Monday, March 31, 2008

SJP Does the Most

My favorite fashion risktaker, Sarah Jessica Parker, did it again last night. Here she is at the premiere for her new film, Smart People, in NYC.

This chick is doing the most. Can you count the ways?

1. Black leather leggings
2. Navy silk minidress
3. Hot pink cropped short sleeved jacket
4. Yellow gold jeweled broach
5. Silvery sequined pumps
6. Leopard clutch

I'm dizzy. I don't know how she does it, but somehow it's all working for her.

A. Keys is Fresh-faced for Dove

Has anyone else been watching Alicia Keys in that "Fresh Takes" micro-series on MTV? I'm quite sure you have, since each three minute ep shares a coveted time slot with everyone's guilty pleasure, The Hills. So in case you were powdering your nose, on last night's episode, lil Lizzie was feeling all insecure about her body (as usual), so she decided to try out yoga to get that model perfect body she’s always wanted. Of course, she just ended up in a knot on the floor instead.

This is something I can totally relate to. I am on the constant search for new and exciting ways to torture myself aka lose weight. And I was really feeling Lizzie's pain because my latest greatest idea is Bikram yoga. Yes, hot yoga people. I have a friend who swears by it. All I know is that you do yoga in a room that's heated to 100 plus degrees. Profuse sweat and unnatural flexibility ensues. I'm not all that into yoga, but I do like steam rooms so I think that counts for something.

My first class is on Saturday! Has anyone tried it? Will I survive (you know I'm delicate)? Will I sweat buckets and lose pounds? And most importantly, what about my hair?

You can check out full episodes of "Fresh Takes" at http://www.dovegofresh.com/ and every Monday during the Hills on MTV!

Trendwatch: Party Frocks with Sneakers?

She's baaaaack

This picture bears repeating. How hideously hood fab. I thought that D. Woods' foray into the world of frilly dresses and sneakers was a momentary lapse of judgment never to be seen or heard from again. Unfortch, it seems as though the worst is yet to come.

Posh sneakers are mayjah for '08, the more colorful, metallic and/or designer, the better. Then there's also this punk/glam/rock element that's shaping up to be huge for Fall (think Rihanna these days). This, my friends, has birthed a trend that is sweeping the nation: party frocks with sneakers!!!

Lil Mama was spotted over the weekend at the Kids Choice Awards in a Betsey Johnson dress and high tops.

Teyana Taylor performed at a MAC Cosmetics Launch in the same Heatherette dress D. Woods wore, but with different kicks (thankfully much less orthopedic looking).

Of course, these youngsters aren't known to be fashion frontrunners, but I'm still confused. This is something one would expect from, say, Avril Lavigne...

Yep, that looks about right.

Also, Lily Allen is known for pairing her dresses with sneaks...



Personally, I just can't get behind it. Although I'm quite sure this is a trend that many a fun, punky high schooler will be wearing to her prom this year, it offends my sensibilities on many, many different levels. First, when you're in sneakers you automatically tend to schlep...very unsexy. If you wear anything over a size 7, your feet resemble boats. Moreover, sneakers do absolutely nothing for your legs (heels make them look slimmer and more muscular) And despite the obvious comfort, I think any opportunity to gain a few inches in height should be relished!

Hmmm...maybe these are the solution?

LAMB Wedge Sneakers $235.00


LOLZ! I kid, I kid. I wouldn't be caught dead in these clown shoes. Seriously, I just got Ronald McDonald on the horn and he wants his shoes back.



I actually do have one pair of sneakers of the non-workout variety. They're these Baby Phat black and gold paisley high tops that I love (above). I still think they look like clown shoes/boats, but when I'm feeling totally glam rock, (which is once in a very orange moon) I wear them with opaque black leggings, a long black tunic, a cropped jean jacket, my long blinged out Hello Kitty chain and lots of eyeliner. That's about as hood fab as your girl gets. And I definitely can't see me pairing them with a dress.
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So the question remains, what do you think about pairing party frocks with kicks?





Source/Source

Friday, March 28, 2008

Fashion Faceoff!






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Both Audrina "Dead Eyes" Patridge and Paris Hilton have been spotted in this LaROK Studded Jersey Racer Back dress. Paris over-excessorized her navy version with a cardigan, brimmed hat and aviators, while Audrina kept it relatively simple in all black.
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Who wore it best?
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Thursday, March 27, 2008

The New Spring Classics

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Now that Spring is upon us, there are certain key items that can be considered the new classics. Invest in them now and reap the benefits all season long. No need to purchase one of each of course, adding one or two of the highlighted pieces to your wardrobe can perk up your entire outlook. For instance, one vampy pair of oversized shades can make you feel like a million bucks!
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The freshest silhouette is a tailored trouser with an uber-wide leg. These pants can be paired with a serious blouse, a casual tank, or a cropped jacket.


Patrizia Pepe Silk Owl Print Halter $747.62

Ankle-length doesn't have to be demure. A maxi dress in an easy breezy fabric is the essence of boho chic.


Short sleeved Denim Bomber $54.18

The short-sleeve jacket is sophisticated but with a super spunky edge. Pair this structured top with a flouncy bottom.




Silk Ruffle Blouse $75.85

A ruffled blouse is about as fabulously feminine as you can get. Ecru silk looks tailored but relaxed.


Oversized Fold Over Clutch $32.51

Nothing says Joan Clayton from "Girlfriends" like an eye-catching oversized clutch. Use it for evening to effortlessly tote all of your essentials.




Carvela Strap Patent T-Bar Platform Sandal $162.53

Neutral platforms will work with a myriad of looks, and a dynamic gladiator design will take a blah outfit to blazing.



A bunch of bold bangles will brighten up your tanned skin during the spring/summer months.


Scarf Print Dress $75.85

A printed dress in a fun geometric pattern will make you look magically modern with a delicate flair.


Source/Source

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Igbo Politics: The Struggle Against Orji Uzor Kalu's Cults And Demonic Gangsters

I have written long time ago in praise of Orji Uzor Kalu and Igbos political future, in which I expressed my profound gratitude. I was driven by Kalu’s “pragmatism” when the Fourth Republic came into being, and upon the course of the fate of Nd’Igbo, notably, a Biafran memorial museum, Biafran veterans who hanged around the motorways by Oji River begging for dimes to make ends meet, and a final resting place for Biafra war heroes. The struggle was arduous as Igbo politicians and related governors argued over what should be done to avoid complicating matters with Olusegun Obasanjo’s-led administration in an issue that had to do with Biafra.

It also had to do with a lost civil war, and that Igbos were getting back on a good political footing with Kalu’s no nonsense approach towards Igbo leadership and political future, which presumably should be handled with caution, in other words, diplomacy, to secure a final resting place for Biafran war heroes by way of a memorial.

The veterans, among a case load of Igbo problems, grand and small, weren’t an issue. The case of the Biafran war heroes and a memorial seemingly was the main issue when the gulf between Obasanjo and Igbo leaders began to surface on the premise Obasanjo, then head of state, and a civil war commander who bridged the gap resulting to armistice, coupled with leading a political party that was in power, had Igbo political leaders cornered to avoid a misinterpretation of the war and Biafran heroes which may be detrimental to a “new republic” that had been on a litmus test.

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu had had sleepless nights when the idea of a Biafran war heroes and a memorial was not coming through based on the tactical debate which came along with it, with regards to a conflict of interest between Igbo related governors and Obasanjo. Specifically, the tactical debate was about where in particular should Biafra memorial be situated and which of the governors would be bold enough to pull the bull by the horn and take some action since the initial location at Uli had been backpedaled by Chinwoke Clement Mbadinuju of Anambra State. Apparently, there were none but Kalu who stood bold enough to scorn Obasanjo and take the heat, notwithstanding the fact he belonged to the same political party with the president, which probably could lead to disloyalty and violating party principles.

Kalu had thought about it and the ripple effect it might have on his political career; that is, if he okays a final resting place for Biafra war heroes in his home state of Abia. Eventually, Kalu made up his mind and Biafra war heroes were finally recognized by way of a memorial in Umuahia. Kalu had gained my respect doing that; and I had adored him, henceforth. I would be wrong in my assumption and Kalu would be full of it, not knowing a gangster and a demonic cultist had emerged.

But the case of Biafra war heroes was of concern to every Igbo – at home and in Diaspora – for historiography and the importance of the struggle for self-reliance, as in the Balkans, for posterity. As it happened, the hackles raised on the Biafran subject reflected much on the youngish intellectuals who founded Biafranigeriaworld –BNW -- and its sister related sites, which embarked on extensive to near exhaustive commentaries and analyses on keeping the Biafran struggle alive. The founders of BNW were adequately consulted to every move in establishing a resting place for Biafra war heroes. Kalu was part of the negotiations and a new born BNW backed him up based on his front as Igbo pragmatist.

Kalu’s life and stewardship to Abia State would turn out to a full blown Orwellian and Shakespearean drama, with mean spirited characters and tragic stories transcending the opening acts. But since the gangster-like operations initially in Umuahia, and especially with the revelations at the Okija Shrine and how Kalu orchestrated every deal at the oracle, so many among the deadly culthood under Kalu’s orders took different positions becoming obvious and impossible to tell where they will come out in any new situation because of a political switch for a bargain not too favorable to Abia citizenry.

The abomination and unbecoming conducts at the Okija Shrine and other related shrines where these shameless politicians had convened has triggered a whole series of heated debates among the pundits, about a questionable past election in which Kalu’s party, Progressive Peoples Alliance –PPA – won two gubernatorial seats from the seven Igbo related states; and thanks to Obasanjo who engineered every move in a rigged election never ever seen in the nation’s history.

There has been much discussion of the voodoo and what had been going on at the shrines in Okija and elsewhere. What is more disturbing about the Okija visits and invocation of agwuisi, is the nature from around which civilized people supposedly should have preferred a sound political order typical of organized societies than resorting to the spirits dancing in the flesh and witchcrafts, just for the purpose of attaining a public office by which they have pledged during the course of election campaigns to do their best and make their respective zones and states better, by way of providing "basic amenities," as proclaimed in their campaigns.

The Okija incident and other cases of abominable character may be opening our eyes, suggesting such a spooky, and demonic scenes had been an ongoing affair within the power structure of a so-called neo-democratic experiment; the power seekers and the ones that had already taken a grip to power; thus, the ability in a likewise position to dictate to would be power brokers on how democracy works in a “Nigeria” set up – ala, the legitimacy to voodoo and witchcraft in sustaining a viable and intact government – and what that actually means to a new kind of democracy which may also suggest visiting the shrines and swearing to “fetish oaths” makes these states in question viable and may no longer be viable the moment it stops visiting the shrines. It is the norm and accepted when the citizenry of these related states are not complaining, and not doing anything about it, practically.

“Governor” Theodore Ahamefule Orji of Abia State whose Okija visits was all over the news with more questions popping up, and a Youtube video of the governor seen in his underwear proved the governor had agreed to a “fetish oath” as a done deal to fulfill the terms of his stewardship to the people of Abia State. Orji had been locked up for corruption charges before winning the gubernatorial seat and was released some few days to inauguration, and hurriedly sworn-in to succeed Kalu who had suddenly given up his executive throne knowing scores of charges will be leveled against him, as well, by federal agents upon leaving office. However, the constitution’s immunity clause saved Orji from further prosecution until probably he serves out his term, that is, if he survives an election tribunal that may likely nullify his election and send him back to jail.

What has transpired in the Orji and the Okija affair is an Igbo tragedy, which calls into question the validity of Orji and his master Kalu. And what that means is, Kalu and his cohorts who ultimately believed in igwo nshi, of the bewitched and sorcery in the name of power politics, and which as it happened, rendered the people who reside in Abia State and elsewhere in AlaIgbo without a say in what supposedly should have been a nascent democracy having nothing to do with elections conducted by means of a social contract or any form of contract; should be basis for an ultimatum and sanctions, especially when such demonic scenes like the Okija episode and Umuahia are not healthy to a democratic fabric, and civilization, in particular.

If elections in a democracy with regards to power belonging to the people by means of electoral process based on the rule of law, and then, all of a sudden, fetish rituals springs up, making it valid for would be politicians seeking political appointments and things like that to pledge allegiance through bloodsucking and igba afa, invocation of the gods in order to struck a deal according to the principles of ndi dibia and agwuisi, soothsayers, idols, and so on and so forth; then, upholding and respecting democracy, the said election should be declared null and void for the simple fact democracy and demonic rituals does not add up.

And I believe most of the nonsense that keeps hanging around Igbo states should be blamed on a failed leadership. I remember the World Igbo Congress convention which was held in Los Angeles on Labor Day weekend of 2005. And I also remember Igbo politicians and “power brokers” who came from Igbo land. It was not inspiring and one was left to ponder what happened to Igbo people. When Kalu spoke, a vulnerable Igbo Diaspora applauded, and applauded for reasons I’m still having problems trying to figure out and what had happened to a people who are now politically impotent, demolished and conquered.

Somehow, Kalu had inspired his admirers when he quoted himself saying “I want to be the next president of Nigeria” noting it was time the Igbo man gets on the block for the nation’s top job. The entire chant turned out to be a political gimmick to persuade Igbo Diaspora that much need to be done regarding an Igbo president, a post that had eluded top-notch Igbo politicians since the post-civil war era. Kalu seemed to be talking tough when his entourage began a campaign on a different political setting realizing his pursuit of the presidency would not be entertained within the framework of the ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party – PDP – which had already been designed for the president to handpick a presidential candidate from the Sultanate North, to be precise, Umar Yar’Adua, younger brother to the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and the president’s best crony during his military dictatorship was the predetermined choice.

Kalu regrouped and formed the Progressive Party Alliance with a platform that he wrote. His friends and kitchen cabinet members backed him up including Orji who would be the flag bearer of the party for Abia State, and a kingpin of the Okija saga where demons invade the natural being through rituals which sets the tone on how to follow the deadly rules when one is elected into public office.

On the other score, nobody can say for sure what had been involved in the visits to the shrines, even with abstract revelations, which would amount to nothing; for instance, say, if human heads and other body parts are linked to the rituals. Nobody knows the whole truth yet, and in this case, the question is, why hasn’t the government permanently closed these abominable shrines of demonic worships after discovering and excavating body parts from these places? Why would such a cult that has destroyed all aspects of civil liberties and dangerous for practicing Christians be allowed to operate without questions asked whatsoever? Why are devoted Christians engaged in affairs against the will of God?

It all boils down to agreeing to a catch phrase “oath of allegiance” based on a deal, and in reality looks very bizarre considering the fact that both Kalu and Orji had been friends since the Fourth Republic popped up. The whole story seems bizarre, indeed, and Orji, in particular, according to a series of newspaper reports did not care about the consequences if one should look at it the other way with his humble beginnings through Holy Ghost College (Arugo High School), and University of Ibadan. Orji must have been desperate or perhaps blindfolded to have gone mad exposing himself to dumb and stupid characters.

From the scheme of things, however, Kalu has denied getting involved with anything relating to the shrines in his native village and the ones in Okija even though he knows nobody is buying that hogwash. In a Tell magazine report, Kalu declares:

“The only shrine I know in my life is the shrine (grotto) of the Virgin Mary, revered in the entire Catholic Church. I am a devout Christian, God-fearing, and I wish to state categorically that I do not have any business with the Okija Shrine. I challenge the accuser to make available to the police his letter of employment, identity ca5rd, pat slips and other such accoutrements of legitimate employees to substantiate his claims”

The hook up here and Kalu’s denial is dangerous. First, starting with one Gordy Duru, former Chairman of Abia South Local Government, and Kalu’s mother lover boy over the years, has been the brain behind all the messy stuff because of his sexual relationship with Kalu’s mother, and his political connections to Kalu himself. The Duru of a guy who powered the entire episode and captured the events at Okija knows it all, and surprisingly, he is not telling much which has something to do with the “oath of allegiance” coupled with his courtship with Kalu’s mother, his own mother in relative terms since Kalu is age mate to the said Duru who ran Abia South Local Government and had nothing to show for it but an abandoned Aba Township which is uninhabitable by human standard, a cult fellowship satanic in nature, and sad that Christians had contacts at night with arushi, the devils that invade the spirits after paying homage to a Catholic Priest during the day for redemption. It is sad indeed, and it got to stop if we really want to come to terms with reality. Apparently, we have become more of idol worshippers with evil intentions than the Christian doctrine we proclaim to uphold.

With an ordained Christian doctrine that we pretend to respect and uphold while we crawl at night to invoke Agwuisi and Amadioha, the gods of our fathers, which never meant any harm from its origin on a traditional standpoint necessary to keep its values related to a socio-cultural concept as history demands in keeping up with the status quo – the ability to maintain those values for a healthy society – was all they prayed for in their endeavors. It had nothing to do with putting someone under duress on the grounds of vulnerability which is the case with Kalu’s cults and demonic gangsters who altered the way we use to be in that capacity. What beats me is the pretense to use God as a cover to deceive the people when Kalu insinuates he is a “devout Christian.” Just like the devil in the flesh, they walk around to preach the Gospel but yet they are evil in character. They will pray, and pray, praising the Lord, and after all the prayers, they end up committing all sorts of atrocities.
This is the true nature of how we destroyed all that our forebears created with their good intensions, despite their limited learning capability and exposure.

The idea that our forebears worshipped idols does not make sense at all, compared to what an “educated” folk like Orji reduced Igbo land to by drinking some concoction of human blood and swearing to an oath that would sustain his power as governor, and under the same oath, to answer to his master who had made it possible for him getting to that political height in a state turned to empire and anarchy by thuggish elements. Our forebears did not have the kind of resources we have today, yet they prevailed. They were true republicans. They functioned as a democratic fabric with transparency and accountability taking its right course. They had values and upheld, and respected our cultural heritage which is why they gave us a sound and quality education based on the status quo.

I can understand a cultural phenomenon, like Owu, Okorosha, Ekeleke, Ogbamgbada, Ogbu Opi, Egwu Onwa, Ikeji, Ifo, and things of that nature – which was established by our forefathers – as a norm to our well being culturally and socially; but when a group of thugs hijacks this very phenomenon to a level unimaginable, then, the Igbo people have a problem which did lead to another Igbo tragedy when the intellectuals stood by and watched these abominable acts unfold in an era where civilization thrives to make life better for the citizenry. These thugs, who, overnight gerrymandered the electorates with lists of ghosts as voters proves the democracy as we thought it to be is nothing but quasi. A democracy and an election where vulnerable voters are left with no choices but take gifts – bags of rice, meats and bottles of soda – to succumb to a state of empire and anarchy in what supposedly should have been a true democracy where elections are free and fair should have us ponder why we got trapped by the Kalus and the rest political thugs who now call the shots in our land.

The failures of Igbo intellectuals and a confused, collective, efulefu, worthless Diaspora are reasons why people like Kalu are running the affairs of state in AlaIgbo today, which is now typical of fascism. Of course, Kalu seems to have known his way around in dirty politics, having spent more of his time as a crook in high school, swindling his peers, and his stunt without credentials at University of Maiduguri where deception to the nadir took its course. But one shouldn’t be amazed on how Igbo intellectuals and its efulefu Diaspora bunch did not get things done in a way that would have kept the Igbo on top of the game in politics and leadership, which under normal circumstances should be based on merit, and not the Kalu ilks who hijacked the citizenry with looted public funds.

Never mind Igbo intellectuals and a confused Diaspora bunch. Kalu had succeeded in his cruel behavior and criminal activities because of an inept and corrupt judiciary in the state which lacks judicial independence due to external pressures and a combined “Ghana must go” bags which did compromise the integrity of their rulings. In any democracy the judiciary must be independent and accountable; accountable which requires that the laws that they interpret based on its judicial decisions responds to the constitutional values of the state. A state that lacks this very measure in its democratic fabric ends up in anarchy, and that is why the Kalus have gotten their way and calling the shots.

The saga continues!

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Out About Town: Radio NY Launch


This time last month I attended NYC TV's launch party for 91.5 FM Radio New York. I've been meaning to do this post ever since, butterum, you know, life gets in the way...

Anyhoo, it was at Touch (the bar lights up when you touch it!), the Pearl Vodka cocktails were flowing (you simply must try the Pomegranate) and there were live performances by Ayo, Antibalas, and Emily King.

This was the recipe for a good time...and here's the evidence. Oh and I'm in 99% of these pics. Vain, much?



I totally attract the gayest of the gay. Right off the bat I met this lil cutie.



Uncle Ralph from Video Music Box was in the building!


Born in Germany to a Nigerian father and a mom who was a gypsy, singer/songwriter Ayo had a really worldly vibe. Sweet and soulful with a dash of reggae.


I was already feeling Emily King's single, "Walk in My Shoes" and her performance did not disappoint. Definitely one to watch.




NYC TV host Kela Walker looked gorge.



Snuggling up to a random hot guy.



There are no words for this pic. Just know that it was officially time to go shortly thereafter.

Thanks Celena, Shannon and Anthony!

Mugabe's Grip On Zimbabwe Still Tight

Despite economic chaos, the authoritarian president looks likely to be reelected. A challenger from his party has gained some traction.

By Robyn Dixon, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

March 25, 2008


HARARE, ZIMBABWE -- It takes 55 million Zimbabwean dollars to buy a single American one. Schools have no teachers. Hospitals have become mortuaries. And inflation has topped 100,000%.

As President Robert Mugabe, 84, seeks a sixth term in elections Saturday, Zimbabwe's financial catastrophe takes the words "It's the economy, stupid," to a new level.

Yet even with a crisis so intractable it would finish off any leader in a genuine democracy, Mugabe is expected to maintain his grip on power.

His tools are the same ones that have worked before: gerrymandered electorates; an electoral roll full of ghost voters; tight control of state television and radio; preelection gifts of tractors, plows and cattle to the rural chiefs who will get in the ruling party vote; pay raises for public servants and the military. And, above all, fear.

The major streets of this capital city are lined with posters bearing an old photograph of Mugabe, fist raised, and the slogan "Behind the Fist." To most, it conveys little beyond the fear associated with his rule, from Operation Gukurahundi in the early 1980s, when as many as 20,000 political enemies were slaughtered, to Operation Murambatsvina in 2005, when at least 700,000 people were driven from urban opposition strongholds into the countryside. Many have not recovered.

A party divided

But even when elections are not real elections, they raise hopes. And one thing has changed this time around: A charismatic presidential challenger from within the ruling ZANU-PF has divided the party and thrown Mugabe's campaign off balance. Former Finance Minister Simba Makoni, whose first name means "power" or "strength" in Zimbabwe's Shona language, announced his bid last month and was promptly ejected from the party.

Mugabe, whose grip on power has never weakened since independence from Britain in 1980, needs 51% of the vote to avoid a runoff against Makoni and the other main challenger, Morgan Tsvangirai, who was savagely beaten by police last year and whose opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change, or MDC, has split into two main squabbling factions.

There are signs Mugabe is rattled by the challengers. In the weeks before the election, he signed a law forcing foreign- and white-owned companies to sell black Zimbabweans a 51% interest, a move that will send investors fleeing and further undermine the economy, but enable him to dole out plum favors to loyalists.

The Information Ministry warned that white foreign journalists would be barred from covering the election. And in case anyone was in doubt about the regime's determination to cling to power, the police and army chiefs announced that they would never work under the opposition.

At rallies, Mugabe rails bitterly against people such as Makoni, calling them enemies and traitors. Yet Makoni, 58, has much in common with Mugabe. He comes from a similar traditional rural African background, rose through education (both got degrees in Britain) and was politicized in the liberation struggle and in ZANU-PF. Even now, Makoni does not directly attack either Mugabe or the party.

But there is a heady exhilaration about his campaign. Part of it is the sheer novelty of hearing a ZANU-PF stalwart proclaiming what everyone thinks but most are afraid to say: "We got corrupted by power. We started serving ourselves. . . . We've destroyed our own country," he said at his launch rally in Harare early this month.

'Power to the People'

Makoni's slogan, "Simba Kuvanhu," or "Power to the People," is a famous old refrain from the liberation struggle, a Mugabe favorite that the president has not quite gotten out of the habit of using at campaign rallies.

Even some opposition figures see a reform ZANU-PF candidate as the best and only hope of change. Arthur Mutambara, leader of one faction in the opposition MDC, recently declared that no one in the opposition could beat Mugabe.

"Makoni is the only person who can defeat Mugabe. Not Tsvangirai, not Mutambara," he said at a recent rally, campaigning for Makoni instead of running for president himself.

But Makoni waited until late in the game to enter the race, convinced that popular discontent with Mugabe was so deep that it needed only one credible candidate to sweep away both the president and the disappointing opposition.

He claims to have many heavyweight ruling-party backers, but few ZANU-PF bigwigs have defected to his camp, making it difficult for him to muster enough ruling-party support to sweep Mugabe aside.

Makoni, boyish-looking and articulate, is from a large and powerful clan and has dozens of cousins and hundreds of close relatives. In his childhood village, nearly every shop and business was owned by a Makoni.

He faced the first real test of his support on a recent balmy Sunday at the Zimbabwe Grounds in Harare, the sports fields where big political rallies are held.

The crowd of a few thousand consisted mainly of educated men, including bureaucrats and professionals.

Many of those in attendance were former opposition supporters, disillusioned over Tsvangirai's letting his party split and failure to capitalize on popular anger after previous elections.

"People are impatient. They now want Makoni to be president," said university lecturer Simba Matsika, 36.

"People will support anyone and any program that opposes the incumbent party and president. People need change at any cost."

Makoni impressed the sports-facility crowd; the problem was the modest turnout. Even the riot police were halfhearted: One small police van made a desultory sweep and retreated to wait by the gate.

'Getting a crowd'

"If you are going to launch an attack against Mugabe, you really have to find a way of getting a crowd by hook or by crook," said Lovemore Madukhu, director of the National Constitutional Assembly, a nongovernmental organization lobbying for reform.

"You don't go to the Zimbabwe Grounds and get a crowd of three to four thousand. It was a crowd smaller than Mugabe addressed and smaller than Tsvangirai addressed. I think that blunder will eat into perceptions of his capacity to divide Mugabe's support."

Makoni's daily meet-the-people walks in towns across Zimbabwe connect him with hundreds of voters, but not the thousands he needs. Tsvangirai may be discredited, but he still has a broader reach, with a strong urban support base that Makoni lacks.

Building a profile and swinging the electoral tide in a few short weeks is a tall order for Makoni, especially with no access to television and radio.

Many analysts believe Makoni will poll third after Mugabe and Tsvangirai. A recent opinion poll put Mugabe's support well behind Tsvangirai's, but the electoral boundaries have been redrawn to give rural voters (among whom Mugabe's support is highest) a much greater weight than residents of pro-opposition urban areas.

As finance minister from 2000 to 2002, Makoni stood up to Mugabe and called for the devaluation of the ailing Zimbabwean dollar as the economy went into free fall after the president's seizures of white-owned farmland. He was removed as finance minister but stayed in the powerful politburo, and some opposition supporters see Makoni as just an ambitious member of the party that has destroyed the country.

"I was part of the system. I was in the leadership of this country for quite a long time and in public office for quite a long time. But collective responsibility does not mean that everyone agrees with every decision all of the time," Makoni said in an interview in Harare after returning late from a day's campaigning. "I strove for change from within. Throughout the time I was in the leadership, I kept trying to show my colleagues that there were better ways than we were doing."

If Makoni fails, he and his supporters could be isolated and made examples of by the ruling elite, a move that might discourage others in the ruling party from defying Mugabe.

But Makoni argues that his presidential bid is having the opposite effect, saying, "Many Zimbabweans are feeling emboldened and encouraged that you can actually speak your mind and Armageddon will not befall you."

DAMNATION!


Tasia-boo, I've already been over this with you. You were featured in my very first In a word...FUG post ages ago. Remember? In a word...FUG: Animal Print Edition? Obviously my copious warnings and smoke signals have gone unheeded. You've forced my hand.

This is what comes to mind when I look into the dark abyss of your awful, awful leopard leggings:




Still confused? How about an artist's rendering...





Those leggings make you look half goat, okay? Harsh? Maybe, but it's my truth and my therapist says I should share more.

Love you but sometimes love just isn't enough,

Elle


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Joseph Gordon-Levitt + Claudia Schiffer...

...equals hot! In the April issue of GQ, child actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt and uber-model Claudia Schiffer are having some kinky-licious fun. JGL is certainly all grown up (remember him from 3rd Rock from the Sun?) and Claudia was clearly in need of some discipline. Ms. Schiffer also must come from the open-mouth school of sexy posing. No matter, I am loving everything about this photoshoot. Enjoy!


Monday, March 24, 2008

Kimora Quotable

"He's really big."
-The forever fabulous Kimora Lee Simmons spills the tea on boyfriend Djimon Hounsou's...Hong Kong billboard

Lucky b*tch. As if that weren't enough, Djimon has also stepped right into the role of resident Daddy to the crown princesses of the Simmons clan, Ming and Aoki.



How cute is that? And you know if Aoki loves him, he must be a winner.

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A Must or A Bust?


Happy Monday, good people!
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What a weekend. First, there were two nights at BK Fashion Weekend (underground fashion and a fab time had by all). Then Easter with the family at Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (amaaazing). And of course I couldn't bring my weekend to a close without some quality time with my b*tches, Chocolate Thunder and the Dream Girls. Where did the time go? Unfortch, the partners actually want me to focus at work so look out for all things BK Fashion Weekend later this week.
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In the meantime, it's time for another round of A MUST OR A BUST! (applause)
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Recently, Prada hosted an viewing party for the short film "Trembled Blossoms" at their store in Beverly Hills. The four minute film, which is creepily cool, is a promo for Prada's Spring/Summer 2008 collection. You can view it here. It's like this psychodelic trip following an animated wood nymph that is gifted with head to toe Prada (including this dress) while traveling through nature. Okay, I don't hike, camp or even walk all that much, but in this case, I'd make an exception. Sign me up! Oh and look out for the lesbionics at the 1:50 mark. Zexy!
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But I'm digressing. This Prada party was, of course, chock full of celebs in Prada (or Miu Miu), but it was these skirts that caught my eye...

Angie Harmon making a voluminous appearance in Prada (this look is straight from the runway)

Tracee Ellis Ross in a full-skirted Prada ensemble with designer Magda Berliner


When I first saw these skirts, I was mildly horrified. But the more I look, the more I like. There's something very ladylike and ethereal about them, almost as if they're floating.

Am I dreaming? A must or a bust?



Thanks Adia!
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