#jamaican blog articles

[hit-song-showdown]

Year-End Poll #24: 1973

[Image description: a collage of photos of the 10 musicians and musical groups featured in this poll. In order from left to right, top to bottom: Tony Orlando and Dawn, Jim Croce, Roberta Flack, Marvin Gaye, Paul McCartney and Wings Kris Kristofferson, Elton John, Billy Preston, Carly Simon, Diana Ross. End description]

More information about this blog here

*Turns my chair around so I can sit in it backwards*

So. You were just caught trying to cover up a major break-in into the Democratic National Committee headquarters in order to cement your reelection.

As I alluded to last poll, one major historical event I need to mention is the Watergate scandal. The actual break-in took place the previous year, but the resulting investigations and trials won't start to take place until this year -- after Nixon's reelection. However, there aren't many songs about the incident from this time, or at least not in the charts. Most of the songs protesting Nixon tended to focus on the war.

Speaking of the Vietnam War, 1973 does not mark the end of the war, but it does mark the beginning of the United States' exit. To bring it back to the music, one of the 60's polls included the Monkees' Last Train to Clarksville, a song that wasn't explicitly written about the war, but had the war projected onto it because it's a song about someone leaving home and not knowing when they're coming back. It seems fitting that one of the songs on today's poll is Tony Orlando and Dawn's Tie a Yellow Ribbon[...], a song that wasn't explicitly written about the war, but had the war projected onto it because it's a song about someone coming home and not knowing what his welcome will look like.

Soul music is continuing to have one of its golden ages, with artists like Roberta Flack and Marvin Gaye topping the charts. It's been a while since I talked about Billboard from the business side of things, but the explosion of this genre gives me a good excuse to do so. In 1973, the Billboard chart for R&B songs was changed from "Best Selling Soul Singles" to "Hot Soul Singles". This change may not sound that significant, but it becomes more notable when you see how often this title changes. This article goes more into depth about Billboard's complicated history when it comes to its representation of Black music.

Which reminds me, it's time to start talking about disco. It will reach the polls soon, I promise, but now feels like a good time to set the scene before we get to that point. As I mentioned in a previous poll, the disco scene really came out of soul. Especially Philly Soul, which had lush instrumentation that worked really well with the overall atmosphere of early disco. At this point in history, disco is still an underground subculture, and musically the line between it and soul music isn't that clear. Disco as its own genre of music that could be identified as such by the average listener will come later.

I don't usually talk about the formation of genres until they reach the charts, but I'm going to make an exception here. Because 2023 is the 50th anniversary of this genre, the genre has grown into a dominating musical force across the globe, and it's the only genre I actually studied in college.

In 1973, a Jamaican-American teenager named Clive Campbell (more widely known as DJ Kool Herc) and his sister, Cindy, started hosting parties out of their apartment in The Bronx, New York. These parties would play a lot of funk records, but he wouldn't just play them. Instead, he would play two copies of the same record on a turntable so he could extend the percussion section of the song, also called the break (which is where breakdancing comes from). This would lay the foundation for hip-hop, further expanded by artists like Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa. All three of these men are still alive and I've linked interviews with some of them.

Hip-hop and rap are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference. Hip-hop exists both as a subculture and as a style of music. It incorporates art forms such as DJing, breakdancing, graffiti, beatboxing, rapping, and many other elements. That's why I said DJ Kool Herc helped set the foundation of hip-hop. Within early hip-hop culture, the MC was mostly there to bounce off of the DJ and keep the energy up. That isn't to discredit the difficult work of early MCs (trust me, if you were bad at it, the audience would let you know). Rap itself as an art from has a plethora of different artistic roots in Black culture, from scat singing in jazz, to various traditional West African storytelling techniques, to early 20th century gospel groups, to rhyme games, to Black radio DJs. The genre started to get more notice outside of the party scene as wordplay and flows started to expand further, especially as the first hip-hop groups started to form and the MCs became part of the "band". Like disco, hip-hop was still very much an underground subculture, but it would soon take over the nation.

It will be another 17 years before the first rap song reaches number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (Vanilla Ice's Ice Ice Baby). We won't see a rap song featured on these polls until 1995. But it's hip-hop's 50th birthday, and so much of modern American culture doesn't make sense without its involvement.

#billboard poll #billboard music #tumblr poll #1970s #1970s music #1973 #tony orlando and dawn #jim croce #roberta flack #marvin gaye #paul mccartney #wings #kris kristofferson #elton john #carly simon #diana ross #billy preston

[mixergiltron]

It's Mai Tai Day!

Happy Mai Tai Day everyone! And today is the correct Mai Tai Day. Proof:

As I said in my first post,the Mai Tai was created in 1944 by Trader Vic. Here's the story in his own words:

“I was at the service bar in my Oakland restaurant. I took down a bottle of 17-year old Jamaican J. Wray Nephew rum, added fresh lime, some Orange Curacao from Holland, a dash of Rock Candy syrup, and a dollop of French Orgeat, for its subtle flavor. A generous amount of shaved ice and a vigorous shaking by hand produced the marriage I was after. Half the lime shell went in for color, I stuck in a branch of fresh mint and gave two of them to Ham and Carrie Guild, friends from Tahiti, who were there that night. Carrie took on sip and said, “Mai Tai – Roa Ae”. In Tahitian this means “Out of this World – The Best”. Well, that was that. I named the drink “Mai Tai”.

The Mai Tai is probably the best known Tiki drink,and with good reason. It's just plain delicious. Follow the original recipe,and you can't go wrong:

An interesting thing about Mai Tais,is that despite being created in California,most people think of Hawaii. This is because of all the tourist bars in Hawaii which made their versions of the Mai Tai. Kevin Crossman,Mai Tai enthusiast and Tiki historian,wrote an excellent article on the subject on his blog,The Ultimate Mai Tai. From his article,we get a chart of Mai Tai recipes:

And here's the one I tried:

Mix #54 1972 Royal Hawaiian Surf Room Mai Tai

1oz light rum 1oz dark rum 1oz Demerara rum 1oz orange juice 1oz pineapple juice 1/2oz lime juice 1/4oz lemon juice 1/4oz orange curacao 1/4oz orgeat 1/4oz simple syrup

Shake with ice and pour into double rocks glass.

Definitely a tourist drink. Lots of rum for punch,and very 'tropical' tasting. Surprising they used ten ingredients though,that's gotta be tough to mix when there's a rush at the bar. I think I'll just stick to the original. Or Kevin's custom blended version:

Mix #55 Ultimate Mai Tai

1oz Fresh Lime Juice 1/2oz Orgeat (Latitude 29) 1/4oz Demerara Syrup (BG Reynolds or Liber) 1/2oz Orange Curacao (Ferrand Dry Curacao or Clement Créole Shrubb) 1/2oz Appleton 12 Rum 1/2oz Smith & Cross Rum 1/2oz Plantation OFTD Rum 1/2oz Plantation Xaymaca Rum

Shake with ice and pour into double rocks glass.

This does make for a very nice Mai Tai.

Cheers folks!

#tiki drinks #tikiculture #rum cocktails #tiki #tikilife #mai tai #rum #rum drinks #cocktails

[yestolerancepro]

My dear girl, there are some things that just aren't done, such as drinking Dom Perignon '53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That's just as bad as listening to The Beatles without earmuffs!” A blog inspired by the music world of James Bond

Part 1 Stirred and not shaken that was right the creation of the most successful film franchise in ciniema history

Introduction

Hello there and welcome to an expanded version of a blog I originally wrote last year devoted to the musical tastes of James Bond the original idea was to write a 5 part blog on the complete James Bond story with a Chapter devoted to each era of the franchise.

 When writing and researching the first chapter called Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang I began to realise what a big task this would be and decided to change tack. I have decided instead to present an extended version of that musical blog with this being the first chapter It will aim to tell a more complete story behind the James Bond Franchise

From the Book shelf to the cinema screen

Ian Fleming first wrote Dr. No as a television outline for film producer Henry Morgenthau III to promote the Jamaican tourism industry. After this project fell through Fleming began meeting with Canadian film producer Harry Saltzman about making a screen adaptation.

Although Fleming was not a fan of the "kitchen-sink realist" genre Saltzman was known for producing, after seeing Saturday Night and Sunday Morning Fleming sold him the rights to all of the James Bond novels except Casino Royale and Thunderball for $50,000. After Saltzman gained the rights for the novel, he initially had trouble financing the project. Screenwriter Wolf Mankowitz introduced Saltzman to Albert R. "Cubby" Broccoli, who wanted the rights to the novels and attempted to buy them from Saltzman. Saltzman did not want to sell the rights to Broccoli and instead, they formed a partnership to make the films. A number of Hollywood film studios did not want to fund the films, finding them "too British" or "too blatantly sexual".[9] Eventually the two received authorisation from United Artists to produce Dr. No, to be released in 1962. Saltzman and Broccoli created two companies: Danjaq, which was to hold the rights to the films, and Eon Productions, which was to produce them. 

Initially Broccoli and Saltzman had wanted to produce the eighth Bond novel, 1961's Thunderball, as the first film, but there was an ongoing legal dispute between the screenplay's co-author, Kevin McClory, and Ian Fleming.

This article from the Screenrant website details how Thunderball nearly become James Bonds debut adventure at the cinema and if it had been made how it would have altered the James Bond film series over the next 61 years read it by clicking here https://screenrant.com/james-bond-first-007-movie-thunderball-franchise-changes/

 As a result, Broccoli and Saltzman chose Dr. No:[1 the timing was apposite, with claims that American rocket testing at Cape Canaveral had problems with rockets going astray.

While producers Broccoli and Saltzman originally sought Cary Grant for the role, they discarded the idea as Grant would be committed to only one feature film, and the producers decided to go after someone who could be part of a series.Richard Johnson has claimed to have been the first choice of the director, but he turned it down because he already had a contract with MGM and was intending to leave.[27] Another actor purported to have been considered for the role was Patrick McGoohan on the strength of his portrayal of spy John Drake in the television series Danger Man: McGoohan turned down the role.[28] Another potential Bond included David Niven, who later played the character in the 1967 parody Casino Royale.

There are several apocryphal stories as to whom Ian Fleming personally wanted. Reportedly, Fleming favoured actor Richard Todd.[30] Fleming's stepson Paul Morgan claims that Fleming preferred Edward Underdown.[8] In his autobiography When the Snow Melts, Cubby Broccoli said Roger Moore had been considered, but had been thought "too young, perhaps a shade too pretty". In his autobiography, My Word Is My Bond, Moore says he was never approached to play the role of Bond until 1972, for Live and Let Die. Moore appeared as Simon Templar on the television series The Saint, airing in the United Kingdom for the first time on 4 October 1962, only one day before the premiere of Dr. No.

Ultimately, the producers turned to 31-year-old Sean Connery for five films.It is often reported that Connery won the role through a contest set up to "find James Bond". While this is untrue, the contest itself did exist, and six finalists were chosen and screen-tested by Broccoli, Saltzman, and Fleming. The winner of the contest was a 28-year-old model named Peter Anthony, who, according to Broccoli, had a Gregory Peck quality, but proved unable to cope with the role. When Connery was invited to meet Broccoli and Saltzman he appeared scruffy and in unpressed clothes, but Connery "put on an act and it paid off" as he acted in the meeting with a macho, devil-may-care attitude. When he left, both Saltzman and Broccoli watched him through the window as he went to his car, both agreeing that he was the right man for Bond. After Connery was chosen, Terence Young took the actor to his tailor and hairdresser, and introduced him to the high life, restaurants, casinos and women of London. In the words of Bond writer Raymond Benson, Young educated the actor "in the ways of being dapper, witty, and above all, cool". The casting was announced on November 3, 1961

You might also want to read this article about James Bond from the Movieweb website that tells you more about the man himself https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/james-bond-movie-moments-that-define-the-character/ar-AA1fkc3k

To learn more about the vairous spy orgarnisations that feature in both the books and the film franchise click here

https://screenrant.com/james-bond-movies-smersh-spectre-quantum-differences-explained/

Origin of the name

While the “Bond, James Bond” line is enshrined in cinematic history since that early scene in Dr. No, the true origin of the name itself is a bit more mundane than you’d imagine.

For the ultimate secret agent, Fleming wanted a truly unimpressive name. Looking through a birdwatching book, he found the inspiration he was hoping for. The American ornithologist Dr James Bond.

Dr. Bond actually quite liked his espionage namesake. Although he didn’t find out about it until years after Fleming wrote the first book, he met and became friends with the writer on a 1964 trip to Jamaica. Throughout the Bond films, there have been many small references to ornithology, including it being the profession Pierce Brosnan uses to introduce himself to Jinx (Halle Berry) in Die Another Day.

Shaken and not Stirred

Another key James Bond catchphrase is the way he orders his favourite drink. The famous request of a “vodka martini, shaken, not stirred” wasn’t actually said by Bond in Dr. No but by a waiter giving it to him. In fact, it’s not until the third film 1964’s Goldfinger that Connery utters the phrase himself.

It’s also not the right drink. The line “shaken, not stirred” is an invention of the books and when Bond orders a drink in the original ‘Casino Royale’ novel, he orders a martini that combines gin, vodka and Kina Lillet. This drink is now known as a “Vesper”.

Why did Connery not get a Vesper in Dr. No then? The answer is simple. Smirnoff were a sponsor of the film and didn’t want gin to be mentioned in his martini order.

Meet the Staff at Universal Exports

The cast also included a number of actors who were to become stalwarts of the future films, including Bernard Lee, who played Bond's superior M for another ten films, and Lois Maxwell, who played M's secretary Moneypenny in fourteen instalments of the series.[46] Maxwell received the part after beginning to look for film roles to support her family when her husband Peter Marriot suffered from a severe heart attack and was expected to die.[9] Lee was chosen because of being a "prototypical father figure",[47] and Maxwell after Fleming thought she was the perfect fit for his description of the character.[48] Maxwell was initially offered a choice between the roles of Moneypenny or Sylvia Trench and opted for Moneypenny as she thought the Trench role, which included appearing in immodest dress, was too sexual.

One role which was not given to a future regular was that of Major Boothroyd, the head of Q-Branch, which was given to Peter Burton. Burton was unavailable for the subsequent film, From Russia with Love, and the role was taken by Desmond Llewelyn.[52][53]

Felix Leiter James Bonds CIA contact Dr no also introduced Felix Leiter  James Bonds CIA contact played in Dr No by By Jack Lord now better known for playing  Jack McGarrett in Hawaii Five-O. Felix Leiter  would appear many times in the James Bond series  not always played by the same actor.

In fact 9 actors have played Felix Leiter  in the James Franchise of those 9 only 2 actors would return to the series more than once. The first was David Hedison who appeared in Live and Let Die alongside Roger Moore in 1973 and 16 years later with Timothy Dalton in Licence To Kill,  he is only the only  Felix to play the part with 2 James Bonds which is quite an achivement in itself.

The Other Felix Leiter to appear in more than one film is Jeffrey Wright who appeared with Daniel Craig in Casino Royale, Quantum Of Solace & No Time To Die .

To find out more click here https://screenrant.com/james-bond-every-actor-felix-leiter/#david-hedison-ndash-live-and-let-die-amp-licence-to-kill

Ursula Andress The ultimate Bond Girl

For the first Bond girl Honey Ryder, Julie Christie was considered, but discarded as the producers felt she was not voluptuous enough.[40] Martine Beswick was also rejected for being too inexperienced as an actress while Gabriella Licudi was rejected as too young.[9] Just two weeks before filming began, Ursula Andress was chosen to play Honey after the producers saw a picture of her taken by Andress' then-husband John Derek.[11] Kirk Douglas persuaded Andress to take the part at a party hosted by Derek.[9] To appear more convincing as a Jamaican, Andress had a tan painted on her and ultimately had her lines redubbed by voice actress Nikki van der Zyl due to Andress' heavy Swiss-German accent.

The Collider website recently published an article called The Best Bond Girls: 16 Badass Women Who Defined the Franchise Honey Rider landed in the chart at number 4 this is what is they had to say about the first Bond girl.

There have been 25 Eon Bond movies released across a span of 61 years, and still, decades later, everyone still talks about Bond Girl that started it all. While much of the engrained Bond formula was finding its feet in the series’ debut feature, one thing Dr. No truly excelled at was making Ursula Andress’ Honey Ryder an enduring screen icon.

Needless to say, the character’s standing as a sex symbol was cemented the instant she walked onto that beach in the beige bikini, but she was defined by much more than just that. Fast becoming an ally to Bond, the shell diver is remembered for her defiant bravery and her resourcefulness as 007 combated the maniacal Dr. No (Joseph Wiseman).

The Names Norman Monty Norman

RIP to Monty Norman who died in July 11th 2022 at the grand old age 94 thank you for creating a classic theme that may only be 1 min 47 seconds long but it was just enough to open the doors to the world of James Bond in 1962 for Dr No.

Here is a short interview with Monty Norman on how he created that famous theme that featured on the BBCs The One Show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAN7Z3iiEqE

Monty Norman was invited to write the film score because Broccoli liked his work on the 1961 theatre production Belle, a musical about murderer Hawley Harvey Crippen. Norman was busy with musicals, and only agreed to do the music for Dr. No after Saltzman allowed him to travel along with the crew to Jamaica.

I always felt a bit sorry for Monty he seems to be the forgotten man when it comes to James Bond his contribution to the James Bond theme has been over shadowed by John Barry, lets get this straight Monty wrote and composed the song Barry arranged and conducted it for the films soundtrack.

As a team John Barry and Monty Norman were excellent I always think its a shame that Norman never worked on any more Bond films after Doctor No where as John Barry would provide music for 11 of the first 25 films in the Bond franchise.

To find out more about the life and work of John Barry click here for his wikipedia page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Barry_(composer)

How the famous Gun Barrel sequence was created

Maurice Binder created the opening titles of the first Bond film, Dr. No, in 1962. Binder originally planned to employ a camera sighted down the barrel of a .38 calibre gun, but this caused some problems. Unable to stop down the lens of a standard camera enough to bring the entire gun barrel into focus, Binder created a pinhole camera to solve the problem, and the barrel became crystal clear.[1]

Binder described the genesis of the gun barrel sequence in the last interview he recorded before his death in 1991:

That was something I did in a hurry, because I had to get to a meeting with the producers in twenty minutes. I just happened to have little white, price tag stickers and I thought I'd use them as gun shots across the screen. We'd have James Bond walk through and fire, at which point blood comes down onscreen. That was about a twenty-minute storyboard I did, and they said, "This looks great!"[4]

The Gunbarrel sequence would then be followed by an exciting James Bond Mini adventure pre title sequence that sometimes may or may not have something to do with the films main plot click here for an article about 10 of the best James Bond pre titles sequences https://collider.com/best-james-bond-pre-credits-sequences-ranked/#lsquo-skyfall-rsquo-2012

As well  as designing the famous gun barrel sequence Maurice also designed 13 of the first 16 title sequences in the James Bond series. to find out more about Maurice Binder and his work click here  https://www.artofthetitle.com/designer/maurice-binder/

The Collider recently published an article titled the ten best James Bond Main title sequences  of all time ranked 5 of Maurice Binders titles sequences for the Bond films made the list you can read the article by clicking here https://collider.com/best-james-bond-opening-credits-ranked/#lsquo-licence-to-kill-rsquo-1989

So is it a Doctor Yes from me meaning I like it or a Dr No meaning I hate it ?

Well lets start with the good points what people call a compliment sandwich the music is very good by Monty Norman with the James Bond theme being the stand out music on the film the acting on the film is also of a high standard Sean Connery is excellant as Bond.

The What Culture website recently published an excellant article on the greatest moments for each Bond film in the series and Sean Connery’s performance in Dr No was their stand out moment from Dr No here is what they had to say:

From the first second he appeared on-screen, Sean Connery simply was Bond. A charisma machine if there ever was one, Connery's sublime work created a cinematic legend with few equals, and even now, he remains the quintessential Bond for most fans.

The first film in the series also benefits from a well-written screenplay, beautiful visuals and an infectious sense of cool, but the main reason the film works as well as it does - and also why certain rather iffy scenes and the film's wildly uneven pacing are far easier to ignore - is because of its star.

Suave, badass, cooler than a cucumber yet also very witty when he needed to be, Connery really got Bond absolutely right, and even if there's a strong argument to be made that Daniel Craig ultimately upstaged him as the best James Bond, Connery is still just as great to watch after all these years.

The Movie web film website also rated Sean Connery introduction as James Bond in Dr No very highly in their article titled 10 Best Movie Character Introductions, Ranked  Sean Connery’s introduction as James Bond topped the list these are their comments

The highly stylized opening sequence of James Bond movies, in which the suave secret agent is seen through the iconic gun barrel, is a cinematic signature that has become ingrained in popular culture. This iconic imagery was first introduced in Dr. No, and has since been a hallmark of the Bond franchise. As the gun takes aim, Bond swiftly turns to fire his gun, painting the screen blood red. This cinematic device has become more than just an introduction; it's a symbol one of cinema’s most successful and beloved movie franchises, instantly recognizable to audiences worldwide.

Over the decades, this gun barrel sequence has evolved and adapted, becoming a fixture in Bond films, reaffirming the character's enduring appeal. It serves as a timeless reminder of the suave and unstoppable spy who has captured the hearts and imaginations of audiences across the globe back in 1962.

Sean Connery’s introduction as James Bond topped Screenrants list of James Bonds Greatest scenes ranked from worst to best who made these comments

Since Sean Connery’s James Bond influenced every 007 that came after him, it only makes sense that his screen debut earned the top spot. As simple as it might be, the first time that Bond utters the iconic catchphrase “Bond, James Bond” in Dr. No remains a high point for the series. There is a reason that this scene has been copied, parodied, reinvented, deconstructed, and paid homage to throughout countless action movies over the last six decades. As simple as it seems, Connery’s roguish delivery of the line in the first James Bond movie turned a popular literary character into a cornerstone of modern pop culture.

The Collider film website published an article called Sean Connery 20 best films three Bond films were included in the list including Dr No which was at number 14  

Here is what they had to say about Dr No

Beginning what would become an immensely long-running film series in style, Dr. No was the first time movie audiences ever got to see James Bond, and perhaps the first time many were introduced to Sean Connery as an actor. It’s not an instance where the first film was the very best in the series, but Dr. No is still very good for its time, an admirable start to the series, and one of the better (albeit not the greatest) 007 films Connery starred in.

The titular character is the villain Bond goes up against here, with his evil plan involving the destruction of the U.S. space program. Many staples of the series that would become beloved as the years went on got their start here in Dr. No, and Connery himself was instantly magnetic in the role he seemed born to play… though as both aforementioned and subsequent titles will show, he was so much more than just Bond.

How does Sean Connery’s James Bond measure up to the one featured in the Ian Fleming novels and short stories ?

The film website Screenrant recently published an article called How all 6 James Bond actors compare to the Ian Fleming Iconic Book spy they said this about Sean Connery’s Bond 

While Connery’s early movies stuck pretty close to the Fleming novels they were adapted from, Connery was warmer and less sharp than the author’s take on the character. Fleming himself told Playboy Magazine that Bond had "very few perceptible virtues" outside of patriotism and courage, only for the author to then question whether these were even virtues. By contrast, Sean Connery’s influential take on Bond was every bit the matinée idol. Admittedly, much of Bond’s conduct in these early movies would now be considered problematic. However, the series itself uncritically presented Connery’s Bond as a hero, whereas Fleming’s literary character was always intended to be more morally ambiguous.

Connery’s Bond was also notable for shaving off some of the more objectionable elements of Fleming’s take on the character. While his conduct with women was questionable at best, and he could be a boorish brute at times, Connery’s take on 007 never challenged the prejudices that Fleming’s 007 vocalized throughout the novel series. As noted by one Time article, Fleming’s Bond held racist beliefs about Korean people, while his dalliance with Pussy Galore uncovered some terrible views on homosexuality. Fortunately, the timeless Bond movies didn’t hand Bond the chance to damn himself by letting the super-spy share these takes on-screen.

But what about the other actors in Doctor No ?

Ursula Andress is excellant as Honey Rider giving a performance that is sensertive and full of sexual presenance at the same time Joseph Wiseman is good as Dr No the main villan of the piece but not outstanding.

There are no gadgets in Dr No but Q played by Peter Burton does give him his Waither PPK his signature wepon  you can find out more about Bonds weapon of choice by clicking here https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com/lifestyle/guns/walther-ppk.htm

This article also explains why James Bond started carrying a Waither PPK https://screenrant.com/why-james-bond-uses-walther-ppk-gun/

The Supporting cast of the film are also very good Bernard Lee as M and Louis Maxwell as Miss Moneypenny being the standouts so I am glad we saw more of them in further films the film is also well written and directed and there are some great action scenes featrured in it having said all that for some reason I don’t know why I find the film a very hard watch so I don’t watch it as much as the many other Bond films in my collection so if I was to get a rating out of 5 I would give it a 3 out of 5.

You can watch a trailer for Dr No by clicking here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw61uyA0F8A&t=9s

To watch a video called 10 things you didn’t about James Bond Dr No click herehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFws8IdQHKA

James Bond and the Tolerance Project

Why is the Tolerance project including a blog about James Bond? Well we used the James Bond theme in a sequence in the Tolerance Film the above extracts comes from the blog Thank you for the music

2mins 25  We hear the strains of the James bond theme as Robert ( played by David Smith) speeds round the Kitchen to make his breakfast Finishing with a cup of tea to highlight his independence.

 He Lives in a house by himself where as Claire his girlfriend played by Claire Abbot lives with her family where she feels somewhat over protected and longs to get away

We went with the original done by Monty Norman for Dr No in 1962. Did u you know that John Barry re-recorded the theme for the single release of the same year this re-recorded version is slightly longer the original used in Dr No this version reached the top 20 peaking at number 11 in 1962. It runs close to 2 mins to quote the liner notes on the best of Bond 1992 CD.

Unlike the film version which used the Monty Norman Orchestra this re-recorded version used John Barry’s own Orchestra. Barry’s own version was released in England at a time when Cinemagoers first met James Bond in 1962s Dr No, though lacking the fullness and worldwide familiarity of the Norman Orchestra version Barry’s version holds it own drive and intensity.   

The re-recordings of the James Bond theme by John Barry .

John Barry re-recorded the James Bond Theme in 1966 for his CBS album The Great Movie Sounds of John Barry, which features driving percussion ostinati (with a prominent role for bongos), as well as a piano and brass improvisation superimposed over the last few bars.

. For his 1972 Polydor album The Concert John Barry, re-scored the theme again as part of a James Bond suite for full symphony orchestra, in this case the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. This more lush arrangement was to feature in his later Bond film scores, notably Octopussy

Notes Thank You to Wikipedia for the background notes on Dr No and the Maurice Binder interview on how he created the now iconic Gunbarrel sequence. And Minty’s Comedic arts for the 10 things you didn’t know about James Bond Dr No

Pictures

 1) The creators of James Bond and Ian Fleming Sean Connery and Producers   Albert R. "Cubby" Broccoli and Harry Saltzman

 2) one of the many film posters for Dr No

3) Bernard Lee as M

4) Louis Maxwell as Moneypenny with Sean Connery as James Bond

5 Ursula Andress As Honey Rider

6 Composer Monty Norman

7 John Barry

8) Title sequence designer Maurice Binder

9) the art work for the orignal UK release of the James Bond theme recorded by John Barry

10) The album artwork for his 1966 album The Great movie sounds of John Barry

11) The album cover for his 1972 album the concert

12and 13 David Smith as Robert making his breakfast to the James Bond theme screen grabs taken from the Tolerance film

If you have read this post and want to help the Tolerance project click on the above link https://www.gofundme.com/gnk3ww

#David Smith #james bond #bernard lee #Louis Maxwell #sean connery #harry saltzman #Albert R Cubby Broccoli #ursula Andress #Honey Rider #Dr No #James Bond theme #Tolerance Project Extra #wikipédia #Collider.com #art of the title.com #Joseph Wiseman #What cultare website #minty comedic arts #felix leiter #david hedison #live and let die #jeffrey wright #casino royle #quantum of solace #no time to die #jack lord #John Barry the concert #Great Movie Sounds of John Barry #Euro News.culture

[historyhermann]

"Star Wars Resistance": Diversity Shines Through in a Galaxy Far, Far Away

What if a spy became a mechanic as "cover" for his espionage, but he was terrible at both jobs? Star Wars Resistance answers that question. This series follows the adventures of Kaz, the friends he meets along the way, and the challenges he and his friends face. Whether people are out to get them or they're facing rough and tumble situations, it's an animated series like no other- not even other Star Wars series.

Reprinted from The Geekiary, my History Hermann WordPress blog, and Wayback Machine. This was the nineteenth article I wrote for The Geekiary. This post was originally published on December 12, 2021. I wasn't sure the opening image was going to fly since The Geekiary, in terms of images that can be added to articles, is a bit prudish. But, it was accepted!

Star Wars Resistance is the creation of Dave Filoni, a director, screenwriter, actor, producer, and animator, best known for his work on animated series in the Star Wars franchise. Star Wars Resistance is a 3D animated action and sci-fi comedy that pulls you in from the first episode. It lasted for two seasons, with relatable characters and exciting adventures.

As a warning, this recommendation discusses some spoilers for Star Wars Resistance. 

Yeager, Kaz, and Neeku on the Colossus

Star Wars Resistance centers around a pilot named Kazuda "Kaz" Xiono (voiced by Christopher Sean), who is recruited by Resistance commander Poe Dameron (voiced by Oscar Issac) to spy on the villainous First Order. He is taken in by Jarek Yaeger (voiced by Scott Lawrence), the owner of Yeager's Repairs, a mechanics shop on the refueling station Colossus. While there, he meets a talented technician named Neeku Vozo (voiced by Josh Brener) and an aspiring pilot Tamara 'Tam' Ryvora (voiced by Suzie McGrath), who are part of the same shop.

While staying on the Colossus, Kaz meets a variety of interesting characters. One is Hype Fazon (voiced by Donald Faison). Hype is the leader of Ace Squadron, the fighter unit protecting the station. There's also a pilot named Torra Doza (voiced by Myrna Velasco), Station Captain Imanuel Doza (voiced by Jason Hightower), and a space pirate spy named Synara San (voiced by Nazneen Contractor).

With the help of these new friends, he faces a high-ranking First Order officer, Commander Pyre (voiced by Liam McIntyre), and the First Order Security Bureau agent Tierny (voiced by Sumalee Montano). Over the course of the series, Kaz changes from an awkward kid to someone more confident in himself- and a somewhat more skilled mechanic.

Other recurring characters include Orka (voiced by Bobby Moynihan) and Flix (voiced by Jim Rash) who run the Office of Acquisitions aboard the station, tavern keeper Aunt Z (voiced by Tovah Feldshuh), pilot Freya Fenris (voiced by Mary Elizabeth McGlynn), space pirate captain Kragan Gorr (voiced by Gary Anthony Williams), space pirate Drell (voiced by David Shaughnessy), and pilot Jace Rucklin (voiced by Elijah Wood). Astromech droids like R1-J5 and BB-8 help characters when needed, whether fighting enemies, receiving messages, unlocking doors, assisting in piloting ships, or gathering information. Others such as 4D-M1N help in a command capacity.

Star Wars Resistance stands out due to its diverse cast in contrast to the overwhelming Whiteness of Star Wars films, apart from well-known characters like Lando Calrissian, who was first voiced by Billy Dee Williams and later by Donald Glover, Samuel J. Jackson's Mace Windu, and John Boyega's Finn. McGrath is a British actress with Jamaican and British roots, with her British accent strongly shining through in her voice acting as Tam. Faison and Lawrence are Black men. Montano has Filipino, Thai, Chinese, and German ancestry. Velasco comes from a big Mexican family and Contractor is of Indian descent. Sean, on the other hand, has Japanese, Irish, Spanish and German roots.

In an April 2019 interview, Velasco described herself as a "Mexican girl from L.A." She was amazed by the fandom's reaction to Torra, noting that unlike other series, Star Wars Resistance shows what characters do in day-to-day life. The series itself is set before the newest trilogy of Star Wars films. Torra could be argued to be Mexican-inspired or Mexican-code as Velasco voiced a Latine character named Carla Delgado in Elena of Avalor and Jessica Cruz in DC Super Hero Girls, who is of Mexican and Honduran descent.

Many of the voice actors have experience in the field, especially in all-ages animated series, but Star Wars Resistance is the first animated role for McGrath. She has said that in voicing Tam, she felt like she was in London's East End, due to the melting pot on the Colossus. She also described Tam as fun to play and said there is an "element of a young urban, Londoner" in the character.

In this anime-inspired animated series, Tam is more than a "feisty mechanic". She's a hard worker who wants to become a racer, a rule-follower who has a strong moral compass. This is challenged in the second season of Star Wars Resistance when the Colossus is revealed to be a space ship and Tam, feeling betrayed by Yeager and Kaz for not disclosing their ties to the Resistance, decides to join the First Order.

McGrath described Tam's decision as giving her the ability to be a pilot. There are challenges as she goes from being a mechanic to a soldier. Even so, she keeps her morality and her heart. Tierney, another brown-skinned character, is able to manipulate Tam to stay in the First Order by playing to her insecurities, using her as an asset to try and take down the Colossus.

Slowly over the second season Tam begins to change her mind about the First Order, even helping out Kaz and Neeku when they didn't realize it, even as both still have hope in her. Rucklin, who is still angry at Kaz for destroying his star fighter, tries to tell Tam to stay the course. Related to this is Griff Halloran explaining why he left the Empire, under which Doza was his commanding officer, in the episode "The New World". To him, fighting for the Empire wasn't worth it in the end.

As for Kaz and Neeku, they generally believe in Tam, while Yeager sees her as turning her back on them and joining the other side. Kaz even agrees with Yeager that they would have to take her out. In the first part of the Season 2 finale, she is horrified to see the destroyers firing on the people of Aeos while Rucklin remains loyal. In the second part, she tells Tierney that Yeager gave her a family, unlike the First Order,  and she wants to be with her chosen family instead of space Nazis.

While the first season of Star Wars Resistance takes place on Colossus where the characters have to face off the Warbirds, a gang of space pirates, the First Order and its military occupation of the platform, the second season raises the stakes. The Colossus is on the run from the First Order, barely escaping space battles before jumping to hyperspace. The platform remains a home for a gaggle of people and a found family for others, like the stowaways Kel (voiced by Antony Del Rio) and Eila (voiced by Nikki Soohoo) and Torra, the daughter of Captain Doza. In the process, they right off mutinous space pirates, save Resistance recruits, and Tam continues to have doubts about her role in the First Order, even after moving up the ranks.

The villains of Star Wars Resistance are starkly painted as evil without reproach. Stormtroopers are shown saluting the destruction of Kaz's homeworld and nearby planets, killing "countless innocents who called the system home." The First Order itself is clearly depicted as a fascist military junta. They were based on the idea of Nazis who fled to Argentina after World War II reforming into a group, admiring the work of the Galactic Empire. The First Order have been described as fascist but smarter than one would expect, ruling through fear rather than love. They're the equivalent of neo-Nazis or what some have called "space Nazis." General Hux, leader of the First Order, is modeled after Hitler.

There is an interesting contrast between the individuality emphasized on the Colossus and in the Resistance, and the First Order's mentality that the individual does not matter. Tam herself tries to mix those ideologies together, although it makes her superiors angry. While Pyre isn't happy when Tam literally saves those on the bridge of the Star Destroyer from being hit by a bomb fired by Kaz, she is promoted to second squadron commander by Tierny, to which she smiles and salutes. However, she shows doubts in firing on unarmed transport shuttles, while Tierny continues to have faith in Tam.

This makes it no surprise that Tam disagrees with Rucklin, a clear toady of the First Order, who shoots down a shuttle full of Resistance recruits. We even see Kylo Ren demanding that all Resistance cells be crushed, getting annoyed at Tierny for her "failures" and saying they don't "tolerate the weak." He is the only character to be shown using the Force in the whole series, in contrast to other Filoni productions which feature Jedi or Sith. There is no sympathy for these characters. After a Star Destroyer explodes in the final episode, with countless First Order troops aboard, including Rucklin, not one person bats an eye about the deaths of these soldiers.

The music of Star Wars Resistance is composed by Michael Tavera, a Latine composer who did music for Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters, The Awesomes, and many other shows. The series music is based on themes by John Williams. Every episode begins with an uplifting instrumental opening track. The series features other music set to the mood of the animation. However, the show's comedy is more prevalent than the music at times. It is mostly manifested by Kaz, often a goofball, and Neeku, who is very nerdy and has good chemistry with Kaz.

Unlike other Star Wars series such as Star Wars: The Clone Wars, romance is not a big part of the series apart from Captain Doza trying to protect his daughter, and his attempts to meet his wife, Venisa (voiced by Tasia Velenza). Kaz seems to have a crush on two women, Torra and Synara, and they may have crushes on him, especially in the case of Torra. However, they never kiss and their relationships never move beyond them being friends. In some ways, this allows the series to avoid falling into predictable romantic themes and plotlines that too many animations embody, often in a heterosexual manner rather than a queer one.

There are even recurring LGBTQ characters: Orka and Flix. Both are gay and are in a romantic relationship. This is only hinted throughout the series, but was confirmed by Justin Ridge, an executive producer of Star Wars Resistance who said they are "absolutely a gay couple and we're proud of that." Moynihan, who voices Orka, also said that Orka and Flix "love each other" and are his "favorite little couple" and hoped the characters return in the future. However, some criticize this portrayal as being too subtle and say it should be more overt.

Flix and Orka are among the small number of LGBTQ characters in Star Wars animated series. Cassie Cryar and Ione Marcy, who appeared in one episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, were revealed by Lucasfilm creative executive Pablo Hidalgo as "written as a couple in a relationship." Some accounts like Star Wars Queer Watch on Twitter track LGBTQ content in Star Wars. The latter noted the lack of LGBTQ characters in animated series, like Star Wars: The Bad Batch, which Filoni is also creator of, although they have a headcanon that Omega is trans or intersex.

Tam and Tierney on a First Order ship

Filoni has been involved with many other series besides Star Wars Resistance. He co-created Star Wars Rebels, storyboarded Star Wars Forces of Destiny, was a development artist, supervising director, writer, and producer for Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and is an executive producer, director and writer of The Mandalorian. He was also a storyboarder on countless series and voiced various Star Wars characters in the aforementioned series, like Bo Keevil in Star Wars Resistance.

Star Wars Resistance was well received by critics, some calling it "primed with potential," having a "brighter, more colorful palette" than other series, and an animation style which stands out among the traditionally computer generated animations for other Star Wars series. As a result, the series was nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards in 2019 and 2020 in the Outstanding Children's Program category, and won the Saturn Awards prize for the Best Animated Series category in 2019.

The second season plotline of Star Wars Resistance which has Tam joining the First Order reminded me, in some ways, of Cassandra being manipulated by the Enchanted Blue Fairy in the third season of Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure, also known as Tangled: The Series. I wish that Star Wars Resistance had been extended into another season and had an order of 60 episodes like Tangled, instead of 40 episodes spread across two seasons (21 episodes in the first season and 19 episodes in the second).

Specifically, I would have liked to see Tam's struggle to find a place in the First Order expanded. Maybe she could have become totally be immersed in the ideology to the shock of the protagonists, like having her oversee the destruction of a system of planets by the Starkiller Base, a la Ash turning evil in Final Space. Maybe Tam wouldn't be redeemed in the end, as this series did or as Tangled did with Cassandra. Or perhaps they could have stuck with the existing storyline and had another season about Tam readjusting to the Colossus and having to face the First Order.

Even though it would have required some reworking, it could have been interesting to have Kaz as a female character instead a male character, as many of the Star Wars series have male leads while female characters are relegated to supporting or secondary roles, and at certain points, this series played into that, unfortunately.

Although we do not know all the behind the scenes of Star Wars Resistance, Filoni and other executive producers, Athena Portillo, Justin Ridge, and Brandon Auman, told CBR that they had always planned to tell a story that was was two seasons long, developing a roadmap from the beginning for the series. Even so, Portillo and Ridge confirmed that they are willing to revisit the series in the future. This means that Star Wars Resistance is not like Final Space which was unceremoniously cancelled by Warner executives. It also means that anger from some fans and split opinions on the show had nothing to do with the show's length, which is a positive. In the end, the series aired from October 7, 2018 to January 26, 2020, with both seasons available on Disney+ after February 2020.

Personally, I enjoyed Star Wars Resistance more than Filoni's other productions like Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which often seems like it comes out of the pages of a military history book or the war stories of soldiers in a battlefield, apart from the final episodes of the series, or even Star Wars Bad Batch. It was much more enjoyable than The Mandalorian, a series for which I sat through the first episode and was thoroughly unsatisfied with what I saw. It seemed like a shoot-em-up western that resembled a tired, boring Clint Eastwood film at times.

Star Wars Resistance also has more diversity in its cast than recent shows like Masters of the Universe: Revelation or Tangled. The latter series has a brown-skinned characters like Andra, voiced by Tiffany Smith, a multiracial actress, and features Black actors like Kevin Michael Richardson, Tony Todd, Phil LaMarr, Cree Summer, Dennis Haysbert, and Method Man, and a Latine man of Mexican descent, Danny Trejo. The former series has dark-skinned characters like Lance Strongbow (voiced by James Monroe Iglehart) and Adira (voiced by Kelly Hu). However, both of those series have White-majority casts.

With Star Wars Resistance currently at the end of its series order, now is the time to watch it on Disney+, Disney Now, or elsewhere. It's a great choice for a weekend binge session.

© 2021-2023 Burkely Hermann. All rights reserved.

#star wars #star wars resistance #dave filoni #bad batch #the bad batch #sw tbb #tbb #omega #fan theories #first order #tangled #star wars the clone wars #sw tcw #black characters

[thedemostop]

Jamaican Music Artists | Explore the Legacy

From the perspective of a Jamaican music Artists, this blog article explores the colorful realms of dancehall and reggae as well as the distinct sound that distinguishes the island." Prepare to be enthralled with the life tales of these musical artists as we follow the paths taken by Jamaican musicians from modest beginnings to international fame. We'll give these performers the recognition they merit, including Grammy Awards and number-one hits. You will be enthralled and motivated by the narratives of the voices that have left a lasting impression on the global music industry.

Jamaican Artist

From the perspective of a Jamaican musician, this blog article explores the colorful realms of dancehall and reggae as well as the distinct sound that distinguishes the island." Prepare to be enthralled with the life tales of these musical artists as we follow the paths taken by Jamaican musicians from modest beginnings to international fame. We'll give these performers the recognition they merit, including Grammy Awards and number-one hits. You will be enthralled and motivated by the narratives of the voices that have left a lasting impression on the global music industry.

Top Jamaican Artist

Bob Marley

Birth date and place: Bob Marley was born on February 6, 1945, in Nine Mile, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica. He is among the most iconic and influential musicians, known for popularizing reggae music worldwide.

Famous songs: “No Woman, No Cry,” “Redemption Song,” “Three Little Birds,” “Buffalo Soldier,” and, of course, “One Love.”

Awards: In 1978, he was awarded the United Nations Peace Medal for promoting peace and justice. Time Magazine selected his “Exodus” as the century’s record in 1999. In 1994, Marley was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame posthumously.

Life journey: Bob Marley's life story is a complex narrative that includes activism, cultural influence, and musical brilliance. Marley, who was up in poverty in Jamaica, became well-known through The Wailers and used his music to spread themes of love, peace, and defiance of injustice. His songs make clear his dedication to social justice and Rastafarian principles. Bob Marley performed and shared his message across the world until his tragic death on May 11, 1981, despite health issues. His music endures, impacting many generations and creating a lasting impression on the globe, and his legacy endures.

Shaggy

Birth date and place: Shaggy, born Orville Richard Burrell, was born on October 22, 1968, in Kingston, Jamaica.

Famous songs: “Boombastic,” “It Wasn’t Me,” “Angel,” and “Oh Carolina.”

Accolades: In 1996, he won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album for “Boombastic.” His album “Hot Shot” (2000) was a commercial success, featuring hits like “It Wasn’t Me” and “Angel.”

Life journey: His story includes a spectacular ascent to celebrity following his time in the military. Shaggy began his musical career after serving in the US Marine Corps. He has become well-known in the music industry thanks to his distinctive style and catchy songs that combine pop, dancehall, and reggae elements. Shaggy's ongoing appeal has been aided by his versatility across genres and ability to relate to a wide range of listeners.

Bunny Wailer

Birth date and place: Bunny Wailer, whose birth name was Neville O’Riley Livingston, was born on April 10, 1947, in Kingston, Jamaica. He was a crucial figure in the development of reggae music.

Famous songs: “Simmer Down,” “Stir It Up,” and “Concrete Jungle.”

Accolades: In 1990, he won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album for “Time Will Tell: A Tribute to Bob Marley.” He was also awarded the Order of Merit, one of Jamaica’s highest honors, for contributing to popular music.

Life journey: Bunny Wailer’s life journey is deeply intertwined with the evolution of reggae music. Bunny played a crucial role in shaping the genre as a founding member of The Wailers alongside Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. After The Wailers disbanded, he pursued a successful solo career, releasing albums like “Blackheart Man.” His journey involved a commitment to preserving Jamaican music and promoting its global recognition. He passed away on March 2, 2021, but his influence continues to resonate in the world of Reggae.

Sean Paul

Birth date and place: Sean Paul, born Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques, was born on January 9, 1973, in Kingston, Jamaica.

Famous songs: “Get Busy,” “Temperature,” “Like Glue,” and “Gimme the Light.”

Accolades: His album “Dutty Rock” won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 2004. He has also received numerous MTV and MOBO Awards, among others.

Life journey: Sean Paul’s life journey involves a passion for music from an early age. He started as a DJ and later transitioned into singing and songwriting. His breakthrough came in the early 2000s with the success of “Gimme the Light,” paving the way for a string of international hits. Sean Paul’s ability to fuse Caribbean sounds with mainstream pop and hip-hop contributed to his widespread appeal. His energetic performances and catchy tunes have solidified his position as one of the leading figures in dancehall music.

Rita Marley

Birth date and place: Rita Marley, born Alpharita Anderson on July 25, 1946, in Santiago de Cuba, is a Jamaican singer and the widow of reggae legend Bob Marley.

Famous songs: “Harambe,” “A Jah Jah,” and “One Draw.”

Accolades: Rita Marley won the Order of Distinction from the Jamaican government for her music contributions and humanitarian work. Rita received the esteemed Marcus Garvey Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.

Life journey: Rita Marley’s journey is deeply intertwined with the reggae legend Bob Marley. As a member of The I-Threes, along with Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt, she played a crucial role in supporting Bob Marley’s music and performances. After Bob Marley’s passing, Rita continued promoting his legacy and pursued her solo career. She has been involved in various charitable activities, particularly focused on education and healthcare in Jamaica and Africa.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Jamaica has given the world a remarkable array of superb singers who have irrevocably changed the global music landscape. From the groundbreaking sounds of ska and rocksteady to the internationally known reggae genre, Jamaican vocalists have consistently pushed boundaries, questioned standards, and inspired generations with their soul-stirring melodies and socially conscious lyrics. Legends like Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley, and Dennis Brown have come to symbolize the spirit of Jamaican music, motivating listeners all around the world with their messages of love, unity, and empowerment.

#jamaican music artists #jamaican singer #jamaican artists #jamaican artist #jamaican singers

[spotlightauthors]

C.C. Miller/Charm White

C.C. Miller/Charm White considers the beautiful state of Georgia her second home, even though she is a Jamaican native. She is a freelance writer who started her writing career as a columnist for a well-known entertainment newspaper company in her birth country. Her passion for writing has allowed her to dabble in poetry as well as contribute articles to prominent blog websites, magazines, and other print media. She continues to write short stories in her spare time and has a soft spot for romance novels.

C.C. Miller/Charm White has brought her years of writing experience and skills to the forefront in her “Love Heartbreak” series, her fantasy/sci-fi romance, “Shedding: A Nagalian story”, the “Funnel” series, “Insatiable” series, “Will You Take It or Leave It”, and “My Chinese Rose”. She has also published the children's book, “Prince Selas and the Leopon”. She plans on continuing her journey as a novelist and hopes to captivate her readers with her fresh perspective and limitless creativity.

Author Name: C.C. Miller/Charm White

How long have you been writing? My entire life! However, I started writing professionally at the age of 16 when I was hired as a part-time columnist. I also wrote my first novel in 2018.

Did you ever imagine that you would be published one day? Yes. I have always dreamed of becoming a published writer and knew one day it would happen.

What made you want to become an author? I love writing. I have been writing since I was a child. I started out with poetry, elevated to journaling and stories in my teen years, and today I am a full-blown writer.

How long have you been published? Since 2018.

How does it feel to be published? I feel very accomplished and grateful.

Are you self-published or did you go through a publishing company? Why? I am both self-published and this year, my book ‘Will You Take It or Leave It?’ was published by J. Mark Publishing, which I am very excited about. I chose to self-publish because it seemed to be an easier process at the time. However, you do have to do everything yourself, including marketing, which can be a challenge, so I decided to try the publishing company route.

How many books have you written? About 13 books and counting.

What is/are the name of your book(s)? I have three series. The Love Heartbreak Series, Funnel Series, and the Insatiable Series. I also wrote Shedding: A Nagalian Love Story, My Chinese Rose, and Prince Selas and the Leopon.

What genre is it/are they in? I mainly write romance, but “Shedding” is a sci-fi fantasy genre and “Prince Selas and the Leopon” is a children’s fantasy novel.

What do you feel will inspire others to never forget when they read your story(ies)? I write very angsty, edgy romance narratives which are sometimes dark but overall, my unique writing style.

What's the hardest part about writing a book? Finishing it. I can’t tell you how many unfinished books I have sitting on my computer at this moment.

What's the easiest part about writing a book? Starting it. Once that seed has been planted, your fingers start to produce words.

Where can interested readers purchase their copy of your book(s)? Readers can purchase a copy of my book on Amazon, and most major bookstores online, including Barnes and Noble, Walmart, and Book-A-Million. You may also visit the J. Mark Publishing website.

Do you have any future projects in the works? I am currently working on “Shedding: The Rise of an Heir”, “Meet Me Soon”, “My Chinese Dragon”, and “King Selas and the Wild Zorse”.

Is there a tentative release date? Not at this time.

Do you have any social media sites that you would like to share with my readers? Yes. You may find me on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

#C.C. Miller #Charm White #featured author #author #featured #spotlight author #spotlight

[latestinbollywood]

Is Siva Kaneswaran Married? Partner, Wedding, Wife, Age & Net Worth

Is Siva Kaneswaran Married:-Siva Kaneswaran Is an Irish Singer, and is known for Being a member of the Boy Band The Wanted. He dedicated his Dancing On Ice routine to his late father Mr.Kaneswaran during Dance Week on Sunday’s episode of the show. Siva Kaneswaran is Married to Shoe Designer Nareesha McCaffrey. He was a contestant on the 15th Series of Dancing on Ice. At the age of 16, he started his career in Modeling. In this blog, you can also read about, Is Siva Kaneswaran Married? Partner, Wedding, Wife, Age & Net Worth.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Siva Kaneswaran (@sivaofficial)

Is Siva Kaneswaran Married?

Siva Kaneswaran is a Married Man. He Married Designer Nareesha McCaffrey. After Dating for Five Years he Engaged in December 2013. They married on 27 March 2015. In 2007 they Started going out for the first time. There are no photos and Wedding Details to Support the claim that they were Married.

Is Siva Kaneswaran Married

Who Is Siva Kaneswaran Partner?

Siva Kaneswaran Partner's name is Nareesha McCaffrey. She is a Designer, who sells Luxury Shoes and also Crystals Through her Instagram Spritis in Bloom. Nareesha Worked as the co-company Director at Crisian also McCaffrey in 2009. She designed, Crafted, and Sold Shoes. Currently, she is completely focused on elevating her crystal business which she operates under the name Spirits In Bloom and operates the business from Los Angeles also Personally Designs the items.

Siva Kaneswaran Partner

Siva Kaneswaran Wife Nareesha McCaffrey, Wiki & Age

Siva's Wife Nareesha was born on 2 Janaury 1989, which means she is 34 Yeras Old, According to Whosedatedwho. Their age gap is around 11 Months. They dated at the age of 18 and 19 yeras. They both are completely different cultural backgrounds. Siva Kaneswaran was born into a Mixed Family. His Father is from Sri Lanka, Tamil, and his Mother is Irish. While Nareesha Origins is Mixed. According to her Linkedin, she is of Pakistani, Jamaican, Chinese, and English Descent. Full Name                       Siva Michael Kaneswaran Profession Irish Singer Nick Name Shiv Age 34 Years Old Date Of Birth/Birthday 16 November 1988 Religion/Caste Christian Zodiac/Sun Sign Scorpio Nationality British-Irish Birth Place Corduff, Blanchardstown, Ireland Residence London, England, United Kingdom Marital Status Married Wife Nareesha McCaffrey Children N/A School Name Local High School Parents Mother-Mrs.Kaneswaran Father-Mr. Kaneswaran Net Worth $4 Million

Siva Kaneswaran Wife FAQ About Siva Kaneswaran Wife Q.1 Is Siva Kaneswaran Married? Ans. Siva Kaneswaran is a Married Man. Q.2 Who is Siva Kaneswaran Wife? Ans. Siva Kaneswaran is Married to Nareesha McCaffrey. Q.3 Is Siva Kaneswaran Still With Nareesha? Ans. Siva Kaneswaran and Nareesha are Together. Related Articles:- Siva Kaneswaran Parents Read the full article

[amrselim]

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#IFTTT #YouTube

[lifestyle-foodies]

#JamaicanBreadPudding

[win-free-iphone8]

8 Mexican Reggaeton Artists You Need to Know About

8 Mexican Reggaeton Artists You Need to Know About

8 Mexican Reggaeton Artists You Need to Know About #Mexican #Reggaeton #Artists Welcome to Americanah Blog, here is the new story we have for you today: You Can Click Here To View Restricted Videos/Images in this Article Perreo and reggaeton have come a long way from the clubs of Puerto Rico and even further from the Jamaican workers who brought reggae and dancehall to Panama. Today, perreo has…

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[cbjamaica]

The Benefits of Investing in Commercial Real Estate In Jamaica

Jamaica is a Caribbean country famous for its white sandy beaches, rain forests, and hills and valleys. Jamaica has a rich tourism history, with many resorts and vacation homes attracting people to its shores. However, the country's economy is not limited to just tourism: there are various commercial opportunities available for foreigners looking to invest in the country. There are many ways to invest in Real Estate, but there are a few that stand out among the rest. One of those ways is investing in commercial real estate in Jamaica. Check out this blog article to find out the benefits of investing in commercial property and how it can help you grow your business.

The Benefits of Investing in Commercial Real Estate

Investing in commercial real estate can be a great way to earn a passive income and build your wealth. Jamaica is a beautiful country with a lot to offer investors. Here are some of the benefits of investing in commercial real estate in Jamaica:

The climate is ideal for year-round rental income.

There is no need for expensive renovations or repairs as the weather is perfect for keeping buildings in pristine condition.

The Jamaican government offers tax incentives for investing in commercial real estate, which can help you save money and maximize your returns.

There is a growing economy and population in Jamaica, which means there is a high demand for commercial space. This can lead to higher rental prices and increased profits for investors.

Jamaica is a popular tourist destination, which means there is always a steady stream of potential tenants looking for short-term rentals. This can provide you with a consistent income and help you offset any vacancy costs.

If you're considering investing in commercial real estate, Jamaica should definitely be on your radar. With its favorable climate, tax incentives, and growing economy, it's an ideal place to invest and earn a solid return on your investment.

Why Choose Commercial Property?

When it comes to real estate investing, there are many different options to choose from. But why should you consider commercial property? Here are some of the benefits:

Commercial property can be a great source of income. If you own a commercial building, you can lease out space to businesses and earn rental income. This can provide a steady stream of income that can help you reach your financial goals.

Commercial property can appreciate in value. Just like other types of real estate, commercial property can go up in value over time. This means that your investment could grow in value, providing you with a nice return on your investment.

Commercial property can be a good diversification tool. By investing in commercial real estate, you can diversify your portfolio and reduce your overall risk. This is because commercial property tends to move independently of the stock market, so it can help balance out your overall portfolio.

Commercial property can offer tax advantages. In some cases, you may be able to get favorable treatment when it comes to taxes on your commercial property. This can further improve your return on investment.

If you're looking for a potential real estate investment, commercial property should definitely be

What are the Main Risks of Investing in Commercial Property?

There are a number of risks associated with investing in commercial real estate, including the potential for the property to lose value, the possibility of tenant default, and the potential for damage to the property. However, these risks can be mitigated through careful research and due diligence.

Conclusion

There are many benefits to investing in commercial real estate in Jamaica. The climate is ideal for businesses, the infrastructure is strong, and the Jamaican people are known for their hospitality. If you're thinking about investing in commercial real estate, Jamaica should definitely be on your radar.

#Commercial Properties For Rent #Commercial properties in Jamaica #Real estate Jamaica #Properties in Jamaica #Jamaica homes

[newsminatii]

12 Facts About Atila Altaunbay - TmZ Blog

12 Facts About Atila Altaunbay – TmZ Blog

This Article was last updated 8 seconds ago by Ola Also Checkout This Trending Articles on TmZ Blog Plastic Surgeries and Implants 12 Facts about Atila Altaunbay #Facts #Atila #Altaunbay Welcome to TmZ Blog, here is the new story we have for you today: You Can Click Here To View Restricted Videos/Images in this Article Atila Altaunbay is a Turkish bodyguard who got fame after marrying Jamaican…

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How to Survive a Vindictive Boss

How to Survive a Vindictive Boss now posted on The Island Journal

Stephen’s mistake was not knowing who the new senior executive was. She knew who he was, though, so when she ran into him in the hallway and asked him for a detailed report he responded, “And you are?” The executive walked away, and later Stephen found himself in huge trouble for not immediately recognizing a woman he’d never seen before. Granted, the proper thing to do in that situation would…

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#abuse in jamaica #careers #discrimination in jamaica #jamaican blog articles #NaBloPoMo #the workplace #workplace harassment

[heir-less]

I am reading one of the most tone-deaf and pointless articles from that Women of Windsor blog. I've never thought this person was bad or a tinhat or anything of the sort, but wow, is this article one of the most needlessly self-pitying things for no reason. Please read the article first and then continue to see my thoughts on it below and how it represents the childish worldview most royal watchers maintain.

Throughout the article, the author complains about people bringing up justifiable criticisms of the British Royal Family because it's spoiling the enjoyment she has from royal-watching, something she does for a fun "escape".

When she started speaking about how she royal watches to "escape reality" she reminded me of myself when I was 14 and just wanted to turn off my brain and watch Kate wear the pretty dresses and the sparkly tiaras without thinking about the border social and political implications of having princesses and princes. That's fine if you like The Pretty Dress, I still like talking about The Pretty Dress, but your own personal enjoyment of The Pretty Dress does not compensate for the inherent social and economic inequities that monarchies perpetuate. If you find that discussing these topics is spoiling your enjoyment, you probably understand that this is the case but you're in denial. So, you blame the people brining up these issues instead of getting upset at the issues themselves.

Frankly, I think this is inane and reveals how very privileged the writer is that they have the luxury to even view the royals outside of their historical and political context to begin with. As a Black person, my enjoyment of royalty as "an escape" and The Pretty Dresses ended the moment Meghan Markle entered the family. Take a guess as to why that is? How do you think it felt to be a Black teenager/young woman having to watch how Meghan was treated, and realizing that the people you followed for so long would condone racism so long as it was convenient for them? That they were basically okay with the dehumanization of people that looked like you?

I can't "escape" that type of prejudice through royal watching, because it is inherent to the system.

The writer also does this fucking bullshit that all dishonest monarchists do where they act as if people in the Caribbean liking The Queen means that colonialism isn't a literal historical fact. It is so exhausting, personally, for me to keep repeating that it doesn't matter. You cannot "both sides" the colonial legacy of the royal family. It's like trying to "both sides" COVID-19. Finding a group of Jamaican people who like Will and Kate or shook their hands does not mean that Britain did not spend the pervious 250 years exploiting Jamaica for profit. Ultimately, the issues are still there and they still need to be addressed which is something the monarchy has consistently failed at, to the point where countries like Jamaica would rather remove the Queen as their head of state. While believing that removing the Queen is for the best is an opinion, the British Empire's harm to the Indigenous populations of their former colonies is not. It is a fact. Stop conflating these two things.

I think I'm just now coming to the understanding that most royal watchers are children who are too immature to grapple with anything of substance or political weight. They just want to view the royals as comfort food, which is all fine and dandy until they begin to minimize the inequalities these institutions perpetuate. It's just very annoying that we've been having these conversations for over three years and people still haven't learned anything.

#british royal family #royal fandom