My Master Cleanse Experience

I decided to to do the Master Cleanse for a number of reasons. First and foremost I gained a lot of weight recently. While most people seem to think I look fabulous with the extra pounds it is something that has really been bothering me for some time now. Additionally I found that my eating habits had taken a turn for the worst and I would just eat any and everything just for the sake of eating, not necessarily because I was hungry.

After doing a considerable amount of research I decided I would do the cleanse in July 2010. needless to say procrastination being the beast that it is I never started. Several times after that I set dates to start and just made excuses. Whether it was the wrong time for me to do it because of work or because I wanted to go to some random party. While all of this is going on I think I gained more weight and of course the numbers on the carnival countdown went from lots of months to two months. I never actually weighed my self but I could always feel myself and know that I was heavy.

Day One

The cleanse has something called the ease in which is supposed to prepare you for not eating solid food for 10 to 14 days. Again procrastination and lack of procrastination I did not do the ease in. Additionally on the morning I was due to start the cleanse I still did not have all of the items that I needed. However something happened when I got up that morning, I just felt determined to start. So I started I did not eat anything all day and sipped fresh squeezed orange juice. I did well all day until my friend who I was supposed to be doing the cleanse with suggested we have gyros for dinner and start the cleanse fresh the next day.

Day 2/New Day One

I woke up again determined to do the cleanse. I mixed the concoction of lemon juice (more like lime juice), cayenne pepper and organic maple syrup. The instant I drank it I knew I was in trouble. It occurred to me that I hate maple syrup. I don't know what I was thinking. Two things I don't like are maypole syrup and cinnamon. Anyways I opted to shot the concoction so that I would not taste the maple syrup. Then during the day I tried the salt water flush. Lord have mercy. I drank a litre of salt water. My belly is strange if I consume something that is not good my belly says what the hell is this shit get out and it comes right back up.

After that experience I started to think about why I was doing this thing. To lose weight obviously. Weight loss is something that I have achieved before and quite easily at that. So I cut out a lot of things from my diet. Things like the massive cup of coffee I drank every morning and the KFC I ate regularly. I lessen my portions and in general I ate less. I opted to have a salad or a soup for lunch and I never went hungry. Before I knew it, I was fitting into clothes that were previously too tight and people were telling me I lost weight. One person even told me I looking dry. I have no idea exactly how much weight I lost I estimate about fifteen pounds twenty at the most. Might I add that this is with very minimal exercise.

So if I keep this up and add some exercise I will have that hot smoking carnival body by next year. Slow and steady wins the race.

Have you ever done anything extreme to lose weight? What was your experience? Did it work?

Much Ado About Nothing

It'd been so long since I posted something on this blog of mine. I guess it was a combination of work, carnival and laziness. So many things have happened and not happened at the same time. I am still single, this I am proud of I am not complaining. But I know now why I am single. It's because I can't bend over and put my head between my legs or randomly drop into a split. I can read though so I am holding out for the guy who would like me because I can read.

I still love my job. This is the first time that I am in a job and I am not looking for jobs daily. The one wish I have is that I get a pay raise. If I get fired I would be in deep shit. Because this is also the first time that I don't have some hussle going on the side.

I am still not pleased with the way the country is being run. But running a country is hard work so who am I to complain. Additionally, unlike the PNM the People's Partnership is new to this thing so they need to time to settle in and work out the kinks. Also while the PNM Members are fighting amongst themselves the government could take the opportunity to get away with maximum amount of shit.

I felt Iwer George should have won soca monarch only because the garbage he sang moved me more that the garbage that everyone else sang. And while we are on that what's up with advantage. I really didn't like that song. Illegal was the song I loved but after playing mas for more than twenty years what the hell do I know about a road march.

Anyways I am making a try at this blogging thing a little more consistently. Thank you always for the support.

What is Boxing Day?

I did some research to determine what this thing we call Boxing Day is all about. And I discovered that it has absolutely nothing to do with a boxing match. I shame. I honestly thought that this was some day for a large annual boxing match for heaving weights around the world. I don’t know where I would have gotten that idea.

The real story is that back in the day an Alms Box was placed in churches for parisheners to place gifts for the poor. This box would then be opened by the priest the day after Christmas and that is how the day became known as boxing day. Another theory I discovered was that poorly paid workers were required to work on Christmas Day and when they were leaving their employers would present them with a Christmas Box. This is quite interesting, because I know many Trinis not taking no bonus after Christmas. That would infuriate Watson Duke for sure because “we wah we money now”.

So there you have it Boxing Day is actually a day for giving to the poor or giving in general. I guess I can stop looking for those tickets to that boxing match.

Merry Christmas

I would like to wish everybody a very Merry Christmas. I sincerely hope you get all that your heart desires and more. Even if you don’t get what your heart desires always remember that God never gives us anything before we are ready for it. At the same time perhaps we should also try to give someone all their heart desires after all this is the season of giving not receiving.

Merry Christmas Everybody.

Free Mas for 2011

The Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism has announced that there will be free mas for carnival 2011. As reported by the Express Newspaper the Ministry will sponsor music trucks for the People's Band, the only requirement is that masqueraders create their own costumes and not use costumes from China. The Minister is hoping that this initiative will bring back traditional mas. In addition, it would give the vendors on the street the opportunity to make money because when the bands with costumes for $3000 and $4000 pass with their premium bars the masqueraders pass the vendors straight.

This is a noble idea in theory, but in reality it sounds like total garbage. What nonsense is this? They cutting cost and fire Fazeer Mohammed former host of First Up but have money to put music trucks on the street for people to palance. Seriously though, I hope the Ministry understands that a modern carnival band must have security to control and protect the masqueraders. In addition there are carnival celebrations all over the country, would the music trucks be distributed throughout both islands? The People's Band must be represented in Port of Spain, Arima, Arouca, Tunapuna, San Fernando and Tobago.

Finally, we as Trinbagonians are great entrepreneurs we must always admit that. If there is a way to create a scheme in something we will find it. What is preventing some entrepreneur from creating costumes in bulk and selling them to John Public? Or what is preventing an entrepreneur from buying the same costumes from China that the Minister is so opposed to and selling them to John Public to play mas in the People's Band?

I would really like to see the details of this concept finalized. I would also like to see the proposed cost of this initiative and the actual cost after the fact.

Would you be playing mas in the People's Band for carnival 2011? Do you think this is a good way to spend tax payer's money?

Scorch DDI Review

Yesterday I went down the islands to Scorch DDI. It was only after a good few drinks I realized that DDI was down the islands. Anyway that was one of my signature blond moments, its a good thing my friends and family love me. I am in a hot mess, because I can memorize the licence plate numbers of all the cars on my street but can figure out what DDI means.

Anyway the last couple of times I went out I didn't really have much fun. It was just a sad affair, boring as ever. From Zen, to 51, to Nikki Manaj I just felt like i am too old to be out this late taking night dew for no good reason. Now to truly paint a picture of how great Scorch was I have to describe my usual party behaviour. Usually I go to a party to pose and look cute. Yes I admit it I am poser. I like to look cute. At the end of the party I look the same way I did when I walked in and lord knows I don't dance. Very stooch, my idea of dancing is putting my hand in the air and waving it slightly.

Scorch was just right up my ally. It was day time so I didn't have to take night dew. I could have worn what I wanted, as there was no stupid bouncer telling me that I must be in heels to gain entry, a la 51. The only issue was hottt sun, but I viewed it as preparation for Tribe 2011. Anyway so minding my own business I started to dance and I even buss a wine. Then it started to rain and I did not even run for cover, I stayed in the rain dancing. When I tell you the vibes was real nice. I wine low, high, round and round, I wine to techno and all. It was pure niceness. Now once of the reasons that I don't dance much is because somewhere along the way I loose the beat and go off a bit. But the thing is since everybody was having a good time I felt confident that nobody would notice my outta timin wine. Now one day later I feel like I was in some aerobic class my body is aching. I never knew that wining was a full body workout.

Oh and how can I forget the guys. When I tell you the fellas came out in their full glory and of course it was raining so shirts had to come off. I have a feeling that active gym membership was the condition for entry into this event. I got whip lash from gaping, the guys were just divine. When I tell you, white, brown, chi nee, tall, short, even the chubby guys were looking good.

Do tell. Did you go to Scorch DDI? How was it for you?

Budget Day

Today is budget day in Trinidad and Tobago. It is an exciting day usually, however this year it is even more exciting, because today is the day that the People’s Partnership will show us what they are about and how they plan to do it. The national budget is an annual plan of how the government intends to earn money and how they plan to spend it. The budget is actually an Appropriation Bill and goes through the same process as any other Bill. As a money Bill it can only be introduced in the House of Representatives and it must be done by the Minister of Finance. Usually there is a limitation on the length of time a Member is allowed to speak, however during the presentation of the budget by speech the Minister of Finance no time limit is imposed. Simply because the budget is important business. The budget usually spans a number of areas including Tobago, Trade and Industry, Tourism, Agriculture, Energy, Housing, Infrastructure, Environment, Education, Health, Social Protection, National Security, Sport, Youth, Culture and Community Development. I am specifically interested in Health, National Security, Education, Youth Development and Trade and Industry.

So tune in my dear friends to Channel 11 at 1:30 p.m. because today is the day that the PP government is going to put their money where their mouth is. What aspects of the Budget are you looking forward to today?

Ten Things I want the People’s Partnership to Do

I was thinking about our new Government and there are a few things that I would like them to do as follows:

1. Stop campaigning. You all won, unless the new PM hires Patrick Manning as her political advisor you all will be there for five years. Get cracking.
2. Eradicate Corruption – don’t know how. Just do it.
3. Ensure that there is succession planning in the Police Service to ensure that we don’t have to hire another foreigner to be Commissioner of Police.
4. Recognize that crime is a social problem.
5. Use social media to get the message out. I love twitter.
6. Criticise in private, Praise in public. Especially in relation to public servants.
7. Elevate the content of debates in parliament. Let the younger one say something.
8. Don’t just make laws, enforce them too.
9. Do the right thing. Everybody may not like it, but its a good start.
10. Treat every citizen equally regardless of political patronage or affiliation.

What would you like the People’s Partnership to do?

How come we continue to believe in politicians and their promises, when so many fail to follow through and keep those promises?

Recently in Trinidad and Tobago we have had a change in Government. We are now being governed by a new group of people. But how new are these people? And how different are they from the people that were there before? Politicians are elected or nominated officials who are supposed to represent the interest of the people who put them in the positions they hold. Let us think about the term House of Representatives. This implies that it is filled with Representatives, that is, persons representing us. When did we get the notion that these people were better than us in any way? They are supposed to be one of us chosen by us to represent our interest. How many of us feel that our representative truly represents our interest.

Every time this representative speaks they are speaking for us. They are not speaking for the political party. This is solidified by the fact that if an elected member of the House of Representatives leaves his party he can still hold his seat in the House. Why? Because we put him there and it is based on that authority he is a Member of the House of Representatives. So then why do we allow these politicians to do to us whatever they want? Is the system of choosing persons to represent us truly representative of the people in our society? Or is it just a bunch of sawaties coming together to seek their own interest to the detriment of the rest of us? How can we get them to truly represent our interest?

During an election we are presented with a candidate chosen by the political party. How do we know that the person is truly the best representative for our constituency? What gives the political party the right to screen candidates behind closed doors? On what basis do they accept some candidates and reject others? Are there financial considerations when choosing candidates? When did party politics become more dominant that representing the people? Section 47 of the constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago sets out the qualifications for election as a Member of the House of Representatives, it states that a person must be a citizen eighteen years or upwards residing in Trinidad and Tobago for a period of two years prior to his nomination for election. Where does is say that the candidate must be vetted confidentially by a political party?

It seems that I only have questions. The more I think about it, the more I question it. So I end right where I started: How come we continue to believe in politicians and their promises, when so many fail to follow through and keep those promises?

Are Men really Dogs?

Time and time again I have had conversations with women where we get together and bash men. Going through our experiences and agreeing with each other that men are horrible little creatures. However, I am really beginning to wonder if men are really dogs? Or is it that we as women allow men to treat us any which way they please? Honestly, can a man really do anything to us that we do not want him to do? How many times have we had dealings with a man who is no good, yet for some strange reason we ignore the signs and continue to allow this man deeper and deeper into our lives.

Recently I received a call from an individual that I have known for a number of years. We have always had a flirtatious thing going but nothing more than talk. We exchanged the new communication number of choice, blackberry pins. That should have been the first red flag. Anyways so a few weeks go by and we communicate via BBIM and everything is good. Minding my own business Mr. Man starts to tell me that he likes me and he wants to see me, telling me we could meet for breakfast or lunch. That was a first for me because those are both daytime activities and I was wondering why not dinner. Well a breakfast date for me is out of the question because I usually leave home at 8 to get to work for 8 if you catch my drift. By lunchtime I am usually swamped doing things so I usually don’t get to leave the office. We finally agreed that we would go out for drinks. After all of the talk he gave me he stood me up, which I have no problem with because I was home in comfort.

The thing that irritates me the most about this guy is that his excuse for not coming was that he was sleeping. The following day when I told him that I was not pleased he could not understand why I was upset. Apparently I was just supposed to be cool with being stood up. Subsequently, yes I continued speaking to him via BBIM no doubt, he told me he wanted to check me home. The concept of men “checking” me at home is a little pet peeve of mine for a number of reasons. Most often when men visit you at home they come empty handed. The woman then has to entertain the man by providing drinks and food. In other words it is a great way to freeload. Additionally, no one sees us together so it is a wonderful trick for womanizing men. Now nothing is wrong with staying in, but doing so in the beginning of the relationship is definitely not good because it sets a precedent.

Based on this scenario, are men really dogs? I honestly don’t think so. At this stage it is totally up to me whether or not I continue to interact with this man and what our level of interaction would be. If I continue to “date” him and then in a few months he is still up to these tricks I would have no one to blame but myself. In which case he wouldn’t be a dog, he would be a smart man and I would be a damn fool.

What do you think? Are men really dogs?