Trinidad and Tobago girls, politics, sports, technology, carnival, and lifestyle

Google launches rival to Wikipedia

2008-07-24T09:36:00.002-04:00

Trinidad and Tobago students can now access material from a rival to Wwikipedia; not that you were supposed to use Wikipedia anyway.
Well yesterday Google launched 'knol'.

Knols are articles on specific topics written by qualified academics with proven expertise on that subject.

Google has also partnered with the now controversial New Yorker magazine to allow any author to add a cartoon from the magazine to their knol.

What is in it for the authors/academics?
Well money of course.
The Knol authors can run ads with their articles and receive a cut of the revenue from Google.

Hyperthymestic Syndrome

2008-05-17T00:43:00.004-04:00

Brad Williams can tell you what he was doing on any given day for almost every day of his life. He can also tell you what world events happened that day.
How can he do that you ask? Well Brad Williams is one of only three people in the world identified with this off-the-charts autobiographical memory known as hyperthymestic syndrome.

The name was given by researchers at the University of California-Irvine, derived from the Greek words for excessive (hyper) and remembering (thymesis).

Unlike most people whose memories fade with time, much of Williams' life is etched indelibly in his mind.

"It's just there," said Williams, 51, who reports the news for a family of radio stations in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
California researchers are now studying Williams and the two others with hyperthymestic Syndrome - a man in Ohio and woman in California - hoping to gain new insights into how a superior memory works.

In this age of instant information, what can you do with phenomenal recall?

"I don't really know. I've thought about it for years," said Williams, the 1969 Wisconsin Spelling Bee champion. Williams appeared on "Jeopardy!" but finished second.
Go figure!

Michael Annisette must be fired for wajank behaviour

2008-05-14T18:34:00.003-04:00

Anyone who saw today's Udecott press conference live on television, or listened on the radio; must now be clear of one thing...this country is in serious trouble.
If you did not know it before, it was shoved down our ears and eyes, today.

How utterly embarrassing, that this group of loathsome incompetents could be charged with the responsibility for billions of dollars of our money.

But, what makes it absolutely indigestible, was listening to the Honourable Senator -and oh how it pains to say that- Michael Annisette.
His behaviour wasn't rumshop behaviour; it was not the worst I've seen in my life; but it was definitely shameless.

If Rowley was dismissed for wajank behaviour, then he must have jumped on tables, thrown cushions, cursed, and pulled down his pants. Because it would take that and more to top the finger-pointing, shoulder-throwing mindless, irrelevant rant that Senator Annisette displayed today.

What a day!
What a day!

Mr. Manning, it's up to you now; you know what to do... fire Mr Michael Annisette from the Board of Udecott.

Beautiful Trinidad Girl

2008-05-11T18:54:00.003-04:00

Browsing the web I found these pictures of a Trini-girl. From the background I would guess she's from Arima, and more specifically, Maloney.

Kenwyne Jones is not for sale at any price

2008-05-08T22:12:00.004-04:00

Sunderland manager Roy Keane, yesterday, described Trinidad and Tobago' Kenwyne Jones as an 'untouchable"; and said he will not be sold for any price.

Jones has been recently touted as a potential replacement for Chelsea's Didier Drogba who is almost certain to play his last match for the 'Blues' in the Champion Leagues Final.

But Jones shot-down any thoughts of his being ready to move to a bigger Club, saying, "Hopefully I'll be here for a long time," said the 23-year-old. "You don't want to be a gypsy type player where you're moving from one place to another and not settling. It's flattering that clubs are interested in me but at the moment I'm focused on my job that I have to do here."

That's a top decision in my opinion because Jones needs playing time, and playing under Keane will do nothing but develop him further.
At 23, Jones has enough time ahead of him to secure a big-money move to a larger Club.

Machel Montano to be charged for assault

2007-05-23T17:08:00.000-04:00

Local sources say soca superstar Machel Montano will be charged with four-counts including assault and occasioning bodily harm.

The charges stem from an incident outside the Zen nightclub in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad when party-goers were allegedly assaulted by well-known entertainers that included Machel Montano, Zan, Benjai and Shal Marshall

Government Minister robbed by French police impersonators

2007-05-22T02:19:00.000-04:00

Trinidad and Tobago has to be the most exciting place on earth without a war.

With all the attention focused on Minister of Planning and Development, Camille Robinson-Regis' admitted inappropriate use of a First Citizen's Bank state funded credit card, the spotlight has now turned to her opposition equivalent.

It was revealed in Parliament yesterday, by Dr. Keith Rowley; that the former Attorney General, Kamla Persad Bissessar, was robbed of ₣30,000 by two men impersonating members of the French Police.

This begs the question, in fact it begs many questions; one of which is, why would a Minister walk around with that sort of cash, on her own?

At this stage you have to wonder if Trinidadians and Tobagonians deserve an opposition so deeply mired in suspicion and corruption.

The Leader of the Opposition cannot represent his constituency in Parliament because of a matter before the Court. And almost half of the Opposition members have defected de facto and in fact to the newest political entity, The Congress of the People (CoP)

And now this sordid affair that reads like an episode of 'Allo Allo'

Without making any allegations, this tale seems completely bogus. It almost sounds like an attempt to rob the nation's purse with a false claim of robbery.

I really hope this is a case of truth being stranger than fiction because if it isn't, the UNC parliamentarians ought to leave this nation's politics for good.

Danah Alleyne savaged on TMZ.com

2007-05-12T13:24:00.000-04:00

It's the story that won't go away.
Weeks after the incident where Trinidadian teenager Danah Alleyne was throw around like a rag-doll whilst under the gyrating pop-star Akon, the condemnation of her continues to boil.

As a Trini I have no problem with Danah being told of her responsibility in the affair but it's gone overboard. And it has gone overboard at the same time blame attached to Akon is softened.

The genesis for this is the fact that she is a 15 yr old girl who not only looks older than her birth-age but acts that way as well. It is also true that had Zen nightclub done what they ought to she should not have been at the night-club at all.
But that in no way excuses or lessens the real culprit in the matter; Akon.

Akon should never have mistreated any concert-goer in the contemptuous way he did Danah Alleyne, and that's the crux of the matter.
He disrespected a woman, on stage, in our country and now he's paying for it.

Mind you, he is not the first artiste to have done so, and locals are serial offenders at this behaviour; but he did what he did and he is paying for his mistake.
Her being under-aged was the catalyst for the negative reaction but, that's the way things go at times.
At the end of the day this incident might warn all artistes that they are the act and we are paying to watch them perform not to perform ourselves; or to be abused.

That said, Danah continues to be savaged and it's really time for her to remove those provocative pictures from her MySpace account; because she is simply giving ammunition to those who want to attack her

Why has Machel Montano not been arrested?

2007-05-12T13:14:00.000-04:00

It seems simple enough to me; there was a fracas at Club Zen where witnesses identify and implicate Machel Montano, Benjai, Zan and others including Shall Marshall; allegedly.
Why then have no arrests been made or even contemplated?

What more evidence is needed?
It would be an arrest only, not a decision; yet no step has been taken to seek the Public's interest in the matter.

It appears the prevailing authorities are afraid to arrest or charge Machel; or perhaps they are giving him all the time he needs to settle out of court.
That's Trinidad for you; corrupt tot he core.

The law is a Chief Justice hole

2006-07-28T18:20:00.000-04:00

I haven't had the time to post because I am still recovering from the World Cup experience but as you know the country and it's virtues are being battered daily by a selfish, alleged criminal of a Chief Justice.

Having steadfastly refused to step down he made the magnanimous gesture of relinquishing his judicial responsibilities until the matter is resolved or he is jailed which ever comes last.

What I want to know is who gave him the right to do less than half the job and receive full pay. These big-shots always believe they can do crap like that as if they own the Judiciary. You are being paid to do 100% of your job, not 25%.

If you can't do it all then why are we paying all of his tax-free salary?

The reason why Zidane head-butted Materazzi

2006-07-10T12:42:00.000-04:00

I haven't posted in a long long time but after seeing a post from my ex schoolmate I had to link it here.
According to the Zidane head-butt video on "Arsenal wtf"; the French Captain head-butted the Italian defender because he lingered on his breasts a little too long for comfort.

However, Zidane's agent said that Materazzi said something very very bad to him and that provoked the reaction. I don't know about that because the video doesn't show him saying much of anything.
Maybe he said Zidane was gay or a terrorist, I don't know.

England vs Trinidad tactical breakdown

2006-06-14T13:37:00.000-04:00

Graham Taylor, the former England and Aston Villa coach who brought Trinidad and Tobago captain, Dwight Yorke to England; has a wonderful tactical breakdown of the match on the BBC today.
I have it here for you:

England's tempo: If England have learned anything from their game against Paraguay it's that they must move the ball quicker.
As soon as anyone has a third touch on the ball, you slow a passing movement down.

Joe Cole is a very talented player but he has improved because he has learned how to play the game more simply. He now knows when to get it, give it and then move on. That is what England need to do. They must keep the tempo high by moving the ball around quickly.

It is important to emphasise that the tempo of the game is not judged by how quickly you run but how quickly you move the ball.
So can we play at a fast tempo for 90 minutes? Australia managed it against Japan and a lot of their players play in Europe.

International tournaments are played in the summer. It is not as if our players have not played in the heat before in these competitions. Our problems in the opening game came from three or four England players not getting their passing right.

England's defensive line: In effect England need to play like a Premiership club side against Trinidad & Tobago.
Part of that is closing people down and bringing the back line further up the field which we did not do against Paraguay.

But it is difficult to do this against teams who have possession for long periods.
We have got to press when we have not got the ball and when we do have it, we have got to hold it up so our back four can push forward.

Sven's subs: Sven-Goran Eriksson has been criticised for making like-for-like substitutions in the past. At least when he took off Michael Owen he was trying to change the format.
But the result was that Peter Crouch was isolated and it became harder for England to hold onto the ball.

Crouch has not got the pace to run into the channels like Owen. You have to play it into him. I see no reason why we will need to supplement our midfield on Thursday. If Eriksson wants to make a change maybe we will see Theo Walcott. If not, why did we bring him?

Trinidad's danger man: England's midfield need to pressurise Dwight Yorke, who had a great game against Sweden.
The deeper Dwight goes, the better for England. They should try to press him so that he's picking the ball up from his centre backs.

If he gets space around the halfway line, he will hurt you. And if he has a chance in the box, he will finish. Trinidad & Tobago made an excellent effort against Sweden and if they prevent England from winning it will be unbelievable

Man beheaded in Laventille, Trinidad

2006-06-12T23:13:00.000-04:00

Well if the rumours are true, then the local newspapers will tomorrow bring citizens the news that a man was beheaded in Laventille yesterday afternoon. Sources tell me the Police have decided to keep it a secret until a lead had been investigated but that proved useless and the information was released to the media late yesterday.

If I know the local newspapers and I think I do, you will most likely find the picture in the Newsday and later on in the TNT Mirror.

Will it ever stop.

Trinidad & Tobago earn a massive point, Sweden loses two valuable points

2006-06-10T14:05:00.000-04:00

Superb coaching, good goalkeeping, resolute defending, poor play by Sweden and luck, earned the Soca Warriors a memorable point in this Nation's first effort at the World Cup.
Now I know fans are excited and probably creating fantasy scenarios of qualifying for the second round but we need to temper that with reality. The truth is Trinidad and Tobago had very few attacking opportunities with only one brilliant effort from distance by Cornell Glen and a fierce drive by Edwards that flew straight to the Swedish goalkeeper.

The victory, oops, draw, was won by a determined defensive structure that re-proves what a coaching miracle Beenhakker has provided. We first saw the signs of a proper defensive unit in the away match against Mexico when Trinidad and Tobago battled for near 80 mins before an error spoilt the result.
Here, in Germany, the structure was evident, although Sweden had clearly learnt from the mistakes against Czech Republic to attack our left-back. They targeted Avery John at every opportunity and in the end it paid off for them as the left-back became the first player sent off at the World Cup Finals 2006.
Some may dispute the referee's decision but the second yellow card was for intent, because he clearly got the ball.

Sweden had massive amounts of possession but few genuine opportunities to score, the best of which were a wonderful volley from Ibrahimovich which struck Hislop rather that him saving it; and a close range shot from Allback that was brilliantly saved by Shaka.

So a point then, and a crucial one at that because it gives the Soca Warriors a real chance at the second round. I don't expect our boys to beat England or even earn a draw, but a victory against Paraguay seems more and more possible.
I'll appreciate your comments.

Cayman Islands revisited

2006-06-09T16:28:00.000-04:00

Yeah yeah, I know I just posted a few pictures of Cayman Islands girls but I forgot this picture I just had to post. Ignore the two men in the picture -although the girls tell me they are goodlooking- and feast your eyes on the resplendent thickness to the left.
Is there anything better than a thick girl? My friend just shouted out to me "a thick girl with money". That's a good answer, lol.

Pictures of Cayman Islands women

2006-06-09T15:48:00.000-04:00

Hey, I know Trinidadians love to claim ownership of everything but believe it or not we did not invent the concept of taking pictures at events and placing them online, a la Triniscene.com
That's a routine thing all over the world. It would be a good idea therefore for those of you who enjoy looking at things like that to become acquainted with other similar sites.
I'll start and whomever reads this can add others in the comments box, my pick of the week is Party Surfers from the Cayman Islands party circuit. Take a visit and you'll find pictures as those below...
Click on the pictures to make them slightly larger.

Latapy says he wont give up chain smoking

2006-06-09T00:10:00.000-04:00

In the Guardian -not that shithole Guardian in Trinidad- the UK Guardian; Russell Latapy admits to smoking 10 cigarettes a day. Now, all Trinidadians and Tobagonians know that not all of those ten cigarettes come in nice, clean packs from the supermarket, but that's another story.

The Little Magician, as we call him in these parts says "it is something I choose to do and it has never affected my performance." He went further in his ignorant mind to say "I don't smoke a lot and never in the public domain or in front of the team at training or the like."

Reading that shit makes me very worried. It's one thing to have a nicotine addict (Leo Beenhakker) as coach, but when one of your main playmakers is smoking ten cigarettes a day, that's a problem.
In fact, if you ask me I think Latapy and a few others are quite fortunate to be there competing in the highest stage of football. If this were a serious football nation we would never take a team so filled to the brim with geriatrics. The squad has two goalkeepers (Jack and Hislop) over 36, a centre-midfielder (Latapy) who's what? 38? And the Captain is 36 I think.

The team is simply too old. Even Aurtis Whitley whom I believe is the best player on the team is almost 30. To me that's where this team will be defeated; as we have seen in the past with Cameroon and Senegal you can over come experience, but it will be far more difficult to overcome old age, and especially so when you are smoking ten 'cough cough' cigarettes.

Sick of Ian Bishop and his trifling commentary

2006-06-04T10:48:00.000-04:00

Perhaps you disagree but I am sick of Ian Bishop and his wannabe Englishman/Aussie commentary, I am fedup of his adopting words and phrases as 'sussed' and 'having a go'.
The whole point of an International cast is for each person to bring his own culture, identity and experience but Bishop is simply an extension of the Aussie and English commentators. He adds nothing Caribbean. Even his head bowed and lips pressed together look as the camera returns to him from the "highlights" is borrowed from English commentator, Mark Nicholas.

Put simply, Ian Bishop has no identity, he is just another foreigner commentating on West Indies cricket.

TSTT offering wireless broadband

2006-05-27T17:36:00.000-04:00

Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) is offering wireless broadband service using CDMA2000 1xEV-DO technology to provide internet access wherever there is EV-DO coverage.
EV-DO is the acronym for 'Evolution-Data Optimized.' which allows a maximum download speed of 2.4Mbps and upload speed of 153.6Kbps. The average TSTT EV-DO users will experience a download speed of 400 to 700Kbps, or more than 15 times faster than the average TSTT DSL user.

The higher upload and download speeds will greatly increase interactive gaming and video streaming which is still relatively rare among Trinidad and Tobago home internet users. Further to that there will be no requirement for a phone line. In the past potential applicants had to be either the owner of a home line or be so authorised by the owners to act on their behalf; a system that caused regret to many who rented apartments or homes.

PRICE:
There are 3 service charges
1) a one time terminal device fee
2) a one time sign up fee
3) monthly rental

The terminal Device Fee is $1,575 + VAT, BUT IS FREE upon the signing of contracts 1 year or more

The sign-up Fee is $690 VAT inclusive but sources say it may be waived for existing customers upgrading to EV-DO.

Monthly Rental is $575 per month (VAT inclusive) but is reduced on the basis of contract length as follows:

a) 1 year contract $475 + VAT
b) 2 year contract $425 + VAT
c) 3 year contract $375 + VAT

To sign up, you can download and complete the following forms
Application form
Term contract
Monthly Contract

TSTT has a FAQ page you can access as well
TSTT Wireless Broadband FAQ page

Patrick Vieira and Trinidadian wife gassed by burglars at their home in France

2006-05-24T20:09:00.000-04:00

Juventus and France midfielder Patrick Vieira, his wife Trinidadian Cheryl 'Cherie' Vieira, and her daughter were gassed by burglars at their villa in Cannes, France yesterday.
The footballer and his family were knocked out by the gas enabling the burglars to loot the household of jewels and cash. The robbers fled the scene in Vieira's Mercedes Benz. The car was later found abandoned in Nice, France.

Gas was pumped into the house to keep the Vieiras asleep, but the French midfielder was cleared to resume training with the France World Cup squad after a medical check.
Trinidadian born wife Cheryl Vieira and daughter Cheries were both recovering at home and police said there should be no long-term medical effects of the drugging.

Earlier today French police held five suspects in the robbery for questioning.

Trinidad and Tobago Senator in plane scare

2006-05-19T16:32:00.000-04:00

UNC Opposition Senator, Ato Boldon, was involved in a scare as his flight out of Piarco International Airport was delayed because there was not enough fuel in the aircraft. Boldon, text messaged Anil Roberts on Power 102 FM Radio to alert him that his flight was grounded because airline officials discovered there was not enough fuel to complete the flight.
Update to follow

Trinidadian man caught in Dateline MSNBC sting

2006-05-18T23:21:00.000-04:00

If you were one of those Trinbagonians sat before your television sets watching Dateline NBC you received the shock of your life when a Trinidadian male was the feature predator in their child-seduction Internet sting operation.

The guy who brought national shame to all of us is Marvin Lakhan, screenname "crazytrini85." Lakhan met his intended victim in an online chat room and struck up a conversation with the girl who gave her name as Cindy. Having discovered she was a virgin, Lakhan sends her a picture of his genitals and asks her if she'll try anal sex, adding "it's better than regular sex."
Not content, he asks her if she would perform an act with her pet kitten and negotiates a deal for her to do so if he walks in her home naked.

The damn stupid, asshole Trinidadian actually strips his clothes and waits for the teenager, only to be surprised by the Dateline correspondent. The reporter asks him to get a towel but the damn trini fool has an erection and forms a tent with the towel.
At this point I was too embarrassed to look and turned off the damn television. It's not enough that citizens here are causing consternation and shame but now we have expatriates casting negativity upon us. All I can say is bring on Benny Hinn, even fake prayers can't do any worse.
Oh jeezan ages man. Go read the story and partial transcript on Dateline's webpage.

TV6 imitates Fox News with the accent on beauty and not brains

2006-05-14T19:16:00.000-04:00

Have you seen TV6 news recently? It's all about goodlooks and sex now because they have added two new newsreaders Cherise D'Abadie and Samantha Joseph.
Cherise is a buxom beauty with wonderful enunciation but it's hard to appreciate her pronunciation skills when you are focused on her more obvious assets. But having seen her a month or so now I think she has the ability to impress.

Certainly Colleen Holder has grown into her role and now, is arguably the best television news reader in Trinidad and Tobago. So it would not be a great surprise if Cherise becomes more of a journalist and less of just a pretty face on television.

With the expanding news format of afternoon, evening and late evening news TV6 clearly needed a third news anchor and they seem to have settled on radio personality Sammy Jo. But of course that name is a bit too adolescent for the seriousness of news so she has reverted to her birth name of Samantha Joseph. Samantha cut her teeth on radio and recently got a break on Synergy TV as an entertainment correspondent but as of last week she has hit the big time.

She has done well so far but as with any woman of the fairer complexion is obsessed with using red lipstick and that is a real turnoff to most viewers. But tonight on the Sunday news she has discarded the bright red for a light pink and that's the best decision she has made all week.

So, there we go, two beautiful women have been added to our newscasts and I am not complaining. Are you?

2007 Cricket World Cup tickets on sale

2006-05-01T18:29:00.000-04:00

Tickets for the Cricket World Cup 2007 are on sale online says World Cup organiser, and former Miss Universe, Janelle 'Penny' Commissiong.
Penny says tickets go on sale at the official website.

Locally, tickets are available at the Hasley Crawford Stadium, the Ato Boldon Stadium and the Scarborough Office of TSTT.
The only other interesting bit of news was Penny's revelation that tickets for the Final are available to purchasers of tickets for previous games only. So no tickets for you one game fans.

Candid photos in Trinidad and Tobago

2006-05-01T02:12:00.000-04:00

My problem is I take too many pictures and then don't post them online. I have hundreds of pictures of life, parties and women in Trinidad and Tobago and sooner or later I'll upload them for you guys to enjoy.

So what's up then?
Earlier this week I was in St Augustine at the new HILO grocery and I saw Ato Boldon driving -what looked like a Toyota Camry- on that street between HILO and Mario's Pizzeria. He stopped for me to cross (that was nice of him) but I told him hang on a minute, "I want to take your picture."

Senator Boldon complied but the dang digital camera was taking an age to load and I had it on the wrong settings. Meanwhile the drivers of the few cars behind Senator Boldon were having an hissy fit because I kept them back a few seconds and started hitting their horns.
I tell you, Trinidadians have become very impatient. The end all was Boldon had to drive off because of those cacaholes and I only got a picture of his hands as he drove off. I wasted my blasted time.

Later that week I took a drive to Courts Furniture Store on South Quay, Port-of-Spain and as I was driving I saw the guy who portrays 'Roger' from the Gayelle Television series 'Snacks'.I cannot remember his name, but the actor was walking down the street casually and unbothered with his peeled oranges. Here is the picture I took...

As he passed by a beautiful girl walked behind him so I took her picture as well, much to her surprise...

At the week's end I visited the Club at Chaguaramas to have a look at the young sailors go through their paces on their Peakes sponsored mini-yachts.