Pop Cultured

Stay Tuned, Folks.

2010-11-04T19:13:00.000-04:00

New posts along with a spanking new blog & website for my PR Atelier, Groupe Milagro, will be up soon. Stay tuned!

Where I Was September 11th, Nine Years Ago & What I Learned From It.

2010-09-11T11:07:00.002-04:00

On the morning of September 11th 2001, I was living my 4th year in Miami and I was on the phone with my travel agent, booking a last minute trip for the next day to Port-au-Prince on American Airlines. Once confirmed on the flight, I left my apartment & drove to my office with the top of my convertible down, enjoying a quiet and perfectly weathered morning.

I was listening to the Howard Stern Show on the car radio and it was abruptly interrupted by a news bulletin. I forget how the newscaster had formulated it but the news was grim and by the time I reached my office, I was scared, in tears and defeated.

My phone started ringing off the hook. Calls mostly from my mom & my brother in Canada who had retained as only information from the devastating news that it involved an American Airlines flight: the only airline I flew. After reassuring them, I went into a complete panic. Not only had New York always been a favourite destination but one of my best friends lived there. Two of my dearest & closest cousins live d there. And, the love of my life who was already not mine anymore in 2001, also lived there. With a land line phone in one hand and a heavy mobile phone in another, I dialed frantically to reach them. No luck. By that time, the second plane had hit the other tower and flights all over the country were grounded. It’s at that moment that I was sure I was going to move back to Canada. The United States had become a country under attack and I urgently needed to come back to socialized medicine and maple syrup.

Two months after September 11th, I left my life in finance under the sun and moved back home. I did so with a suitcase full of post 9-11 inspired lessons:

• The world is filled with nameless heroes. In NY, they were Samaritans who helped out strangers in distress;

• Tomorrow is not yours;

• Make amends if it’s worth it. If it isn’t, move on.

• Being afraid doesn’t excuse phobias. Islam is not the enemy & it never was.

• If North American schools taught its children more about the world outside its borders, we’d all be better off. Hey Middle East: same goes for you.

But today, I have special thoughts for those who lost loved ones nine years ago. It was unfair & it had nothing to do with you. I’m sorry this year you cannot celebrate this remembrance in peace. I’m sorry the media is giving more attention to a crazy self-proclaimed pastor than it is paying homage to the ones you lost. For that & for many other reasons, you are nameless heroes. I salute you.

So You've Fucked Up. Now What?

2010-09-05T17:36:00.005-04:00

I just saw the commercial for the upcoming new season of Desperate Housewives. The beautifully shot 61 seconds features all four of the housewives and a newly-arrived-to-the-hood Vanessa Williams.

In 1983, Vanessa Williams was crowned Miss America only to have to relinquish the title after naked pictures of her were published in Penthouse magazine. She rapidly became persona-non-grata and had as only prospect becoming a Wal-Mart greeter. But instead, she mostly stayed away from the talk-shows and the media circus and retrieved to figure her life out. She always wanted to sing and act so she worked on her crafts – hard. Vanessa released R n’ B hit after R N’ B hit. She hit Broadway and got rave reviews. She had children, raised them, ended an unhappy marriage, married a NBA player, and had another child while continuing to work on her crafts.

As a publicist, I often recommend as crisis management to admit fault or address the problem, show remorse and humility then fade away until you have something good to say or when you have something good to sell. Brilliant examples of this mantra are Drew Barrymore, Nicole Richie, Robert Downey Jr. and Tiger Woods – once he wins a major again. I wish Lindsay Lohan would follow this advice. Images of her out at Chateau Marmont right after rehab will do nothing for her career - nor will it garnish her the public's sympathy.

We all fuck up. Success will be determined on how you manage the post-fuck up in your second act.

Car On N'est Tous Personne.

2010-08-17T01:30:00.004-04:00

Il y a des rencontres qui nous nous marquent pro-fon-dé-ment. Lors d’un dîner chez de amis en commun, il y a quelques années, je rencontrais René-Frantz Durosel. Je le connaissais de réputation puisque c’est le Maverick derrière l’ascension de Corneille. C’est lui aussi qui a mis Gage sur le palmarès ici et en France. Mais tout ça, c’est du passé et maintenant ranger dans les annales du R N’ B en français.

René est devenu un ami cher, un conseiller, un complice. Il est arrogant et têtu mais aussi un généreux & brillant ristaker et en plus, il me gâte souvent. Au début de l’été, il me donnait en primeur et sous embargo, le mp3 de « Personne », le premier tube de son artiste Dupuis. Depuis, je danse toute seule devant mon miroir en l’écoutant et "Personne" fait partie de ma trame sonore estivale.

À mon grand bonheur et avec beaucoup de fierté, je vous présente le vidéoclip de la chanson."Personne". Montréal pride!

DUPUIS - Personne from Renzel Durosel on Vimeo.

The Confessional | Rebecca Makonnen

2010-07-30T07:21:00.005-04:00

Picture is the cover of Souche Magazine, now in stores.

Rebecca Makonnen, Montréal | There is a new breed of hosts: those who can do just about anything. With an impressive resumé which started a decade ago at the all-video network Musique Plus, Rebecca Makonnen is part of that breed. Since then, she’s graduated to Radio-Canada: the prestigious Canadian institution. And since she’s multi-talented, it’s only normal that she does both Television & Radio. The very private Makonnen enters The Confessional and shows that yes, brains & beauty can coexist.

What’s tougher? Waking up at 5AM for your morning radio show or entering The Confessional? Ha! Although I'm not fond of writing about myself, waking up at 5 am after getting five hours of sleep and trying to sound intelligent and coherent is quite the challenge.

You first got your start as a VJ at an (at the time) all video TV network. Since then, how do you measure the importance of the medium and does evolution mean progress? I remember when getting a new video at MusiquePlus was big news. Someone would pop the videocassette in and we'd huddle around the screen, oohing and aahing over the latest Eminem video. Those days are gone since pretty much anyone can search YouTube for the new Gaga clip.

I myself don't rely on a video to convince me that a song or an album is worth buying. I think it does still have artistic value as a short film. Say what you will about M.I.A., her Romain Gavras-directed Born Free video was ballsy and thought-provoking. Now I mostly appreciate other initiatives like Chinatown's Salut Vieux Monde Sale, hilarious featurettes that showcase the band's personality and absurd sense of humour. It's less about the music, though, but it's pretty neat.

You’re quite the TV aficionado. Name your three favourite TV characters & tell us why you love them. Eric the Vampire (Alexander Skarsgard) on True Blood : smoking hot, deadpan, wears Adidas track suits which is pretty awesome considering he's 2000 years old.

Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker) on Weeds: pot dealer, flawed mom, sexy 40-something, resourceful and ballsy.

Nurse Jackie (Edie Falco): morally ambiguous nurse, tough cookie with a soft creamy center, real, very real.

Finish this sentence: “Enough already with … “ Lindsay Lohan, Lady Gaga, Crocs, hipsters, cliques, illness, Arcade Fire, PCs, power-and-money hungry decisions-makers

What are the five perfect albums that are always just a shuffle away on your i-Pod. "Arular" & "Kala", M.I.A. .
"Hypnotize", System of a Down
"Santogold", Santigold
"Confessions on a Dance Floor", Madonna
“Unplugged”, Jay-Z
“The Archandroid”, Janelle Monáe

Name your three favourite following on Twitter, and tell us why. I'm not brown-nosing right, but you're definitely one of my favorites . I appreciate the topical diversity and the brillant use of hashtags (Blogger’s note: Extremely flattered and proof once again that bribing works)

I also like @MarcCassivi, because his opinions are sometimes unpopular, yet he always defends them and thus stands up to the Québec star system.

Right now, @Real_MelGibson is providing lots of chuckles.

What is the moment you knew you had leaped from girl to super-woman? If I was juggling two kids on top of everything else I might consider the title. I wouldn't call myself a superwoman, but I do know that I've entered adulthood about three years ago.

What has surprised you the most in the past 12 months? That I'm actually enjoying making new friends.
That I know what my priorities are.
That I no longer have any patience for people who are always carefree and superficial, 24/7.

Where you were when you heard Michael Jackson had died? I was on Highway 20, going to see a play in Pointe-aux-Cascades. My heart was broken.

You’re hosting the perfect dinner with the perfect celebrity chef. What’s on the menu, who’s the Chef, what are you wearing & what’s the soundtrack? Padma Lakshmi is making Bavette aux échalottes with pommes frites and haricots au beurre blanc. She's worldly and glamorous, so we can talk literature AND hair products. I'm wearing Adidas Gazelle and a sleek black Michael Kors dress.

You’ve interviewed a slew of Hollywood A-listers. Who was you most pleasant surprise and who are you dying to interview? I was a huge Fresh Prince fan and I got the chance to interview Will Smith when The Pursuit of Happyness came out. He opened the door to the suite and walked me to my chair and then back again when our chat was over. Plus, he was adorable, funny, generous and talkative. The perfect gentleman and the perfect interviewee.

Daniel Craig was equally dashing and elegant and classy enough not to diss me when I flirted.

Trent Reznor was amazing : super intelligent and thoughtful, he even said I outsmarted him which meant a lot because I was fighting a fever (in Los Angeles) and wasn't feeling too hot.

Metallica and the Red Hot Chili Peppers were very cool, too.

I am DYING to interview Jay-Z, Dave Gahan, Dr. Dre and Rick Rubin. Is that too much to ask? You can keep Clooney & Pitt.

Name the book you wish you had written. Anything by Nancy Huston, but specifically Dolce Agonia and Lignes de Faille. Absolutely brillant.

You are of mixed origin (half-Ethiopian, half-Acadian, all Canadian). How do you grade the role of the media in race relations? On a scale of one to ten? Five. Six on a good day. I can't believe that even though there's a Black President in the Oval Office, I can flip through Châtelaine and not see one Black/Hispanic/Asian model/personality/columnist. Where do these editors live and work? In Montréal! Same goes for Québec television and movies - there's not one character you or I can relate to. It's lazy and irresponsible, not to mention absolutely insulting. Does that mean there is a total lack of Black/Hispanic/Asian writers and directors? Are they really the only ones who should carry the weight of representing us? Is anyone really studying the issue?

Name your favourite line from a book, a song or a famous speech. Dying is easy it's living that scares me to death - Annie Lennox. I think it's pretty clever.

15. Mel Gibson has a anti-Semitic rant and a few months later, there he was presenting an award at the Golden Globes. Chris Brown beats the lights out of his girlfriend Rihanna and a year later, people praise him because he happens to do a good moonwalk & he “cried” at a Michael Jackson tribute. What is going on in the World? And by World, I mean Hollyweird. "Oh, how the Mighty have fallen". That sums up half of it. Everyone likes seeing the rich and powerful (and sometimes has-beens) get caught doing something stupid or manipulative or just plain wrong. We're all voyeurs. Thing is, Hollywood also likes redemption and forgives easily. As if Mel Gibon's body of work is just simply too great and too important to let a handful of nasty little racial rants wipe him off for good. There are other actors and directors and celebs, you know.

When will I see you next? Probably sometime in the next two weeks. Or this Fall on Studio 12 , which airs on Radio-Canada tv and radio.

Follow her on Twitter.

The Cool & the Cool: Rebecca interviews Charlotte Gainsbourg:

Because Often, Older Is Better.

2010-07-27T11:47:00.004-04:00

Photo by jean-barak.fr

We are obsessed with the new. We are obsessed with the young. In music, and in almost everything else for that matter, these two epithets do not necessarily mean better. The music charts are filled with ingrate & talentless artists who want the accolades without the blood, the sweat or the tears.

I attended a hips-challenging concert by mega Zouk group Kassav’ on Sunday night: the closing event of the excellent Nuits d’Afrique Festival in Montréal. After three decades, Kassav’, who hails from both Martinique & Guadeloupe, still gives one of the best get-down-and-boogie shows out there. The audience was packed with twenty & thirty-somethings that had difficulty keeping up, yours truly included. Take note, YouTube generation, that’s how it’s done.

Kassav’ in Rotterdam, in 2008:

Wyclef For President? I'd rather not.

2010-07-26T13:48:00.004-04:00

Photo by AfricaHit.com

What does it take to run a country? A Grammy? A mobile-phone commercial? The ability to create incredible guitar riffs? If so then all these rumors about Wyclef Jean running for President of Haïti may not be that crazy.

Already fuelling debates online, on talk radio & at social gatherings, the news of Wyclef’s impending announcement to run for President raises an important question: what does Haïti really need? I, of course, don’t have the complex answer.

The charismatic singer has launched remarkable initiatives in Haïti and his impassionate pleas over the years have helped put a much needed spotlight on the Island. With all the influence he already has and the mobilization he can create, one wonders why Wyclef would feel the need to run for office. Politics is the Art of Compromise, and even Wyclef wouldn’t be able to escape that.

Early supporters of the maybe-candidate will tell you he’ll bring change. Sure, but what will he be able to do in office that he can’t accomplish now? A country’s power lays in its citizens, especially when they are rich & powerful.

Oprah was once asked if she ever thought of running for President of the United States. Someone sitting next to her quickly replied: “Why would she? It would be a step down.” Same goes for you Wyclef: keep on doing what you’re doing & leave the rat race to others who get high on protocol & titles.

I adressed the matter this morning on CBC's Daybreak. Listen here (at 13:55) :

Blame It On The Veuve Clicquot.

2010-07-21T16:16:00.009-04:00

I spent Saturday night celebrating a dear friend, along with a brochette of great guests. Delish conversations oscillated between the disappointing post Earthquake developments in

Haïti

to the inevitable I-Phone vs. Blackberry debate. Then later in the night, many glasses of champagne later, my friend Adrian asked a simple question: what would I do if I knew I would die in exactly 30 days? Instead of killing the festive buzz I was on, the depth & simplicity of the question forced me to take stock of my life. Not the life I aspire to have but the one I’m living now. Breath by breath, heartbeat by heartbeat.

Although the chances I ever write a ”how-to” life guide are slimmer than those of me ever going to lunch with Mel Gibson, there are a few things I know for sure about Life which are even truer if you have only 30 days to live:

If you haven’t been Loved unconditionally, you need to try again;
Life is too short to be with someone you feel so-so about.
If you keep on looking at the clock between 9 & 5, quit your job and find something you’re passionate about.
Giving is better than receiving perhaps, but you need to go out & get yours.
If you count calories while looking at a menu before ordering at a restaurant then you don’t understand that Food & sharing a rich meal are the most fun you can have with your clothes on.
Ambition is essential, but no one on their death bed has ever said” I should have spent more time at the office”.
Sometimes, doing something that scares the living lights out of you, will provide you with best high of your life.
If it’s on your chest, say it now.
Balance is key. Every hour of work should be met by an hour of play (oh, and you can always sleep more tomorrow).

It’s essential for thirty-somethings to do a life balance-sheet. Young enough to make changes & start over and wise enough to know that what they want and what they need are two different things. Go!

Whatever Happened to Just Dinner And A Movie?

2010-07-04T21:39:00.005-04:00

While devouring this weekend’s New York Times, an article on first-time dating caught my attention (read it here). It described how the ritual of the first date is now theme-inspired. Huh?! Whatever happened to dinner and a movie? Well not literally dinner and a movie but how about drinks? Or lunch? The article describes someone had suggested learning how to read Tarot cards as a first date. Oy vey.

I realize that my advice on relationships is worth as much as Enron stock but it is my belief that a first date should be kept simple. You can tell so much from just meeting for drinks or from having lunch:

• Is he cheap?
• Does he have manners?
• Is he gallant?
• Do you like the same foods?
• Does he have any social skills?
• Will he run away once he realizes you can eat as much as he does?
• Will he mind if once you walk into the bar, everyone yells out “Nooooorm!”?

So you get the drift, yes? Keep it simple, Lovebirds-to-be. Keep it simple.

When The Suspenders Don't Do The Trick Anymore.

2010-06-30T09:10:00.003-04:00

*Nota Bene: this is a post from June 3rd. Seemed appropriate to repost it today.

I’ll start this post by saying how much I actually like Larry King. I think he’s authentic and his personal ascension into pop cultural history is quite impressive. He’s worked hard all his life, which hasn’t always been an easy one, and he deserves all the success that comes along with being late-night royalty.

The New York Times has chronicled in the past few weeks, the decrease of Larry King Live’s viewership. Larry’s popularity came at a time when newsmakers had very few primetime TV outlets to promote their work or to spill their guts. Nowadays, there are too many outlets & Larry is swimming with flashier sharks that are willing to do anything to outshine the celebrities they are interviewing. Some will say Larry is too old. He isn’t: he has gravitas and that’s different. TV’s best journalists in the United States remain 60 Minutes’ octogenarians, in my opinion. The problem is that Larry is not believable when he interviews a Lady Gaga and asks questions he got from Twitter. He needs to interview his contemporaries, heads of states and unsung heroes. That is his forte. If his producers don’t understand that then he needs to leave CNN, in style, before they show him the door. Larry King has helped shape modern television and in a time when we side-swap all that is not new, we need to not forget that. Sunday night, CNN will air a Larry King Live 25th anniversary special with some of the show’s best moments. Must see TV, without a doubt.

My favourite interviews were always those with heads of states but this one with Johnny Cash in 2002 was quite telling.

World Cup in Haiti: "Why Do We Love Brazil? We Don't Know Why, But We Love Brazil!" *

2010-06-29T13:07:00.002-04:00

By guest blogger Jean-Cyril Pressoir

Brazil breezed through their World Cup round of 16, hammering Chile 3-0 for their fourth consecutive win in "South Africa 2010". Just like they did at the end of the three previous Brazil matches, Haitians took to the streets, Port-au-Prince suddenly looked like Rio and rum flowed.

Thinking as far back as I can remember, to España'82, my oldest World Cup memories are of Brazil. That World Cup was a very bad World Cup though. For many different reasons: because the host nation, Spain, had a dismal showing, because Italy won it, because Brazil did not...

Back then, I was a seven year old barefoot kid with a mango stained T-Shirt (World Cups are a summer thing and summer is mango season) and I distinctively recall watching two games of España'82, both of them with my late grandmother: Brazil-Argentina (3-1) and Italy-Brazil (3-2). Of the first, I remember mainly Zico, the Brazilian playmaker. And tremendous joy. How wonderful Zico made us feel, how happy my Grand-Mere was! From the other game however, I only remember the ignominious Paolo Rossi, the Italian scoundrel who, with his hat trick, sent Brazil crashing out of the tournament and crushed my Grand-Mere's heart. The result plunged everyone at the house into a state of shock and complete sadness. The tournament was over for us as we didn't watch any more games after that.

28 years have passed and my resentment at the Italians has not. I now have a seven year old nephew, and he too, is discovering the World Cup and football fever. He has his little "Prestige" (La bière d'Haïti!) World Cup calendar which he meticulously updates with the day's results, watches every match when he is not in school and could already name all the countries that have won the Cup at least once (there are seven). Just as for most here in post quake Haiti, he is welcoming the distraction the month long football tournament provides. No more rubble, no more talk of transitional shelters, no more controversies about the upcoming elections... For a month.

Although I admit that I work very hard at turning my nephew into a true Madridista (Real Madrid fan) as far as Club Football is concerned, I have left his options open when it comes to his international loyalties. And while he is at an age where those loyalties are still shifting, he did ask me for a Jersey as the tournament was starting: a Brazil shirt, with Kaká's number "10" emblazoned in the back.

Obviously, having been to the World Cup just once in 1974, we need a surrogate team to support. And truth be told, all Haitians are not die hard Seleçao (Brazil) fanatics. Argentinean superstars Diego Maradona in his playing days and Lionel Messi today have won over the hearts of many Haitians who support the Albiceleste (Argentina), while a few others cheer for the Mannshaft (Germany), some like the Oranje (Netherlands) and a handful of lunatics profess their love for the Azzuri (Italy). The latter being, by the way, only excusable for those who are of Italian descent. All together, they nonetheless remain oddities lost in a sea of yellow and green.

So What's With Haitians and Brazil?

When I asked my nephew why he wanted a Brazil jersey and not another one, he looked at me with genuine disbelief, most probably wondering why I ask such stupid questions, shrugged his shoulders and replied "because, I like Brazil".

I now regret that I didn't think of asking my Grand-Mere, back then in 1982, why we were rooting for Brazil. Although I am not completely certain that her answer would have been much more enlightening than my nephew's. I actually can very well picture her shrugging her shoulders and simply saying "parce que, j'aime Brésil".

Let's be honest, I rooted for Brazil in 1982 just because of my grandmother. But that Brazil team is why I like Brazil now.

After the three goals he inflicted Brazil, Paolo Rossi went on to score three more goals in España'82, paving Italy's way to success. Rossi was brilliantly effective. I'll grant him that. But to me, he was a mere "pouncer of the ball", the ideal complement to Italy's "vault" tactics. Zico on the other hand, was a sublime artist who would sadly never get to lift a World Cup trophy. Although Brazil has won it a record five times, Zico is part of the lost generation of Brazilian football; at two World Cups, in 1982 and 1986, he led the most talented group one could dream of, and played the most beautiful version of the beautiful game. Yet, Brazil lost and bowed out on both occasions.

But despite their lack of success, that 1980s Brazilian team converted more Haitians to "Jogo Bonito" and wearing yellow than the Italian 1982 World Champions could convert to "Catenaccio" and wearing blue.

Zico carried out what Pelé had started at the World Cup in Sweden in 1958: seducing Haitians (and others too...) with dazzling skills and fancy attacking plays. The fact that Pelé and several other Brazilian players were black, also probably did not prove too unpopular with crowds in Haiti.

Brazilian players today, like Robinho and Kaká, are trying to keep the feeling alive. It's that feeling that gets us going, and we get it from "bon boul". Pretty football.

* In 1992, French football's ultimate bad boy Eric Cantona, was banned from playing football in France for throwing a ball at a referee. He then went to ply his trade in England, at Leeds United. Arriving half way into the season, Cantona played a major part in his new team becoming English Champions that very same year and was an instant crowd favorite. When Cantona was given given the mic to address a crowd celebrating the title, he said: "Why I love you? I don't know why, but I love you!"

Cheeky World Cup commercial by Haiti's Prestige beer:

Proof Again That Music Is Love.

2010-06-14T18:59:00.007-04:00

Rarely have I penned a post so fast. It was only a few hours ago that I discovered Londoner Tinashé. Late, I'm sure but nonetheless, I've been listening to his track "Zambezi" in-a-loop ever since. Style, substance with Zimbabwean flavor. Can't go wrong with that.

I'm so excited about this artist that I want to host a party just so I can play his music. For now, I'll simply dance with myself, headphones on and all you have to do is crank it up.

Oh, Montréal. How I Love Thee.

2010-06-14T13:00:00.008-04:00

Top photo is from Herby.TV

There are many ways Montréal distinguishes itself from big North American cities. First, it’s an island. Second, there is the language. Sure, many Montrealers are bilingual but en français is how it’s done here. It’s a cultural metropolis with its own definition for joie de vivre and Montréal is part of the Formula One Grand Prix circuit, joining such cities as Monaco, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul & Shanghai.

June 11th, 12th & 13th marked Grand Prix weekend in Montréal and let’s not sugarcoat it: that means parties, parties, parties. If for some that means 3 days of vacuous opulence celebrating a boring sport, to me, it means 3 days when the City puts on the glitz and celebrates a sport of precision and technique starring an international cast.

Formula One’s appeal really is that international flavour: pilots from all over the world converge on a race track where their ethnicity matters little: how refreshing in a world where geopolitical conflicts seem worse with every newspaper headline.

Everybody likes being spoiled, including yours truly and two events catered to my vice. First, as a guest of French automaker Renault the day of the race, I was treated to only ze very best of Formula One. The team’s pilot & former Montréal Grand Prix winner, Robert Kubica, showed much grace under pressure when he came to meet guests of the Renault hospitality suite, only moments before the race. And if you think F1 is only bikini-clad blond hostesses, than allow me to demystify that notion as Renault displayed only grace, good taste & decorum. I must admit, it was quite the way to loose my Formula One virginity.

The other highlight was luxurious Hôtel St-James' cockatil party, in Old-Montréal. Though it would be hard to not have a successful event at the St-James thanks to its ostentatious setting and to their impeccable staff, the event, in collaboration with Ferrari & BCBG Maz Azria, was a mix of intimate meets grandiose with DJ Jojo Flores, one of the City’s best music beat ambassadors.

Of course all this fabulousness would be incomplete without the City as accomplice and cast member. Thank you Montréal: you always spoil me.

Gary Coleman: pioneer. Yes, pioneer.

2010-06-05T13:18:00.006-04:00

You know how many Black actors complain there aren’t any good roles for them on television and how they make much less than their White counterparts when they do find roles? Now imagine 1978 and cue-in Gary Coleman.

In 1978, NBC premiered “Diff’rent Strokes”, the sitcom that turned Gary Coleman into the loveable Arnold Jackson. Then a pre-teen, Coleman carried the show on his shoulders and made it a very profitable franchise for NBC (nota bene: in Spain & in Brazil, the show was simply called “Arnold”). And, in what was rarely seen at the time, Coleman was paid $100 000 per episode after tense and well documented negotiations.

In recent years, Coleman walked the too-often-sad path of former child actors and became a bitter cliché. He went from being a security guard to a bad-reality TV staple to juicy gossip for the TMZs of this world. It’s sad and of course, he’s partly to blame for some of his shortcomings although I suspect he’s always been betrayed by everyone around him.

I choose to forget the drama and to remember the pioneer who broke many of the unspoken barriers of television that believe or not, still are present 30 years later. Gary Coleman is part of a rare & elusive breed: the non-stereotypical TV Black Actor. So to you Gary, Kim Fields (only as Tootie), Diahann Carroll, Roxy Roker, Bill Cosby and his TV family: I say thank you.

And to NBC who has yet to do a “Remembering Gary Coleman” special: I say you can add that to the list of things proving you’re clueless (right under the Leno at 10PM fiasco).

A little nostalgia:

When The Suspenders Don't Do The Trick Anymore.

2010-06-03T09:30:00.006-04:00

Montreal Is Still Hockey Town.

2010-05-31T00:43:00.004-04:00

Montréal is Hockey town. Even more so this year as the City’s beloved Canadiens (the Habs) came so close to reaching the Stanley Cup finals, against all odds & pundits’ predictions. Tourisme Montréal asked a few Montrealers to write about their affinities for Hockey & their meaning of the game. You’ll find the edited version of my text here. But here’s the original one:

The Habs & I.

In 1974, my uncle Alix named his son Gilbert, after Buffalo Sabres’ Gilbert Perreault, then his favourite player. For immigrants, hockey has always been one of the ways to integrate Canadian society. Born in Trois-Rivieres, I grew up oscillating between the Nordiques and the Canadiens, and then switched to a full allegiance to the Habs. My favourite images are those of seeing kids of 2^nd, 3rd or even 4^th generation of immigrants sporting Habs' jerseys. It gets me every single time.

I love how the Habs bring the City together: it has a Futbol World Cup feel. In pubs, in basements or over Twitter, we rally behind our tricolour team, ignoring what might otherwise differentiate us under other circumstances. It doesn’t matter whether or not you follow sports: you must respect & recognize the Montreal Canadiens as a dynasty and pray to God, Allah or Buddha, that we bring home this year, our 25^th Stanley Cup.

Feeling 16: What I Learned From My High School Reunion.

2010-05-09T13:14:00.009-04:00

*Photo of iconic TV show: "The Facts Of Life"

A few months ago, I received an invitation to attend my 20th (yikes!) high-school reunion. I loved high school: I had been President of this and then President of that & I had simply adored the camaderie of being in an all-girls school. Still, when I read the invitation, I got a bit of “performance anxiety”.

Sure, I head my own company but how does that stack up next to a successful marriage & children? The girls I went to school with were/are incredibly smart & driven. And I knew, through the school’s newspaper, that many of them had thriving & accomplished careers: teachers, nurses, doctors, lawyers, engineers.

I walked into my historic school where I once rocked plaid skirts & penny loafers, knowing the reunion would partly resemble holiday family gatherings where I’m often asked: “Do you have kids?”, “Are you working on it”, blah, blah, blah. Truth be told, these are at my age fair questions. The answers, however, were not Emily Post-like: “I want kids, but I don’t feel ready to have any just yet”, “When it was time to commit, I had to run to a meeting”, “It hasn’t happened yet because my priorities are all wrong”.

I don’t regret my path: it’s unique & I made it my own, but my timing does perhaps need some tuning. While I work on that, I came up with a list of advice I wish my 36-year old self could tell my 16-year old self:

• Moisturize & hydrate your face, everyday. You won’t regret it.

• Sure, you have braces & Brejnev-like eyebrows but peaking at 16 makes for a long way down. Eventually, you’ll come into your looks & you’ll accept them.

• Study, study, study.

• Be thankful your mom gave you curfews and was strick with you. It gave you discipline that will come-in handy.

• Take that Latin class. That too, will come-in handy.

• Never mind that people around you don’t understand your fascination with Oprah. One day, they will.

• “Dirty Dancing” is NOT the greatest movie ever made. Get over it.

• You like George Michael’s first solo album but you will love, love, love his second (Listen Without Prejudice, Volume 1).

• Never mind that your friends have so much more experience with boys than you do. You have plenty of time to learn and besides, if you know everything now, falling in love when you’re older won’t be as much fun.

• Oddly enough, the boy you now love will be the Love of your life.

• Lipstick, hairstyles & pencil skirts that look so good on your White girlfriends DO NOT look good on you. Start reading Essence magazine. Now.

• The friends you’ve made in high school will become phenomenal women. Learn from them, take some of their advices & be a good friend.

Why The Mike Tyson Love Fest Must Stop.

2010-05-08T12:26:00.008-04:00

A few months ago, Oprah had Mike Tyson on her show. Sure, it’s her show and she may have whomever she damn pleases on it. Here’s my issue: Mike Tyson is a wifebeater & a rapist & we live in a society where if you’re a guest on a TV show, it’s to be celebrated. And if that appearance coincides with the release of your documentary, you are not only being celebrated, you will eventually be financially rewarded.

Yesterday, on ABC’s The View Whoppi called Mike Tyson “amazingly fantastic”. Huh? Wifebeater? Yes. Rapist? Yes. Amazingly fantastic? I think not.

I cried when I saw the Tyson documentary. He’s a complex person, with a difficult upbringing and who has lived through tough circumstances. That does not, in any way, shape or form excuse his rage against women.

Former NFL player, Laurence Taylor, was very recently arrested for allegedly raping a 15-year old girl. Taylor, who Larry King once called the greatest NFL player of all time (insert eye roll here), denies it and claims the girl was 19 (insert sigh & discust here). Where are all the protestors outside his house or outside the police station or outside the courthouse where he’s to be arraigned? I suggest it should be the same loud-mouths who were protesting with signs and crude slogans against Michael Vick when he was arrested for running a dog-fight ring. I don’t support dog-fighting but I’ll defend a woman over of a dog, any day of any week.

This week, University of Virginia student Yeardley Love was beaten to death by her ex-boyfriend. That’s why the Mike Tyson Love-Fest must stop.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Bons Baisers de Paris (Kisses from Paris)

2010-04-20T13:39:00.001-04:00

Bons Baisers de Paris (Kisses from Paris): "It doesn’t matter how many times you go to Paris. It will always be breathtaking, stylish, old world …..."

My 2-Year Love Affair With Twitter (And The Birth of WebTweet Montréal)

2010-04-17T21:26:00.012-04:00

Photo taken from ceospeaks.wordpress.com

I’m about to celebrate my second anniversary on Twitter. I joined the now almost mainstream micro-blogging site at the urgency of friend, and fellow Barackanista, McLean Greaves. At the time, McLean & I were fully invested in the U.S. Democratic race (well, as much as Canadians could be). Barack Obama’s name was yet to be on everyone’s lips but McLean & I were watching him closely. Greaves then told me about Twitter and how that’s where the real news about the campaigns could be found. He was right. Details from the candidates’ campaigns hit Twitter days before mainstream media would report them. Remember the celebrity-filled “Yes We Can” video? It hit Twitter about 10 days before any major news outlet reported on it and on its influence. In the media, 10 days is an eternity.

Fast-forward to November 4th: Election Day. McLean joined me in Montréal, from Toronto, to be the Head-Tech Producer at the pro-Obama electoral party I held at Opus Hotel. He had concocted the most elaborate and cool set-up so our guests could be connected to the planet. 2 giant screens: one with a CNN live feed, and another with live feed from similar Obama parties being held in such cities as Brisbane and Vancouver. The piece de résistence was the Twitter id he had created just for the event: @CanadaforObama. And, just like that, we were in touch with thousands of people who just like us, were ready for a new world order and who wanted to share their micro-thoughts, live and in 140 characters while awaiting the coronation of King Obama.

Also at the event, sitting at the media table where reporters were filing their articles for the next day, was Philippe Martin. I had known of Philippe only by reputation. He was and still is known as one of the pioneer bloggers in Montréal & in Paris. I had invited Philippe to be a blogger at the event. He responded enthusiastically and said, with even more enthusiasm: “Oh, and I’ll also tweet ”. – and so he did. Since then, Philippe has become not only a friend but also a lantern in my emerging career in social media. So it was no coincidence that he was the first person I went to see months ago when I had the idea to bring to Montreal a "140 Characters Conference". Philippe immediately put me on the right path with ideas and eventually, he introduced me to Claude Malaison who’s helping me making it happen with Michel Chioni at next month’s WebCom in Montréal.

Together, we’re producing & programming the first WebTweet Montréal: a conference on Twitter and on its influence on various industries (such as Fashion, Journalism, Politics, Business, Culture & Love). The conference will be part of the 8th edition of WebCom Montréal next May 26th. I’m excited about wearing not only the PR hat for the event but also that of co-programmer. And because I’m not a total geek, we’re also cooking up quite the cocktail party to close out the Conference.

Many distracters who dared criticizing Twitter without even having tried it, seem to think it, & other social media tools, distance people and cut them from the real world. Au contraire, dear dinosaurs. Twitter has connected me to worlds I have yet to travel to. It has made me taste restaurants even before I’ve set foot into them. It has enabled me to be part of political & social protests just by the simple acts of Re-tweeting and hashtagging. Most importantly, I’ve made new friends via Twitter and it has made me discover people, in my own City, who I cannot wait to meet. And that, is more powerful than any 140 characters put together.

For updated information on the upcoming WebTweet Montréal, follow us here. I look forward to seeing you on May 26th.

The Masters: The Golf Tournament I Love To Hate.

2010-04-04T22:05:00.003-04:00

Okay. Hate is a strong word. But I really do love to dislike The Masters Golf Tournament. I’m far from being a golf connoisseur but I’ve always found the Tournament’s history to be quite disturbing – and no, I’m not referring to the terrible color of their winners’ much sought-after blazer.

The Masters are at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. Georgia: the Peach, Georgia on Ray Charles’ mind, Georgia, the Southern state so primordial to the Civil Rights’ Movement, The fact Tiger Woods’ much anticipated return to golf happens to be at this week’s Masters Tournament isn’t without its share of irony and defiance.

I’ve said since the beginning of Tiger’s ordeal that its media treatment was drenched in race. I won’t go over it again but take me to lunch and I’ll tell you all about it. So here’s Tiger, making a comeback on a course he’s already dominated 4 times. A course that, in a not so distant past, didn’t admit Black people. Racial slurs have been shouted at Tiger at the Masters (& at other tournaments in the United States) by onlookers.

And of course, there was this Pepto-Bismol sponsored moment after Tiger won his first Masters in 1997:

So for all of that, and because it would shut all of the distracters up (especially journalist Christine Brennan), I’m rooting for Tiger at this year’s Masters. Grrr.

Voyeurism: 1, Privacy: 0

2010-03-30T12:44:00.003-04:00

*Photo taken from Madre's Missives.

Yesterday, various news agencies & all social media outlets were tripping over themselves reporting Ricky Martin’s revelation of his sexual orientation. Unless you’ve been living in Amish country, the fact Ricky is a homosexual was no surprise.

I find it quite unfortunate that today; a public figure’s orientation still makes news. I’m even more chagrined to realize that artists, athletes, politicians and whoever is People magazine material carries the burden of having to share such intimate detail of their life. Why must it become public domain and by-the-water-cooler-topic-material? Why do reporters still feel the need to even ask the question?

Reality is the consumer, the fan, the constituent – absolutely doesn’t care. If like me you grew up on 80’s British pop, did you ever wonder (or cared) about the sexual orientations of Morrissey, Boy George or Howard Jones? No, you didn’t until some nosy and uninspired journalist brought it up and you were old enough or so savvy that you understood the innuendos in his or her news report.

Private life is private life. If the media stops prying, the public will not have the now innate need to want to know every.single.bloody.private.detail of today’s public figures. I bring it all back to Tiger Woods. Had Tiger’s wife Elin been diagnosed with breast cancer, we would have absolutely respected Tiger’s privacy. He would have issued a statement that goes a little something like this: “Thank you for your good wishes. This is a private family matter and we ask that you respect our privacy in this difficult time”. Boom. End of story. But now, and much to my disappointment, Tiger crumbled under tabloid pressure and did a series of ill-advised public statements when in reality, the only statement he should have issued (via press release) should have been: “This is a private matter. Otherwise, I’m still the number 1 golfer on Planet Earth. Let me get back to golf and get off my jock”.

The media needs to learn when to scream uncle. The audience will follow.

Sometimes (rarely), Barbara Walters gets it wrong … but she recognized it.

Most of the time, she’s right on point:

My Universal Truths About Relationships.

2010-03-26T10:22:00.004-04:00

Relationship expert, Bob Grant, recently published an article entitled “50 Universal Truths about Men”. I thought it was somewhat insightful but mostly cheeky. Clearly, I’m not a relationship expert but I do have Truths of my own. Universal? You be the judge.

Here are some of the Bob Grant’s Universal Truths About Men and my replies. The complete list of Bob’s Truths is here.

6. I need to be told "no" sometimes. Not a lot, but every now and again reminds me that you are expensive. Fine. But you should also remember that even though I can buy almost all the things I want, I love being spoiled.

7. Please don't ask me how you look unless you're willing to trust my answer. When I tell you to change your shirt, just trust me.

9. When you're happy with me I can't help but want to please you. You’d be surprised to know how simple it is to make me happy.

10. If I don't feel I can make you happy, it makes me feel less than a man. If I don’t feel like you can cry on my shoulder, it makes me feel like less of a woman.

11. I expect you to be ready when I pick you up. When I’m late, it’s usually worth it.

13. I'm scared if I let a woman inside my heart, she'll take advantage of me. I’m scared if I let a man inside my heart, he’ll make me regret it.

14. If you can't stand up to me when I'm a brat, you're too weak for me to open up to when I'm upset. If you can’t stand up to me when I’m a brat, I’ll respect you less.

15. Sitting quietly next to me after you've made me a meal is your get-out-of-the-doghouse-free ticket. You'll be surprised how quickly I can forgive. Dully noted. Also, if I’ve had the meal catered (or partly catered), it shouldn’t mean less to you. I’m busy & truth be told, the number of things I can perfectly cook/bake is limited.

16. You did something hurtful. If I never bring it up, I'm considering leaving you. If you’ve done something hurtful, live in fear.

17. I don't read minds. Remember, I'm not a girl. There are things that are obvious. I shouldn’t have to spell them out to you.

18. You may know fashion, but I wish you'd dress to please me, not other women. I dress to please myself and you should trust my choices. Also, if you ask me to wear something specific, I probably will.

19. If I'm losing my hair, it's not funny. Would you like me to joke about your weight? Why would I joke about you loosing your hair? It’s yet another proof that you’re a man & that’s sexy.

20. When I talk to you about golf and you act bored, it would be nice for you to remember all the times I listened to you talk about what is important to you. You can talk about golf if by golf, you mean Tiger Woods.

23. I hate being told what to do when I don't ask for help. It makes me feel you're my mother. I’ve learned when to shut up. It took a while, but I learned.

24. If you sleep over, I might eventually marry you, but I'm less motivated. That’s a universal truth about men? Really?

26. I need some type of signal or cue to walk across the room and approach you. What if you're married!? Take a chance. I like that.

28. It feels competitive when you insist on being in charge. When I insist on being in charge, it’s because I’m right.

29. Being respected is more important to me that being loved. Being respected is more important to me than being in a relationship.

30. I want every guy to envy me when we arrive as a couple. Please don't let yourself go. I’ll never let myself go. Please do the same.

32. I hate it when you minimize/ignore my compliments. It makes me what to stop giving them. I love compliments and there’s no such thing as a “small” compliment.

35. I don't need you to do things for me. What I crave is being able to please you. You shouldn’t be afraid to ask me to do things for you. If I can, I will.

36. If I do one thing and say something contradictory - Go with my actions, that will always tell you what's in my heart. It will always be easier for me to show you how I feel, in my own way, than telling you how I feel. In that way (that & the fact that the way to my heart is through my stomach), I'm a bit like a man.

38. I really don't want to hear about any of your ex-boyfriends, regardless of the point. I’ll never bring up my exes but the ones that mattered are still in my life which I think says a lot about the type of person I am.

40. I don't like to argue and I don't like to guess what's wrong. Just tell me so I can fix it. Telling you what you did wrong is infuriating because I know you know better.

.43. A gentleman should always be respected by his lady in public, even if she is disagreeing with him. Couldn’t agree with you more.

48. If you cheat on me, it is nearly impossible for me to get over it. If you cheat on me, I don’t want it to get to my ears or to my friends’ ears. If you’re not slick enough to be discreet then we really shouldn’t be together in the first place.

49. I don't remember everything about our relationship and that doesn't mean I don't love you. There are things you shouldn’t forget especially since I know you remember crazy obscure sports statistics.

Chris Rock on Relationships

PR & Fashion For A Purpose.

2010-02-06T11:22:00.006-05:00

Being a publicist is great. You get instant gratification by seeing your clients’ names in the papers and their faces on television. Lasting gratification comes from the people you meet in the process and who remain in your life.

Still, in times like these, in the aftermath of Haiti’s earthquake, you feel helpless and wish you had listened to your parents and had gone to med school. Nonetheless, that’s a grotesque pity party because the reality is that if you’re alive, you can help Haiti … in your own way.

I was lucky enough to be part of a determined team of Montrealers who mobilized right after the earthquake to put together a Benefit-Show called “L’Union Fait La Force” at Montreal’s Telus Theatre. It was fantastic but for me, it was only the first of many initiatives I want to be part of to help Haiti.

Cue-in my next mandate: Montrealer designer Helmer. At next month’s Montreal Fashion Week, Helmer (always a favourite & a must at the bi-annual event) will present a Charity Fashion Show. Funds will be remitted to Handicap International with plans for short, medium & long term projects which include urgent and immediate needs along with social reinsertion for handicapped artisans.

The Fashion Show will be next March 1st. I can’t wait and truth be told, it doesn’t hurt that Helmer will dress me up that day. PR for Haiti while wearing gorgeous clothes? I’m in.

Michelle, Ma Belle.

2010-02-04T00:16:00.008-05:00

In Montreal, like in many other cities in the world, February is Black History Month. Even though I question its existence, I applaud all the initiatives executed by the dedicated team behind the Montreal edition. It was thus impossible for me to refuse when they asked me to pen an op-ed on Michelle Obama: their coup de coeur. Here it is, as it appears in the just released Montreal’s Black History Month calendar.

***

Me? A Barackanista? Well, I have been following the President since before he went mainstream and I did host an Electoral party in Montreal and an Inaugural lunch to follow the momentous events live. Oh, and the President’s picture is the wallpaper on both my laptop and my mobile phone. So, Baracknista? Yes. Guilty as charged.

It took me a little longer to warm up to Michelle. For months during the electoral campaign, I feared her sharp tongue and wit could harm the President-to-be and I knew the media were waiting for her to mess up. But she didn’t. Au contraire. Michelle Obama, with her authenticity and overall badassness, not only charmed us all but she’s also showed the world that this, is what a real sister is like.

Still, the Michelle Obama love fest camouflaged somewhat of a troubling current. Could it be that until then, mainstream media hadn’t realized that such accomplished Black women existed besides Oprah? Too often and for too long, the images of Black women in most media were oversexed, stereotypical, passé or simply distorted. The reality is that our mothers, our aunts, our sisters are Michelle Obamas and they always have been. Smart, dedicated, successful, fit, beautiful, multi-tasking and fashion-conscious.

With her philosophy spread out in television and magazine interviews, Michelle Obama has also sent us a reminder: let’s hail brains and not celebrity. Let’s encourage civil service and not promiscuity. Let’s seek balance and not the paparazzi. Let’s put family first, always. The last decade was about over-consumption and superficialities. The First Lady has given us the cue for the new decade. Let’s follow her lead.

Bleeding Blue & Red in Montréal.

2010-01-17T23:15:00.008-05:00

It’s been 5 days since the earth has rocked my ancestors’ land. Far away, in the Maple Leaf, I feel helpless, restless but also hopeful because I know that like before, Haiti will rise from its ashes.

Over 40 years ago, my parents left this Pearl of the Antilles to start their young lives in Canada. It was the greatest gift they could have given my brother and me who have had every opportunity to thrive in Canada, where we were both born and raised.

The second greatest gift our parents gave us is the constant connection we’ve had with Haiti. During our childhood, our parents made frequent trips with us to Haiti, bringing us closer to its history, its culture, its people: our people. Since then, I’ve returned countless times as ateenager, as a granddaughter, as a young adult, as a businesswoman, as a lover and as a Canadian simply running away from sub-zero temperatures.

Still, my Haitian identity is in constant evolution because I‘m a Montrealer. Thanks to the particular partnership that exists between Quebecers and Haitians, it is not only possible for me to live this bi-culture, it is encouraged. And that is what I am most grateful for. I can think in Creole and express myself in French. I can listen to Tabou Combo on my way to a Habs’ hockey game. I can bring griot to a Shabbat dinner. I am Maple Syrup. I am Barbancourt Rum.

My family is safe & sound in Haiti. Still, it’s the collective support of fellow Montrealers and Canadians that has helped me deal with the immense sense of helplessness and for that too, I am grateful. Every Montreal has a friend of Haitian origin and we, are lucky for that.

Internationally known and loved musical group Arcade Fire hails from Montreal, and here’s their gorgeous ode to Haiti:

A Raise for Tiger's Publicist, Please.

2010-01-04T12:52:00.003-05:00

Here's Vanity Fair's upcoming February cover. It's not a different Tiger: it's the real Tiger. The one that is buff, thirty-something, cocky, sexual and human. It takes guts to break an image that has been carved by others for over a decade. Guts usually pays off.

Not Perfect Enough for Canada.

2009-12-09T14:04:00.003-05:00

They left Paris for Montreal a few years ago. Since then, the Barlagnes have fully integrated the Maple Leaf while contributing to the work force, participating in the school system and being part of the country's social fabric. Despite having followed all "Immigration Canada" rules and regulations, they are now asked to leave the country because Rachel, the youngest daughter, has cerebral palsy.

It's a heartbreaking story that you can watch below (the short film is in french).

Also, I invite you to sign the petition to help them stay in Canada, by clicking here.

The Barlagnes and their story:

May He, Or She, Who Has Never Sinned Cast The First Stone At Tiger.

2009-12-07T13:00:00.006-05:00

I thought the Tiger-chatter nonsense would be done by now. Much to my chagrin, it has instead taken lude proportions. I can’t defend Tiger but I certainly can’t condemn him either. I know of him but I don’t know him.

Furthermore, I’ve certainly never considered him a role-model simply because he’s an outstanding athlete: that would be pathetic. I don’t see him either as a superior human just because he’s worth 1 billion dollars: that would be grotesque. What I do like about Tiger is the way he’s understood the game of branding, marketing and media. He’s played it and won and for that, I think he deserves accolades.

He’s been selling us shoes, sports drinks and razor blades. Never has he tried to sell us Christian values, faithfulness, walks on the beach or marriage advice. Because of that, you need to see him for what he is: a good looking thirty-something who perhaps got married when he wasn’t ready to do so and who can’t, it seems, say no to temptation. You may not live in a glass house, but surely your house includes a glass lobby, a glass walk-in closet or at the very least, a glass boudoir. So, easy on the stone-throwing.

Tiger doesn’t owe us anything, least of which an explanation. Let Elin deal with him, he’s her problem. And to CBS’s Bob Schiffer who was quick to bark at Woods … Comparing Tiger to Arnold Palmer is like comparing apples & oranges. The game has changed Bob, and so has its players.

Forever Miles.

2009-11-25T12:16:00.006-05:00

* Painting is by Heavyweight

I was just reading journalist Mike Doherty’s article entitled “Too many Miles” inquiring “At what point does the constant paying of tribute turn into fixation? And furthermore, is there a danger that in looking back at the career of someone who was always looking forward, the jazz world is ignoring the innovation of a younger generation?”

It’s not a fixation: it’s recognition of greatness. In a world where lightweights à la Diana Kralls are considered Jazz artists: the recognition is primordial.

We continue to celebrate Miles Davis the same way we still celebrate Bach, Basquiat, Van Gogh or Warhol. Their genius was never to be duplicated and that is to be cherished and commemorated.

I’m eternally grateful to my parents for the education they gave me. Part of the education included Art appreciation. My father was adamant about submerging my brother and me in all types of musical genres. Thankfully, Miles Davis was part of the curriculum. As I grew older, I got to understand, if only a tad, Davis’ prose. I also understood that Miles Davis was never meant to be overanalyzed by old men who find refuge in radio booths. Miles Davis has to be lived. Period.

To say my life changed the day I listened to his soundtrack for Louis Malle's French classic film Ascenseur pour l’échafaud is not an exaggeration. I also understood at that moment that Jazz is essential to Live, to Learn and to Love.

There is indeed a new generation of Jazz artists that deserve much praise but Miles Davis is a religion. Let us pray.

Here, the track Générique, from the Ascenseur pour l’échafaud soundtrack. Simply delicious.

Also, if you missed it in Paris, Montreal’s Museum of Fine Arts will present the “We Want Miles” exhibit in 2010.

I Am A Citizen of Roc Nation ...Despite Living In Montréal.

2009-11-01T15:12:00.003-05:00

On Friday, October 30^th the King of New York graced Montreal with his presence, his repertoire and with his place in pop cultural history. After a 10-year absence, Jay-Z was finally back in a City where he is deeply loved, despite the obstacles. I could speak of the man’s excellence or of his accomplishments but that would be, for anybody not leaving under a rock, déjà-heard. Instead, I prefer to pay homage to the thousands who, for years, have loved and supported Jay-Z. Those who could recite his anthems way before he was part of the hottest couple in music and before he made it to the top of every multimillionaires’ list known to the publishing world.

Those thousands of fans are like me, part of a legion; this is la familia as Hova would say. Montreal calls itself a cultural metropolis but it boasts no Hip Hop & R n’ B radio stations. How could that be? Musical programmers are somewhat clueless when it comes to the genre and to its culture. It’s a pathetic and embarrassing reality. Montrealers have always had to love Hip Hop in a clandestine way but Hip Hop lives here because of promoters (like such luminaries as Donald Robins and Rickey Daley) who know their craft and understand that Hip Hop is neither a phase nor is it an incitation to violence as many stereotypes would have you believe. Hip Hop also lives here because of a handful of journalists (amongst that handful, two veterans: T’Cha Dunleavy of the Montreal Gazette & Philippe Renaud of La Presse) who not only know and love it, but I’m sure often have to justify to their editors why it is primordial they cover Hip Hop artists.

So to the Montreal Hip Hop heads, the gutsy promoters and ballsy journalists, I tip my Yankee hat to you. This is Roc Nation: pledge your allegiance.

Jay-Z opened the Montreal show with “Run This Town”. Watch it here , via Webpresse.ca

Hardcore Jay-Z fans will always get a kick out of this:

The Confessional | Natalie McLennan

2009-10-22T09:38:00.010-04:00

Natalie McLennan, Montreal | Once just a girl with dreams of bright lights big city, Natalie McLennan turned, for a moment, into the bad girl of New York. She was the highest rated & most expensive escort in the Big Apple and graced the cover of New York Magazine. She did the Tyra show, the Today show, the Larry King show, the Tout Le Monde En Parle Show and countless others. In the process, the by-now media darling exposed an industry that ultimately brought down one of its most famous client, former New York governor Elliott Spitzer. That chapter of Natalie’s life is over but, The Price , her memoir about it (The Price) has been translated in French (Le prix a payer)and hit the shelves this week. The reformed good girl enters The Confessional.

What is the difference between an escort and a woman who dates or marries a man for his money? It depends on the woman. Some woman marry men 'for money' when what they really want is security. Some women are actually only interested in money and living a certain lifestyle. Some escorts are earning a living and like what they do and don't think in terms of 'how much more can I get'... Some escorts are or become cold-hearted and think only of money. There are different types of people within every industry, in every walk of life.

In your experience, what is the common thread between all men? There isn't one. Everyone is different.

What is the one myth you wish girls were warned about at a very young age? That celebrity and fame are indicators of success and happiness. The way pop culture is going, it doesn't seem like that perception will dissolve anytime soon.

What was your “a-ha” moment? Life is a constant evolution, there are a-ha moments every day if you take the time to listen and pay attention.

Many want to change their lives and start over but few have the balls. What’s your advice? If you want to change your life you have to change your behaviour. You have to think about, even make a list, of your goals, what you are looking for, what makes you happy and then make a list of the steps to achieve those goals. Once the steps are in front of you, changing your life won't seem like such an overwhelming task. Aside from that, we are all much stronger and more powerful than we choose to acknowledge. Find your inner strength and don't let go.

You spent 26 days in jail, after being arrested for prostitution and solicitation. Besides freedom, what did you miss the most during that period? Hope.

What do women still have to learn regarding sex and regarding men? The best sex comes from love, but in addition to that, there is nothing wrong with educating yourself, learning how to become a better lover. There is a lot of instinct involved, but technique goes along way. Regarding men, I think finding one who knows what he wants and knowing what you yourself are looking for is great. Other than that...everyone likes to be admired, to be appreciated, especially men.

What do men still have to learn regarding sex and women? Nothing. Men are perfect. :)

You have a book (The Price) about your life as an escort in New York. Without a doubt, your story would make for a fantastic movie. Who should play you? And name three artists that should be on the soundtrack. For the soundtrack: Patrick Watson, City and Colour, Depeche Mode and Pink. I know that's four and I think there needs to be some Zeppelin in there too. So, that's five. As for who should play me, I really like Rachel McAdams. I feel like she knows what it's like to have a Canadian sensibility and be thrown into the US. She would be great.

Name a lesson, or a trick, that you’ve learned as an escort that still today, serves you well. I learned never to complicate things by living multiple lives. To be honest with myself and with the people I care about..

You’ve now found love. Name three things you look for in a mate. I look for the spark. I look for someone that I love spending time with, that is more fun than I ever thought possible. I look for someone who has an open heart.

Name a book that has changed you. I love books so much. I am always reading. I love Ayn Rand. Atlas Shrugged is one of my favorite books. I love Hemingway, especially The Sun Also Rises. I love James Frey. I really like Anthony Kiedis' memoir, Scar Tissue.

Name three songs that get you going, regardless. I’m more into artists and sounds than specific songs...Most Rolling Stones songs work, Madonna & Jay-Z.

When will I see you next? You will see me walking down the street, smiling.

Natalie’s book is “The Price” and is available here: Buy it! .
It has been translated in French (Le prix à payer) which you can buy here.

The intro-photo is by Terry Hughes.

A Man Named Nobel And One Who Dares To Pursue The Dream.

2009-10-10T13:44:00.003-04:00

So many distracters. Is Peace supposed to bring out so much hate? I draw many comparisons between President Barack Obama and Martin Luther King because of their similar abilities to rally people, all people, behind the same ideals.

When over 250 000 people gathered in 1963 for the march on Washington, they did so because they believed in MLK’s gospel. The one where he preached equality, tolerance and non-violence. Between 1963 and 2009, large gatherings were attributed to such pretexts as sporting events and extraordinary musical manifestations, usually involving Bono. But this year, on a cold January morning, over a million people gathered to not only witness history-in-the-making but also to show support to the President’s ideals of equality and of peace, of hope and of change. The ideal to not only build bridges between all people but to also recognize that we need to repair those that been had broken.

The stone-throwers complain of President Obama’s lack of accomplishment. The reality is that Nobel Peace Prize winner Martin Luther King was bestowed with the award for his dream which has yet to be accomplished as there is still no equality between the races. You think we are not still often judged by the colour of our skin? We often are, hence the necessity of a Barack Obama.

The Nobel committee cites President Obama received the award for “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples". The Prize was perhaps remitted to The Prez but is it also a nod to those who voted for him and to all those who believe in him. Thank you, Nobel Prize committee. I’m humbled by the recognition.

Assalamu 'alaykum, Mister President.

In Berlin

United States of The World

Telling It Like It Is.

2009-10-04T15:12:00.004-04:00

I haven’t posted in a while mostly because I’ve been commenting current events in 140 characters, or less, here: http://twitter.com/MartineMontreal . As a publicist and a as pop-cultural fiend, the last few weeks have been quite educational. So here, a “Cliff Notes” of sorts, of my thoughts of recent events:

• Kanyé West at the MTV Video Awards: Real Kanyé fans will still love him because they know that part of the man’s genius is his crazy side. He loves attention and will get it by any means necessary, including those that confirm he’s part dare-devil, part douche bag;
•

• Joe Wilson at the President’s address: Joe Wilson is an idiot still in denial that the President, his President is a Black man. Maureen Dowd of the NYT wrote it best: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/opinion/13dowd.html

• Serena Williams at the U.S. Open: Serena messed up. The foot-fault call was clearly erroneous, but Serena must know by now that she doesn’t have the luxury of other players. The media is, and always has been, harsher on Venus and her. To an average player, that wouldn’t be such a big deal but Serena is not your average tennis player: she’s an Industry. One that is based on image over performance. One that will be tarnished by violent and crass outbursts. Shape up, Serena. McEnroe did and it served him well. And for those who will quip at my earlier statement that the media has always been harsher on the Williams sisters, a return in history: When Venus first started on the tour, she got a warning from the ATP after opponents complained that the beads in her hair made too much noise. At the time, commentators such as Mary Carillo agreed with the warning. Today female tennis players grunt like cavemen on the court and although it has made for cute news stories, the phenomenon has never been accompanied by racial undertones.

• Roman Polanski: Yes, the arrest in Switzerland prior to a Film festival where he was to be honoured was a tad overkill. But the man did rape a 13-year old. It’s as simple as that & I don’t care what Whoopi Goldberg says and I don’t care how great “Chinatown” was. I’m disappointed in all the Heavyweights who’ve defended Polanski (Woody Allen, Pedro Almodovar, Fanny Ardant, Asia Argento, Monica Bellucci, Jonathan Demme, Costa Gavras, Jeanne Moreau, Martin Scorsese, Tilda Swinton, Giuseppe Tornatore, Wim Wenders et al) and I also wonder when did Woody Allen become a reference when it comes to appropriate conduct with young women?

• David Letterman: This was for me the greatest example of smart and efficient PR which can be resumed into this simple mantra: “No one messes with David Letterman, besides NBC”. The following days will be interested to follow. I think feminists will use this story as a podium for some sort of claim and various assistants will come out of the woodwork with ridiculous stories. Letterman has a track record: his wife is a former staffer. Furthermore, it’s wrong to always see women as victims in these situations. One of the assistants in this story of consensual sex had her graduate school paid by Letterman so if anything, it was a shrewd and calculated move on her part. Let’s not kid ourselves; women have used sex, the promise of sex or the illusion of sex in calculated moves, to get ahead since forever. There. I said it.

I’m excited at new interviews of “The Confessional” that will begin this week. For now, here’s a favourite from a while ago: Chef and restaurant owner, Stelio Perombelon: http://groupemilagro.blogspot.com/2008/05/confessional-stelio-perombelon.html

Hip Hop, Spike Lee & The Montreal Expos.

2009-09-19T22:14:00.001-04:00

http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=2009588

Shared via AddThis

Barks over Bras.

2009-08-17T08:04:00.004-04:00

Shamed NFL player Michael Vick had barely enough time to ditch his prison jumpsuit that he was already granting 60 Minutes his first post-jail interview. Prepped and ready for a barrage of questions (albeit quite softball-like ones), Vick appeared somewhat remorseful and well trained by PR gurus. It’s an exercise we’re used to since we’ve seen fallen politicians, moguls and rockstars go through the same ritual.

As he was exiting prison, Michael Vick was quickly signed by the Philadelphia Eagles. So far, so good. Here is where I get a rash: I can’t even believe the fury with which people are protesting against Michael Vick’s return to the NFL. I’ve said it before on this podium and I’ll say it again: the NFL is filled with wife beaters and drunk drivers. Where are the protests against them? You think a wife beater is not as grave as a dog kennel keeper? Ask Nicole Brown’s children. A drunk driver is more acceptable than a man who allowed pitbulls fights on his farm? Ask a mother of a child killed by a drunken idiot behind the wheel. I worry about a society and a media corps who are more outraged by the treatment of animals than it is of the treatment of women.

I’m happy Vick is back in uniform. Once he starts winning again, most will change camp as it has been proven a million times before that people like champions more than they hate felons.

The Beer Tasted Around The World.

2009-08-02T15:40:00.004-04:00

I have restrained from commenting the Skip Gates affair because I find its treatment to be so démesuré. For starters, the cops did act stupidly. There. I said it. I don’t care how many “Yo Mama” jokes Skip Gates may or may not have uttered at the policeman: handcuffing him, while he’s in his own bloody house was absolutely uncalled for.

Second, anybody who thinks this whole story wasn’t race-related is clueless. There. I said it, again.

Third, the fact Skip Gates is a praised Harvard-professor is irrelevant. He could have as easily been a high-school graduate auto-mechanic and the arrest would have been just as unjust.

Forth, all these cable-news talking heads have once again proven to be impostors. The day George Stephanopoulos gets racially-profiled, then he’ll have some credibility commenting the Skip Gates affair. When Lou Dobbs gets handcuffed inside his house – just for being there – then I’ll care about his thoughts on the whole debacle.

As a publicist, I can’t say that I was impressed by the Beer Summit. The idea was good and I appreciate the President’s efforts. Still, the whole thing was set up for appearances and let’s be honest: a random garden table where are seated the most powerful man in the world, an unusually quiet Joe Biden, a pissed-off member of the Harvard intelligentsia and an overzealous cop simply looked awkward. Plus, this little get-together did very little for race-relations which was, we were told, the whole point.

Still, nice try Mr. President.

Nothing's Sacred.

2009-07-15T13:02:00.002-04:00

In an interview with the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Company), the great Leonard Cohen wished for a moratorium on new versions of his song Hallelujah. I couldn’t agree more.

Hallelujah is more than a classic. It’s a hymn that goes beyond religions and beliefs. To say it has soul would be a gross understatement. It is simply Cohen’s best and it should only be known as such. Still, my knees still shake when I hear the Jeff Buckley version. That version has the merit of being mystical and haunting simply because Buckley – besides being a genius – is dead and still has, quite the numinous aura attached to his name.

I however draw the line at any and all the renditions made by reality-show contestants. For starters, too many of them don’t even know who Leonard Cohen is nor do they care of the legend such name carries. It is asymptomatic of a generation, or rather an industry, that favours profits over respect and dues. Never was this more evident that at the recent debacle also known as the BET awards when the wind-machine-addicted Beyoncé performed Ave Maria dressed like a burlesque saloon dancer passed her prime. Ave Maria? Really?

The Industry that has already disfigured such classics as Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On and Stevie’s Pastime Paradise (Damn you, Coolio. Damn you.) should get itself some standards and leave the classics alone.

The Great Leonard Cohen

The Problem With Republicans.

2009-07-14T07:33:00.000-04:00

The problem with Republicans is that they don’t know where to shoot from. Watching them awkwardly try to bash Judge Sonia Sotomayor is simply embarrassing. You may not agree with her on everything, but we must all agree that she knows the law.

While her 2001 remark (“I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life”) might have been a bit gauche, do we not understand what she was trying to say? Whether you are a lawyer, a welder or the President of the United States, your life experience will – thankfully – shape your views. As a judge, Sotomayor knows that her role is not to interpret the law as she sees fit but rather to apply it as it should be.

I welcome this fresh view on the Supreme Court because a country that still, in 2009, has Black children expulsed from an all-white Country Club, desperately needs a wise woman making sure its Constitution is applied, whether she is Latina or not.

I'll Miss The Vibe.

2009-07-01T10:12:00.002-04:00

In a week marked by a heartbreaking loss in Pop Culture, here I am, mourning another staple. Vibe Magazine is no more. Founded by Quincy Jones in 1993, Vibe was the reference for the Hip, the Hop, the Rock, the Roll and the very cool. And, for a kid who could never get her Hip Hop fix on neither Montreal radio nor television, Vibe Magazine was a lifeline.

The mag was politics, it was social issues and it was fashion. But most of all, it was Music. Today, Hip Hop is mainstream and even my mom knows of Kanyé West. But for a long time, it wasn’t and Vibe Magazine was our ear to the ground. This Bible of what’s hot was a badge of honour for all those who graced its cover. The covers’ catalogue is like a history course in Hip Hop and R n’ B. Way before Mary J. sang with Elton John at the Grammys, she was on the cover of Vibe. Way, way, waaaaay before Kanyé had a sneaker line with Louis Vuitton, Vibe was telling us to rush out and grab his “College Dropout” album. And, a decade before he was gracing the cover of Cigar Aficionado, Jay-Z was preaching the Rock-a-fella gospel in the pages of Vibe.

Vibe was an important soap box for a generation that felt marginalized, misrepresented and in many ways, ahead of its time. It’s unfortunate the magazine couldn’t adapt to the realities of new media and those of its diverse readership. It’s a bitch-of-a-time for the publishing world and I’m sorry to see Vibe Magazine be a victim but it has never failed its mandate to be the voice of the Hip Hop generation and we should never forget that.

So Cool He Only Needed One Glove.

2009-06-26T11:13:00.007-04:00

This morning while watching the Today Show, music genius L.A. Reid delivered the wisest words: “Turn down the chatter, turn up the music”.

As a student of Michael Jackson – because if you can recite the lyrics to most of his songs, that’s what you are – I choose to remember the Greatness, not the drama.

I choose to remember that he made music videos an Art form.
I choose to remember that he was so cool, he only needed one glove.
I choose to remember that when he walked, the sidewalk lit up.
I choose to remember that in popular-music history there are two periods: before Michael and after Michael and that he has single-handedly influenced all aspects of the latter.

As a publicist, I have a love-hate relationship with the media. Unfortunately, in the case of Michael Jackson, the balance definitely tilts towards hate. When you peg someone as “Wacko”, you kill him. Slowly, but you do kill him by striping him of his dignity while humiliating him in front of his family, his children, his friends and his fans.

Has Michael Jackson made mistakes? Yes, definitely. Haven’t you? His behaviour with young boys was an error in judgement and wrong but as court papers and countless accounts have confirmed, not pedophilia. For every news article vilifying him for his behaviour with young boys, there should have been three vilifying the unfit parents who sent their children to sleep over at his house.

For every news article lapidating Michael for his extravagant spending, there should have been three stoning his bloodsucking entourage.

And yes, Michael was different and extravagant. Thank God. If I want boring and predictable, I’ll turn to my accountant.

So today, and for the rest of my life, when I’ll think of Michael Jackson, I’ll choose to remember the Greatness and not the drama.

MJ & Alfonso Ribeiro do Pepsi. So cool.

Brains & Style.

2009-05-29T08:09:00.003-04:00

Dambisa Moyo. Perhaps the name doesn’t yet ring a bell and the face isn’t quite familiar either. Her work, however, requires your attention.

Dambisa is the author of Dead Aid, a wake-up call not only for Africa but also for the nations seeking to help it out.

I like Dambisa because she’s so smart that when she speaks, you forget how stylish she is and you ignore the fact you desperately want to know where she got her fabulous stilettos.

Dead Aid might as well be a manifesto. The message of the book has the merit to come from a messenger that not only understands Africa but is Africa. As impressive is the fact that Dambisa Moyo went to both Oxford & Havard universities, the fact she is African makes her view of the Continent and the effects of the aid it has received more on point that those of a Bono or a Bob Geldof. I applaud most aid sent to Africa and think critique from one of its own deserves attention.

Dambisa Moyo isn’t a prophet nor does she hold all the answers. Still, this is one badass we need to listen to and perhaps, learn from.

Meow! When Female Columnists Attack.

2009-05-12T10:35:00.003-04:00

No, you haven’t been experiencing Groundhog Day: you have been seeing Elizabeth Edwards everyday on TV for the past week. On all sorts of tribunes and formats, Mrs Edwards has been promoting Resilience, her latest book. Recounting a life that has little to do with ordinary, she shares such transforming events as the lost of her son, her battle and momentary win over cancer a few years ago and today, a new battle against a cancer that seems terminal. Much of the book recounts her relationship, partnership, kinship with her husband, former presidential pretty boy, John Edwards. Obviously, there was no way she could escape writing about John’s much publicized affair and possible love child with a one of his staff member.

Because she’s still standing, I suppose Elizabeth Edwards was expecting well-deserved cheers. Instead, her book has been received with a chorus of jeers, lead by such tenors as New York Times’ Maureen Dowd and The Daily Beast’ Tina Brown. Brown & Dowd have been throwing stones at Edwards, questioning her loyalty to John & blasting her attacks on the mistress. Why are these women concentrating solely on that aspect of Elizabeth Edwards’ life? What about her brilliant career as an attorney? Her role as a mother to kids of different generations? Her role in American politics? Dowd and Brown instead chose to kick someone who’s down and still found strength to talk about it.

How a woman responds to infidelity is as particular as her DNA. I’ve never been married and can only imagine the pain, humiliation and betrayal one must feel. I also know that often, staying in the union takes more strength than leaving it. On the flip side, I choose to see Elizabeth Edwards as a master strategist. Would her book have generated as much buzz had she left John a year ago?

Round 1: On CNN’s AC 360

The Confessional | Juliette Powell

2009-04-21T08:15:00.003-04:00

Juliette Powell, New York | Sure, the name might sound familiar. To many of us who grew up on music videos in Canada, Juliette was that VJ. Long gone are the celebrity interviews with chart toppers and the gossip. Juliette is now a badass in her life’s next act as an author and as webmaster and she’s the poster girl for style meeting substance. The former model and self-proclaimed geek now enters The Confessional.

What is more invasive? Shooting a music video with not much clothes on or entering The Confessional? As long as you are comfortable with yourself, neither... You’ve already faced your own fears!

When you were a Veejay on MusiquePlus and then on MuchMusic, I pegged you as a ditz. Now, I read you diligently on Huffington Post and in ASW magazine and follow you on Twitter. You have really shut me up. Is the web your redemption? I was studying finance and international business at McGill and had already received a mechanical engineering scholarship (thanks to my calculus II teacher who recommended me to the dept.)… that’s what I was doing when I wasn’t on TV doing celebrity interviews. MusiquePlus empowered me (and paid me well) to learn everything I could about the business of broadcast and broadband. I wrote and produced my 1^st show at MusiquePlus and then moved on. Ditzy is as ditzy does ;)

You’ve written the very insightful 33 million people in a Room. Are people surprised to see a former model when they are expecting a geeky author? I was a model for all of 3 months. I sucked at it because I never was comfortable with the idea of being a walking hanger. A geek is born not made ;)

Social networking consumes much of our online-surfing time. How has the web influenced Love? If you ask my mom, she’ll tell you that she had more Valentine’s messages than I did a couple years ago- She had 14 to my 0 to be exact- She was dating online; I wasn’t.

You’ve been a consultant for The Biography Channel, Women's Entertainment Television, E! Entertainment Television, Cirque du Soleil, and Bravo. What are top two rules corporations must understand about the web to insure their online success? Authenticity and transparency.

You’ve met Nelson Mandela. Give me three epithets that describe him. Courageous. Self-actualized. Empowering.

There are heated debates fueled by the Bloggers vs. Journalists duel. Where do you stand on the issue? I’m a big believer in delivering information to people where they live. Like most people, I want to get the stories that matter to me when and where I want them and whoever can deliver is ‘favored’, at least for the moment. Most of the shows that
I create and produce are for TV, internet radio and for the web.. Why limit ourselves?

Name three things you can’t get from the Web. Full kinetic experience, Silence, a 6 handed massage.

What are three songs in heavy rotation on your i-Pod? I’m responding from Helsinki and just discovered Siiri Nordin, then there’s subswara and ana sia (going to their party in NY as soon as I land).

What are some of the most fashionable tech accessories every trendy-geek should have? 3 things that don’t go out of style: an empathetic ear, a helping hand and an entrepreneurial spirit… all very fashionable both on and off the web…

I have to say it: you look even better than you did 15 years ago. Name two things that keep you so radiant? My happiness comes from aligning what I believe in with what I do. I’m also incredibly lucky to have inherited great genes: thanks mom and dad!

Besides your smartphone and your Amex, name three things you would bring on a deserted island. A satellite phone, a laptop and my very own boy Friday to bring all the food, water and other supplies (think burning man). (PS: why would I bring an Amex to a deserted island?)

When will I see you next? New show and video series. Check in at juliettepowell.com for details in the coming weeks… ~> Jx

Bleeding Red, White & Blue.

2009-04-15T20:27:00.005-04:00

If you live in Montreal, you are a Montrealer no matter where you were born. Montrealers have the same religion: hockey, no matter the name of the God they worship. The City’s hockey team, The Canadiens (also called the Habs), are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year.

The Habs made it to the playoffs and the City now has its mojo back. I love hockey but don’t know my team’s statistics like die-hard fans do. Still, I have rarely felt the big “CH” on my chest like I did a few days ago.

The Montreal Symphonic Orchestra and its rock star musical director Kent Nagano performed for 12 000 faithfuls at the Bell Centre: the house the Habs built. It wasn’t a concert … it was a spectable. Yes, the Orchestra is exquisite and yes, watching Kent Nagano is like watching a mad scientist concocting the world’s musical cure for apathy. But what truly made the event a multi-sensorial experience were of course, the 12 000 Montrealers present. Beaming with pride at their history flashed on the giant screens andplaying in their ears the revellers were drenched in hockey – the religion that unifies them all, if only one season at a time.

The MSO played Beethoven, movie soundtracks, Pin de Roma and Sports hymns. When Montreal speaks of being Canada’s cultural metropolis, this is what it is talking about.

Happy playoffs!

The Confessional | Michelle Blanc

2009-04-13T10:53:00.006-04:00

Michelle Blanc, Montreal & The Web | Michelle is one of the first people in Canada to receive a Masters’ in E-Commerce with a specialty in Management. She rocks the web and to Bloggers like yours truly, Michelle represents gravitas because of her vision, her guts and her innovation. Not long ago she was a he and now fully assumes her status as a transsexual entrepreneur. The ballsiest woman I know now enters the Confessional.

You spend a considerable amount of time at your keyboard so answering this e-questionnaire should be a breeze, yes? Nope, I would really rather do it on the phone cause as you said, I spend a considerable amount of time on the keyboard.

Not long ago, you appeared on TV’s Tout Le Monde En Parle (a popular weekly talk show) watched by almost 2 million people in Québec. Do you think your appearance did more for the web or for transsexuals? Well, I know it did a lot for the trans themselves and their families since a lot of them wrote me and told me so. It also demystified what it is to be stuck with (GID)Gender Identity Dysphoria. As for the Web, strangely enough, even though everybody and their mothers think they know the Web, there is still a tremendous amount of knowledge to share and myths to destroy. So on both subjects; there is still a lot of work to be done. But even if the GID is still a relatively unknown phenomenon to the general masses, it is still much less complex of what the Web really is and of how you could use it to promote your ideas or achieve business goals with it.

You co-founded YULBiz with Philippe Martin. The organization gathers business bloggers and is becoming quite influential. How long before governments finally consider YULBiz as a powerful lobbyist group and what would be first on YULBiz’s agenda? Government is so late in realizing what the web could do for it or event monitoring the Web to understand what people are actually saying about them, that it might take quite a while. Here in Quebec anyway. We sent a letter to the prime minister and the other head of political parties during the last election and none of them ever replied or reacted to our request for a digital plan for Quebec.

Who do you see as Canada’s first Minister of Numeric Affairs? And Québec’s? I really have no clue since at every level of government, they seem so unconcerned with the fact that every month, between 40 and 60% of every dollar spent online by Quebecers goes outside the country, that I really can’t figure out who could have a shred of understanding in what deep shit our digital economy is.

I once fell madly in love with a guy because his text-messages were so witty & smart. How has the Web influenced Love? Generally people tend to believe that the Web isolate people and it is quite the opposite. Yulbiz which is an online movement for Business bloggers and business people interested in blogs is now in 10 cities around the globe after just 3 years. And every month, people gathered around to drink and talk, in the real life. Online dating sites did the same thing for quite a few people. Unfortunately, in these types of online dating settings there also is a lot of deception.

I’ve notice that whenever I gather with friends, a good percentage of our discussions centers around social networks such as Twitter and around tech-gadgets like my beloved BBerry. Are we geeks or socially-inept individuals? In the seventies, parents used to freak out about how much time their teenagers spent on the phone. Social media are the new phones and are a quite effective tool of socialization.

The Web is by far the most powerful tool for change. How can we best use it to save Africa and other nations in need? Social media (including blogs) that allow global awareness are already an effective force.

Name the three most essential Net-etiquette rules. Share without hoping for reward. Be passionate & respectful. Do not hide under anonymity.

Name three of your favourite websites? And why?

Google: it’s the door of the Web

Twitter: It’s the coffee break room of the world were a lot of informal (but nevertheless crucial) conversation are talking place

Wikipedia: It’s the people repository of knowledge

On a deserted Island (where there is Wi-Fi, of course) what are the three things that you bring besides your i-Phone and your Amex? My laptop, glasses and snorkelling gears.

Name three songs currently in heavy-rotation on your I-Pod. None. Strangely enough, I never bought a CD in my life (actually I bought 3 eight tracks of Supertramp a very long time ago). I listen to music thru my wife that is a fanatic of emergent music.

When will I see you next? Whenever, on my different blogs, on FB, Twitter, at Laïka were I work often, on some obscure bar where my wife brings me or at one of the numerous geek/bloggers event or conference...

Love Spelled Out.

2009-04-12T12:23:00.004-04:00

As research for an upcoming project, my friend Nico Fonseca lent me a book called: "Other people’s Love letters", edited by Bill Shapiro. The title says it all. I read it feverishly switching from grins to tears, from regret to envy. The book also brought me back to 1993, when I received the most revealing love letter I had gotten in my young life from a boyfriend who was older and wiser. The letter let out sides of him I had yet to discover: vulnerable, romantic and Molieresque, confirming the power of the format.

Reading "Other people’s Love letters" was also a reminder that in this age of instant delivery of feelings and of immediate XOXOs, the art of courtship through love letters is a lost one.

Here's hoping for a comeback.

Deadbeat Dads Are So Passé.

2009-03-30T07:56:00.002-04:00

Watching Steve Kroft interview Lebron James on 60 minutes, my rage surpassed my amazement. Amazed because of course, we all know how great King James is. Not only on the basketball court but because he’s proven to be a savvy, successful & generous businessman who has not only understood the old boys’ network but has joined it and has dictated a new template for it.

So why the rage? Because like many of his counterparts in various professional sports, Lebron James grew up fatherless. Enough already, guys. If you know you’re not going to stick around for your kids, practice protected sex. It’s really not that complicated.

I Survived the Circus. Barely.

2009-03-22T23:50:00.006-04:00

On Friday night, I was one of the 20 000 believers who gathered at Montreal’s Bell Center to be part of Britney Spears’ Circus. I left the show early and opted for an overpriced burger instead. Once at the restaurant, I was already doodling down ideas for this post which had all the makings of a very harsh critique. Then, I took a step back, a deep breath and oh yeah, a stiff drink.

My main complaint about the show wasn’t the playback since in reality, I don’t necessarily need to hear Britney sing live (diddo for Madonna & Janet) but rather that Britney wasn’t feeling it. Since the beginning of her career Miss Spears has always been the ultimate performer. Choreography, audacity, costumes, back up dancers, glitter, smoke machines, snakes … the works! Friday night’s show was like a bad rehearsal the morning of a hangover.
Madonna, one of Miss Spears’ inspirations, would have never pulled such rubbish.

In my post-Circus disappointment, I remembered a passage from MTV’s recent documentary on Miss Spears where the network followed her for a month. In a poignant moment, she confessed how sad she was. She also let us in on the dirty secret that her life was too controlled, that every day resembled Groundhog Day. I then asked myself why a healthy multimillionaire successful twenty-something living her dream would be so sad. It’s quite simple, really:

· Everyone around Miss Spears is living off of her. That’s quite a lot of pressure;
· Her parents divorced not so long ago. It doesn’t matter how old you are: that always sucks;
· She still loves Justin. No need to say more;
· Her looser ex-boyfriend dumps her in front of the entire planet and she still hears about him and his looser ways in every tabloid printed in the United States;
· She’s had two kids back to back. Post partum is never easy;
· She’s single and is looking for love … not easy in any market

The comeback was premature, Britney. Cancel the rest of the tour, resource yourself and come back when you’ll be ready. We’ll still be here.

Rest In Peace. Almost.

2009-03-19T13:07:00.002-04:00

Hours after her fatal accident, much deserving praises for Natasha Richardson have been inundating TV, print and the web. What I do find quite despicable is how reporters keep on reminding viewers and readers how Miss Richardson wasn’t wearing a helmet and how she initially refused medical treatment. Fine, we get the picture but can’t we give the dead a break?

Pop Culture fails when it rewards failures

2009-03-16T00:49:00.003-04:00

It’s quite obvious how much I follow, love and analyze Pop Culture. Its dirty secret is that it has too often harboured & rewarded mediocrity. But mostly, it was camouflaged clowns, mascots-like characters that if nothing else, entertained us with their lack of any intellectual merit. Right away, names like Kato Kaelin, Larry Birkhead, Joe Millionaire and hotel heiresses come to mind. The reality is that these buffoons were harmless as their actions never really affected your daily routine.

Cut to today’s financial crisis. With incomprehensible bailout plans as suggested by President Bush, to President Obama’s current suspiciously optimistic stimulus plan, to all these deductions you don’t even want to understand on your 401k statements, financial journalists have become not only life lines but also embody updated versions of Ann Landers with every news shows hosting “Dear Financial Journalist” segments where duped stockholders find court for their grievances, questions and worries.

Money guru Suze Orman has seen her empire rise in this crisis because she breaks it down like you need to hear it, as she has always done. Her success is supported by sound advice, books, a cable-TV show, segments on Oprah and on every morning show under the sun. Jim Cramer, host of Fast Money on CNBC is another story. The loud-mouth host has failed to not only forecast this financial debacle but in many aspects, has contributed to everyday stockholders being blindsided by it. As a news reporter, he was unsuccessful in tracking the main story and his recent attempts of finger wagging at the Obama administration, big banks and hedge funds are, misplaced, too late and ineffective. To now see Mr. Cramer find mainstream popularity, selling his mea culpa on popular podiums such as the Stewarts’ (Jon and Martha) is unsettling. The reality is that in the name of journalism this guy should be summoned in front of an ethic committee made of his peers. And should it happen, that is what should be celebrated, rewarded or put on the cover of a glossy magazine.

The World’s Future is in Rihanna’s hands. Sort of.

2009-02-15T23:57:00.003-05:00

A week into RiRi-gate, I recognize the whole Rihanna-Chris Brown affaire as a PR nightmare. But beyond that and most importantly, I view Rihanna’s eventual coming out as potentially being one of Pop Culture’s most defining moments. Too strong? Not at all. Too many times, celebrities have bypassed the law. Too many times, domestic violence against women has been downplayed and dusted under the rug. Now, with one move (that of pressing charges), Rihanna has the power to not only change the curve but to also perhaps decelerate the alarming rate of domestic abuse amongst teenagers and young adults.

The fact certain radio stations have stopped playing Chris Brown’s music is a step forward although I wish the Grammys had been as bold (Reminder: 2 years ago, the Grammys awarded Ike Turner with an honorary award. How gauche) . I’m still quite disgusted by the chorus of celebrities (lead by Terrence Howard, Ray-J and Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child) who simply wish the couple ”can work it out as they’re both humans”. Huh? Thankfully, such pop cultural tenors as Jay-Z have been vocal and have taken a stand against Brown and domestic violence. I hope people will be as vocal in denouncing this clear case of abuse as they were while lynching Michael Vick during puppy-gate.

I’ve already been criticized for jumping to conclusions on this matter. The reality breaks down to this: Rihanna (all 110lbs of her) was heavily bruised and Brown (all 6 feet and all) was not only named as the assaulter but he actually turned himself in before being released on bail. How and why this fight occur is truly irrelevant.

Hip Hop's New Commander-in-Chief.

2009-02-10T08:03:00.002-05:00

As it appeared on Clovys.tv

Il y a d’abord eu la fois où l’émission 60 minutes a demandé au candidat démocrate, ce qui était en rotation sur son i-Pod. Dans sa réponse, au milieu d’une nomenclature de classiques de sa génération comme les Bruce Springsteen et compagnie, le futur Président insère Jay-Z, très casually. Bombe. Puis, il y a eu sa rétorque gestuelle du « Dirt off your shoulder » suite à un faux-pas du parti Républicain : autre bombe. Et, avec l’endossement, en tout début de campagne, du magazine Vibe qui lui a consacré la page couverture à plusieurs reprises, puis ensuite l’appui du Rolling Stone, on se doutait bien que Barack Obama serait le Président de la génération hip hop.

Il n’a pas le flow d’un poète du vinyle mais Barack Obama comprend ce qui nourrit souvent le Hip Hop : l’injustice, l’isolation, les inégalités sociales et toutes les autres frustrations des banlieues américaines.

La force du Président Obama, c’est qu’il l’a écoutée cette génération Hip Hop. Ne laissant pas son éducation Ivy League troquer sa compassion pour de la condescendance, Barack Obama a su être le messager pour cette génération qui malgré les porte-voix du Hip Hop se sentait trop souvent peut-être entendue mais mal comprise. Il a aussi eu le courage de noter les bémols du palmarès des beatmakers : la misogynie, la violence, la promiscuité.

La relation Obama-Hip Hop a été rentable pour les deux partis. D’un côté, le Hip Hop a bien servi le Président en inondant le Web de vidéos d’appui comme la très touchante et contagieuse « Yes We Can » de Will.I.Am : la plus importante et la vidéo-phare qui a donné naissance à tant d’autres. De l’autre côté, Barack Obama a aussi bien servi le Hip Hop en donnant enfin à ce dernierun modèle : tous styles confondus, toutes côtes confondues. Aurions-nous enfin notre Marvin Gaye où notre John Lennon ? Souhaitons-le.

« I’m feeling like a black Republican, nah I can’t call it. More like a black Democrat runnin’ them out of office. Young Barack – a Obama, I’m all for it” – Juelz Santana, “Black Republicans” du mixtape de Lil’Wayne datant de 2007.

Dirt off your shoulder, Mister President:

The Dolphin Gets High.

2009-02-02T12:35:00.004-05:00

I like Michael Phelps. Alot. Not only because of his athletic prowess and his undeniable discipline but mostly because for the greater part of his life, he was an Underdog who - early on- wasn’t dealt the easiest cards but had the fortitude to snub the croupier and made good things happen anyway.

I think the fact he smokes marijuana is harmless if not boring. The fact he let somewhat took a picture of it is simply stupid and speaks volume of his youth and lack of experience (For example, someone like Tom Cruise knows better than to get high outside of a secure room in his house where a lens could easily ruin the image he spent so many years crafting. I’m not saying Tom Cruise does drugs: I’m saying he’s so careful that we’ll never know).

As a publicist and a sometimes camouflaged mini-Al Sharpton, the next days will be very telling on the equality of treatment in the media between Black and White athletes. So far, news of Phelps’ arrest has been more or less subdued in news outlets and has been treated more as anecdotal than anything else. There seems to be more concern on whether or not he will loose sponsors than the fact he actually committed a felony. Automatically, memories of coverage of Michael Jordan’s gambling habits rush to mind. At the time, some media outlets were relentless in demonizing the beloved uber-athlete turning gambling into the worst of vices. So like you, dear Reader, I’ll watch – and learn.

Why Katie Couric Will Keep on Failing.

2009-01-27T00:34:00.003-05:00

I’ve before voiced my opinion on Katie Couric. Despite my unfavourable words towards the overpaid anchorwoman, I had begun to root for her again following her Tour de force during the Sarah Palin interview. A Tour de force not because the interview was so spectacular but simply because Couric kept a straight face while conducting it.

With lacklustre ratings for her Evening News broadcast, many had questioned whether America was ready for an anchorwoman, too often confusing Couric to Joan of Arc. The reality is that Katie Couric is no Christiane Amapour, no Tom Brokaw and no Peter Jennings (I won’t put neither Brian Williams nor Charlie Gibson in that list as I have issues with both of them. Williams is fine but not great and Charlie Gibson is still in the doghouse – along with George Stephanopoulos - for that horrific moderation of the Democratic-candidates' debate).

Miss Couric keeps on sabotaging her own success by constantly reminding us that she was a better fit on the Today Show, trading recipes with Wolfgang Puck. Case in point: she will be hosting a pre-Grammy special. Going from the Gaza Strip to Lil’ Wayne, Katie? There are two media personalities that can pull that off: Barbara Walters and Oprah. Katie Couric is light-years behind both.

This woman is suppose to make me understand the bail-out & the Middle-East Crisis?

My Answer to the Bush Twins' Letter To Malia & Sasha Obama.

2009-01-25T19:53:00.002-05:00

Dear Jenna,

Dear Barbara,

In theory, your letter was an endearing idea. The fact you made it public pans it for what it is: a PR trick and, the way you compared your father to President Obama is simply tasteless.

You are not your father nor are you his mistakes. Still, unless you are willing or capable to repair the lives he has broken, simply exit the stage gracefully, like you mother.

The Bush Twins’ Letter:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

The Confessional | Sterling Downey

2009-01-15T10:49:00.008-05:00

Sterling Downey, Montreal | Sure, you’ll first notice the imposing body art but Sterling Downey is before anything else, a pioneer who’s brought cool to Montreal with his Under Pressure Festival, exhibits, magazine & merchandise. The man who should be played by Anderson Cooper should a movie on his life be made, enters The Confessional. Smart, Sexy, Sterling.

1. What hurts more? Getting tattooed or entering The Confessional? Well both can be pretty painful, the tattoo all depends on where you get it and in some way the same can be said about the confessional... (well depending on the priest and his admiration for young men). Was that out of line? Was that sacrilegious?

2. I would call you a “Maverick” but Sarah Palin and John McCain have totally tarnished the word. How did you experience last November’s U.S. Elections? A Maverick, eh? Hmm, maybe I’m more of Wolverine. I was actually working as a youth worker at the Jamaican Association of Montreal for 18 to 25 years-old troubled men during the whole election process. The experience was very interesting considering I was the only Caucasian working there. I could definitely appreciate being able to watch history unfold before my eyes, I think it’s great that our generation witnessed it. It has definitely been inspirational, not only for the Black community but for the entire world. It shows that anything is possible and change is inevitable no matter who tries to stop it. FYI, I was soon fired from the association, it was insinuated it was because I was White and that the young men couldn't related to me... lol go figure!

3. I’ve once attended one of your events and you were swarmed by girls, literally. You realize that, because of the tattoos, incarnate the bad boy image, right? And all this time I thought it was because of the grey hair and the grey beard they were swarming me... I do get that a lot though, it seems like people think that because you have your whole body tattooed you must be a bad boy but I swear those years are far behind me (or are they?) lol... it's funny because I don't drink alcohol at all, I don't smoke and I don't do any drugs. I guess because of the tattoos people always expect the opposite and when they find out I am really focused and passionate about my work they feel they can get the best of both worlds... I wonder what image I am going to incarnate at 67 years of age with all the tattoos?

4. Montreal is now, more than ever, trying to position itself as a Cultural Metropolis. What is it doing right and what is it doing wrong? Well that's a good question do you mean in terms of the arts?... Montreal seems to have positioned itself as a cultural metropolis in terms of music, I would agree, especially with all the festivals we have like the Jazz Festival, Francofolies and Pop Montreal and also in other arts as well with Juste Pour Rire and The Fringe Festival. Now in terms of the visual arts, I am not really sure. I mean there aren't a lot of visual arts festivals going on in the city and the ones that are seem to be pretty controversial still (well definitely our event the UNDER PRESSURE international graffiti convention) even after 13 years. We have been lucky though facing years and years of repression and confrontation from the City and politicians in the early years and now over the past 6 years having minimal but there support none the less. I guess Montreal is really trying to be more trendy and cool and appeal to a younger demographic, maybe it's because they are fed up with young people leaving the city to move to places like New York and Europe to get more of an injection of culture into their blood streams. I don't know if Montreal is at the point yet of being able to consider itself a Cultural Metropolis, just yet. I think we have a very long way to go and that we need to get rid of a lot of old mentalities still before we can actually embrace Culture.

Now in terms of Culture as ethnicity, I think we definitely have a beautiful mix of cultures here and that's what makes Montreal is soooooo amazing to live in, however there is still a lot of segregation I feel between different communities and i think that language still plays a pretty big role in that which is a real shame because we have so much to learn from each other. I feel that cities like Toronto, Vancouver and even Ottawa have done better jobs, maybe it's because instead of trying to preserve one language they are more focused on promoting all languages. this definitely makes different cultural minorities feel as if they have a place and a voice in their cities and aren't being forced into a whole other culture all together other than their own and in turn they end up embracing their city and feel encouraged to share and educate people about their own culture since there is a real interest.

5. How has Urban Art progressed here and abroad in the past decade? Urban art has kinda plateaued. I feel to be quite honest in terms of work being produced all over the world, it is really hard to find anything truly unique or forward thinking anymore. it seems like most stuff that appears these days is just stuff that is being rehashed and spit out using the works or ideas of other urban artists as the foundation of new work, however you are suppose to build upwards on foundation in my opinion and instead it seems like everyone is going kinda sideways in a sense. don't get me wrong, there are definitely some ground breaking artists out there who set themselves apart but i don't think that the scene is booming like it did in the early and mid 90's when there was a sea of new work out there that was pushing new limits. I just feel like now we have a generation of people who are just trying to pump out generic work to make quick money and to hit people right in their faces due to a major fear of ideas and concepts going right over people heads and not being marketable. K.I.S.S. "Keep It Simple Stupid" seems to be the way to go... oh yeah and use lots of Cyan and Magenta...

6. What is your take on the TV shows Miami Ink, LA Ink & on Kat Von D? Lol! That is a funny question. Kinda hard for me to take a real position on that one. I am actually working on the Montreal edition of the new series that the founders of Miami Ink are producing right now called LOVE HATE and I am also working on their new bar opening here in Montreal under the same name. I definitely feel that both shows have exposed a way larger audience to the world and culture of tattooing and in some way has dumped a lot of the meaning behind the whole culture down in doing so. However, it is kinda necessary to do that I guess in order to educate the masses about a very often misunderstood and misrepresented movement. Today, people match their tattoos with the colors of clothes they like to wear it seems. I see a lot of kids getting stuff done that they will end up regretting later on in there lives because it's trendy or simply cool in their eyes. I guess the same applied to my generation as well. We had the horrible TRIBAL tattoo era, that was a real mess, lots of us regret having ever done that to our bodies, lol! Luckily, for some of us (like myself) we have very good contacts in the tattoo community and we were able to get rid of all the "bad work" that was done on us throughout the early 90's (thanks Pierre Chaplan Tattoo Mania).

7. You are the man and the brains behind daring Montreal’s “Under Pressure” festival & Magazine. Graffiti, in its truest form, needs a PR campaign. What misconceptions need to be cleared up? Well, the first thing that probably needs to be cleared up is that every graffiti writer has a different reason for doing what they do however it is all about FAME in the end. You can't compare the motivation of a 15 year-old to the same as that of a 21-year old or even a 28-year old. With age, you become way more calculated in your actions and they are no longer simple cries for attention or even simply ways to rebel. With age, you develop an ethos, different ethics and codes of conduct in the execution of your work. The more you do graffiti, the closer you become with your city, the architecture and the public who live within it. It slowly becomes a way bigger picture than just something about you as an individual and your form of expression. Also, you can never beat it: graffiti can be produced faster than it can be cleaned off the walls, if you are going to wage a war against it you better be prepared to lose! The only people who can police or somewhat control graffiti are graffiti writers themselves if they so choose to. You can quote me on that!

8. What is your favourite curse word? I can't be "ARSED". I love the word "ARSED" very British, very much my upbringing... but i also really enjoy the word "OESTIE" and "CALISSE" even though I am born Anglophone, I still love swearing in French... nothing sounds better or more pissed off than swearing in French if you are English!!! But you have to be able to do it well and in the proper accent.

9. If you were granted a superpower, what would it be? Hmmmmmm? The power to make everyone polite and courteous. I hate people who don't have manners, it drives me nuts. I think I would make a great vigilante, if you didn't say thank you, I would swoop down and slap you in the back of the head... or maybe right in your face just to be a prick. Lol!

10. You are on stage in front of 50 000 screaming fans at Wembley Stadium. What song are you belting out? Au clair de la lune... ok maybe God save the queen... lol

11. Name the group/singer you absolutely want us to check out in 2009. ELSIANE http://www.elsiane.com

12. What are the three music albums you want to be buried with?

ELSIANE (Hybrid)
Beastie Boys (Paul's Boutique)
Circle Jerks (Wild In The Streets)

13. Name the three sexiest women in the Arts.

Krista Bursey (MTAF)
Danny Portieous (DANNYGIRL PHOTO)
Leah Archambault (UTI)

14. What will the Almighty tell you once you arrive at the gates of Heaven? "Sorry, you're not on the guest list, this is a private party"

15. When will I see you next? In the morning as soon as you open your eyes! Creepy eh? Or maybe if you look out your window right now...

See more: www.underpressure.ca
Photos by JF Mailhot (www.cruxco.tv)

History Will Teach Us Nothing.

2009-01-13T22:29:00.001-05:00

In these unpeaceful times, not only in Gaza but also in the forgotten Congo and in all the other conflicts you don’t see on your 6’oclock newscasts, little makes sense. One would think it’s the first time we’ve forgone harmony for the sake of bullies. But it really isn’t.

The first video is of Oliver Stone in 1986 and the second, is a vignette made by French mag Paris Match. Today, they are very much relevant. Unfortunately.

Oliver Stone in 1986:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuVov4NiALk

Paris Match’s looks at War:

When The Writing is on the Wall.

2008-12-31T00:54:00.008-05:00

A few days ago, a friend sent me a link to an article entiltled: “15 Moments That Define a Relationship”: I found the article sweet, tender and funny. Still, many really can’t relate to such an article but fret not, I’ve come to your rescue and have compiled the 10 Moments that Define a BAD Relationship:

1. The first time your boyfriend questions what you’re wearing. Unless he’s Calvin Klein, Giorgio Armani or Tom Ford, it’s really unacceptable;

2. The first time you realize your boyfriend doesn’t read the paper: you tell him you’re really perturbed by what's going on in the Gaza Strip, and he asks you if that’s a new shopping mall;

3. The first time you realize that once the sun comes up and you’ve sobered up, you really have little in common and have nothing to say to him;

4. When you realize that you are part of 46% of women who would choose the Internet over sex:

5. The first time you notice that it’s 4pm and you’ve just now thought about him for the first time today;

6. The first time you realized that no, you would absolutely not take him on a deserted Island;

7. The first time you hit on his dad;

8. The first time you realize that the one thing keeping you and your boyfriend together are Breathe Right stripes;

9. The first time you realize his shoulders aren't broad enough for you to cry on;

10. The first time you finally admit to yourself that he’s ordinary and you, of course, are extraordinary.

Did I forget any? Let me know.

Dear Santa ...

2008-12-25T13:20:00.005-05:00

Dear Santa,

It’s been a year since our last chat. During that time, I’ve been mostly nice and in retrospect, not nearly naughty enough. Here’s my list, hoping you weren’t too crushed by Wall Street’s debacle:

What I’d like:

· Daniel Craig;

· The Stanley Cup in Montreal;

· To meet Oprah;

· That PCs come up with cool features that won’t make me regret never switching to a MAC;

· Better Hip Hop;

· Early retirement for Harper;

· Ignatieff (for now, until it’s time for Dominic Leblanc) as Prime Minister or if that fails, Queen Elisabeth.

· “Survivor: International Criminal Tribunal” for evil Dictators, including W.

· The cancellation of the Racheal Ray show (C’mon Santa. I’ve been asking for this for 3 years);

. To be a Rock Star (since I already have the tortured soul and the attitude)

· To understand why the media is still paying attention to Sarah Palin;

· To get on Jeopardy;

· More than 24-hours in a day;

· A consolidation of Entertainment news shows. We really don’t need seven;

· Caroline Kennedy in the Senate;

What I’m thankful for:

· President Obama. ‘Nuff said.

· Oh, and that OJ is finally in jail (what took you so long, Santa?);

Thanks in advance, Santa. I should also probably tell you that I’ve CC'ed God on this letter.

Happy Holidays.

Black Girls Rule. Now you know.

2008-12-22T00:02:00.005-05:00

I can’t exactly remember when it started but there was a moment. A moment when white boys started to look at me differently. If at first the looks were mostly out of curiousity or mathematical probability (always the sole Black girl in the class) … the looks were now more inviting and not solely based on any Pythagorean theory (my brother says it’s because I got rid of the braces and the unibrow). I think it’s more than that.

If forever, Black men represented the colored part of interracial unions, now Black girls are it (finally) and are increasingly part of interfaith and interracial unions. It’s a side-effect to a new geopolitical agenda: one that thankfully breaks down all borders and decreases the dividing of people by race, religion or creed. It’s also a result of the media finally putting to rest (for the most part) the stereotyped Black woman à la Eartha Kitt, Grace Jones or like the Black girl in Duran Duran’s Hungry like the wolf video: the aggressive tigress, always on the prowl. Please …that’s so passé and so inaccurate …

Today, the Black woman is presented like she really is: a complete woman with all the complexities and attributes such a heavy title comes with. It all makes sense really as for what I understand of Love, it has nothing to do with color.

Mates with Soul (Click and see Photo Album):

Black Girls Rule