10 things to look out for during Carnival

Top ten (10) things (random order) to look out for during the Carnival celebrations (feel free to add to the list)

1.     THICK women who wear clothes in small

2.     Cougars – it’s the only time that it will be acceptable to see grown ass women allow       young boys to gyrate behind them publicly

3.     A lot of tires (not those on vehicles) and skid marks (not those left by tires)

4.     Men and women as dirty (and smelly) as “Paros”

5.     Men who look like they're stalking young women and girls (yes it happens)

6.     Wigs that look like they were passed thru the washing machine

7.     Drunk men (some women) passed out on sidewalks and even in gutters

8.     Old women who got more dance strokes than some of our young ladies

9.     Children dressed like street walkers with their pimps (parents) who laugh at it

10.   Strange tattoos in even stranger places

This list was written in jest and is in no way intended to ridicule anyone… 

Leandra Lander presents... Mam's Advice

Earlier tonight I attended the 2012 Independence Literary Competition Prize Giving Ceremony, where I received the first prize for the Short Story category. But this post isn't about me or my prize, au contraire, I want to highlight a pleasant surprise that took place at the ceremony though.

We were graced with Carnival royalty... Miss Leandra Lander, who won Dominica's Carnival Queen Show a few years ago, along with a number of regional crowns was present at the ceremony. She wasn't there as a mere onlooker but she had actually participated in the English Poetry Category. She came 2nd in that category and graced the podium reciting the poem "Mam's Advice." I actually made a video of the performance, albeit on my blackberry, so don't expect HD quality.

Below is the recital, do enjoy:

Bangladesh turns the table

I am a sore loser, why should I like losing anyways, it's not like I get anything from it, well except the lessons learnt but it's not like I want to learn anything from a loss. But somehow, it seems like the Caribbean cricket team, the West Indies behaves in the opposite and have become so used to losing matches that it has become an artform to the present generation of players.

I've always heard about the glory days, when the team were World Champs and could do no wrong, now it seems like they can do no right. I don't know much about the politics of sports but i'm sure that those involved in the regional management needs to be fired, just let go the entire board, the players, coaches and let everybody re-apply for the positions. Then through a careful selection process you choose those who you feel can do that job or to hell with everybody, you just hire new people and build from the ground up with a new crop of young players who haven't yet been influenced by the greedy and power hungry.

The players are as much to blame as the West Indies Cricket Board. Hey, I would even blame the legends of the game, the commentators and some fans. In fact, everybody who has somehow contributed to the state of the current game needs to go. I am of the mindset now, after seeing them under-perform in two one-day internationals that the bunch of overpaid employees should all be axed. It is not just the losing, its the manner in which they lose, they showed no enthusiasm, no real determination to fight it out until the end, I hate to see the state of the game.

But as usual, nothing is going to get done about it, we are just too laissez-faire and have come to accept mediocrity within all aspects of our island-life. Lord help the Caribbean game, once a source of pride and power, now a sight of shame and promise without purpose. Shame on them.

In the meantime, I did enjoy the environment at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium; with the moko jumbies, lapo kabwit, digicel girls and carnivalesque atmosphere. I would love another national event soon, but maybe football next time around. Another defeat at the Windsor Park for the West Indies might just send me to the grave, the supporters grave that is, never to return again. We only had one real thing to cheer about (the century by Dowlin), but the crowd cheered on everything because moments like these are meant to be cherised. So now the history books have to be written, Bangladesh first series win in a One-Day International came against the West Indies team in beautiful Dominica. My country has to bear the shame of the shameless team. Ah mag way sah

Nesta

Carnival and Calypso come in with the New Year

Happy New Year to one and all if i didn't already say it. I've been off the net for a little while but i came back on to spread the good news.

Yes, it's January and if you live in the Caribbean, particularly Dominica and Trinidad then you know it is Carnival and Calypso time. Nothing bigger than the calypso artform in either of these countries.

The action has already started in Dominica for last night was the elimination round of the calypso competition for 2009. I am so elated, not just because it is carnival season but because my very good friend, closest of female friends, Yoland "Yolie" Dorival made it through the elimination round with her song Unfortunate. It is even more amazing when you find out that she only had the song 4 days prior to the competition and decided to enter just a few days before the cut off period.

The song tackles the need for increase diversity in the daily vocabulary of Dominicans and points it out as something unfortunate. As a Dominican, I can tell you that when a word becomes popular here, you hear it all over and from every one. Last year, the word diaspora took a beating because of the reunion celebration.

But let me get back to the competition, only two newcomers made it passed the elimination round, Beetle J being the other calypsonian to make it to the quarterfinals. Former calypso finalist De Booplay who had taken some time off from competing, is also among the twelve selected to go to the next round. Bassy, Senator, Delah, Comforter, General Kendes, Son of De Saint, Jamma B, Educator, and Iration are the other quarter-finalists.

I am looking forward to that show to give full support to all the calypsonians but especially Yolie as she belts out another tune, look out for it too. I've read the lyrics and it promises to be a crowd pleaser, we could just go all the way and yes i said we, cause i intend to support her to the maximum. It is not everyday that a close friend of yours has a chance of making to the cream of the crop of competitions in Dominica, especially since she would never go up for the National Queen show. Hopefully i will be able to share the lyrics with those of you checking out my blog.

Nest@