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.

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?

My Favourites for Tribe 2011

It is that time of year again, Tribe has launched and the arguments have started. I am not too sure how Tribe registration is going to be this year but this is what I think about Tribe. I did not really give much consideration to Bliss because I got the impression that is the sawatie band so hopefully Max plays there or doesnt play at all. Let me say right off the bat that I got the pictures from Tribe’s Facebook page. I am not sure what the protocol is for reusing these pictures but I don’t want to get in trouble for plagiarism or copyright infringement. I also got one picture from Island People Mas. That being said I narrowed my picks to three options as follows:

I like the concept of the frontline of Mayan Eagle but the colour combination is a bit off. Mind you I could have been brain washed by Monique Nobrega because she designed Xi Ling Chi, which I played in and loved for 2010. While we are on this costume I wonder if the person modeling the costume has any effect on whether we like the costume or not?


After careful consideration I think I like Persian Gold the most, both the backline and the frontline. I like the relatively small headpiece and collar of the backline and the bra and belt are also quite nice.



As for the frontline I love the fact that the headpiece is like a tiara and I love the bra, belt, leg, arm and neck pieces. This is the same designer of Mystery of Loulan which I didn’t really like however, I must say I am really loving her contribution this year.
Xi'an, I must say it is different and it could only have been designed by Sandra Hordatt. The backline is nice however I do not like the headpiece and leg pieces. The frontline is way too skimpy for my liking even if I lose thirty pounds. Plus the frontline is a caged bra and I am not sure how that is going to work with big boobs. Finally my concept of a frontline costume is that it should be big and pretty. It must look outstanding and when comparing the backline to the frontline of this section you might as well save your money and go backline cause there is very slight difference and on the road non masqueraders will not notice. I have a serious problem paying more money for less costume.

This reminds me of Rays of Light of Island People 2009, where a sequined panty and a slightly fuller headpiece was considered frontline. After lunch when people ditch the headpiece they would just looked like a backline betty who lost her belt and is parading in a panty.

So there you have it. Like it. Love it. Leave it. What are your picks for Tribe 2011?

Carnival Tabanca

In the midst of all this election drama I found myself with a Carnival tabanca. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and like the happy, childless, single person that I am, I decided to take a nap. I dreamt that it was costume collection time and for some strange reason I could not collect my costume for myself so I asked my Mother to collect it for me. When I received the costume from my mom the bra was too small. Not at all a problem because I am playing in Tribe so changing it should be a breeze. Somehow though I forgot to have the bra exchanged so Carnival Saturday comes and I rush to Cascadia to see a line going down the hill. This is where you know it is a dream because everyone is calmly standing in the line and I was allowed to cut in midway. While standing in line it occurs to me that my friend registered me for backline and I had no boots. I began a mad plot of how I was going to obtain boots carnival Saturday evening and make a back pack all before carnival Tuesday. Then the phone rang and woke me up. It was such a strange dream but thank the good Lord that it was just a dream. At least this means that regardless of the election results there is hope because no matter what we will have Carnival 2011 to look forward to, to unite all of us one wine at a time.