My friend and I were discussing the merits of TRIBE’s TLC card, whether it worked efficiently or not this year and would it be wise of them to offer masqueraders the TLC card again for 2008 Carnival. Personally I am all for the TLC card, registration was a breeze for me because of it and not the nightmare that we had to endure in 2005 for the 2006 presentation. My only concern this year is who will be eligible for a TLC card. See, if TRIBE decides to award TLC cards to every masquerader who played this year, well I am afraid the band will not only be huge once again but it would be just as difficult to register as in 2005.
See, my estimation is the band was nowhere close to the average 3.500 masqueraders like the previous years, it appeared to me that TRIBE was much larger this year, possibly by 1,500 more masqueraders in addition to 750 security personnel! As a casual observer no one could miss the never-ending parade of truck after truck that made up TRIBE this year and the huge sections like Fancy Sailor and Warrior Spirit. Maybe it was the fact that the band was so large which lead to three sections being “left behind” on South Quay with no music or drinks trucks while the rest of the band was on Tragarete Road.
Therefore if TRIBE’s band leaders have any wish to decrease numbers for 2008, which personally I think would be wise considering the fact that the band was a bit too large for my liking this year, how does the TLC factor into that? Would it mean that the TLC will have to be treated as a “real” loyalty card, not only becoming a reward to loyal masqueraders but loyal masqueraders who have been playing with TRIBE since its inception? Therefore persons who played in 2005, 2006 and 2007 would be afforded the TLC card and first preference in registering.
Last year I thought the plan to have 2006 masqueraders register first was brilliant, until they started giving out TLC cards to 2005 masqueraders and having them register at the same time as those who played in 2006. I think there will be no choice this year to stagger the registration, I mean those who did not play for three consecutive years would understandably be pissed at not being treated as “loyal” but the TLC card defeats the purpose if the really LOYAL masqueraders are not afforded some type of tangible benefit in the registration process.
Honestly I do not want to be left to “fend for myself” when it comes to registration this year, and yes I may be somewhat selfish in not considering the “newbies “who might want to play with TRIBE in 2008. I know many persons gave up on TRIBE with the TLC card last year and played in other bands. But, look how long it took the band to sell out this year. Costumes were still available up until registration was closed for costume distribution. And, if you failed to register for a costume between September and February there were many, many costumes for sale on Carnival Junction. Last resort being heading to Cascadia on Carnival Sunday where the costumes of all those stranded in the U.S. due to the snow storm, in addition to costumes of delinquents like my friends, had to be sold.Point being, as a newbie there are still several avenues to get a costume with TRIBE! I am sure even if TLC cards were distributed not everyone would be using theirs and just like last year persons would register under a friend or family’s TLC card or purchase one as they were on sale by thrifty individuals as well!
So my hope is that the TLC returns for 2008 registration, and this time it is truly a LOYAL masqueraders card giving the ones who have stuck with TRIBE faithfully from it’s beginnings as a new band some “extra special” treatment.
Monday, March 05, 2007
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23 comments:
ITA, saucy. i've played with Tribe since th inception and i think that i should get something for being so loyal. i don't think i should have to fight up with a new 2006 or a 2007 masquerader to register. i hope they devise a plan to honor their loyal people for 2008...
question for you saucy: do you ever write to TRibe with your suggestions? or do you know if anyone from their camp reads your blog?
steups and all you have to do is know somebody in the camp and yuh have a tlc card. I know a few ppl who did not play last year but had a card first day of registration all the same
Well, I consider myself a "loyal" masquerader although I did not play with them in 2006.
Why do I consider myself loyal? Because, when after registration opened in 2005 for 2006, and TRIBE was sold out in 2 days, and I was not able to get a costume, I did NOT play with any other band. Even though other friends on not getting a costume with TRIBE switched to IP.
Then, when TRIBE introduced the TLC card for loyal masqueraders, I went to them, because they were basing loyalty on persons who had played with them in 2006, and I found this was unfair.
Then they introduced the loyalty cards for 2005 masqueraders as well.
Therefor I find it very hard to just give out cards for people who played with them for the 3 years.
I mean, how does 3 years make a person loyal?
TRIBE needs to devise some other method of registration.
My suggestion is to have different days to register for different costumes, first come first serve with these.
Therefore, if you have 16 sections, you have 16 days of registration, AND after that, if there is still room in any of the sections, it should then be an open registration process. Fair game for everyone.
Because having this TLC card for some masqueraders add further to exclusivity in Carnival, and if I remember correctly, many of you were complaining about how carnival was become so exclusive with the fete and costume prices.
If you play with one band for 3 years that to me shows your support and thus qualifies you as being "loyal". Same as with frequent flier miles, shoppers cards,subway cards, etc etc. The more you support the business the more "rewards" you get.
My friend has been playing with TRIBE since they were with Pleasures Carnival in Poison, and to be fair to her why should someone who signed up in TRIBE, sold their costume and went with Island People, then demanded a TLC card so they could register again and THEN sell their costume and go play with Island People and YES I know someone who did exactly that!!!!
I agree maybe the TLC should be revamped in some way to make it more fair, but I am not going to give up on the idea on rewarding in my estimation the people who are loyal.
And Jumbie I know people who never played with TRIBE and got registered before all of us, so yeah all dat does go down.
I am all for the TLC cards again this year. My only suggestion to TRIBE is to really put some though into how they are going to implement the TLC cards and STICK to it!
Yes, there is always going to be ppl who are going to get "perks" as newbies. Such is life. Take for instance a "celebrity" any celebrity...how come they can come to TRIBE and request any section they want to play in... so why can't someone who knows a TRIBE member get the same perk...that's their "celebrity".
Saucy you r a "celebrity" maybe u will get some good perks for 2008!!!...and if u get any perks from TRIBE next year could I be your "friend".... ;)
gtwarrior who says I am celebrity lol? Girl, if that is the case I am totally oblivious :D
I'm a Triber, for life.
I'm not worried about what section i'm getting in. Because on Carnival Tuesday when a whining down to d' ground and everybody section mixed up jamming down d' road. It really doesn't matter in the end.
As long as i'm in d' band...it's all good!
but anon forgetting they only in existence for 3 years so is not like they can give 10 yr loyalty cards lolol. Ppl who played this year should have priority over who jumped ship hot and sweaty with IP..whatever they reasons.
Or maybe people wha have played with Tribe at least 2 yrs in a row...
That way I can get the TLC card too ;-)
but jumbie if 4000 people played this year that is real TLC cards floating around :S
And personally I don't think giving your loyal masqueraders something extra is being exclusive.... but I do think the TLC card should get us a lil discount on gym membership lol.
I agree with the notion that the loyalty card should get you some perks. I mean like discounts off their fetes or a lil extra something something - reduction in costume price would be good, like up to $200 discount or something. Not likely though.
But what is the sense in calling it a loyalty card if you can't get anything out of it. Might as well call it registration card.
Hi Sauce,
Hows about if you played 3 years, you get TLC Platinum, priority registration AND a discount!!!! 2 years....ANY 2 years....TLC Gold and you register in batch 2 amd finally if anything's left, if you played 1 year....any year, you go last.
They should before hand know thier band size, and have definite, non-negotiable dates for TLC distribution. You stick, you get the click! Sorry!!
True it leaves the door open for all the loopholes you guys have mentioned but, I think it's a tad fairer and going year by year.
Because you're right Sauce, the band was way bigger this year and at the rate they going, they'll be 10,000 strong in 2 years and uhhhhh, I don't think so.
I like your idea Warriorlikeme. Send that idea to TRIBE.
I agree with gtwarrior! That 3 tiered membership card system sounds real good!
TLC Platinum, Gold and Bronze, excellent!
errrr...excuse me while i go apologize to my brethren who accused yall of being elitist snobs
who said any pretty thin person with a little bit of money, connections and clout could get into tribe? this post proves there is indeed a hierarchy in uber-snobbiness
Sauce, I will not feed. I would like to. But i won't.
ditto jamette ditto.
As long as I have my platinum TLC I happy :D
DO NOT FEED THE .....LOL
Uhhh playin w/ Tribe & being loyal since they were Pleasurescarnival better have its advantages! shhhhhhh!!
"who said any pretty thin person with a little bit of money, connections and clout could get into tribe? this post proves there is indeed a hierarchy in uber-snobbiness."
I kyah get into TRIBE b/c ah:
Ugly..
Fat...
Ah dey Bad
Bruk
Too Black
Meh Head Pickey
I's ah lout widout clout
Meh faddah is an ole u-know-whut
Ah doh know nuhbaddy...
Ah doh know whey is Cyascadia?
Ah kyah find Rosalino Street
Dem tief meh TLC pon Charlotte St.
Dat list could go onandonandon....
Ah not go study dem, ah kyah get into de posh band...Starlift hey meh come!
Steuuuuuuuuuups.
Allyuh do realize that the masquerade is going right back to the beginning when the bourgeoisie keep themselve quite separate from the low slave class. Now we have rope security and a moving hotel (bar, lunch, toilet, etc...) through the streets. Maybe, this era could be the dawn of the next evolution of the creativity in the mas where those "other" people will mimic with an entirely unique spin and/or mock the "all inclusive" class to introduce new endearing characters in Trinidad's mas. This time, I am confident, there will be no canboulay drama.
There is comfort in wanting to be pampered and treated special, but when the service people is almost as large as the band I am beginning to wonder is it all THAT good ; )
better yet...why not create a sub-band called TRIBE TLC where members (and not just front line sections) get specialized prettier and more extravagant versions of the costumes the regular TRIBE revelers get to pick from...that way everyone on the road AND in the band will know you're extra extra special!
...and if you found yourself thinking, "hey what a great idea!" then you need to check yourself.
xoxo
troll #245 <---proud member of the bourgeoisie class who refuses to make excuses for the fact that I want and can afford the experience only TRIBE provides, especially having played in other bands and learned the hard way that they just DON'T MATCH UP! Let's not make excuses and kid ourselves, IT IS WHAT IT IS, AND SO WHAT?
BIG UPS dougla_1
Oh come on, not the TLC debate again. Look, judging from the "slowness" of sections selling out this year, there is a good chance of non-TLC people to join the band. And I'm tired of the color, pretty, money talk. If you could get in you'll get in simple.
anyway, I still see no problem with a business, whether it's a clothing store, restaurant or mas band rewarding loyal patrons for their support so go Tribe with they bad selves!
and with that, I'm on my way home. Peace fellow bloggers.
Shameless Plug: I'm back in the blogging loop again. (the stupid project is finished!) So check me out on my blog! :-p
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