Just Me, MocaGyrl

Every year I review the Oscar gowns, so this is coming out before my vacation review. (priorities, people!) It was once again a year of understated colour & no necklaces. I thought by now this pale taupe, beige, muted champagne & salmon colour trend would be gone, but nope, seems designers are still washing out the stars. Ho hum. That’s why I cheered a hot pink gown & a red one by a certain someone who always brings it on, no fear!

Best Colour Gown - Jessica Biel

Most Improved Look - Cameron Diaz

Best Sparkle - Cate Blanchett

Best Hair - Gwenyth Paltrow

Best Blue Gown - Jodi Foster

Best Understated Elegance - Beyoncé

Best Redhead in Green - Isla Fisher (fiancé, Sacha Baron Cohen)

Best Salmon Gown - Penélope Cruz

Worst Look - Meryl Streep

Gown shoulda stayed on the hanger - Kirsten Dunst

Best Overall Look (head to toe) 2nd Runner up - Helen Mirren

Best Overall Look Runner Up - Jennifer Lopez

Best Overall Look - Nicole Kidman

 

http://www.people.com/people/package/redcarpet2007/0,,20006775,00.html

 

Ah, but I had to.

PICTURES: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86515229@N00/sets/72157594562171628

What a whirlwind 2 weeks, it was not a vacation for relaxing, we were on the go from the very start, & always rushing to get home & get ready to go out. We went to a lot of fetes of different venues & sizes, but the performers remained the same, LOL! My fave was at Pier 1 because I enjoyed the mixed rum cocktails & eats, I had the best time watching all the performers & Cos’ crazy friend was fun times. The VIP nights at Zen were a blast, but what didn’t make the very highly anticipated Machel night my favourite was the unclassy ghetto like behaviour of some of the crowd. A light stick thrown out landed on my chest, but this non-Trini tourist grabbed it & wouldn’t let go - it was seriously high school foolishness resulting in drinks on each other, how pathetic, I mean, what are you gyrl, 12? Could I have insisted & not let go of it, sure, but why? it’s a freakin stick!!!! Steups! (I got one the next fete they threw ‘em out & gave it to a guy we were with who was trying real hard to catch one. ) As well, many many people wouldn’t step aside & let you through the crowd, I don’t know what was stuck up their ass, but many would stubbornly not move an inch. Steups. Once Machel got the a cappella out of his system & gave us what we wanted, his high NRG jump up & wave stuff, it was good. Zen should have been the proper venue for him to go unplugged, but the paying public wasn’t really feelin it. He even had to reprimand people for talking. It’s not that he’s not up to it - he has a strong voice, but his Soca songs are not meant to be performed perched on a stool under a single spotlight or seated at a piano. When he eventually makes the switch to Calypso, which I feel is coming soon, & writes proper lyrics, a cappella will be suitable.

Machel video:

<div style=”margin-bottom:25px;margin-top:25px;”><div style=”width:320px;text-align:left;”><style type=”text/css”><!– #izqogrwsrwac4a4bjl9nwdfynpcpfgu99efiaprx4{width:320px;height:256px;border:none;margin:0px;} –></style><iframe src=”http://www.dailymotion.com/blog/video/2607448?key=zqogrwsrwac4a4bjl9nwdfynpcpfgu99efiaprx4” style=”width:320px;height:256px;border:none;margin:0px;” width=”320″ height=”256″frameborder=”0″ marginwidth=”0″ marginheight=”0″ scrolling=”no” id=”izqogrwsrwac4a4bjl9nwdfynpcpfgu99efiaprx4″>Dailymotion blogged video</iframe><br /><span style=”margin-top:0px;”><a href=”http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1jvx4_machel-montano-higher-than-high”>Machel Montano - Higher than High</a><br />Video sent by <a href=”http://www.dailymotion.com/Mocagyrl”>Mocagyrl</a><br /></span></div></div>

Then we left for Imagine, a neat l’il fete with a relaxed kinda vibe. Smaller spot & crowd, which was just right, as we (well, Hubby) were coming from lots of Johnny & coconut water. Maximus, who was great, was the main performer. A bonus was the rather large serving of ice cream they served. Dulce de Leche, YUM!! On Thursday we had another fun free night of drinks, food & entertainment at Cos’ fabulous workplace. Iwer George, Benjai, etc. performed to a small crowd, which was quite cool. Hubby was happy there was Johnny & the Moroccan chicken was delic.

My final one was a cooler fete (Zen sponsored) which had the biggest crowd & same performers. Hubby was especially pleased when his idol, King David Rudder, surprised everyone by showing up & singing 2 songs. The highlight was the Machel & Patrice Light it Up finale with fireworks right above us. (I got some firework ash on me, LOL!) I finally got to see Patrice, wished she did more than the one song.

Hubby & Cos went to Country Club Sunday & their comment was “too many men”. Which I’m alright with. (well, not for Cos.)

I have to say, it really added to the excitement of our trip that we’d be meeting the bloggers we’ve been chatting with for 5 ½ months. The bloggers lime was such a fun friendly time, & I was surprised with all the other bloggers who came up to me on the road… although, I guess I shouldn’t be, not to many mocagyrls (w a dougla) in Cow mas! I am sorry I didn’t meet some bloggers including Prettidolli (what happened gyrl?? ) -:¦:-•:*””*:•.-:¦:-•* cb *•-:¦:-•:*””*:•-:¦:-, Bagogyul, Caiso Queen, Carnival Jumbie, Squeezle, & Gtwarrior.

Our chance to go to Maracas was on Carnival Friday, which we hadn’t realized was an especially insane day for traffic. So our plan of arriving in St. James at our friend’s (another “Trini in Toronto”) place at 12:30 & then heading off to the beach didn’t come through exactly like that. We eventually got there at 5:00 and that’s one thing I remember that hasn’t changed, the crashing Maracas waves. Good times. We met Buublenut & her friend Megan. The wait for the bake n shark was worth it. I was up for the 2 days of jumping in the heat, thanks to all the cardio I’m used to doing, + 7 years of Caribana, which is good practice. I worked in my shoes months before, kept hydrated & (Hubby) was always re-applying sunscreen. On Monday we reached the band at 12 (traffic was bad) but I felt a casual, more relaxed day vibe, & didn’t feel there was a need to rush, rush. I completely disagree with trinijunglejuice that not too many Tribe masqueraders wear their costume, I noticed it was the exact opposite. That surprised me, I could have worn my pair of boy shorts I bought w my costume, but whatever, live & learn right?, I really liked my Monday wear & was comfortable, which is the important thing. Could have kept going, but we knew we’d be up early for a longer day Tues. We were up & out the door to be there on time for 7:30 on Tuesday. Not everyone did this, because we got there in 20 minutes and were 1 hour early. So we leisurely finished getting ready with Cos’ Fireman crew, glittered ourselves, & had breakfast. (Liked the alloe pie, the ham & cheese in pita, not so much.) Our Caribana friends in Cowmas who we were looking for sauntered in @12 and said no worries, we just had bkfst! LOL! We crossed by Pulse 8 and then it was lots of liming until we got in our sections to wait to cross the judges. Cowmas really got into their role, they were riled up & ready, when they called us, the horned cowmen busted through like bulls, making all kinds of noise, it was funny. The rain at first was fun, but when it was clear it was a long downpour soaking us, it lost the appeal. My hat turns out was not strong plastic, bc it got soaked & kinda misshapen, LOL! My eye makeup washed off. Luckily my sneakers didn’t get drenched & I dried off after lunch. Which was quite large, (most people didn’t finish) good on Tribe for feeding us well. I had to steups over getting tiny cups of non-Häagen-Dazs strawberry ice cream from the Häagen-Dazs truck though! Hubby got to nap off some Johnny during the long lunch. I was impressed with the vanity area, full-length mirrors, the many port-a-johns & the thoughtful extras like antiperspirant spray & mouthwash. I can see why gyrls bring their makeup on the road, after a rain you do need to re-apply. (I just brought lipstick.) See at Caribana the route is so short, that after it rains, it doesn’t matter about your soaked face, you’re done! Plus, there’s nowhere & no mirrors to re-apply makeup. I liked that we kept going after dark, that was a different feeling, felt like a naughtier parade , we lost the security, but as long as you stayed with everyone else, it should have been safe. We were behind Midnight Robber so I was watching the traditional character both days, pretty cool. I picked up one of his fallen arms getting soaked when the rain was pounding bad, too funny, & I’m not sure how he crossed to the other side of the highway & back that night! LOL!This was the first time playing mas that my costume fit perfectly, no adjustments were required, & nothing fell apart. As well it should, considering I paid 3x as much as a Caribana one!!! It also was exactly as pictured, (I know some cowgyrls got brown though?) the only tiny detail missing was there were no hoops in the earrings. The hat was small & everyone told me to put a string through it, so I did. Other cowgirls got creative with making it larger by cutting holes & stringing laces in the back giving it a “corset” style. Hubby insisted I buy 2 pairs of tights just incase, so I did, but because of the chaps coverage, I didn’t get any snags. There were plenty of gyrls that sure could have walked with a second pair of tights though, hoo boy, what a mess of ripped up backsides & spider web thighs. Don’t they know it totally takes away from their look? And when they’re all torn like that, I wonder why they don’t take them off?? The sexiest costume in Tribe was Imp, the most vibrant was Fireman,& Fancy Indian colours just popped. I asked Hubby which he thought was the sexiest & he said the jeweled one (he means Jewel of IP… I know because of how this amazon gyrl strutted by oozing “I’s the shiznit!”. That’s right, he didn’t say Cowmas! Steups! *Sigh*

I can’t truthfully complain too much about the trip. I have high expectations, but REALISTIC ones, I’m tolerant & understanding of things that many others complain about, for example, the traffic. Waiting for our departing flight, I was approached to take a survey on my visit. It was extremely detailed, and when the interviewer asked me to rate the roads/traffic, his pen was positioned over & ready to check off “poor”, but I told him no, I think it was fine, not poor… bc it’s perspective, I live in a large city, so I’m used to horrendous traffic, and I feel Trinis handle themselves well on their roads, they drive according to what they’ve got, & it’s alright. I do hope the island gets their rail service, they are in serious need of it. We took maxis/taxis at both rush hours and mid day, & with the exception of Carnival Friday when getting into St. James from Woodford Sq. took over 1 hr., then reaching Maracas took almost another hr., we always had no troubles. Oh, & getting from Chacon St. to Long Circular Mall was a foolish push-&-shove game we almost didn’t win. Took an hour. Some other interesting survey questions were did you feel safe in Trinidad? & were you harassed in Trinidad?

So now it’s back to reality. Getting my assignments done & going to class. Wearing layers before I head out in the -10°C temperatures. But, I’ll get through, because I’m sitting here browner, listening to 96.7, with many pictures to sort through, & with 5 rags of many colours.

a few pics of us on Izatrini:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/izatrini/402382561/in/set-72157594556291775/

… Managing to really pack in as many fetes as we can B4 Carnival, & they just keep getting better & better. Pier 1 was nice, Hubby was anticipating Baileys, & the 1st drink we were offered when we entered was one, yum! That set the tone right. (Us, beginning of the evening, my flash wasn’t on ) They had a Tequila shots station & I liked the frothy fruity rum concoctions. For me though, the highlight was the bake & shark, truly delic, pineapple is perfect people! Chinese food (chicken, bok choi, rice) was ok, & that was it for me, I didn’t try the WI chicken & rice. Performances were good, incl Shurwayne & Destra. …That’s us, end of the night, LOL!  At Jamboree our Caribana crew was also there so that was a nice surprise seeing them. I must say, their drinks/food system was messed up, confusing for no good reason, you had to buy tickets for drinks & food which is never a good idea, it was a lot of wasted paper & time. Bunji, Imij, & Destra put on great performances though, & that’s what it’s all about. So at this point, I say know I don’t need to (pay to) see Sherwayne or Destra again. Tuesday we checked out the free Rapso concert at the Ntl library ampitheatre, now that was a great switch. Really enjoyed the conscious (as opposed to crap) rap. 3 Canal was good, I like that Mornin Neighbour song.
Last night was our best time yet, the Renegades by invite only (media & sponsors) show in their pan yard. It was a VIP night (Cos & Hubby pointed out to me a former President (pssst… think you’re spotted!) & a Miss Universe were there. (I saw her on the road, forget which costume she was in…?) Plenty of drink & food… what didn’t they serve? - somosas, coriander pineapple skewers, mini rotis, conch & green banana salad, ribs, lamb kabobs, roast beef, chicken drumsticks, souse, coco casserole cubes, EI sweets, mini chocolate bars & wrapped chocolates as you left. The band was incredible, I think Hubby was impressed & they gave him inspiration to pick up his sticks again. What a surprise, Shurwayne & Destra showed up & ea. did several songs. LOL! It was good though, turns out Cos & Hubby know Destra’s manager/man from way back, so they were talking & reminiscing & we met Destra.

Renegades video clip - Destra’s “I Dare You”:

We reach!!!!! This was the view when we stepped outside of the airport… See the rainbow? Very good sign! Already been to 3 fetes! (performances) The free noon hr. Woodford Sq. concerts were fun, Bunji G., Fayane, & Iwer G. was Thurs., & today was Sherwayne W. w Traffic. Liked everyone, all did the faves, popular songs. Then last night we were in a VIP booth at Zen for David Rudder & C. & C. Jacobs. Loved that club, real nice vibe, & it was extra sweet to see Rudder in the land of fete. I had to drink Red Bull (wouldn’t advise you to have it w rum, I kept seeing a fly on the bottle…) bc we were up 20 hrs until 2 am last night bc I couldn’t really catch any sleep on the 5 hr. overnight flight. Got my stockings at Samaroos, thanks 2 Saucyd 4 that excellent tip! & found a perfect matching belly jewel piece 4 my costume in Long Circular mall. Then we picked up our costumes, Tribe opened up their pickup w Cow Mas & M. Robber. Some Caribana friends walked in to pick up & they are in our section! LOL! Took 45 mins & I must say, they are if anything extremely professional & organized, BUT seriously lacking fun!!! It’s Carnival ppl, where’s the soca, the costumes on display, & band pictures, or a video? Such stern faces! But I’m impressed w their pro cust svcs attitude, they done well (so far)! & the matching OPI polish, nice! I didn’t even try on the costume yet believe it or not, bc we picked up an aunt at the airport & stopped by some guy’s place in Baratarria selling Geera pork outside & just finished eating now. Tomorrow is chillaxin & our 1st official fete (at Pier 1), & my only decision is what outfit to wear.

This is what I see right now outside my window…

 

& this is what I’ll be seeing at 7 am tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 See many of ya very soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had my realization at boxing that I didn’t want to fight because I didn’t want to get hit in December. I told an assistant coach that, & funny, he said the same thing, he doesn’t fight either for the same reason. Last Tuesday when I was in the ring hitting the pads with Coach, he swung a pad too close & accidentally grazed my face. I was alright, we continued. My eye was red for a few days. But then I had a sleepless night last week because my eye felt a bit sore. Then Wednesday evening, my eye started to throb, the redness came back, & the pain just kept getting worse. I told hubby & he said to just go to sleep. I woke up at 4 am feeling uncomfortable. Thursday morning at 7, it was swollen, quite red, watering, & the pain was spreading to the back of my eye. I called our Telehealth to ask if I should go to my optometrist or a clinic, & the nurse said go to the ER immediately. It felt painful to turn on lights, and driving with snow glare, torture!!! So I spent 5 hours in the ER, mostly head down, squinting in the fluorescent lighting. It took 3 hours before a doc actually looked at me, naturally. He couldn’t work the eye machine, what a farce it was, him & a student doc poking & prodding this machine & my eye lid. He said he didn’t know what was wrong, didn’t think it was an infection. He said he’s gonna put a drop in my eye so he can get a better look, & next thing I know, he’s holding back my lid & put 3 drops in before I can even ask him what it is - Alcaine he says, oh, that’s the one I have a bad reaction to! (I almost passed out from that anesthetic 3 months ago at my optometrist’s, it made me awfully nauseous & faint, I had to wait awhile before I could drive home) So that’s it for him, he schedules an appointment for me with a hospital opthamologist. So I waited for another 1½ hr for that appointment, which, of course, he’s 20 minutes late for. He comes into the room with my file humming the Rocky theme song - well, at least I got a little chuckle. The only lucky thing about that day was he was competent, quick to know what was wrong, & didn’t poke at my eye too much. Dilating my pupils (ooooh, how I hate having that done) made the light glare like 10x worse getting home. And, just to cap off the lovely day, the new pharmacy closest to my house didn’t have the medication (they didn’t have the birth control pills I needed last month either. Losers!), so I had to drive out my way to another one. I’m taking an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid for 2 weeks. I’m not too happy at all about the very serious side effects, some that my optometrist has been watching me for (glaucoma, optic nerve damage & visual field defects). At least the pain that was spreading is gone. It’s still red & tingly & puffy, & I’m still sensitive to light.

This put a wrench in my countdown-to-Carnival-crazy-workout-plan, but, maybe I’ll feel better on Sunday.

So right now, I’m certainly not interested in hitting the pads again. Whaddaya think, will Coach give me a refund?

(that’s a wink and the new me, “Winky”)