Today is World AIDS Day 2011

Today is December 1st, World AIDS Day, the day that has been designated worldwide by the United Nations and other bodies to commemorate the impact of the AIDS/HIV epidemic upon the world.

Karen Ocamb at LGBPOV links to a very interesting online memorial at AIDSWATCH.org.

On this day I remember poet/spoken word artist Essex Hemphill and Randy Shilts (author of The Mayor of Castro Street and And the Band Played On) who died of complications related to AIDS and send good vibes to Black AIDS Institute executive director Phill Wilson, South Africa Supreme Court Justice Edwin Cameron, dancer/choreographer Bill T. Jones and blogger David Dust.

We're surprised they let them in the palace! Bryan Ferry joined by his colourful sons as he accepts his CBE

By Daily Mail Reporter


Ready to meet the Queen: Dapper Bryan Ferry is joined by his four sons (L-R) Merlin, Isaac, Otis and Tara at Buckingham Palace


Bryan Ferry was watched proudly by his four sons as he was honoured with a CBE a Buckingham Palace today.

But some could be forgiven for wondering if the Queen knew about some of the Ferry boys' past bad behaviour as they joined their father during his investiture ceremony.

While the four brothers looked undoubtedly smart in their suits, three of are no stranger to controversy, with one receiving a conviction for drink driving.


Of course, eldest son, gamekeeper Otis, 29, is well-known due to his several arrests for pro-hunting protests and was convicted of drink-driving in 2005.

Younger brother Isaac, 27, has also been in the limelight after being picked to model for Burberry.

But he was also suspended from prestigious private school Eton after sending an abusive email to anti-hunting campaigner Simon Wild in 2002.

In May this year, Merlin, 20, was handed a 12-month binding over order after he was arrested for carrying a Gurkha combat knife.

Honoured: Ferry talks to Queen Elizabeth as he is presented with his CBE medal


Meanwhile, remaining son Tara, 21, is following in the footsteps of his father by becoming a drummer.

Missing out on the invitation to the palace is Ferry's latest love Amanda Sheppard, who is 36 years his junior.

Looking dapper in a morning suit, the 66-year-old posed alongside his four boys - whose mother is his ex-wife Lucy Helmore - as he arrived at Her Majesty's London residence.

Speaking following his investiture ceremony, he said: 'Getting something like this is actually very humbling and I was very pleased to be recognised for, I guess, a long career and doing something I love doing.

Long career: The CBE recognises Ferry's career, which has spanned five decades


'To get an official award like this is incredibly nice and quite a surprise - a very good surprise.

'I always knew I was going to be an artist - as soon as I left school and went to university and spent four years studying painting, I thought that's what I want to do.

'I got to a point where I thought I'd put a band together and make a record and if it doesn't work I'll go back to painting, but the band worked incredibly well.'

Ferry was unveiled as a recipient of a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in June.

Flesh + Blood: The four Ferry sons wore matching blue suits


It recognises the veteran singer's nearly 40 year career in the music industry.

Ferry is currently touring with his new album Olympia and enjoyed a Roxy Music reunion earlier this year.

Earlier this year, Ferry was forced to cancel several concerts after suffering a heart scare.

In an interview in July, he admitted he has been suffering from an irregular heart rhythm – a potentially dangerous condition known as arrhythmia.




source:dailymail

'I've had the best laugh of my life': Crissy Rock is still smiling as she is the next camp mate to leave the I'm A Celeb jungle

By Kirsty Mccormack


I'm out: Crissy Rock was the next female to leave the Australian jungle


She might have been on cloud nine with Peter Andre yesterday but today Crissy came crashing back down to earth as she was the next celebrity to leave the jungle.

The Benidorm actress was delighted as Ant and Dec read her name out to the group and she immediately gave Willie Carson a big hug.

'I'm going home Willie, I'm gonna have my bacon and eggs for ya,' she told him.

Hurrah! The Benidorm star didn't look too bothered about not being in the final of the ITV show


As the group asked her what she needed as she prepared to leave she answered: 'Nothing, I'm going home.'

The blonde star managed 19 days in the jungle and was well-known as the camp jester who was always laughing.

'Freedom!' she shouted as she made her way across the bridge.

'Are you pleased to be out?' Dec asked her.

'No, I'm sad but I already won by getting here, I've had a lovely time. The pinnacle was Peter Andre.'

Reunited: Crissy was met by her friend she posed for photographs on the bridge


She also told them that she was shocked that she lasted so long: 'I was in a coma for the first week, but I was on my holidays.'

She then went on to say that she didn't regret not jumping out of the plane at the beginning of the show but said she's had the 'best laugh' of her life.

The conversation then moved on to the camp traitors and Crissy told the hosts: 'We didn't know it was for the good of the group and we had no idea it was Antony and Dougie.'

'Peter was the pinnacle': The blonde actress was delighted to have spent time in camp with Mr Andre


But after talk of the negative vibes in the camp, Crissy expressed her delight at having spent time with Peter Andre.

'If I'd gone out yesterday and missed that I would have been gutted,' she said.
'He's gonna give me special VIP tickets for me and my friend.'

The last question that Ant and Dec asked Crissy was who she would like to see take home the jungle crown.

'At the minute Willie,' she said. 'Because he's been an absolute sport.

Pleased to be there: Crissy said she was gutted to have left but was surprised she lasted as long as she did


'From day one he's wanted to go home but he's still there so either him or Fatima.'
Perhaps it was her unexpected rant with her 'partner in crime' Willie that lost her votes from the public tonight.

The Scottish star slammed Antony and Dougie after he discovered that they were the real camp traitors.

The star called the pair 'f***ing thieves,' and when they tried to explain themselves, he continued with his opinion.


Still annoyed: Willie and Crissy were angry when they discovered that Antony and Dougie were the real camp traitors


'You don’t steal, you don’t lie,' he said. 'I’m seething, annoyed, these thieves get away with it and we do the time. I’m so f***ing angry.

Willie was told he had to spend the night with Crissy in a dark dungeon after they incorrectly guessed who the traitors were.

'If it was just me, I’d have given you a thump and laughed about it,' he said to Antony and Dougie.

'It's turned nasty, condoning stealing, you can’t do this, condoning thieving, and how can this look good?'

Dougie then tried to apologise while Antony attempted to explain that they thought they were winning packages for everyone and did not know the pair would be imprisoned for it.

In trouble: Antony and Dougie were the target of Willie's ongoing rant


'Willie when you get out of here you will see exactly what happened and you will see that you filled in your own blanks and you are wrong,' said Antony.

'As far as we were aware we were doing it for everyone, we don’t get anything out of it. It’s just a game show!'

But Willie still couldn't let it go and later said: 'He’s lucky I didn’t pull him out of the bed last night, I was very close to it. What you are doing to all the kids in England is condoning stealing.

'You don’t steal, you don’t lie, even in a game show. It is selfishness and I can’t condone it.'

We weren't to know: The pair tried to explain to Willie that they didn't know that he would be punished for what they did


But his anger soon turned into a different kind of emotion as Crissy brought in the packages that Antony and Dougie had won for her and Willie from their loved ones.

Crissy was presented with a photo of her friend, some chocolate and her yin and yan balls, while Willie opened a picture of his wife Elaine.

'The emotion gets to you,' he said as he wiped away a tear.

But this seemed to annoy Antony as he felt Willie didn't appreciate what they had done in order for him to get his precious photograph.

No apology: Willie didn't apologise to the pair even though he also received a present from his loved one


'Morals come and go don’t they? He’s not even had the good grace to apologise.

'The horrible thing is we never did anything but they did say those things and they did react that way,' he added.

'You can’t take that away, it’s a horrible feeling. You can forgive and forget but can’t take it away.'

But Mark Wright defended Crissy and Willie, saying: 'You can understand why they thought like that.'

'I will never understand that because I would not react like that,' Antony snapped back.

'Not with people I have lived with for two weeks.'

However, Crissy didn't seem to hold a grudge against the pair and was kind enough to share her chocolate with the group.

'It’s your birthday please take a bar,' she told Dougie as she sang Happy Birthday to him.

'No hard feelings, we’ve got over it now,' she added as she also handed some to Antony and Mark.

Sharing her stash: Crissy decided to give the group some of her bars of chocolate after she received it from her loved ones


'It wasn’t what you did, it was the way we were treated, it’s not your fault,' she said and then hugged Dougie.

'All I’ll say is you make good spies.'

But the negative vibes in the camp hadn't completely disappeared as Antony continued his feud with Fatima.

Speaking to Dougie - following his attempt at the Bushtucker trial - the Coronation Street star was still talking about Willie's reaction that morning but soon managed to bring Fatima's mood into the equation.

'You get someone like Fatima who in this environment isn’t how she is normally but in here she is like empowering whilst also undercutting, it makes me furious,' he said.

'When you had trial doubts earlier she was straight in there under cutting you, she more than anyone was putting doubt in your mind.

'Undercutting': Antony was annoyed with Fatima as he felt she tried to persuade birthday boy Dougie not to do the trial


'All the time trying to tell you how to empower yourself, I can see it, he added. 'You did it so well done you but you nearly didn’t.'

However, Dougie wasn't bothered as he was celebrating turning 24 and received a surprise in the form of celebrity guest - Peter Andre.

The former I'm A Celebrity contestant spent the day in camp and certainly made an impact on them all.

The former pop star was on hand to give Mark some love advice after he met his ex-wife, Katie Price, during his time in the jungle.

As Mark was sat on his own contemplating his relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Lauren Goodger, Peter decided to join him.

Heart-to-heart: Peter was seen giving Mark some advice about his love life


'I don’t know how you feel, or felt, but I’m finding things hard with my ex, but I know it’s not right, Mark said to him.

'I loved Katie more than I loved anyone in my life, we had kids, a marriage and you never loose that,' he replied.

'Why can’t you find a different way?' he added referring to Lauren.

'We tried so many times,' said Mark and then asked Peter how he got over Katie.

'However I look at the situation, it’s not what I wanted,' he answered.

He then pointed to his heart and said: 'I think this has moved on, but this hasn’t,' and pointed to his head.

Private: The pair later moved away from the camp in order to have some privacy


'My heart has moved on, I’m ready to meet someone and all that but seriously, it’s your mind, it’s always there.'

'But I think my head has moved on as I want to be with someone else but my heart won’t move on,' said Mark.

'Then I’m sorry to say it, you’re gonna hate me but you’re not ready to.
'If she means something to you then there has got to be another way,' added Peter.

The pair then moved down to the creek to have some privacy and their conversation continued.

'For years, it’s gone on and on and I know it’s not right,' Mark then told him.
'Ten years is a long time,' remarked Peter.

Make it work: Peter told Mark that if he still has feelings in his heart then he should give it another go with Lauren Goodger


'If this experience has made you clearer in the mind, then great, but it sounds to me that there’s still something there, I can’t imagine her not doing anything to make it right.'

'I know she would,' finished Mark.

Later that day, Peter had a different kind of conversation with another male camp mate as he enjoyed some time in a hot tub.

The camp had been split into two teams for a general knowledge quiz, with Antony, Willie and Dougie playing against Mark, Fatima and Crissy.

The three men were triumphant and their prize was a hot tub party with Peter.

'My hot tub parties usually rock but I’m not in control of this one so anything could happen,' Peter said.

In hot water: Dougie, Antony and Willie won a hot tub session with Peter after they won the quiz in camp


As the group enjoyed some champagne and sang happy birthday to Dougie, Willie accidentally touched Peter’s penis with his toe.

'I didn’t expect at the end of the day to be sharing a hot tub with three guys and Willie has just touched my willy, he gave me a willy wonka,' the star commented.

Willie almost disappeared under the water until he found a high seat.
'I could swim around here if you lot get out!' he said.


Touchy feely: Willie accidentally touched Peter's penis with his toe while in the water


The group returned to the camp feeling a little bit tipsy, and then the group had to wave Peter goodbye.

Before leaving he said: 'Being here this evening changed everything - it brought back every beautiful memory, the sounds, the smell - it just reminded me how I felt in every way.'

'Hungry, in love, hungry, in love and hungry.

'These guys were given an extra meal tonight for me but I’m not going to eat it as it’s a bit of extra food for them will mean so much.'


source:dailymail

Publisher of FAB magazine, Akin Familusi is now a father

The publisher of FAB magazine, Akin Familusi is now a father. His wife just delivered a baby girl. It's the season for babies!!

Cobhams Asuquo is now a father!

Renouned music producer, Cobhams Asuquo is now a father! His wife just delivered a baby boy!...Congrats to them...Dont have the cuties picture yet. Will put it up as son as i get them.

WATCH: Mitt Romney Will Say Anything To Get Elected

How she's changed: Pouty Abbey Crouch is unrecognisable from her fresh-faced teen years

By Andrea Magrath


Changing face: Abbey is sporting plumped-up lips and blonde hair these days


The staggering bright blue eyes are the exact same... but that's about where the similarities between this pretty young woman and the Abbey Crouch we know today end.

Posing confidently with highlights in her brunette hair and her vest pulled up to expose her midriff, she was a fresh-faced 18-year-old.

This was Abbey Crouch (née Clancy) in her days in girl band Genie Queen in 2004.

WAG-over: Abbey Clancy, pictured today, is unrecognisable from this picture of her at 18 in her Genie Queen girl band days


Two years later, she would make it to the finals of Britain's Next Top Model and catch the eye of footballer Peter Crouch.

Despite losing out to Lianna Fowler, Abbey's fame was cemented and her girl-next-door beauty would win her lucrative modelling contracts.

She was the face of EuroMillions and Lynx3 spray, and landed the covers of FHM and Sports Illustrated.


Plump up: Both pouting at the British Fashion Awards this week, and smiling in Dubai earlier this month (right) the WAG's lips are suspiciously fuller

Makeover: Abbey unveiled her plumped up look at the British Fashion Awards on Tuesday

But these days, Abbey's plumped-up lips and seemingly frozen, arch-eyed expression have led to speculation about what work the model may have had done to transform her looks.

Of course, seven years is going to make a difference to anyone's face, but the model and television presenter today is practically unrecognisable to her teenage self.

In new pictures taken this week, Abbey, still only 25, displays a surprisingly plump pout, in stark contrast to the natural smile she sported at the start of her fame.

A spokesperson for Mrs Crouch insisted to Mail Online that the WAG has not had any work done on her lips.

But photographs of the blonde beauty in 2006 and 2007 reveal a much more natural looking smile, with a thinner top lip.

And even pictures of the model smiling earlier this month in Dubai show a fuller smile.


Fresh-faced beauty: Pictures of the model-turned-WAG in 2007 show a much more natural smile



source:dailymail

Rooney hits the bottle: Coleen taps into her festive side as she dyes her hair red ahead of WAGs Christmas party

By Nadia Mendoza


Radiant: Coleen Rooney looked ready for party season with her newly dyed hair


Coleen Rooney appears to have had a makeover from her fairy godmother yesterday.

The mother-of-one stepped out during the day looking like any other parent clutching their tot, before emerging later as a redhead goddess.

Wayne's wife underwent the transformation for the WAGs Christmas party held by fashion designer Phillip Armstrong.

Dye-ing for a change: Earlier in the day Coleen Rooney sported fair hair during a lunch date with Kai, before going red for the WAGs Christmas party


The event was held at Room restaurant in Manchester yesterday, before Coleen headed to Rosso with Ashley Ward's wife Dawn for cocktails.

While swanning around earlier in the day, 25-year-old Coleen was pictured with Kai, one, dressed down in jeans and flip flops - albeit Chanel ones.

Festive: Coleen changed her hair ready for party season, sprucing up her all-black ensemble with red shoes and clutch


She bundled her blonde locks atop her head, wearing minimal make-up and bling while running errands.

However, the social butterfly later stepped out in an all-black ensemble, adding splashes of colour with her new tresses, red peep toe heels and a clutch bag to match.

Her lipstick was subtle and the neutral shades softened the Scouse brows.

A night off from mummy duties: Abbey Crouch had some time away from Sophia as she also attended the party in a star-speckled frock


Abbey Crouch also attended, taking another night off from mummy duties.

The former Britiain's Next Top Model contestant previously spent a night away from Sophia on Monday, leaving daddy Peter in charge as she headed to the bright lights of London for the British Fashion Awards.

Crouch, 25, looked elegant in a star-speckled frock as she sipped a fruity cocktail from a martini glass during a cigarette break.


Smoker's corner: Abbey puffed on a cigarette while sipping from her glass


Martini glass, check! Abbey made sure she didn't go anywhere without her drink



source:dailymail

UK succumbs..Good Xmas news for Nigerians in UK..

A month after it suspended flights between Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and London- Heathrow Airport, ArikAir is set to resume operations by December 12, this year.

According to the airline's Chairman, Sir Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide,this stems from the positive and favourable outcome of negotiations between the United Kingdom and the Federal Governments on the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA).

He explained that it has been agreed that Arik will receive two additional weekly slots at Heathrow Terminal 4 in order to operate a daily flight on theAbuja-London-Heathrow route compared to five times weekly that the airline had operated from November 2009 until last month when it suspended operations due to some extraneous factors.

The increased frequency on the route, 　he said, 　means Nigeria is operating 14 of its 21 agreed frequencies between the two countries.

The airline will operate a daily flight between the two capitals, complementing its daily Lagos-London, Heathrow service. This would bring Arik's total flight frequencies between Nigeria and the UK to 14 per week.

The eyes have it: The A-list love it, but can you bear the panda look?

By Claire Coleman


Make-up aficionados might wax lyrical about nude make-up or statement lips, but for a show-stealing look this party season, the eyes have it.

And not just any eyes: we’re talking kohl-heavy, slick-lined, panda-style eyes, as favoured by Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, and her sister, Pippa.

Kate Winslet sports the look on the cover of November’s Harper’s Bazaar, and Victoria Beckham and Carol Vorderman have been going extra heavy with the eye pencil.


Smokey: Kate Middleton, left, and actress Emma Watson are big fans of the kohl-rimmed look


Starry-eyed: A-listers Sarah Jessica Parker and Victoria Beckham specialise in creating the perfect peepers

Sparkling: Dannii Minogue and Keira Knightley ensure their eyes pop by applying mascara to the lower lashes


So why are celebrities going back to black? After all, piling on the eyeliner is very much a retro look.

Panda peepers go right back to the Egyptians, but from a fashion perspective it came into its own in the Sixties when thick black lines were the perfect foil to futuristic clothes by the likes of Mary Quant.

Fast forward 50 years and this bold look was to be found on the catwalks of every fashion house for this year’s autumn/winter collections. Whether applied with Cleopatra flicks or lashings of black eyeshadow, kohl is king once more.

And yet it’s hardly the most forgiving style. In fact, applied too harshly, it can add years to even the most youthful face. Celebrity make-up artist Katie Reedman of Slap UK (which counts Sienna Miller, Twiggy and Anna Friel among its clientele) says Kate and Pippa are guilty of this.


Sultry: Bronzed beauties Penelope Cruz and Cheryl Cole accentuate their dark good looks with thick eyeliner


Model behaviour: Kate Moss and Kelly Brook both love to play up their eyes with heavy make-up


Brilliant brunettes: Liz Hurley and Carol Vorderman favour high-impact mascara and charcoal eyeshadow


‘It’s very easy to get eyeliner wrong. I think the way Pippa applies it looks too harsh and heavy. She’s a pretty girl, but the way she and her sister take the line all the way around the eye is ageing,’ she says.

So, how to get it right? Katie suggests using gel liner or a pencil rather than liquid.

‘Apply liner right inside the rim, as it gives a good strong base to the look.’

And if you’re blonde or nearing 50, swap black for grey or brown. ‘Black can be unforgiving as you get older,’ says Katie.

The flick is crucial. She suggests extending the natural curve under the eye towards the brow’s outer edge.

With practice, perfect black eyes could be achieved in time for the arrival next weekend of two stars who model the look effortlessly well — Tian Tian and Yang Guan, Edinburgh Zoo’s new giant pandas.



source:dailymail

Crissy Rock is latest jungle diet success story as she squeezes into size six shorts after losing a stone and a half on I'm A Celeb

By Kirsty Mccormack


Noticing the benefits: The actress was jumping around in delight as she realised how much weight she has lost whilst being on the show


She may have branded herself 'fat' during the Beat The Bugs challenge but it seems Crissy Rock has had a change of heart.

The Benidorm actress was over the moon tonight as she revealed that she has lost weight since being in the jungle.

The blonde star revealed the news as she pranced around in a pair of Jessica-Jane Clement's red shorts - which she had left behind after leaving the show.

Contrast: Crissy looks much slimmer than she did when she first entered the jungle


'These are a size six, do I look fat in them? Crissy asked the group.

'Not at all, you look skinny in them,' replied Mark.

Crissy then began jumping up and down and shouted: 'The only time I’ve ever been in a six is in a shoe!'

'You must have lost a stone and a half,' Mark then said.

This just spurred the actress on and she continued to jump and dance around.

But her fun moment soon turned into something much serious as Fatima Whitbread urged her that she must follow through with the transformation once the ITV show comes to an end.

This angered Antony - who isn't Fatima's biggest fan - and he felt the need to go to the Bush Telegraph and get his feelings off his chest.

But once back with the group he was quick to give Crissy some advice also.

As she continued to pull the shorts up, he told her: 'Don’t pull them too tight darling, you don’t want a moment.'

'I can bend in them as well,' she said., which prompted Antony to ask: 'What couldn't you bend before?'

'I couldn't because my belly was in the way,' Crissy replied.

No doubt the weight loss has come about due to the scarce amount of food that the celebrities have to eat each day.

Although the camp mates have been fantastic at earning enough stars during the Bushtucker trials, the dinners they receive each day have still only been enough for small portions per person.

And it seems Crissy is used to a lot more than that normally as she revealed her usual purchases when stopping at a service station.


Making it fit: Crissy discovered that she had lost weight when she tried on Jessica-Jane's size six shorts


Losing weight: Crissy was so happy to have shed the pounds whilst in the jungle


'I'll normally pick up a few sausage rolls and two custard tarts,' she told the group.

Her camp mates persuaded her that she can no longer do that, and should stick to eating less in the future.




source:dailymail

Godless Wednesday: NYT Covers Black Irreligiosity

Praise Allah! No less an important media outlet than the New York Times has recognized that African American Atheists exist! SentientMeat brought this article to my attention and suggested it would be a good subject for a Godless Wednesday post. He reads more things than Cactus and Succulent websites after all.

In a piece published this week titled "The Unbelievers" the Paper of Record examines the (ir)religiosity of Black people in this country:

RONNELLE ADAMS came out to his mother twice, first about his homosexuality, then about his atheism.

“My mother is very devout,” said Mr. Adams, 30, a Washington resident who has published an atheist children’s book, “Aching and Praying,” but who in high school considered becoming a Baptist preacher. “She started telling me her issues with homosexuality, which were, of course, Biblical,” he said. “ ‘I just don’t care what the Bible says about that,’ I told her, and she asked why. ‘I don’t believe that stuff anymore.’ It got silent. She was distraught. She told me she was more bothered by that than the revelation I was gay.”

[...]

African-Americans are remarkably religious even for a country known for its faithfulness, as the United States is. According to the Pew Forum 2008 United States Religious Landscape Survey, 88 percent of African-Americans believe in God with absolute certainty, compared with 71 percent of the total population, with more than half attending religious services at least once a week.

[...]

According to Pew, the vast majority of atheists and agnostics are white, including the authors Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens.

Seeking a public intellectual of their own, some black atheists have claimed the astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, interpreting his arguments against teaching intelligent design in the classroom to be an endorsement of atheism. But Dr. deGrasse Tyson is loath to be associated with any part of the movement. When contacted last week by e-mail, he noted a Twitter exchange he had in August, in which he told a follower, “Am I an Atheist, you ask? Labels are mentally lazy ways by which people assert they know you without knowing you.”

Methinks Dr. Tyson doth protest too much, don't you? Anyway, it's cool that there are blogs like Godless and Black and Words of Wrath as well as organizations like African Americans for Humanism and facebook pages like Black Atheists of America. Hopefully MadProfessah's Godless Wednesday will join this list of Black Atheist resources.

Sanusi Lamido Named Forbes African Person Of The Year

Central Bank of Nigeria's Governor, Sanusi Lamido  has been named the first ever Forbes Africa Magazine Person/Man of the Year.
Also nominated  were Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote and Nobel Peace Laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf….Congrats.

9ice's Wife, Toni Payne Returns To Matrimonial Home With Son.

I heard the gist that they are about reconciling some weeks ago..am glad they did....Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhh