IT’s happened again!

Last time on my way through Heathrow I reported how I lost and found my Blackberry mobile phone. Guess what? It has happened again! This time on my way back from Singapore just a few hours ago. I will tell you more later.

Off to Singapore

Yesterday I departed Jamaica to go to Singapore to participate in the Asian Airport Summit. It is fitting that I’m going to that country at this time because I’ve just completed a 10 part e-course on blog marketing delivered by Kian Ann of Singapore! Kian really inspired me to launch irieblogs.com and I know that the information he imparted will help to make irieblogs.com a success.

Right now I’m at the Heathrow Airport awaiting my flight to Singapore. Earlier this afternoon I had major scare as I lost my Blackberry mobile phone. I really began to worry about how I was going to survive without access to my address book, my blackberry mail and the ability to pick up my phone and make a call, take a photograph or play a game! Like a fish out of water I realised how dependent I have become on the device.

When I approached a cleaning attendant and explained my plight she pleasantly directed me to the imformation desk from where I was further directed to the Left Luggage section where lost and found is handled. After a brief explanation the young man at the desk advised me that he had my phone. How relieved I was! I paid the £5 fee and gave my ID to be copied and was promptly on my way clutching the phone as if it were a new found treasure. Hats off to BAA

Musical Festivals

Heineken Startime takes place each winter in Kingston, Jamaica and promises to be the most significant musical event of the season. The concert features one of the strongest line-ups in each area of Jamaican music, from ska to rock steady to hip hop, and, of course, reggae.

The Rebel Salute Music Festival, also in Kingston, has been held in January for the past 12 years. The festival highlights cultural roots music and focuses more on the folk tradition than other shows. Don’t expect any less of a crowd, though, as patrons of this event include locals as well as international guests who show up each year for this amazing concert.

The Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival is usually held early in the year at a different location. This amazing festival features a diverse range of musical genres but pulls all their influences toward the blues and jazz lover. From African to Cuban and reggae, this festival gives a great international flavor to the age-old tradition of jazz and blues.

International Reggae Day is a blowout musical festival in Jamaica. Usually celebrated in July, this festival hosts not only musical talent shows, but a talent search, workshops and a lecture on the life of reggae icon, Bob Marley. This concert is broadcast live all over the world via satellite television and the Internet.

Reggae Sumfest is another weeklong music festival. It takes place the first week in August each year in Montego Bay. The best in reggae are brought together for a week of sonic celebration. Visitors can purchase tickets for just one night of partying or can spend a little more and get weekend passes or a pass for the whole week. Some tickets even include backstage passes. Without a doubt, Reggae Sumfest is a great way to enjoy a week of music.

Feeling Irie? Start a Blog

Welcome to the home of irie blogs. You can sign up for a website to setup your own blog at yourname.irieblogs.com or simply register a user account.

What is Irie?

One of the definitions of irie in urbandictionary reads: “to be at total peace with your current state of being. The way you feel when you have no worries”.

wikipedia states that: “Irie refers to positive emotions or feelings, or anything that is good. Specifically it refers to high emotions and peaceful vibrations.”

The expression “feeling irie” is popular with Jamaicans, especially among rastafarians. Irie Blogs is a multi-user blogging site where registration is open to all irie people regardless of their state of mind

Diana Ross at Air Jamaica Jazz Festival

Every thing was irie, Getting in the groove, I just a come down to movements when someone said ‘dont move’! Diana said ‘no cameras’!

That was the story of Diana Ross’ performance at this popular event on January 26, 2008 in Montego Bay. She insisted that all video recording devices must be turned off before she hit the stage, much to the disappointment of her many fans and patrons. The Jamaica Gleaner carried the story the following Monday leading with:

“Though Diana Ross went through multiple wardrobe changes, most fans at the annual Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival who forked out thousands of dollars didn’t even see her face on the event’s final night on Saturday”.

The world of communication has certainly changed in recent times, thanks to the internet. Many a live performance is recorded and and posted on sites such as flickr and youtube almost instantaneously. How will mega stars like Diana protect their rights in ensuring that their appearances on stage are not published by others? Food for thought