Eye Unit: Overdue footage from Obama Soca-rama in DC

I'm on a plane to Miami right now, and I really don't want you missing me too much! So, I decided to share a little video from a trip to the US of A that I took earlier this year. I've been going through my computer only to realize that I've got oodles of show footage that ought to be shared.

In January, shortly after returning home from Cuba, I took a road trip to Washington D.C. to witness the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama. I have a feeling I'm going to remember the events of that weekend forever. Some of you followed my day by day blogs as I witnessed history in the making. It was really something.

Well, there was also sweet soca in abundance in Washington that weekend. I ended up at one big fete featuring performances from Jeremy, Jamesy P, Kerwin Du Bois, Cocoa Tea, The Baron, David Rudder and Alison Hinds. How about I FINALLY show you what you missed.

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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Nurse's Lounge: Congratulations Mr. President!

A week ago today, I was trying to get an early night in order to rise early for President Obama's inauguration.  What an amazing experience.  Although I'm a writer, I've found it especially difficult attempting to express all the emotions that were bouncing around in my belly.

Now, I look back and remember one thing - genuine happiness.  I know the man is no saviour.  I know that his tool is goverment, and all institutions are as flawed as the people who power them.  I know all the critisms and doubts.  But I remember happiness.  On January 20, 2009 I began to believe in humanity.  I began to believe that people are indeed good natured and maybe it's true.  Maybe, just maybe all the fairytales and fables of our school days really do have some essential merit in teaching us that anything is possible.  

I hope I remember that forever.

It's my pleasure to share a few sights and sounds with you from the inauguration of America's 44th President, Barack Hussein Obama.

Congratulations Mr. President.  I wish you and your beloved nation the very best.

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Nurse's Lounge: Wouldn't miss THIS for the world! HBO We Are One Concert

Even if you have been hiding under a rock, (why do people even say that?) you must have heard that the United States of America collectively flipped the bird to their racist past by electing their first ever African American President, Mr. Barack Obama.  

When the election results rolled in on November 4th, I started making plans for this week.  Guess where I am, soca people?  You better believe, I've been chilling out in the centre of the action in America's nation capital - Washington D.C.  God is real good, and if he spares this humble life till Tuesday, I'm going to see Barack get sworn in!

By the time you've read this, CNN will have given you a better visual rundown of the events than I can at this moment.  So here are a few of my highlights.  

Today I attended the HBO "We Are One" pre-inauguration concert at the Lincoln Memorial.  I was maybe halfway between there and the Washington Monument, standing shoulder to shoulder with 750,000 other pilgrims all united in our hope for a better day.  We saw performances from e'er-body!  Bonjovi, Tom Hanks, Shakira, Will I Am, Beyonce, Usher, Stevie Wonder, Samuel L. Jackson, Garth Brooks, etc, etc.  However, the real excitment came when president elect Barack Obama took the stage to say a few words.   Is it weird to say that the man is COOL!?!?  He even walks like a bad mofo.  Crazy!  

The entries for this trip will be back-dated, so you can read them in succession.  Please just bear with me.  There haven't been too many pauses in the action.  I'm recovering from a couple of hours shut-eye after the wild soca-filled night that ensued.  Stay-tuned!

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The Rounds: Rihanna says she might sing soca

Good Evening Soca Lovers,
I'm Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay's Rounds.

Is it just me, or is everybody and the brother talking about Barack Obama? If you think it's just Hollywood actors and pop stars, think again! At the beginning of the month, Calypso's living legend Slinger Francisco aka The Mighty Sparrow added his name to the list of Barack supporters. He released a song called "Barack the Magnificent". It's a glowing reference letter for the Democrat's leading candidate. PERSONALLY, I have plenty respect for anyone who want to take a stance against war and genocide. But how I'm not an American, I would let dem Yankees sort theyselves out. So you could consider THIS to be your antiviolence edition of the Rounds.

Guyana's Mashramani Carnival came to an end yesterday with the annual float parade. Mashramani is an Amerindian word that means "Celebration of a job well done." The parade happens each year on Guyana's Republic Day of February 23rd. But this year the occasion was overshadowed by recent tragic killing sprees in the communities of Lusignan and Bartica. While some chose to boycott the event due to the atmosphere of mourning, several churches, government ministries, mas bands and citizens came out to enjoy a moment of levity in celebration of the nation's 38th year of independence.

Last night the island of Jamaica hosted the Smile Jamaica – Africa Unite concert and Rihanna performed there for the first time. Now, we all know the world renowned good-girl-gone-bad doesn't sing soca….but while in Jam Down she did tell a journalist that she is open to trying new things and will probably try her hand a singing soca music one day.

Still high off her first Grammy win, Bajan pop icon Rihanna is enjoying all the attention it brings. This past week, she dipped home to Barbados for a national celebration of her success. The government honoured the 20 year old singer by naming her the county's Cultural Ambassador. And just to be sure she doesn't forget where she came from, they actually gave her a plot of land in St. James parrish.

Finally a date has been set to hear the assault case of Machel, Kernal, Zan and Benjai. That's right…I AM STILL talking about the fight that took place at Zen night club last April that left two men injured. In your last update, I told you the magistrate was going to wait until after carnival to get this thing started. And so it goes. The four will appear in court on assault charges May 26th, 29th and June 2nd. They better get it all sorted out, cuz I hoping they go be here for Caribana! Just say no to violence!

I'm Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay's Rounds. Please text your comments to 9-3-5-9-3-5 or post them on Nurse Karen Etc at Triple W dot Mustard Seeds dot Net. Now, back to de Docta!

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