DONDE ESTA JULIUS??

If you've tried to contact Julius regarding an airport pick-up or if you've simply missed seeing him at the usual haunts in Santo Domingo, don't worry he's doing just fine. Life as a former Broadway diva living in Santo Domingo while maintaining dual citizenship isn't all glamour! Sometimes one must take care of business. But, rest assured, he will be back in the Dominican Republic granting audience to his loyal following. And if you're lucky, you may get some of his southern fried chicken!

He did take time out in October for a weekend get-away. We met in Dallas to spend time with mutual friends. We had a wonderful lunch at Pappadeaux's, a cajun and seafood restaurant. This photo was taken in the courtyard. Yes, it was a bit brisk that afternoon.

FRIDAY FAVORITE 8

It's about time to mention Angelo. He is one of my favorite familiars in Santo Domingo. He is a true gentleman with an unassuming attitude. This guy has a bright smile, a great personality and a very nice physique, obviously.

Angelo is a pleasure to hang out with for a night on the town. He loves to dance, but you don't have to practice your merengue or salsa for him. He prefers freestyle dancing and House music. If we could just work on his english he'd fit right into any bar in New York or London.

He's a true macho man, no pretense. Plays basketball, very well, and has no interest in local DRama. One of my most favorite things about Angelo is his walk. I often fall behind a bit just to watch his sexy stroll.

PLAY BALL !!!

22-year old Santo Domingo-born Hanley Ramirez of the Florida Marlins has won the Rookie Of The Year award for the National League. Ramirez becomes the sixth Dominican player to win the prestigious award.

Also in the MLB, Dominican-born Manny Acta has been appointed as manager of the Washington Nationals. Acta led the Dominican Republic to victory in the 2003 Caribbean Baseball Series. He's the fourth Dominican to be appointed to a managerial position in the Major Leagues.

Tourists visiting the Dominican Republic through January have the opportunity to attend Dominican style baseball games, with all the enthusiasm of the local crowds! In Santo Domingo games are played at the 25,000 seat Quisqueya Ball Park. Check here for game times.
www.lidom.com/calendario.htm


BREAKING NEWS: Today Alfonso Soriano, from San Pedro De Macoris in the Dominican Republic, has signed an eight year contract worth U.S. $136 million dollars. That makes him a billionaire in Dominican pesos!

Soriano is now an outfielder with the Chicago Cubs and will surely be a great replacement for Sammy Sosa in the hearts of Cubs fans.

FRIDAY FANTASY 18

Here's to the darker hombre: moreno, midnight, blue-black. Latinos are like a box of chocolates. They come in various shades. Add that urban swagger and you've got todays Fantasy.

THE BEACH

FRIDAY FANTASY 17

Many people are familiar with this Cuban dream. Alex Castro is a model/stripper who has been in several layouts and calendars. He's also appeared on the Ricki Lake Show, Christina and others. At over 6 feet tall and with a smile that would melt the polar ice caps, this guy definitely deserves a spot here!

Este fantasia para Viernes esta Alex Castro de Cuba.

FRIDAY FANTASY 16

On a recent trip to Sao Paulo I met a gracious young Brazilian executive that shared the company suite with myself and two others during a week-long shareholders meeting. We were drawn to one another from the start and spent most of our evenings together exploring Sao Paulo and each other.

I was to leave for home on Saturday afternoon so Iran planned to surprise me with "breakfast" in bed that morning. But alas, the company had changed my flight due to a crisis in the Madrid office. They had arranged for a cab to pick me up at dawn.

When Iran snuck into my room and discovered I had gone he was quite grieved, fighting to hold back the tears. Imagine both our surprise and delight when the company transfered me to the Sao Paulo office six months later!

GLOBAL AWARENESS/AYUDAR

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HAPPY HALLOWEEN

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.