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Thursday, September 13, 2007

The Story of Earth


The Story of Earth (3rd revision)

In the beginning, a young boy walked along a dry and harsh land.

He discovers a sparkle of light from the corner of his eye and seeks the source.

There he finds an object with a dull gold colour that looked damaged – as if ripped away from another part.

Not sure of its significance, or what it might be, he asks the people around him.

However, his questions go ignored – no one listens or cares.

The young boy secures the object – he feels the need to keep it safe.

When alone, the boy studies the object

…to him it looks like half of a Golden Apple.

Just then…the half of the golden apple begins to tell him a story…

It is a very dark story about a woman who was so beautiful and giving, that you were in awe just to see her.

Her name was Éclat Amaranth Rae Tru-Halcyon –

most people simply called her… Earth.

Earth, with her rotund shape and bulging waist, had a deep internal beauty and an extraordinary outer appearance.

She was blue and green – the colours that really mattered –

and her only intention was to give life.

However, her eyes echoed with a volcanic rage of fire…

for she was being hurt – repeatedly ravished and used.

Someone had painted black marks on her beautiful face – the marks appeared like oil cloaking water.

Earth tried to speak, but there were no listeners.

She tried to fight back with all her force as she called out for help!

However, her screams remained muffled by the winds of her horrors.

Disillusioned and tired, she just cried…and cried –

Floods of emotion flowed from deep within her soul.

Yet still, the people who could help her were at a roaring party.

The biggest of the big were present and dressed in their entire splendor.

They drank, danced, ate and laughed loudly.

But it was really a party of hypocrisy, because as splendid as their gowns were, their insides were rotting away!

They were like rapacious devils who spoke with metallic words.

BANG! BANG! BANG! they spoke.

They had created an Army of Fear whose priority was of mass destruction to the milieu and its inhabitants.

To Earth, they were the Avarice.

The Avarice failed to see how their greed was actually destroying themselves.

They had made Earth dry and scabbed from the regular beatings and consistent poking.

Some called the effect Desertification.

With the continued torture, she lost her will to give and feed.

As every moment passed, the atmosphere was getting hotter and it was now harmful to be in her once beautiful aura.

She became disfigured, black and brown sores now marred her once lavish blue and green face.

Then there was the pestilence – what had they done!

The young boy sheds a tear for Earth.

He feels her pain and does not understand why no one listened to her Cries of Despair.

As time passes, the boy continues to keep his storyteller close – the half of a golden apple.

Further along on his journey, the boy feels something different…he feels drawn to a young girl

There is something about her…

He senses a familiar light around her.

The Boy reaches out to her and in his hand, shows her the half of a golden apple.

Her eyes light up and she smiles… as she holds in her hand the other half of the Golden Apple.

Together they rejoice and speak about what they have found.

Then curiously, they join the two halves –

It becomes one whole Golden Apple and within it, they find all the answers for the unification of the universal consciousness.

As they look up, they both see the wings…

...of the most beautiful and colourful birds – a sign of new life.

Together they understand that they each hold in their hands,

The beginning of a new dawn…

The WINGS OF HOPE have arrived.

EARTH: Cries of Despair Wings of Hope

A first look of Brian Mc Farlane's 2008 Carnival presentation "Earth-Cries of Despair, Wings of Hope".

The presentation consists of 13 sections for Mc Farlane and 5 for Rosalind Gabriel who will be marrying her winning Children's band with Mc Farlane on the streets of Carnival .. the children representing the hope after the damage of the earth by their elders.

Cries of Despair - (Mc Farlane Carnival)

PARTY OF HYPOCRISY


WINDS OF HORROR



FLOODS OF TERROR


FIRES OF RAGE

AR MY OF FEAR AND DESTRUCTION



PESTILENCE


RADIATION



INVADING SANDS



FAMINE


ULTRA VIOLET RAYS



DEMISE OF OCEANS



OIL SPILL



BEINGS OF TREPIDATION



Wings of Hope (Rosalind Gabriel)

NEW DAWN


PASSION OF HUMANITY



OCEANS OF REJUVENATION


ABUNDANT GRACE


PARADISE REBORN




· Contact Information:

Mas Camp: 49 Rosalino Street, Woodbrook

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 11:00am to 8:00pm

Sundays and Republic Day 3:00pm to 8:00pm

Phone numbers: 628-4168 or 628-1274

Website: www.macfarlanecarnival.net

E-mail: macfarlanecarnival@gmail.com

Still looking for accomodation and airfare?

Savvy Carnival veterans should have both plane ticket in hand and hotel reservation confirmed at this point in time. Trinidad Carnival is only 4 months and 20 days away and with bands selling out, fete list published and gyms packed daily one should have realised by now that the time is approaching sooner than we expect. At the mall yesterday Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, are already in display windows for sale. It appears that even preparations for Christmas will be started earlier as not to be overlooked in the wave of activity that has already started ,and which will only gain momentum, for Carnival 2008. If you have not started getting ready for a very short season for 2008, time is running out!

Now I know not everyone booked their hotel on Ash Wednesday (as some people did) and some of you have just started looking for airfare (even though you have registered for a costume) but there is some hope left for the latecomers. The following hotels all have availability for Carnival at this point in time:

Kapok Hotel - Carnival package available

L'Orchidee Guest House - Carnival Package available extra nights at $150.00US

Cascadia Hotel - 10% discount on Carnival rates for TRIBE masqueraders.

Another interesting possible alternative to the traditional hotel is Trinidad's newest "floatel" Ocean Pearl; it's basically a refurbished ship with 64 rooms which will be based at Pier 2 Chaguaramas. You can read more about it in the Business Express. The cool thing about staying in Chaguaramas I guess is that you will beat the traffic for all the fetes being held at Pier 1 and Mobs 2! Rates for Ocean Pearl are $110.00US for inboard rooms and $120.00US for out board rooms which include a complimentary breakfast. All rooms are cabin style accommodating four people apiece and include four bunk beds, a full sized bed and twin beds. For more information on this unique accommodation option contact Treasure Queen Tours as they also manage the Ocean Pearl.

Finally for airfare Delta airlines still has some "cheap" tickets available but VERY few seats left. For the dates Sunday January 27th to Wednesday February 6th leaving from JFK you can get a fare of $595.00. Switch the dates up some more and return on a later date of February 11th and the fare is $492.00. Point being, where ever you are coming from the longer you wait to book the higher the airfare will be. Do you homework and look up flights on travelocity and expedia or directly at the various Airline's website. You do not need a travel agent to book your own ticket. Good luck in finding the deals!

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Island People Mas Newsletter

Just got this newsletter and I absolutely LOVE the idea of the "private" chat room for IP masqueraders to discuss footwear and accessories.. ... getting a good laugh from that one since I know where they are getting their ideas! Yeah, imitation IS the sincerest form of flattery.

Hi

We’d like to thank all of our loyal supporters and the many new IP Mas-queraders who have already registered for Animal Instincts! The band has been selling extremely fast and is almost sold out. We currently have limited availability and wanted to alert you of this before we sell out. Don’t wait ‘till it’s too late!

We have been very busy with registration and we have a lot of updates to share with you. Please take a moment to read this email thoroughly so that you are aware of everything that might pertain to you.

PAYMENTS
If you or your friends have registered for a costume but have not yet paid the deposit, please do so immediately. This will be your last opportunity to retain this costume before we release it and make it available to the general public.

If you have sent a PayPal payment recently but have not received an email confirmation from us, rest assured that we have received your PayPal payment and are in the process of confirming your costume. You will receive a confirmation email shortly. It is also wise to log on to your PayPal account and confirm that your payment was sent and has been cleared.

FAS-TRAK
Fas-Trak is available again this year to masqueraders who pay in full for their costume by 1st December 2007. Fas-Trak is a separate location at distribution that allows you to swiftly collect your costume and be on your way!

WE-MET
We know that during carnival you meet, or wine on, many people but that you don’t always have a way to reconnect with them. So we are creating a new feature on our website where you can reconnect with other IP Mas fans like yourself. It’s called “We-Met” and is EXCLUSIVELY for IP Mas-queraders! Currently you can chat live with other IP Mas-queraders and soon you will be able to post photos of people with whom you are trying to reconnect but whose info or name is unknown. You will also be able to use this area to share your photos from past IP Mas carnivals or post helpful links to find good carnival footwear and other carnival accessories. Please email chat@islandpeoplemas.com to be verified and receive your private password to our chatroom. We-Met is EXCLUSIVELY for IP Mas-queraders and we ask our masqueraders to assist us by not sharing their passwords with non-masqueraders. This is a place for you to enjoy with fellow IP-Masqueraders. IP Mas would like to remind you to please try to get some work done at the office while chatting ;) lol

UPDATED FEMALE BIKINI-TOP SIZE CHART ONLINE
After weeks of examining what size bras our masqueraders say they wear versus which size Costume Top they choose in the Mas camp, we have updated our online size chart and encourage you to verify that your size is correct. Please take in mind that each masquerder prefers a different fit so if you would like more cleavage choose a smaller top size and if you would like more coverage choose a larger top size. The majority of our tops have a unique X-String Tie system that allows the back size to be adjusted to suit your individual size. Thus the cup size is the more important size when choosing your top. The Size Chart can be found after selecting any costume for which to register. If you would like to make an adjustment to your Bikini-Top size, please email mascamp@islandpeoplemas.com

SCREENSAVERS
We have released our highly acclaimed carnival calendar photos as downloadable screensavers for you to enjoy on your desktop. Please visit http://www.islandpeoplemas.com/media.php to release them onto a screen near you.

FREE PILATES CLASS
It is important to have fun during carnival and being in good physical condition helps. In addition to our “Fit To Play” workout sessions, which will resume later in the carnival season, we would like to encourage you to participate in other forms of exercise. Pilates is one of the best ways to get in shape. Maybe you’ve heard of it but never really knew what it was or where to try it out, well here’s your chance! Expert instructor Gabriela Beston offers regular classes conveniently located in her private studio in Maraval, Port of Spain. And because you are an IP Mas-querader you will receive your first class of Pilates FREE when you present your IP Mas Animal Instincts registration receipt along with your ID. Please contact Gaby directly for more information on how to sign up for her classes. T: 868.709.8097 E: gabybe@hotmail.com

TAN LINES COMPETITION WINNERS
Congratulations to the winners of our 2007 Tan Lines Competition!!!! The Grand Prize Winner is Khalia Edwards and she will receive a free deposit on her costume for Animal Instincts 2008. Good luck to next year’s masqueraders.



Stayed tuned for more benefits to being an IP Mas-querader, such as upcoming wine-tastings…

Thanks!!!

IP Mas
The fun has just begun!
www.islandpeoplemas.com

Mc Farlane website updated!

Looks as if Mc Farlane is getting ready to launch his website for registration on Friday. Check out the introduction To EARTH - CRIES OF DISPAIR, WINGS OF HOPE!

A media launch will be held tomorrow at 10:00AM on San Fernando Hill followed by registration for Loyalty card holders from Friday 14th September to Sunday 23rd September, 2007. This time period is a private period reserved for Loyalty Card Holders to register with the Band for 2008 before the general public. Open registration starts on September 24th.

Jab in de place!!!!!

Presenting, Jab Noir, Jab Rouge, Jab Gris, Jab Bleu & Jab Jaune sections from Mas Jumbies 2008 j'ouvert presentation "Jab":



Still to be revealed is the section Imps, which I am looking forward to when the website launches in two weeks. From the section line up I am liking Jab Rouge.. that red looks hot!

Revolution teaser........

Here are some more photos of costumes from Curtis Eustace's new band Evolution and the presentation "Imagination of Colour":










Tuesday, September 11, 2007

It's all in the bag ....

Though the price of costumes have been steadily rising it seems like the amenities we get in out "goody bag" have been decreasing. Forgive me if I am wrong but what happen to the times when we got little pouches that matched out costumes, an essential carry all for the must have items such as vex money,lip gloss, cell phone and blotting sheets? Nowadays we are lucky to find some ugly container or coin purse with the sponsor's name emblazoned on it in lieu of the cute little pouches that accessorised out costumes perfectly:

The pouch could then be worn attached to the waist band:

Tribe 2005


Attached to the wrist:
Tribe 2005



Extended with a longer string and strapped across the body:
Tribe 2005



For those of us with a little craft skills coupled with time and patience you can make these pouches yourself; it is fairly easy and the good thing is you can make it as big or as small as you like. The hardest part will be finding a matching fabric to your costume. Cratgrrl has an excellent article with drawings and instructions on making your own drawstring pouch here.

Now, for us ladies who have neither time or inclination to whip out a needle and get started on sewing anything there are pouches being sold online at papermart.comfor CHEAP. The ONE caveat is that you cannot buy them single, they only come in a package of say 12 to 20 bags however with prices around $0.29 to $0.75 each it works out pretty cheap still. The best thing to do is to order a package and split it among friends. I have ordered from papermart before and the prices are good with a quality product.

What I love about papermart is the variety of pouches available, they come in metallic fabrics, topped with feathers, leather, faux fur, animal print, faux suede, velvet, beaded lace.. you name it they have it. The pouches also come in different sizes as well, the key is to pay attention to how many inches they are in length, width and depth so you know how big the pouch is. Some people would want the smallest size while others will prefer something a bit larger. The metallic lame bags for example come in the smallest size of 3 inch width and 4 inch depth and the largest at 6 inch width and 10 inch depth.

Here are examples of different style pouches being sold at papermart.com:

TRIBE - Isis B


Island People - Egret


TRIBE - Water Nymph


Island People - Polar Bear


TRIBE - Silver Mist & Mystical India


Island People - Brown Bear


TRIBE - Black Magic


Island People - Zebra


And finally don't be afraid to add some extra embellishments to your pouches by way of some "bling", sequins, feathers or beads... you know the motto.. Go Big or Go Home!

Monday, September 10, 2007

Section III Unmasked

And the countdown is now on for section IV which will be revealed in 5 days, don't forget to check the website!

SECTION III FEMALE


This Earthly experience is riddled with opportunities for us to prove exactly who it is that we are 'not. Due to the din of life, we get frightened away from being loyal to who we truly are or can be. We make the decisions we believe to be expected from us. Who we think we are expected to be is usually a person that is so far away from who we truly are inside, that we almost feel exhausted with the burden of 'the new me'or 'the sexier me' or 'the outgoing spontaneous me' (this list can easily court infinity). At work, in school, at home, screaming and tortured we silently push the knowledge of our greatest self far away from all recollection, too be once again dreamed upon in some selfish moment of self gratification. Wearing our 'acquired' persona as a mask we silently grin ourselves deep into the very darkness from where we must now try in earnest to recollect information that was offered us on the proverbial 'silver platter' we then begin a many stepped journey to 'finding self', 'remembering self' and ultimately (and hopefully) 'knowing self'.

SECTION III MALE

'WHO NAME MAN?". Where did we find this, drab, shadow of a man that is characterised by his emotional rigidity, coarse social values and complete inability to 'feel' any music or truly 'dance' through to a rhythm's end? When did we throw away pony tails with little bows for army fatigues and pants under our asses? Why can't we be men, why do we have to be MEN?
Grunt instead of sing, shift instead of dance, have sex with instead of make love to. If self does not dance then self does not dance, but how would we ever know if self is not given a chance to speak? This is obviously my personal interpretation for this section, basically shutting up ourselves so that we 'fit in' is like a slingshot in reverse, sending us wheeling into a dark self created pit, far far away from our ultimate destination.But then again without this dark pit, a starting point for progress, how would we know progression at all?

Black Widow ... special option

If you have been looking at the photos on Sonia's website there are several options being offered yet some are not labeled. So far what is clear is that there is an Option A and B which offers a frontline and backline as well as the Individual costumes which are available only by special request.

This version as well is on offer as a special costume consisting of the decorated body suit and headpiece with no feathers; cost $4800.00 available by calling Sonia direct.

Bring on the Bling!!

Did I tell you how much I love the fact that this blog has not only brought all the lovers of mas together but also those H.O.s who indulge in all the extras for Carnival and are generous enough to share their tips and ideas. Yesterday franny, who has been playing an Individual with Sonia Mack for years informed new H.O.s like myself that she customises her own "blinged" out cup for use on the road. Being the diligent student that I am I immediately went out and did some research and found cups fit for PIMPS that we H.O.s can definitely use!!

These totally fabulous blinged out cups have been seen used by the likes of Snoop and Little John but my mission is to have all the F.H.Os and even the Backline Bettys take them to the streets of Port of Spain for Trinidad Carnival 2008! I mean what use is looking hot in your fab costume, killer boots, professional makeup and carrying around a dingy old plastic cup?

Custom Cups has a pretty good inventory and gallery of customised pimp cups that they offer for sale, a google search will also turn up other sites that sell similar items but they are all made of glass. Looks great but not practical for the road in my opinion, if you think you are Diva enough to carry around a glass cup all day go ahead and check them out.

photos of cups from Custom Cups






For the more creatively inclined I suggest buying a plain Cocktail glass, Goblet or Margarita cup in some sort of hard, sturdy plastic or even metal for the goblets. The caveat with buying them online is that they are mostly sold wholesale so it might be better to go shopping for them in stores. If you know by the end of the day the cup will go missing get a cheap cup at that. I have found, however, these pretty cheap heavy plastic glasses than can do the trick at Acemart.

Then you can decorate them as you wish,using rhinestones, feathers and even fur as I have seen in the gallery of pimp cups at The Warehouse; if you need to see some do it your self cups check out the gallery here. And if you need step by step instructions on you do it your self H.O. cups The Warehouse has an EXCELLENT article here (though I would be wary of spray painting a cup I will be drinking out of).




Check out this diva at Nottinghill with her H.O. cup!


Let your imagination be boundless when decorating your cup; use a cup the same colour of your costume so that it matches , bling out the name or initials of the band you are playing with in rhinestones, trim the base of the cup in feathers, sequins or as we have see even fur to make your cup stand out! Remember a H.O. is all about being a High Maintenance Over Achiever so to quote franny, who is the brains being the H.O. cup "GO BIG OR STAY HOME".. make that the motto for Carnival 2008!

More Eustace in the News

Trinidad Guardian's Sunday magazine "Womanwise" featured costumes from Curtis Eustace's band, Revolution which is set to launch on September 23rd. Here is the article:


Eustace, Carvalho adds Colours to Carnival 2008



After copping the King of Carnival title eight times, Curtis Eustace will, in 2008, be putting out his first band.

And if you’re thinking that this move was long overdue, Eustace confirmed that it has been all he’s been hearing for the last week.

Colours is the name of the band that Eustace will front along with fellow bandleader Faried Carvalho.



According to the veteran masman, Colours will be contemporary mas with costumes that cater to all body types.

“Not every woman could go to the gym and get buff. This band is also for the mother who just wants a break from her kids for two days,” said Carvalho.

Photographer Calvin French gives a taste of what’s to come in Colours for 2008.

Modelling the costumes are Kim Seethai and Anya Inniss.

So, I like the costumes I am seeing thus far, but I am really interested in seeing the designs for the ladies who cannot go to the gym every day and "get buff" as these two are pretty skimpy!!

SOURCE: article and photos from the Trinidad Guardian

Mas Jumbies Jab Noir!

Mas Jumbies j'ouvert band website is up and though it is just a preview the full site will be up very soon. In the mean time here is another Jab teaser, this one is "Jab Noir":



For those who are not aware the man behind Mas Jumbies, Brian Wong Won is also an artist with 19 Carnival inspired solo exhibits in South Florida, London and even Trinidad. To learn more about this talent please visit Brian's new website "Brian Wong Won Fine Art".

Sunday, September 09, 2007

Labor Day Pics



Check out the full galleries of Labor Day Pics at Carnivalvibration.com!

Sonia Mack's Website is up

If you were like me and looking for the link on her OLD website address you would still be seeing the "coming soon" banner but Sonia's Black Widow website has launched and you can find it at http://www.soniamack.com/carnival2008/default.htm.

From all appearances none of the costume options are sold out as yet, which is great for those still undecided on a costume choice. On the website there are the two options, costume A and B with both frontline and backline costumes and also the body suit option called "costume B" yet there is no where to register for the bodysuit.. I guess you have to contact Sonia directly for that one. I also find it interesting that the males are also offered a frontline costume, yes the men have the chance to be a frontline H.O. with Black Widow.

Finally I like that Sonia is offering her bikini/bra sizes in CUP sizes even though the largest available in the pull down menu is a 38D she also has a space where you can type in "other" and the bra size; the belt is also being made according to one's size in inches. I really do like the close up shots of the costumes and think that Black Widow is one of the best costumes in the overall presentation and I don't think it will be available for much longer. All you procrastinators Black Widow is an excellent costume choice!

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