christopher Whyms-Stone; songbird Jana Bent; the affable Paul Morrison; the gorgeous Marcia Clarke-Gallow; Sandenia Francis in Ocho Rios; Michelle Giester in Toronto, Canada; and James Washington in Chicago, Illinois. On Sunday, Glynne Manley, Kevin Thompson of La Face Models, artiste manager Nicky Nembhard, Ricardo Austin and former social activist Larry Chang, now resident of Washington, DC, all share the same birthday.

On Monday, the iconic Maxine Walters, the lovely Sarah-Ann Waehling, businessman and honorary consul of Bangladesh Michael Subratie, the lovely Valarie Anderson, Rohan Blackwood and the lovely Rhonda Russell, formerly of Linstead, now resident of the Big Apple, will all celebrate.

On Tuesday, former Jamaica Tourist Board director and advertising exec Basil Smith, the lovely Rose Icilda Black; Rhonn Buchannan in New York and the beautiful Floreen Jarchow in Paris, France, will make it their special day.

On Wednesday, The Gleaner's very own Jenni Campbell, the lovely Dr June Francis, VMBS's Michael McMorris and Nandell Palmer in Seattle, Washington, will share the same birthday.

And come Thursday, the lovely Marsha Wilson-Maxwell, the fab A-moi Leon, and social activist Shawn Brown in New York will be blowing out the candles on their birthday cakes.

It was all about Negril and the fabulous Dominique McGann last Saturday night, as friends and family gathered to celebrate her birthday with her; but more anon, as indeed it was one intimate and cosy affair. In the meantime, we say belated happy wishes to the birthday girl and many happy returns all around, with champagne toasts and beluga treats to all those celebrating!