Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Friday, October 27, 2006
FRIDAY FAVORITE 7
One of my favorite things is a man pageant or body contest. Mr. Caribbean International showcases some of the regions best-looking guys. They have qualifying contests in many Caribbean countries as well as in North America. The finals are held in Jamaica every year.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
ANIVERSARIO DE UNA ANO
Set off the fireworks and slice the cake!! It's hard to believe that it's been a year since I began blogging. It's been an interesting, sometimes challenging, journey. Thanks to everyone for your support, input, critisism and comments.
In an effort to monitor blog traffic I installed a counter. I've been pleasantly surprised at how many people visit, and how often. And now, in celebration of this milestone, I have installed a feature that I hope will bring us closer together and perhaps spark new friendships.
Again, thanks for your support and LET'S CHAT!! the counter feature let's you know when others are logged onto the blog
Friday, October 20, 2006
BIRTHDAY FANTASY
This young Dominican hottie is my birthday wish!! I sent a preview to those of you on my email list and a friend of mine, who resides in the Dominican Republic, replied with the hotties name and where he lives. So, maybe my wish will come true on my next trip!
these pics were on one of the Yahoo Groups
these pics were on one of the Yahoo Groups
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
FROM PRISON TO THE WORLD
This info was sent to me by one of the Yahoo Groups. The article discusses HIV in Dominican prisons and was written by Antigone Barton, staff writer for the Palm Beach Post. It makes you appreciate how far we've come as it pertains to healthcare and human rights, but have compassion for those who are still struggling.
The caribbean has the second-highest prevalence of the virus in the world. The island of Hispaniola, which the D.R. shares with Haiti, has the highest prevalence of HIV in this hemishere.
Inside the gates of La Victoria Penitentiary 4,000 inmates live packed into a space built to hold 1,000. The stench of pit toilets fills dark, barely vented cells. Concrete slabs and floors serve as beds. Meals are scooped from a dirty plastic barrel. Many call this place a hell on Earth. Human Rights is a work in progress.
Efforts to control the spread of infectious diseases lag even further behind. The rate of drug-resistant tuberculosis is known to be one of the highest in the world. Twice as many people are infected with HIV in the caribbean each year than in all of North America, but doctors at La Victoria don't have any idea how many prisoners actually have the virus.
Of course, consequences of the prisons failings aren't contained within its walls. Wednesdays and Sundays are visiting days with about 2000 visitors: wives, girlfriends and hundreds of prostitutes who serve a dozen men or more during each visit. The supply of condoms at the prison ran out five months ago. Prison officials deny any inmates have the virus, but an American doctor has been providing needed services.
Dr. John May, chief medical officer at Armor Correctional Health Services in South Florida, provides medical care for inmates. His non-profit brings donated supplies and expertise to prisons in the Caribbean and Africa.
At any prison where people of high risks and low resources are concentrated, the rate of HIV can be as much as five times higher than that of general population. As the AIDS epidemic turns 25 years old, sex tourism and immigration continue to speed the spread of the virus from one country to another.
May thinks of the bigger picture when performing his services. Improving treatment of infectious diseases in developing countries, he says, not only helps otherwise abandoned people but also can stem the spread of HIV and tuberculosis in the U.S.
Why the concern? The D.R. has 66,000 of the nations 8.7 million people known to be infected and estimates as many as 95,700 actually carry the virus. At the same time, resources to treat the virus and prevent its spread are reminiscent of the early 1980's in the U.S. when most were still in denial and stigma thwarted major response to the epidemic.
The caribbean has the second-highest prevalence of the virus in the world. The island of Hispaniola, which the D.R. shares with Haiti, has the highest prevalence of HIV in this hemishere.
Inside the gates of La Victoria Penitentiary 4,000 inmates live packed into a space built to hold 1,000. The stench of pit toilets fills dark, barely vented cells. Concrete slabs and floors serve as beds. Meals are scooped from a dirty plastic barrel. Many call this place a hell on Earth. Human Rights is a work in progress.
Efforts to control the spread of infectious diseases lag even further behind. The rate of drug-resistant tuberculosis is known to be one of the highest in the world. Twice as many people are infected with HIV in the caribbean each year than in all of North America, but doctors at La Victoria don't have any idea how many prisoners actually have the virus.
Of course, consequences of the prisons failings aren't contained within its walls. Wednesdays and Sundays are visiting days with about 2000 visitors: wives, girlfriends and hundreds of prostitutes who serve a dozen men or more during each visit. The supply of condoms at the prison ran out five months ago. Prison officials deny any inmates have the virus, but an American doctor has been providing needed services.
Dr. John May, chief medical officer at Armor Correctional Health Services in South Florida, provides medical care for inmates. His non-profit brings donated supplies and expertise to prisons in the Caribbean and Africa.
At any prison where people of high risks and low resources are concentrated, the rate of HIV can be as much as five times higher than that of general population. As the AIDS epidemic turns 25 years old, sex tourism and immigration continue to speed the spread of the virus from one country to another.
May thinks of the bigger picture when performing his services. Improving treatment of infectious diseases in developing countries, he says, not only helps otherwise abandoned people but also can stem the spread of HIV and tuberculosis in the U.S.
Why the concern? The D.R. has 66,000 of the nations 8.7 million people known to be infected and estimates as many as 95,700 actually carry the virus. At the same time, resources to treat the virus and prevent its spread are reminiscent of the early 1980's in the U.S. when most were still in denial and stigma thwarted major response to the epidemic.
Friday, October 13, 2006
FRIDAY FANTASY 14
This big guy is Morris Mendez. He's another bodybuilder/model of mixed heritage. Check out his sexy layout and video at
Muscle Gallery.
Muscle Gallery.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
HOPE FOR HAITI
Haiti has long struggled with various ills that have crippled the nation and been a threat to the survival of its people. Because of lack of resources the practice of gathering timber has created a severe deforestation problem which not only effects Haitians, but ultimately the ecology and air-quality of the hemisphere.
Now, thanks to various factions, there is hope for Haiti and for us all. There is an active movement to restore the landscape which involves all generations, teaching them to honor the land and take care of it for the survival of all Haiti. It's my hope that this new spirit will inbed itself socially and politically as well.
Now, thanks to various factions, there is hope for Haiti and for us all. There is an active movement to restore the landscape which involves all generations, teaching them to honor the land and take care of it for the survival of all Haiti. It's my hope that this new spirit will inbed itself socially and politically as well.
Friday, October 06, 2006
HAITIAN FANTASY
Todays Friday Fantasy is a blast from the past. Here is the answer for those of you who got an email teaser last weekend. These photos were taken by the photographers of Third World Studios while on a trip to Haiti. TWS is now defunct, but released many magazines and coffeetable books in the early to mid 80's. They featured men of color exclusively.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
HAITIAN LIVING
There seems to be a great disparity among the people in Haiti. Most people live below poverty level, many in shanty towns of the cities or along rivers. There are those who have managed to maintain a degree of wealth.
With the lack of industry, agriculture has been the livelihood for many Haitians.
Even though they recently elected a new president, political tensions continue and military presence is commonplace.
With the lack of industry, agriculture has been the livelihood for many Haitians.
Even though they recently elected a new president, political tensions continue and military presence is commonplace.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
HAITIAN CULTURE
1. painted buses (tout tout)
2. kanaval costumes (and monkey business)
3. troubadors singing at the beach (where are the women?)
4. kanaval (painted bodies)
5. voodoo ceremony
Monday, October 02, 2006
HAITI
This is the first installment of a week-long pictorial of Haiti. I have long been fascinated by this Dominican neighbor. One usually sees negative images, but here we will have pics that hope to capture the beauty of this country and its people; their lives, their culture and history.
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