For more back in times costume photos you can check out this post I did last year:
Costumes and Prices over the years
If you read that post you will find the website that will let you explore ALL archived websites. Have fun!
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Shanghai
Jaded Teardrops issued a challenge to find this "old" costume from Pleasures Carnival when they were with Poison. The costume is called Shanghai.
For more back in times costume photos you can check out this post I did last year:
Costumes and Prices over the years
If you read that post you will find the website that will let you explore ALL archived websites. Have fun!
For more back in times costume photos you can check out this post I did last year:
Costumes and Prices over the years
If you read that post you will find the website that will let you explore ALL archived websites. Have fun!
Wendy the two band H.O.
This year I challenged my inner F.H.O. (Frontline Highmaintence Overachiver) and did away with my barely frontline Fireman costume to play Traditional Fancy Sailor with my own special costume designed exclusively for me! Having tasted the H.O.ness I am already anticipating playing frontline again for 2008! I have to say it is quite intoxicating getting so much attention and photographs and I can see why legends such as prettidolli seek to be a F.H.O. year after year.
As I wrote about in my Enigma of the Two Band H.O. article last September there are those special ladies who take the H.O.ism one step further and play in two entirely different bands! This year Honourable mention goes to none other than Wendy Fitzwilliam who played frontline with Harts on Tuesday Morning in the section Zeal:
Then went on to play in Jean and Dinah on Tribe on Tuesday afternoon!
Wendy not only embodies the true spirit of H.O.ism but she has set a pinnacle that all Carnival Divas can only hope to achieve someday!
Photos: toronto-lime.com and truetrini.com
Carnival 2008
Yes, you read right! Carnival 2007 is over and if you though this blog would roll over and die think again!! We officially have 11 months before Carnival 2008, which falls on the 4th and 5th of February however band launchings start in August, leaving us with only 5 months to start the first rounds of preparations. For all those who missed out on cheap flights, a place to stay or even vacation time off now is the time to start planning!
Firstly, organize your finances. Every one has an idea of what prices for flights, costumes, fetes and accommodation were this year so give or take a 10% increase for 2008 and start working on that budget. List everything you need at an estimated cost and work out a financial plan so you will not be broke this time next year! If you have plans on joining a sou sou, putting aside a fixed amount monthly or using a bonus to pay for your costume do the necessary.
For those coming from overseas note the ridiculous prices for airfare that was quoted a month or two before Carnival; prices rose to over $1000.00 US and that includes those inter Caribbean flights as well!! When it comes to travel I always look for deals, bargains and sales. Keep on the look out for cheap airfare by registering for the “fare watcher” service at Travelocity.com or the “buzz alert” at kayak.com which will send you an email when airfare prices to a specific destination drops. I know of persons who purchase their air fare from as early as April for the following year! Of course this will only work if you know the specific time you will be in Trinidad, no use buying a ticket and you do not have approved vacation time off.
This brings me to my next topic; apply for your vacation leave in advance! My company has a roster that they send out each year for employees to indicate when they want time off and I know other companies do the same. Even if your company does not have this policy in place it does not hurt to inform the Human Resource department or your supervisor that you will be applying for vacation late January/ early February 2008. Mark it big and bold on a calendar and stick it on your desk so that when the time comes he or she cannot pretend that they were unaware of your plans, looking for excuses to deny you leave.
You can safely book accommodation in advance as most hotels allow you a window for cancellation, so it does not hurt to make a tentative reservation when you have your dates confirmed. Some of the more popular places are booked way in advance and especially those guest houses and apartments which see repeat customers every year. In 2008 the new Holiday Inn express close to Trinicty Mall and the air port will be opened. A good idea as well, if you are planning on visiting Tobago after Carnival is to book early, remember many Trinidadians escape Carnival and head to Tobago! If you look at some vacation villas, like Villa De Lena, it is already booked for 2008!
You know how we all like to wait LAST MINUTE to try and get into shape, myself included, how about starting the eating right and exercise program from now. That will give us all enough time to not only meet our target weight loss goals but also the extra time to try and maintain it. Then when we succumb to the occasional temptations like at Thanksgiving or Christmas our waistlines will be much more forgiving seeing as we would have already lost weight. One blogger and I already have a challenge on, the goal being which one of us could loose more pounds by Easter. All the hard work, diet and exercise for Carnival is not going to be thrown by the wayside for me, my goal is to continue eating sensibly and working out.
All of you suffering through winter time at the moment can barely think about spring far less summer, but keep in mind how difficult it was for some of you to get boy shorts in January. Therefore, when summer rolls around this year start shopping for Carnival. You don’t have to get all the trendy stuff but at least get items that are seasonal like sandals, flip flops, shorts, tanks and swim wear.
Though it may seem like 2008 is so far away, soon enough we will all be obsessing over costumes, waiting to register and going through the drama we love so much!
Firstly, organize your finances. Every one has an idea of what prices for flights, costumes, fetes and accommodation were this year so give or take a 10% increase for 2008 and start working on that budget. List everything you need at an estimated cost and work out a financial plan so you will not be broke this time next year! If you have plans on joining a sou sou, putting aside a fixed amount monthly or using a bonus to pay for your costume do the necessary.
For those coming from overseas note the ridiculous prices for airfare that was quoted a month or two before Carnival; prices rose to over $1000.00 US and that includes those inter Caribbean flights as well!! When it comes to travel I always look for deals, bargains and sales. Keep on the look out for cheap airfare by registering for the “fare watcher” service at Travelocity.com or the “buzz alert” at kayak.com which will send you an email when airfare prices to a specific destination drops. I know of persons who purchase their air fare from as early as April for the following year! Of course this will only work if you know the specific time you will be in Trinidad, no use buying a ticket and you do not have approved vacation time off.
This brings me to my next topic; apply for your vacation leave in advance! My company has a roster that they send out each year for employees to indicate when they want time off and I know other companies do the same. Even if your company does not have this policy in place it does not hurt to inform the Human Resource department or your supervisor that you will be applying for vacation late January/ early February 2008. Mark it big and bold on a calendar and stick it on your desk so that when the time comes he or she cannot pretend that they were unaware of your plans, looking for excuses to deny you leave.
You can safely book accommodation in advance as most hotels allow you a window for cancellation, so it does not hurt to make a tentative reservation when you have your dates confirmed. Some of the more popular places are booked way in advance and especially those guest houses and apartments which see repeat customers every year. In 2008 the new Holiday Inn express close to Trinicty Mall and the air port will be opened. A good idea as well, if you are planning on visiting Tobago after Carnival is to book early, remember many Trinidadians escape Carnival and head to Tobago! If you look at some vacation villas, like Villa De Lena, it is already booked for 2008!
You know how we all like to wait LAST MINUTE to try and get into shape, myself included, how about starting the eating right and exercise program from now. That will give us all enough time to not only meet our target weight loss goals but also the extra time to try and maintain it. Then when we succumb to the occasional temptations like at Thanksgiving or Christmas our waistlines will be much more forgiving seeing as we would have already lost weight. One blogger and I already have a challenge on, the goal being which one of us could loose more pounds by Easter. All the hard work, diet and exercise for Carnival is not going to be thrown by the wayside for me, my goal is to continue eating sensibly and working out.
All of you suffering through winter time at the moment can barely think about spring far less summer, but keep in mind how difficult it was for some of you to get boy shorts in January. Therefore, when summer rolls around this year start shopping for Carnival. You don’t have to get all the trendy stuff but at least get items that are seasonal like sandals, flip flops, shorts, tanks and swim wear.
Though it may seem like 2008 is so far away, soon enough we will all be obsessing over costumes, waiting to register and going through the drama we love so much!
