Fabulous Theatre

Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

Daahlings, talk about fabulous theatre! It's the only way to describe the current enquiry into the Manatt, Phelps & Phillips affair. Now, while it makes for simply fab daytime TV, at times the sidebars are equally interesting, but whoever advised the Jamaica Labour Party to cry 'cree' on Wednesday, in their post-enquiry press conference, asking that the People's National Party rein in K.D. Knight, was amateurish at best. Implicit in the statement is a questioning of the capabilities of those in the hot seat and those yet to take the chair. Anyway my dears, Knight is definitely the shining star, his wit and intellect outshining and dwarfing many as the enquiry unfolds. Let the fun and games continue, being mindful to be wary of the Ides of March!

Following on his successful conquest of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa last September, former Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) officer turned news anchor and now mountain climber Darren Jordon, has just notched up another first in mountaineering by scaling the Southern Alps of New Zealand. Jordon is the first Jamaican to complete this rigorous and exacting introduction to mountaineering. The course lasted a week and took place around the mountains and glaciers surrounding Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak. The course covers rock- and rope-climbing techniques, ice climbing, snow skills and generally performing in harsh climactic snowy environment.

Interesting enough, before leaving for Mount Cook, Jordon was based in Christchurch before the massive and devastating earthquake that destroyed much of the city and its neighbouring towns and villages.

Rigours

With news of the quake uppermost in his mind, the challenge for Jordon was to focus on one of the most arduous tasks he had ever undertaken. In his own words: "It was one of the toughest courses I have ever done. No amount of gym work can totally prepare you for the rigours of operating in Alpine environments. We had to march for hours under heavy backpacks, climbing over boulders the size of cars - ever higher - to reach the snow and ice. At times I was near to exhaustion. We learnt how to ice climb, which was great fun once you get the hang of it."

But before the fun, there was the hard task of ice training, which included learning how to walk safely on ice, using crampons (snow spikes) strapped to his boots, and then braving the weather conditions that included spending a cold and miserable night camped out at the side of the Annette Plateau ice field, and being soaked by freezing rain, then shivering in bivouacs, as the wind chill fell to about minus 15C, making it quite a battle to stay alive, moreover dry and warm.

If y'all thought Jordan would have had his fill of all of this, think again, as he is busy planning his next mountain adventure, climbing the icy summit of Mont Blanc in France, Western Europe's highest peak, where he plans to hoist the Jamaican colours!

Buzz

The buzz out of New York, is that people are still going gaga over Lois Samuels' collection, 'The Vessel by Lois', showcased during New York Fashion Week. It still is the rave of the savvy fashionistas. 'Hot' is the term being used to describe the striking black-and-white photographic exhibition and mannequin display which featured the designer and model in the collection photographed by Joanna Totolici. And what a collection it was too, reflecting simple glamour and classic tailoring, which featured jackets with removable bustles, silk lurex dresses with changeable collars and cuffs, cashmere layered jackets and flowing capes, shorter hemlines and deeper necklines.

And luvs, the fab were on hand to record it too, as among those present, were reps from fashion's 'bible', Vogue, market editor Jessica Sailor; Oprah Magazine, The New York Times and Constance White for Facebook. Also out were Ronald Knoth of the Bespoken Gentleman, Elaine Welteroth of Ebony, Hariette Cole, Simon Collins, plus a number of others! Definitely thumbs up for the former Pulse international modelling sensation.

Birthdays

And speaking of fabulous people, happy birthday greetings to: Detective Sergeant Rennrick G. Fairweather who, after some 30 years in the Jamaica Constabulary Force, retires in a matter of weeks; and Clifton Harriott, formerly of Kingston, now resident of Baltimore, Maryland, who both celebrate their birthday today. Tomorrow, Montego Bay socialite Nerissa Braimbridge and the fabulous Carleene Samuels both celebrate tomorrow. On Sunday, starting the week in a fab party mode are: the absolutely fab Candy DePass; the lovely Andrea Johnson; and MaryKay Mullally, north coast habitué of San Diego, California.

Come Monday, the charmingly lovely Norma Clarke, widow of the late Horace Clarke, celebrates her birthday. On Tuesday, the lovely Karen Preston-Francis of Montego Bay, and the lovely designer and artist, Nanci Burke, both share the same birthday. On Wednesday, internationally celebrated musician Carrot Jarrett, formerly of Third World; the lovely Nina Pfab, now engaged to Sam James Jr; and the fab Alecia Jones, all celebrate birthdays. Thursday will see: businessman Sean Azan; Holger Waehling; Tracey Miller-Voelk; Julian Warren-Ramsay; and Horace Daley, formerly of Kingston, now in Fairfield, Connecticut; all celebrating their birthday!

Belated birthday wishes to socialite Jeanne Watson, who celebrated her very special day on February 28, and to Opposition MP Bobby Pickersgill, who celebrated on the 27th.