Seen at Miami Carnival

Being a Trini I am quite biased in thinking that our Carnival is THE best in the world, though I have been to and enjoyed Crop Over immensely for a couple years and I also had a good time at St. Lucia's Carnival. Next year my girl friend wants to go to Miami Carnival, but I am thinking of going on a cruise then so it might be out of the question for me unless I combine the two and do the cruise in October. Anyway, I digress, Triniscene.com has been making an appearance at several international Carnivals, with galleries from Caribana, Labour Day and recently Miami Carnival.

Having never been to Miami Carnival I personally find that some of the costumes are lacking in materials, design and overall appearance, however the women have some beautiful bodies (yes I am not afraid to say it even though I am a woman) that do the costumes justice. The "Goddess" bra was quite popular in Miami I see.Here are some body beautiful photos as seen on triniscene.com:

Costumes for sale.....at a PROFIT.

So it has been two months since TRIBE launched and about a month since registration started and one costume has popped up on Carnivaljunction.com for sale, Jab Jab orange. But hear the greatest, the person wants $1200.00 when they boldface enough to say ONLY the downpament of $900.00 was made! They looking to make $300.00 profit and it is not even a good month since registration started!

Now I know Jab Jab is sold out, but when my friend sold her costume this year it did not occur to her to charge more than what the costume costs. Enlighten me, is it the norm for costumes to be resold for more than the original price? If so I am in the wrong job! Next year I could make back the money I spend on my costume by investing in the costume resale market! If you see people looking for costumes at Carnival Junction as well, someone wants 7 Island People costumes another person wants 4. All now I could have been $3000.00 richer by reselling costumes at a $300.00 profit to those TWO people that are desperatley seeking Jewel of the Nile and Sacred Sand.

Drop me a comment if you have sold or bought a costume for more than it's original price. I am quite curious as to how many people are willing to pay up to get into the section of their choice.

The Royal Court de Versailles

Today being Thursday I would have expected to see some photos from Trini Revellers launch on Sunday by now, however apart from one of two photos in the local newspaper I can find nothing online. Seeing as Trini Revellers is third in my Poll (after Island People and TRIBE) on which band people are playing with for 2007 I think more publicity could have been generated over the launch of the reigning Band of the Year!

Makes me wish I was able to go to the launch because I would have satisfied the curiosity of potential masqueraders and Trini revellers fans alike with photos hot off the press!The mas camp is not open for viewing as yet either, hopefully they will be up and running by early next week. There is a mini review of the launch from a fellow Trini blogger on her blog Everything Carnival.

I was able to get in contact with one of the section leaders for Royal Court de Versailles ( the section which was featured in Sunday's Trinidad Guardian ) Kyle Matas and he provided me with some more information on the section. Even though this will be their first time producing a section for a large band, he seems quite excited and plans on surprising masqueraders with unparalleled service and novel extras. Not wanting to go into too much details, I will just say that if all plan are executed, masqueraders in the section Royal Court can look forward to being treated like Kings and Queens.

According to Kyle, the section aims on providing; "a beautiful costume along with a fabulous all-inclusive package of food and premium drinks for our two day sojourn through the streets of Port-of-Spain. An alternative casual ensemble is to be provided for Carnival Monday as well as a complimentary gift bag stocked with Carnival essentials."

The website will be launched by months end and I will post the link as soon as it becomes operational. Costumes from this section are to be displayed at Trini Revellers mas camp as well as their private mas camp which will be located downstairs the Synergy building on Tragarete Road. An expected opening date for the private mas camp is early November.

Kyle was able to supply me with a larger photo of the one used on the Guardian which features only two of the five costume options (there will be a version with shorter trains as well).
Click on the photograph for a larger view of the costumes.



The section leaders can be contacted via telephone:
Keisha (868) 731-8921 or Kyle (868)682 7157
or e-mail- ksquaredpro@yahoo.com

Legacy Costumes

Ok, so I had a better look at the costumes this morning, if you are on dial up it will take forever for the photos to load with the flash html that they used to view photos. I know flash html is used so that bandwith cannot be "stolen" when people link to the photos. However in some cases the flash works and others it just slows down your computer! Island People's flash works fine with dial up, however Legacy's photos have a hard time loading so have some paitence.

I am not seeing the orange costume with the large headpiece that I like on the website which leads me to believe it might be a special section, anyone with inside information please let me know. From the costumes that are on the site right now I really like Laughing Water. I think it fits the theme the best, the headpiece looks good as well as the rest of the costume has that Native American feel to it.



The other costume I like is Cherokee Trail, the headpiece is quite appealing though the gold and silver combination still has to grow on me.



I am also liking Comanche Warriors , it is third on my list behind the first two only because I do not like the "regular" headpiece, I think the War Bonnet for this costume is well done however,especially compared to other similar headpieces that seem to be lacking the fullnes of the feathers.



The weird thing, to me is the fact that some of the costumes, like Apache Fire and Indian Summer have really nice beads to the front of the belt with regular round beads to the back, why the use of two different beads, it ruins the look of the costume since it appears that they ran out of beads for the back.

Pawnee Star is just a bit too much for me, especially with the type of beads they used which looks like a lot of Las Vegas and nothing like Native American. Shaman Dream and Indian Summer look nothing like they have anything to do with the theme at all, they look like any costume in any band. The model for Gitchee Gu'mee is really selling that costume, she looks great in the colours and even makes the funny headpiece look alluring.

I cannot understand the concept of the headpiece for Praire Town and something went wrong with the "bustle" for Pow Wow, they used white feathers tipped with orange for the bustle when the costume is mainly orange and yellow. Soca Warriors and Soiux Ghost Dancers have failed to inspire a comment.

Rainbow Warriors has incited the same feelings in me that I had towards Island People's Rainbow costume this year, I do not like it at all, but I was momentarily stunned when the first photo that popped up was the MALE costume:



Generally I think the male costumes are pretty decent, though I am thinking most guys would prefer short pants. Laughing Waters male is my favourite and I also like the male Indian Summer costume.

Though I was expecting greater authenticity to the Indian theme, with more than just an Indian headpiece with the same bikini and beads combination, overall the costumes are not bad. At least it offers potential masqueraders still undecided about a band or costume more options and to give kudos to Legacy they seem to have their act together up till now which is more than I can say for some of the other bands out there.

The Keyboard is Mightier than the Sword

Sources have indicated that I, as well as a previous article I wrote on my blog, was the topic of discussion at a meeting held yesterday evening by a Carnival band making its debut in 2007.

To their credit, the band leader did send me an email after I wrote my article, informing me of certain issues I had highlighted with an explanation to refute the points I had made. An invitation was extended for me to revisit the mas camp where I would see for myself what changes had been made since my initial visit. Though I did have it on my agenda to do, it is my personal belief that you only get one chance to make a first impression and unfortunately for this band, my first impression was already formed.

However, I want to emphatically state that in no way was I “directed” to write the article by anyone, if the persons involved with that band read my blog daily they would have come to the conclusion that no one escapes my ire. The fact is that I write about all the bands, whether it is something positive or negative or a criticism, each one is given the same treatment since at the end of the day I am not employed by any of them and hold no allegiances! Although it might be flattering to think I took a special interest in this particular band, sorry to say that is not the reality. Maybe a thorough read of my archives would be proof enough of the fact that, to date, I have made a visit to as many mas camps that are opened for viewing as I possibly could. The few that I am yet to visit have recently opened their doors or are not opened for public viewing as yet.

So, I was quite bemused to learn that I even merited a topic of conversation at their meeting. I am just one woman with an opinion and an outlet to express it, surely what I say cannot affect the thousands of potential masqueraders who do not even know that this forum exists. Since I was not there yesterday to answer the accusations as to my agenda, let this be my response to the powers that be at the aforementioned mas camp.

“This blog is merely MY personal opinion; whatever impressions or opinions I have formed and expressed about certain Carnival bands is solely mine and I am not a mouthpiece for any person or organization. My inspiration to write daily comes from my love of Carnival; I am not loyal to any of the players involved, only to the game. This is a non profitable forum of articulation, at the end of the day I do not get paid by anyone; my only satisfaction is sharing this “addiction” that I have for Carnival with others of the same affliction. Thanks for stroking my ego though, I feel quite special to have been given an honorable mention at this meeting.

Love
Saucy.”

Island People Earlybirds get a Discount!

Hey, seems like the people who registered online first with Island People are getting a discount! Someone at their camp is SO not a math wizard. They calculated the costume prices using the wrong exchange rate! Check out their "News" page to see it yourself.

I just asked someone I know how much they paid for their costume and was informed that it cost $524.00, well that costume is now $550.00!!!! That is a difference of $26.00 that she got off her costume. I have no clue what figure they used to calculate the intial USD prices, but the new rate is calculated using $6.00TT to $1.00US. The follwing is from the website:

"17/10/06

The initial costume USD prices that were posted on our website were incorrect as they were calculated using the wrong USD exchange rate. If you have made your payment before 16th October 2006 your registration will be completed using the initial USD prices posted.

Any payments made after 16th October 2006 must be in the amount of the currently posted USD prices. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause."

I guess this is one time that payment in full actually benefits some people since those who registered up until yesterday got their costume cheaper than it is today, and Island People has no choice but to let it slide!

Legacy's website is up!

As promised , Legacy's website is up and running with professional photos of all the costumes. No prices or online registration is available as yet but you can take a good look at the costumes.

I will be back with my thoughts later.

Another section...gone

I am very surprised that Midnight Robber in TRIBE has sold out before Bat and Cow Mas or even Pierrot but it is gone now. That's nine sections sold out with TRIBE so far! I am making a predicition that by the end of October both TRIBE and Island People will be sold out.

Sources also told me that sections in Pulse 8 are also doing well. Sex on the Beach, Blue Lagoon and Sapphire Ice are sections that are supposedly almost sold out.

And finally, the section Atlantis (one of my favourites) in Harts is also sold out. That is a really nice costume when you see it in person, so no surprise there that it is gone so early.

Despite the band launches that are still taking place, seems like the early birds who launched first are still doing well when it comes to registration. Makes you wonder if launching so early does have it's benefits.

Guys, it is your turn!

The ladies have already gotten tips on Carnival grooming, but the guys so far have been left out of the loop. It may seem that all men have to do is don a costume come Carnival Monday and Tuesday wihout stressing over stockings, hair or makeup. But, the reality is that most guys on the road do need a little "advice" on some good grooming etiquette, especially when it comes to body hair.

I am in favour of the metrosexual male who practices good grooming, personally I cannot stand hairy armpits! Even if you don't shave it all off guys, a good trim can do wonders. Fortunately when it comes to my husband I don't have to worry about back hair, he is only hairy from the waist down! So that means a nice smooth back and chest. However, there are many guys who do suffer from an overabundence of back and chest hair. One such guy, a friend of mine has his back hair waxed for Carnival (or when he is going on vacation as well). The first time he had it done he did it in stages, over the course of a few days, and also did his chest and arms!

The results of waxing is a smooth, clean looking chest and back, and if you spend alot of time at the gym, the muscle defnition shows up much better. Besides, it gives us women something to to drool over since men can be objectified as well. I mean, these guys smooth looks should be inspiration alone:




Note the CLEAN armpits:


So for men plaugued by hairy backs, or other areas, consider waxing. I found this really great article on the subject of hair removal from Ask Men:

What is it? Waxing involves spreading hot wax onto the area where you want to eliminate hair, and then applying a strip of cloth or muslin onto the desired area, rubbing it, and ripping off the strip in one fell swoop -- wax, hair, root, and all. Sugaring is similar to waxing, only it uses sugar paste (which usually consists of a mixture of sugar, lemon, water, and even citric acid and gum arabic) instead of wax and is a method of hair removal that goes as far back as ancient Egypt.

According to a recent article in USA Today, men are not only waxing their backs, but also their bikini lines. The goal? Increased sex appeal and a "cleaner" feeling. Would you believe me if I told you some men are even waxing shapes into their pubic regions?

Since some men might be embarrassed about getting waxed at a salon, there are at-home estheticians who can do the job. There are even do-it-yourself waxing kits, but unless you're a glutton for punishment, it's pretty hard to put yourself through such torture and it can get very messy.

If you opt for waxing, I highly recommend going to a professional. If you choose to get your genital area waxed, keep in mind that most spas and estheticians simply wax the areas surrounding your crown jewels -- so only the regions around and above the base of the penis get the royal treatment.

Men are also booking appointments at salons or spas for eyebrow waxes, a trend that is surely riding the "metrosexual" wave. With famous men like David Beckham boasting nicely-shaped brows, it seems men aren't settling for less. According to the spa director at Esthetique, in Hamden, Connecticut, 86% of the male clientele get their eyebrows waxed. I don't suggest that guys aim for a perfectly-arched eyebrow, but waxing is a good way to get rid of eyebrows that are out of control and keep that unibrow out of sight.

Ideal parts to wax: Eyebrows (unibrow), back of neck, back, chest, genital area, legs, toes, knuckles

Pain factor: 8/10

Bottom line: With repeated use, hair gradually becomes thinner because the roots are weakened. But hair will grow back, albeit at longer intervals. So if you want to lessen the hair that grows on your legs or chest without permanently abolishing it, this would be the ideal way to go.

Island People update...sold out sections.

In additon to Oasis, Sacred Sand, Jewel of the Nile, Goddess & Defenders, Arabian Dancer A&B the following sections are also sold out at the mas camp:

Sahara Sunset - Female
Nubians - Male
Raiders of the Desert- Male
Mirage - Female
Harem Dancer - Orange

Indian Mas

I know everyone looks at Harts each year and say they bring the SAME Indian mas over and over, well truth be known is that do they bring an Indian Mas and an African Mas every year, it's part of their tradition.

Fact is though, the Indian Mas does not look "the same" every year, they do make changes. If you pay attention you can see it.

2002


2006


2007




And here is a look back in time when PleasuresCarnival did Tribe, the section in Poison's Retromania 2004.Notice how they did a bustle, not a bullseye.











2005 Mojave

Legacy Professional Shots

I am hoping I get more, but for now these are all I have to share:













The full website should be up TOMORROW from the notice posted, so not too long a wait to see the rest of these shots.

No Trini Revellers

Last night I missed the launch of Trini Revellers, I was not feeling well and could not summon the willpower to suck it up and leave the house as much as I wanted to.

Never fear, I am sure all the professional photosites like Carnivalscene and Triniscene took enough photographs so I will be seeing costumes soon. I am betting either Carnivalscene or Island Events will be first with photographs!

And if anyone who went to the launch wants to share their review or photographs, send me an email at trinicarnivaldiary@yahoo.com.

First look at Hiawatha

Much thanks to Kevian who scored these shots of Legacy's costumes from last night's launch and shared them with me. You can read her review of the launch on her blog, The Carnival Diet. From the first look I have to say that Legacy has also fallen victim to the arbiturary body painting that just distracts from the costumes. I could understand if they did some "warrior" paint on the model's faces, but the airbrushed stars make no sense in my opinion.

Anyway, I am liking the orange costume so far though I was expecting more native Indian elements portrayed in the costumes. Apart from the headpieces the rest of the costume looks like the same bikini and belt as any other band.And I hate to say it but my first impression is the costumes just look like different versions and colours of what TRIBE has done in 2004, 2005 and for 2007. They even have a red, white and black Indian costume! The designers need to take a look at Harts who have managed to do diverse versions of Indian Mas, none replicating what TRIBE has done to date.

(click on the photos to make them larger)

Royal Court de Versailles

I so wish I could make these photos bigger so everyone who does not have the real newspaper can see them properly! This is the section called "Royal Court" from the band Trini Revellers which is featured in today's Womanwise Magazine of the Trinidad Guardian, and these photos have made me excited to go to the band launching tonight. So far, I am liking everything I have seen from Trini Reveller's, and this section not only represents the theme but it looks like couture fashion! In my humble opinion, it just goes to show how much talent we have in Trinidad and as the article says, we can provide much more than just "bikini mas" and still have a beautiful costume. Here is the article from Womanwise:

By Essiba Small














The perennial complaint of plus-sized and mature women has long been the fact that mas designers do not cater to their size or taste. But at least two designers are paying attention to these complaints.

Keisha and Kyle Matas are the brother-and-sister team of mas designers hoping to provide an alternative to the bikini mas with their presentation Royal Court de Versailles — a section out of Trini Revellers’ French Revolution.

The San Fernando-born siblings, Keisha, 25 and Kyle, 20, grew up in mas. Keisha would play while Kyle would focus on design.

“Since I was three years old, I was playing mas,” Keisha said. “And not kiddies mas, you know. Adult mas. My mother used to make the costume and I would play with her in Lionel Jaggessar’s Indian mas band.”

Kyle, Keisha said, started in mas design helping friends who would bring out sections in bands.

“He used to go and help build stuff for the King and Queen mas for bands when it came down to competition time.”

Tired of the bikini mas, Keisha and Kyle decided it was time to bring out their own section.

“I have played in several bands and after a while, you realise that all the money you spend to play mas is really for the all-inclusive package you enjoy — not the costume,” Keisha said. “From a person who is working behind the scenes on the mas, I can tell you it doesn’t cost much to put a bikini costume together. It is so cheap it is ridiculous,” she said with a laugh.

Inspiration for Royal Court came, Keisha said, when Kyle and their father travelled to Germany earlier this year for the World Cup.

“It was as if God was seeing the future because my dad and Kyle went to several countries after Germany, including France, and Kyle took lots of photos of the monuments there.”

When the couple approached Trini Revellers and heard that the band was presenting The French Revolution for 2007, they did their research and came up with Royal Court.

Ostrich feathers, crystal-beaded corsets, generous layers of cloth and elaborately constructed headpieces, are a few of the features of the Royal Court section.

And while Keisha admits that the materials used for the costumes are expensive, she was quick to note that financially, the revellers won’t feel it.

“If we had to charge people by what it cost us to put the costumes together, it would be too much.”

Royal Court will feature what Keisha calls, a front line and a back line, to give would-be revellers several price options.

“The front line will have masqueraders in costumes. The back line will be a slightly toned-down version of the front line. But when they all come together, you won’t know who paid more or less, because they will all look the same — more or less. It’s just that the front line costumes will have more detail,” said Keisha adding that, “We also want to give women of all body types a costume option.”

Royal Court de Versailles will cater to 150 to 300 masqueraders. It is scheduled to launch this evening at Pier 1.

©2003-2004 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited

Band Launching Fever this weekend!

The two bands that rival each year for the title of "Band of the Year" are launching this weekend. Tonight is Legacy's launch of Hiawatha at The Anchorage and tomorrow is Trini Reveller's launch of The French Revolution at Pier 1. Today's Trinidad Guardian has this write up on Legacy's launch:

LEGACY will kick off the Carnival 2007 season this evening with the launch of its Carnival 2007 presentation—Hiawatha—at The Anchorage, Chaguaramas.

According to legacy bandleader/designer “Big Mike” Antoine: “Hiawatha is the title of an epic poem written in 1855 which tells the life-story of a fictitious Native American Indian of the same name, and which provides an insight into their legends, traditions, tribe and characters.

“The Native American Indian is also one of our most popular traditional mas forms. Although we have not yet launched, there has already been an overwhelming response to the theme and the mas camp is already abuzz with activity.”

Mike said that tonight, The Anchorage would be transformed into a powwow fit for the unveiling of Legacy’s 2007 designs with a live display of their complete range of costumes with names such as Minniehaha—Laughing Water, Apache Fire and Sioux Tribal Dancers.

Legacy’s road band, Traffik, featuring vocalists Shurwayne Winchester and Candy Hoyte, head the list of top drawer music to be enjoyed. Also on the playbill are Iwer George, Siparia Rhythm Section and some of Trinidad’s top DJs.

Antoine said that come Carnival 2007, Legacy will present a total of 23 sections, two Kings and two Queens, including current Queen of Carnival, Pamela Gordon.

Legacy’s mas camp will open for registration from 5 pm on Monday, and thereafter from noon to 8 pm daily.

Apparently the author of that article is unaware that the Carnival 2007 season "kicked off" with Harts Launch in August, followed by Tribe, Island People, Pulse 8, Genesis and Dream Team! Among the big bands Legacy and Trini Revellers are the last to launch, well apart from Brian Mc Farlane who always launches late.

To be honest I have to pick only one of these launches to attend since my schedule does not permit me to attend both. So far the nudge is to Trini Revellers tomorrow, apart from the fact that I am pleased at what I have seen so far of the sections that have launched, their theme is more interesting. I am thinking there is only so much you can do with Indian Mas, unless Legacy proves me wrong and presents costumes that are out of the proverbial box!

Anyways, I am off to my hairdresser to get all dolled up, I have a new outfit picked out but I am still waiting for the zeal to kick in! I am so not feeling for a soca fete this weekend. Hopefully listening to some Sherwin will put in the mood as he is expected to perform at both band launchings.

A little Gossip with your morning coffee

Ah yes, I checked out Loose Lips this week and she is all about soca artistes and the N.C.C. I have figured out who is the female soca artiste she is speaking about in the last paragraph, but I am lost as to who is the "macho" male soca star since I did not go to Soca Monarch finals this year.Anyways, here is the gossip, hot off the press!

This one will send you searching. There is an ultra macho soca artiste who is these days seriously wondering whether or not he should come out of the closet. Known for his dexterous acrobatic stunts on stage, the artiste has been living in the dark with his preference for a long time now and simply can't take the lies anymore. All Laura can say at this time is that while hundreds of women will be left in tears, there will be many happy boys looking forward to being among the first to have a chance to meet this artiste once he breaks the seal on his now capped sexual desires. Oh and by the way, there are a couple of cute female soca stars that are also swinging on the same sex vine and they just happen to be part of that guy's lime as well. Figure it out. Hint. Soca Monarch finals this year.

Now you did not hear it from me, but there seems to be a bit of trouble brewing within the headless chicken that is the National Carnival Commission. Even before the exit of former Chairman; Kenny De Silva, things were not running smoothly, but now that there is no clear leader the ship seems about to capsize. And these troubles come with the official launch of Carnival 2007 only weeks away. Where the money dey; seems to be the big question. Now Laura must make it clear that De Silva in no way whatsoever has anything to do with the money and one of the reasons he got fed up in the first place was because he could not get straight answers about expenditure. Laura hears that the proverbial condom is about to burst and boy will there be hell to pay.

A saucy female soca star is facing legal action from a very angry promoter that producers events in Los Angeles and New York. It seems that this wide angled singer that is known for her exaggerated pelvic thrusts was contracted to perform at a charity event in the United States this weekend and after having been paid called at the last minute to say without giving any reasons why that she was not going to make it. The singer is known for doing this and most times uses her children as the excuse. She has up to now gotten away with it, but this promoter is not letting it slip by and has indicated that she is seeking to have the singer arrested for fraud the next time she touches down in the States. Keep on checking Laura out for more on this one.

Loose Lips is a weekly gossip column on Islandevents.com.

Imp Frontline

Well TRIBE has finally posted a photo of Imp Frontline, much to the surpise (and regret) of masqueraders who have already registered for the backline without seeing what the frontline looked like. I always liked the wings for the Frontline and this photo looks really great! So I guess another option for those still mulling over wheter to be a Frontline H.O.

Don't Bring Sand to the Beach

People often comment on the fact that my husband and I are playing mas together, as if it is something strange. A married friend of mine says he has no problem with his wife playing mas, just not in the same BAND as him! Well, my husband and I are playing in the same band, albeit different sections, but that only came about because we both liked different costumes. To me it's not strange, my husband is my liming partner so our lime is just being extended to something we both love; Carnival.

The thing is though that many relationships and friendships do not weather Carnival, because the thinking is why bring sand to the beach?! With a plethora of beautiful men and women invading our shores for Carnival, some people are greedy, wanting to eat their cake and have it too. What do I mean you say? Well, let me explain it this way, many couples break up for Carnival only to reconcile on Ash Wednesday and long standing friendships sometimes come to an end after Carnival for the following reasons:

• Either male or female wants to party without their significant other, which leads to accusations of ulterior motives for not wanting significant other at said party. This can also extend itself to J'ouvert and even playing mas. Big arguments occur over someone wanting to go on a boys lime or girls lime for Carnival. Worse yet you telling your boyfriend or girlfriend or husband or wife you DO NOT want them to play mas with you, that is serious thing!
  

• Hostility and pressure from friends who don't want the significant other in tow for any Carnival related activity. See, when one person out of the crew brings along their boyfriend or girlfriend that cramps the style of the rest of the crew. They don't want that significant other to see them in their slackness i.e. wining on anyone willing and able or liming with the "outside friend" because significant other will report on their behaviour to THEIR significant others. Get the picture. So sometimes the choice comes down to friends or significant other. If you choose friends, well you in the dog house for sure! And if you choose significant other friends does be just as vex! Before I got married hubby jumped up on the road with me on Carnival Tuesday and my girl friend was quite annoyed, asking me if he was staying with us "all day". The next year she made sure she had her cousin play mas with us, so that when me and hubby chipping down the road she would not feel like the third wheel.
  

• You are forbidden to play mas. Yes, it happens, imagine in this day and age when you are paying for your costume yourself, your partner is telling you they don't like the idea of you playing mas! Well, I don't have to tell you how many relationships are ended on that level of jealousy and insecurity. Some of them even want an input on exactly what costume you can and cannot wear and even how much it should cost! And you know these raging lunatics sometimes go so far as to hunt you down on Carnival Tuesday, if you decide to go ahead and play against their wishes, looking to embarrass you by dragging you out of the band! I have never witnessed this personally, but my mother told me stories of this happening back in the day.
  

• Caught on camera! This happened to a friend of mine, her boyfriend was happy to "send her off" to play mas, while he sat at home and watched the parade on T.V. Well, Ms. Lady pick up a fella in the band and forget that there are cameras ON STAGE and there is her boyfriend sitting at home and seeing her crossing stage with a man putting waist on her from behind! Enough sparks flew in that house when she got home later that night, which is the worse time to try and defend yourself being drunk and tired. That was the end of THAT relationship. With all those party photographers like IslandEvents, Triniscene and Carnivalscene you have to be careful not to be caught doing something you should not be doing with someone you are not supposed to be with! If you horning, stay far from the cameras.

• The outside man/woman gets jealous. One of the hardships of being the "other man or woman" is that you don't get to be with the person you love when you want to, seeing as they are already involved with someone else! So chances are you end up spending Christmas and New Year's Eve alone, and in Trinidad that can also mean you are alone for Carnival too. You know some couples only go out together for Carnival. They hit the tents, all-inclusive parties, even play mas together, leaving the outside woman/man on the outside! If you all think Saucy don't know what she talking about, think again!Me and hubby gone Blue Range all-inclusive where we bounce up a friend and his wife. Now, I don't ever see that friend with his wife and was quite surprised to see them together for that party knowing full well he was always with his outside woman. Anyways, we gone to get a bake and shark only to bounce up that same friend's outside woman looking blue in the face and asking us if we saw the individual with his wife! Imagine the girl vex, SO vex that she decided to make the guy jealous by liming with another fella all night. Well that drama went on for the rest of the night with me and hubby staying out of every body's way.
  

• You forget Valentines day! Be prepared, in 2007 Valentines Day is on Bacchanal Wednesday. To me Valentine's is nothing special, I would be quite happy if the hubby just gets me tickets to beach house (hint hint) but other people want the whole nine yards; chocolate, dinner, roses and the undivided attention of their significant other. I know for a fact many women are left fuming when Valentine's Day rolls around close to Carnival and they cannot see or hear from their man. One year Valentines was on Carnival Monday, and all I remember was sleeping off the effects of jouvert and dirty mas in Arima by my girl friend's house when her boyfriend came late in the night with a cheap plastic rose. The cussing woke me up, because he got such a tongue lashing he retreated just as quickly as he came! Imagine he was missing in action all day only to turn up late at night with no excuse and a cheap gift. I don't know how all those couples in love will be navigating Valentines day for 2007, I wish allyuh luck!

• Your partner does not understand our culture. It's one thing to want to bring your non-Trinidadian significant other to Carnival, but before you do please explain to them what they should expect. People who are not used to "our ting" do not expect people to be so overly friendly come Carnival, and next thing you know you are being accused of flirting! Worse yet if you "tief" a wine at a party or on the road for Carnival, are too friendly smearing paint on other bodies during jouvert or you want to lime with friends you have not seen in a while on the road; significant other might feel oh so left out. Think carefully before inviting them home to Carnival with you, especially if it is a jealous, possessive type!
  

I hope all the relationships out there are strong enough to survive Carnival, do not say you have not been warned on the possibilities that can occur. Trust, understanding and respecting your partner will see you through every temptation that Carnival throws at you. When Carnival is over, you still want to be with that person, so don't do anything that you will regret. For those who are coming from overseas and leaving a significant other behind, make sure you have a very understanding partner and don't do anything when you get to Trinidad that you would be ashamed of them finding out.

And for all those couples playing mas together, wheter in the same section or band, remember Carnival is a time of freedom, don't shadow him/her all day. Give them some space and don't get vex if they take a lil small wine here and there (make sure you impress upon them the limits of that "small" wine though!) and know that at the end of the day they are going home with YOU.

No need for break ups and heart aches during this festive time, if your man/woman leaves you because they "not taking sand to the beach" don't sit at home and mope. Find yourself to the nearest mas camp, buy a costume, hit all the fetes leading up to the big day with your friends and forget that worries, after all it's Carnival!