Rediscovering Something You Enjoy

It's nice re-discover something that you enjoy. I enjoy nice music and it's great to hear a pretty song that you have not heard in years. I've been replaying Kenny Latimore's "Never Too Busy" because it is truly a relaxing song. I would love to be a DJ so that I could entertain the world with beautiful music. I have my little playlist that I walk with to work because sometimes, you need that mood music to relax your tired mind.

At work, you have to find that balance. It's either the music or a co-worker or friend that you can chat with for a minute to break the monotony. You may prefer a favorite snack or a walk outside but you need that stress breaker. For me it may all of the above that I need on a day or just one. I also love a Guyanese snack called Mitai because it breaks hunger and tastes good too. I am also an M&M fan as I shared in my thoughts about being a chocolatoholic.

Sometime, the walk is the best option to get away from a tough situation or a chatty co-worker. That is one of the few things that I love about where I work now. I'm in the midst a natural landscape and I can take a nice walk and see life and growth. There are unpleasant eyesores here and there too but I have learned to ignore them. I wish I would not ignore them but to complain is a cry to deaf ears.

I prefer to eat my M&Ms and find a cool tree.

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Seeing Someone After A Long Time

Sometimes you see a person that you have not seen in over a year and the greeting or reaction is poor. You may have shared intense, happy, sad, fighting or restless moments together. However, when people move on or move away, they change. They put their energy into so many other things. They probably forgot that you exist. For anyone to be successful, they have to continuously progress.

We get hurt sometimes but we have to get over it. Sometimes, some time away may be able to garner you more respect from others. It makes no sense to waste time wondering about people's reactions anyway. We need to focus on improving ourselves and our interactions with others. We will only get respect when we give respect.

Also, sometimes we think that people are cold but they may just be preoccupied. Who really has the time to wonder what everyone is thinking. We have so many challenges facing today that we need to stay centered.

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Sherise Stapleton Crowned Miss Teen Diva 2011

Fifteen year-old Sherise Stapleton won the title of Miss Teen Diva 2011 on September 24, 2011 at the East End/Long Look Community Centre. Sherise competed against Brittani Stoutt and Diamond Lake in a spectacular and eye-catching competition of seven segments.

Brittani was awarded Best Diva Party Wear with her orange polka dot and blue ensemble and Best Creative Diva Wear which was made from shopping bags from Clarence Thomas Ltd. Brittani also secured Miss Intellect, which is scored based on the introduction speech and the Question & Answer segment; and Miss Poise which is determined by the total poise scores from every segment.

Sherise won Best African Diva Wear, Best School Wear and Best Formal Wear with her black and yellow fitted gown which had a short but elegant train. This year for the African Diva Wear segment, the contestants had to present a fashion-forward African print inspired dress and also had to perform a dance that resembles African culture. For Sherise’s winning school wear, she displayed a turquoise shirt and a purple skirt. The skirt was then converted into a school bag as Sherise completed the segment in short pants.

For the Formal Wear segment, the young ladies were challenged to showcase a black formal dress that added a pop of color. According to Camille Merry, the pageant founder, she wanted to add yet another element of surprise to the pageant as well as go beyond the traditional pageantry borders, while forcing contestants to use their creativity. Sherise also won Miss Popularity, Miss Congeniality, which was chosen by the contestants and Miss Photogenic, which was chosen by the pageant’s photographer, Mr. Curtis DeRavariere.

The 2011 Miss Teen Diva Pageant was hosted by Kareem Hull and Katherine Irish and entertainment was provided by Jhanique and Reema. There was also a fashion show put on by L&D Impressions and this was well received by the audience. The Pageant Committee would like to acknowledge Caribbean Transport Ltd., Starworks Beauty Salon & Spa, Creations Hair Supply Store, Ayanna’s House of Hair, Road Town Wholesale Trading Ltd and all the persons who made the event a success. The founder also wishes to thank all of the committee members and helpers whose invaluable contributions helped to make the pageant a success.

Sherise’s first official appearance as Miss Teen Diva 2011 was at the Ministry of Education & Culture’s Back To School Service. Sherise will be linked with the D.A.R.E. Club for Girls, Family Support Network (FSN) and will be visible in the community. The Miss Teen Diva Pageant Committee reaffirms its commitment to working with young ladies in the British Virgin Islands and also with the overall community to promote a positive spirit among our young people.

Miss Teen Diva Pageant Committee

POEM: About the Plastics

It's all about the plastic
making you think
that life is fantastic
but it's those underlying tactics
that really cause life to be hectic
it's much better to be authentic
cause plastic living is lethargic
caustic, spastic and drastic
and that's not what I pick
that's the ballon that I prick
let me grab my figurative stick
cause someone's gonna get real licks
for I'm not afraid of tricks
I'm enthusiatic, realistic and a specialist
so tell the plastics to desist
and disappear

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Brother Resistance's De Power of Resistance Album is Rapso Music

Hailing from the republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Brother Resistance of the 'Rapso' movement released the De Power of Resistance album in 1996.

Trinidad andTobago (T &T) is known for its soca and calypso music, for originating the steel drum/pan and as the birthplace of successful artistes, such as Nicki Minaj and Heather Headley. Reggae artistes, Ziggy Rankin, Jah Bami and Isasha also come from Trinidad and Tobago, as does Brother Resistance and 'rapso' music.

What is Rapso

** Out of the heavy soca background of Trinidad and Tobago, a new musical movement was born in the 1970s, called 'rapso', which combined traditional musical rhythms with a more poetic and rap style of vocalization. One of the men who was part of the initial movement and still promotes rapso today is poet, Lutalo Masimba, more often called Brother Resistance. Rapso, according to Brother Resistance, is described as "the rap of soca...a synthesis of rhythms - voice rhythm with traditional drum and steel drum."

Poet and Artiste Brother Resistance

While Brother Resistance is one of the premier faces of rapso, he does not credit himself as the originator of this musical style. He refers to the oral tradition of his African ancestors because rapso tends to follow traditional chants and beats. He has toured in Europe and many other places promoting rapso. I met Brother Resistance in August 2008 at Carifesta X, where he gave an engaging performance. Presently, Resistance, a UWI graduate, is the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians' Organisation (TUCO) President. He was recently honored at the University of the West Indies 50th Anniversary Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony, according to Guardian Media Limited.

Brother Resistance's Albums

According to Brother Resistance's discography, he has released several albums of rapso music including Roots of De Rapso Riddum in 1982, Rapso Explosion in 1984, Rapso Takeover in 1986 and Rapso Uprising in 1989. For Rapso Lovers de World Over (1990), Touch de Earth with Rapso (1991), F rom De Heart of De Rapso Nation (1992), From De Rapso Tradition (1993) and De Power of Resistance (1996) were released in the following decade. Since 2000, he has released both Let Us Rejoice and When De Riddum Explode in 2001.

De Power of Resistance

The 1996 release, De Power of Resistance, is appropriately titled because it is a powerful performance in the rapso style of music. De Power of Resistance credits the contributing artistes as 'de Network Rapso Riddum Band'. Resistance produced the album along with Kenny Phillips, Martin Raymond and Anase Hadeed. The album has fourteen tracks, including "Tonite Is De Nite," "Dancing Shoes," "Drum and De Bass" and the popular "Ring De Bell."

• "Life So Beautiful Remix": This track is reminiscent of the 1990s techno and rap syles. Resistance gives a rap style performance as he admonishes listeners to "Stay off the drugs and live." This song adopts the chant and response style, with the background singers chiming in response to his chants. He calls "Drugs" and the backup singers respond with an extended "No."
• "Big Dirty Lie Dancehall Mix": "Big Dirty Lie" is the opening chant of this song. Resistance sings about Christopher Columbus, on a rhythm similar to the reggae rhythm called the "Bam Bam Riddim." Songs on the Bam Bam Riddim include "Murder She Wrote" by Chaka Demus and Pliers, "Dem A Bleach" by Nardo Ranks and "A Who She Mi Dun" by Cutty Ranks. Brother Resistance gives a historical chant about Columbus' claim regarding his fraudulent discoveries and the resultant upheaval and subsequent re-population of the Caribbean through the slave trade. Near the ending of the song, Resistance and the band sing the words "Murder He Wrote," a sample of the song mentioned earlier, "Murder She Wrote."
• "Is It Safe?": This is the shortest track on the album. It is a one minute long poem with a serious message. "Is it safe to be yourself in a society where priority is on pose and posture, where trying to be like somebody else is all that matter?" are the opening words. He continues, "where courage is referred by many as madness", in his challenge to the way society functions and the way the community fights against itself; asking "Is it safe?" until the end of the poem.
• "Power Mix": This song starts off like a traditional calypso song, reminiscent of the Mighty Sparrow, Arrow and other calypso and soca pioneers. The mix starts off with a chant, asking the listener to "shake something" because the rapso riddim will have them entranced to dance, and singing "jamming tonight, rapso jamming tomorrow night." It is the longest track, at over six minutes, and encourages the 'bobo shanti', the traditionalist, and all to dance.
• "Mother Earth": "Let the vibes be one with you, Mother Earth" are the words that begin this soulful chant. Not a typical calypso rhythm, this song expresses admiration for our beloved 'Mother Earth', which has been the place of existence for humankind. Resistance also refers to the way man has damaged and offended nature and asks to seek a solution to save her.
• "Ring De Bell": Brother Resistance asks the world to "ring de bell" for culture, justice, freedom and rapso in "Ring De Bell." You can hear an actual bell ringing between the drum beats and other instruments during the song. He sings, "I come to deliver this word/ let the voice of the down-pressed be heard over the world...I come with my bell just to second the motion, rock the rapso riddim."

Rapso has been around for over thirty years. The combination of traditional calypso rhythms with poetic flow is the result of the continuation of the Afro-Caribbean oral tradition. Brother Resistance is a Trinidadian cultural icon and his De Power of Resistance is an album that both poetry and calyso

lovers will enjoy.

Sources:

• "Masimba Cherishes Alumni Honour" published on April 17, 2011, Guardian Media Limited. Accessed September 22, 2011.
• Brother Resistance Official Webpage (http://www.brotherresistance.com), accessed September 22, 2011.

301st Blog Post!

Just the other day, I had posted 200 entries and today I am posting my 301st. I guess I really do have a lot to say.

My words are simple for today:

it's about the love
about the time
about the interaction
cause we are limited
yet so unlimited
and have so much
to do
let's rise
let's start
and get in the right gear

 

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The 2011 Miss Teen Diva Pageant Set For Saturday, September 24, 2011

The 2011 Miss Teen Diva Pageant Set For Saturday, September 24, 2011

Three young ladies will be vying for the title of Miss Teen Diva on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at the East End/Long Look Community Centre. The pageant is set to start at 7:30pm and is under the theme “It’s My Time to Shine.” The three teens, all Elmore Stoutt High School students, are #1 Sherise Stapleton, #2 Brittani Stoutt and #3 Diamond Lake. The audience can look forward to a tight competition as these young ladies compete for the title of Miss Teen Diva 2011. They will compete in seven innovative segments including Creative School Wear, African Diva Wear, Creative Diva Wear, formerly Futuristic Wear, and Question & Answer.

There will be performances by Jhanique, Reema and Amoui and a fashion show featuring clothing from L & D Impressions. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children and can be purchased at Bolo’s Department Store, Elite Superette or from the contestants. Please note that there will be an additional cost when paying at the door. For more information, please call 342-4994.

Miss Teen Diva Pageant Committee

POEM: I am on a vibe

I am on a vibe
that only can get sweeter
because we've erased all the bitter
feelings that are sad are only a moment's torture
this good vibe is one you can not
bust or burst
you can only thirst
for this livity
cause I'm living, livid and alive
and no man can stop me
from what I strive
for I am heading to the rainbow
and taking all the positive people
in tow
so keep your toes
out of the way
because our speed can't be swayed
it can't be stayed
because I'm stepping God's way

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R&B of 2000: Aijuswanaseing by Musiq Soulchild

"Girl Next Door," "Love" and "Just Friends (Sunny)" are some of the songs on Musiq Soulchild's debut release of Aijuswanaseing in 2000.

In 2000, after the headaches and angst about Y2K, the music industry was popping with new music to officially set the tone for the music at the start of the millennium. Live in London and More by Donnie McClurkin, Like Water for Chocolate by Common, Mama's Gun by Erykah Badu were some of the albums released that year. Musiq Soulchild also released Aijuswanaseing in 2000.

A Talented Musiq Soulchild

A very soulful and talented young man named Taalib Johnson came on the music scene with an unusual artist name and an even more intriguing album title. Johnson is known to fans as Musiq Soulchild or for short Musiq. He released his debut Aijuswanaseing in 2000 and at that time, he brought a fresh style and energy to R&B/Soul music. Musiq not only had lyrical input in Aijuswanaseing but he also executive produced this album with Jerome Hipps, Mike McArthur and Kevin Liles.

Aijuswanaseing

Aijuswanaseing is this artist's way of expressing "I Just Wanna Sing" and it was released via Island Def Jam. Aijuswanaseing has 15 tracks including the first track "Scratch Introlude" and a self-titled ninth track "Musiq Soulchild (Interlude)." The popular songs are "Girl Next Door," "Love" and "Just Friends (Sunny)" which, according to MTV.com's Musiq Soulchild Biography, "appeared on the soundtrack to Nutty Professor II: The Klumps."

• "Settle For My Love (Intermission)": "Settle For My Love (Intermission)" is the fourteenth song on this album and it is entertaining from the start to the ending. A remake of [Patrice Rushen](http://www.patricerushen.com/)'s "Settle For My Love", Musiq croons along with Ayana and Ayinke of AARIES in a blended tune that makes you want to sway, sing along and then press the rewind button to hear the song again. They sing "settle for my love/ settle for my kiss/ settle for my love that you'll never miss."
• "Girl Next Door": In "Girl Next Door,' Musiq sings an 'Ugly Duckling' type story. While he never paid attention to a neighborhood girl in the past, he sings of his interest and how she has him captivated as an adult. The song contains a sample from Ed Green's "My Love For You" and features Ayana of AARIES. Musiq expresses in the hook "If I would've known the girl next door would've been you/ I probably would've shared my grub...by now we would be so in love."
• "Love": Love is a song with a short title but it has a powerful message. Produced by Andre Harris and Carvin Haggins with lyrical input by Musiq Soulchild, this song is probably one of the greatest love songs since 2000. Some lyrics are "ever since the first moment I spoke your name/ from then on I knew/ that by you being in my life/ things were destined to change...."
• "My Girl": "My Girl" is a man's testimony to a lady that she has all of her lover's attention. The second verse starts "Girl don't you know my whole world stops for you/ in this relationship you're first and I come two."
• "Just Friends (Sunny)": The 'Sunny' in "Just Friends (Sunny)" is attributed to the sample of Bobby Hebb's "Sunny." This song is almost conversational as it expresses his feelings and interest in a young lady. The hook simply starts "I'm not trying to pressure you/ just can't stop thinking about you/ you ain't even really gotta be my girlfriend...."

Since Aijuswanaseing, Musiq Soulchild has released several albums including Juslisen (2002) and then  with [Altantic Records](http://atlanticrecords.com/), he released Luvanmusiq (2007), On My Radio  (2008) and MusiqInTheMagiq (2011). He also released Christmas  Musiq in 2009. Musiq has also appeared on the sitcom, The Game and on Angie Stone's Mahogany Soul album. Musiq always bring unique music and is an artist to keep listening to.

POEM: Trials and tribulations

Trials and tribulations

greet us upfront
while we are sleeping
it's every day while we are living
but you can't turn back
you can't be discouraged
don't be unstable
just put your trust forward
because every day is your day
whether or not it goes your way
face each day with a prayer
because the devil is always busy
but we must be prepared

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Default Choices

How would you feel if you are the 'default choice'? I think in most instances, there is no way to feel but happy to get an opportunity. However, if it is a criminal matter, being the default choice may mean that you are a suspect or a key witness to something terrible.

I am sure that I have been the default winner on many occassions because that's how life is. I may not know when I am the latter choice, but I find it rather irrelevant to know if I am getting what I need. Job opportunities, prizes, sales are all good for a second choice pick.

When it comes to criminal matters, I would not want to be the default choice. I would not want to be a suspect, a pawn or key witness. I don't mind being an investigator expecially if it is a financial crime, but the rest is really for the birds (pun intended).

I have to make choices by default all the time. I had to choose that way for one of my subcontractors but in the end, it works out better for me. God has a hand in everything about us. While we may not know what the future holds, we have to live and move daily with common sense, faith and perseverance so that we can accomplish our goals.

Some choices are first preference and some are by default but we have to keep going.

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Premier Episode of Cycle 17 of America's Next Top Model

Cycle 17 of America's Next Top Model, the All Star Cycle, aired on September 14, 2011 on CW with many familiar faces from previous cycles.

We enjoyed sixteen great seasons of America’s Next Top Model (ANTM) on CWTV. America’s Next Top Model is the brainchild of Tyra Banks, acclaimed top model, television host and a former singer and actress. Tyra knew the challenges of the fashion industry and created a show to give young women a crash course in ‘Modeling in the Real World 101’. She puts them through weeks of challenges, photoshoots, training sessions, runway shows, ‘go-sees’, hair makeovers, dancing and acting. In the middle of all the modeling and the tools to help build their ‘star power’, the girls are also distracted by the drama of living in a house with sometimes 13 or 14 models with one and sometimes two going home in one week.

Cycle 17 – The All Star Cycle

America’s Next Top Model calls Cycle 17 the All Star Cycle because competitors from all seasons except for three, six, seven and eight are back to once again aiming for the coveted title. This all-star season offers the winner a spread in ItalianVogue, a spread and cover in Beauty in Vogue, the opportunity to sit as a guest correspondent for Extra, a $100,000 contract with Covergirl and other prizes.

Tyra seems to be looking for more than just a top model for this All Star Cycle. She seems to be looking through some of the best contestants from the previous shows for a true ‘all star’. According to Tyra in the opening of the first episode, there will be appearances by the Kardashians, Latoya Jackson, Kathy Griffin, Ashlee Simpson and other celebrities. Viewers can also expect to see the girls work on a music video, a perfume, also audition for a guest appearance on CSI among other surprises.

The Models of Cycle 17

Some of the fourteen ladies who are competing in this special season are Alexandria Everett, the one top model that people really seem to dislike from Cycle 16, Kayla Ferrel, the sultry lesbian from Cycle 15 and Angelea Preston, who tried out on numerous occasions and is known for her ‘ghetto fabulousness’ from Cycle 14. Laura Kirkpatrick from Cycle 13, the sweet country girl whose grandmother makes her clothes and Allison Harvard, the wide-eyed blonde from Cycle 12 are also back in this competition. Two models are back from Cycle 11, Isis King, who has since completed her gender transformation and Sheena Sakai, who is half Korean and half Japanese.

Cycle 10’s Dominique Reighard, the girl who was constantly berated by the judges for her masculine bone structure, is also back. Bianca Golden from Cycle 9 is one of the more successful returns as she has modeled for Ford Models and appeared in the 2008 Virgin Islands Fashion Week. Bre Scullark from Cycle 5 is a favored returning model and is noted for throwing away Nicole’s Red Bull after claiming to miss her snacks.

While many of the girls are known for their photos, their runway walk or their attitudes, Brittany Brower from Cycle 4 who was always loud and Lisa D’Amato from Cycle 5 who urinated in a diaper, are more known for their wild behavior and their antics. The girls who come from the earlier seasons are Cycle 2’s Camille McDonald, a self-declared diva and Cycle 1’s Shannon Stewart, the ‘religious Christian’ who refused to pose nude.

Episode One of the ANTM’s All Star Cycle

The first episode of Cycle 17 started off re-familiarizing the viewers with the returning models. Of course, there was a photo shoot and it was shot by CelesteCanino in the backyard of the girls' new home. Subtle drama was highlighted with Bianca’s disapproval of her red hair, which affected her performance because the photographer was not engaged with her posing. Shannon came back with her Christian values and refused to wear lace underpants for her photo. Instead she posed in a bikini swimsuit bottom which made her more scantily clad.

The judges’ task was to evaluate the young ladies based on their photos, personality, the potential to be the Top Model All Star and how they worked the crowd. The judges were the same: André Leon Tally, Nigel Barker, Tyra Banks and guest judge, rapper Nicki Minaj. This first episode showed a live judging with an audience and the girls stomped their runway walks on a long catwalk to impress all the onlookers. Most of the models had a favorable response but Alexandria was actually booed and derogatory remarks were hurled at her.

The judges still retreated to privacy to review the photos and the performances. The models were called out in the following order: Isis, Allison, Camille, Lisa, Angelea, Laura, Bre, Bianca, Shannon, Dominique, Sheena and then Kayla. Brittany and Alexandria sat in the bottom two because the crowd showed no positive or negative reaction to Brittany and because Alexandria was booed. Alexandria was given another chance at redemption because she was memorable so the boos actually worked in her favor. Brittany Brower, Cycle 4’s wild-child now an entrepreneur and host, was sent home once again.

While this first episode did not have much of the drama queen and ‘divalicious’ behavior, the clip from next week’s episode proves to have some excitement. As of today, with over four million Facebook fans, America’s Next Top Model All Star Cycle 17 will surely have viewers glued to their television to see which model will win this coveted title.  

The Topics I Write About

I'm always looking for topics to write about. Most times I just start writing and the topic comes. I have a task to write about R&B/Soul/Blues and I love that because I get to listen to nice music. I also love writing about television shows and giving little recaps. Afterall, I pay to watch cable and use internet, so isn't is best for me to benefit from these things too?

I have written about topics concerning the BVI, reggae music, marraige, television shows, health, recipes and others. I am always looking to expand my writing resume and I do this also with poetry. I share poetry locally, via internet and orally when given an opportunity.

No one would have thought that I would be a writer. I never saw myself as a writer. However, I find it to be worthy hobby and pasttime. I know it will not make me rich but I get another 'height' or you can call it another type of fullfillment from writing. I have new topics that I am working on and will continue to share links in the blog.

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Reed Between The Lines Premiers on BET on October 11, 2011

In BET's continuing bid to reinvent the network, a new sitcom, Reed Between The Lines, is set to launch on October 11, 2011.

Black Entertainment Television (BET) re-aired The  Game, a CW original with some awesome new talent and fresh drama to keep the fans locked to the television. So far, we have enjoyed the new sitcom, Let's Stay Together, and the new dance reality series, Born to Dance with LaurieAnn Gibson. The next new show to be launched will be Reed Between The Lines on October 11, 2011.

The Cast of Reed Between The Lines

There have been several commercials that have aired promoting Reed Between The Lines giving us a glimpse of the characters and their comraderie. The leading characters are Dr. Carla Reed, a therapist

played by Tracee Ellis Ross and Dr. Alex Reed, a university professor played by Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Ross and Warner are complimented by two sets of actors - the young and fresh and then the seasoned and the experienced. 

• Malcolm-Jamal Warner from The Cosby Show: Malcolm Jamal Warner is no stranger to the television. We recognize him acting as Theo Huxtable from The Cosby Show. Warner can be considered a tv icon because he has appeared on several television series including The Cosby Show spin-off, A Different World and then Malcolm & Eddie, with co-star Eddie Griffin. Warner has also appeared on True Blue, Sherri, Hawthorne, Jeremiah, Here and Now and others shows.
• Girlfriends' Tracee Ellis Ross: Everyone can remember the drama the character Joan Clayton, played by Ross, brought to Girlfriends. Ross has also appeared on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Private Practice. She also acted in the Tyler Perry movie Daddy's Little Girls (2007) with Idris Elba and Gabrielle Union.
• New Faces on BET: The Reed's son is Keenan, played by Nadji Jeter, also a dancer, and who has acted in the movie Grown Ups (2010) and on the Chris Rock sitcom Everybody Hates Chris. The daughters are Kaci, Keenan's twin sister, a role played by Zoe Soul who seems to be an enthusiastic young actor and singer; and the youngest child, Alexis, played by Zoe Hernandez.
• Other Cast Members: The Facebook page of Reed Between The Lines revealed that Anna Maria Horsford who appeared on BET's Let's Stay Together and who we know from Amen, The Wayans Brothers, Friday (1995) and Friday After Next (2002) and many other titles is one of the regulars on this new show. Horsford acts as Ms. Helen, Carla's assistant in Reed Between The Lines. Another familiar face of this new show is Melissa DeSousa who acts Gabby, an acupuncturist who seems to always have a bout with the character, Helen. DeSousa is known for her roles in The Best Man (1999), Miss Congeniality (2000) and the sitcoms Second Time Around and One on One.

 BET has seen the need to give the viewers fresh new programming and is working towards keeping its growing fan-base. Reed Between The Lines is a story about a family of successful parents with young children whose ages range from young to adolescence. Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Tracee Ellis Ross are no strangers to television so it is hoped that they will bring good chemistry to keep the viewers locked to television. 

POEM: Rejection

When I wanted to hang with you
You rejected me
When I said I would be there for you
You ignored me
I never understood
why you thought that I was liar
I never meant to misrepresent
or have you resent
me for anything that I did
I just wanted to love you
just to be there to please you
but you always thought
that I was a bad person
with an ill mind
but just know
that I really did and do still
care for you
and love you

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Some People are Just SPECIAL

When I say someone is special, they really are. I call them special because that sounds better than calling them a derogatory name. I see terrible drivers, jealous women, stupid men, 'thiefing' contractors and all the bad people but still I just call them special. When they behave in their negative way, rather to get into their business and act like them, I say "that person is special".

 

Special actually means, according to Dictionary.com:

1. of a distinct or particular kind or character: a special kind of key.
2. being a particular one; particular, individual, or certain: You'd better call the special number.
3. pertaining or peculiar to a particular person, thing, instance, etc.; distinctive; unique: the special features of a plan.
4. having a specific or particular function, purpose, etc.: a special messenger.
5. distinguished or different from what is ordinary or usual: a special occasion; to fix something special.

  

We like to say that we are all special in our way. I feel that I am special and that I am unique, however, we are all human and all share similar feelings and experiences.

 

What is most important is that we respect one another and are able to forgive each other for our mistakes and transgressions. We need to be able to empathize and sympathize with our brothers and sisters. People are just...people. No one is perfect and we all just have to try to live together in the best way we can.

 

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POEM: Rights

I always hungry
but nobody want to feed me
I don’t know why
They just ignore me.
The doctor say I dirty
The teacher don’t want to teach me
They say I stupid.
I try hard but nobody,
Nobody at all want to bother with me.
I can’t get no job
This make my life hard
It’s real hard all the time.
But it’s a surprise
They letting me vote
You know, I thinking
Thinking it’s the law of the mother
Mother country, that is,
That let me vote.
They call it suffrage
I have suffrage.
But the elected ones
don’t realize that I
Suffering.

© Linette Rabsatt 1996

Working Smartly

If I work willingly, then I am considered to be a pleaser. If I work hard, then I may be considered industrious. If I cut every corner, then you may say that I am lazy. Should I be uncertain of my work, then it can be said that I am not ready. If I work smartly, then you can call me efficient.

I have a decent work ethic, however, I always seem to have a problem with going through with orders that seem ridiculous. I probably need to pray about this because inefficiency gets me annoyed. We always have to look at the best way to get a job done. It's not about the job being easy, fast or slow, but looking at the resources required, it is about efficiency. We have to realize that sometimes the middle man has to be cut out but there are occasions that the middle man really needs to be there.

Working smart considers the finances, human resources, time and energy. In many cases, the labor is the biggest issue because you always get a good worker, a slacker and some others that are in between.

I think SMART is the way to go!

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BVI's Five-Time Road March Champs in 2011: Showtime Band

The BVI's Showtime Band has continued to excel since its formation in 1999. The band has won five consecutive road march titles and continues to shine.

When British Virgin Islanders think about their annual festival, they look forward to celebrating their culture with both food and music. The music for festival time in the British Virgin Islands is the VI's own style of calypso and soca. Traditionally, the islands were known for fungi music, which is played with handmade instruments such as the ukulele and the squash. Since the 1980s, with the influences of Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis and the nearby U.S. Virgin Islands, the BVI has cemented its own brand of calypso music.

BVI's Festival Music

 Several bands have come out of the BVI, including Caribbean Ecstasy, with songs like "Push Pipe" in the 1980s, Adjik with "Ram," Awesome Crew and Prime Time, who sang "Bernie," inspired by Weekend At Bernies (1989). The band Elvis White also comes from the BVI and they sang the hit "Sexy Waist." In 1999, Showtime Band came on the scene and made an impact instantly. Today, they have accomplished eight albums, several hits, a growing fan base and road march titles.

Who is Showtime Band

Showtime's lead vocalists are Raul "Jougo" Sprauve, Renrick, "Mac Daddy" Massac and Eustace "Boss" Freeman, all original band members since 1999. Kerry Nichols is on keyboards, LeeSean Smith handles the drum machine, also called the rhythm box, and Glen Lamothe is a guitarist. Jougo's brother, engineer, Ramon Sprauve and Osbert "Cushung" Pole, the bass guitarist, were both members of the 1990s BVI sensation, Primetime. Kevin Sweeney, a rhythm box 'genie,' is also a founding member of Showtime and is currently on a short hiatus. Crystal Frett and Andrea Sweeney are also contributing members of the band.

The managers are Roger Frank and Ottley Hodge, another founding member. Since its inception, the band has gone through several metamorphoses, but stands strong today, and gave several outstanding performances during the BVI's 2011 Emancipation Festival. Showtime has not only performed for audiences in the BVI, but has also shared their music with fans in St. Thomas and St. Croix in the USVI and in Miami. They have collaborated with both local and regional artists. Locally, they have worked with hip-hop artist, Aaron 'Da Jedi' Parillon, in "Invisible" and with [Lincoln Ward](http://www.lincolnward.com/) in "See You Again."

They have also shared tracks with Sowande and Terra Mike and teamed with Trinidad and Tobago's Shurwayne Winchester on the 2007 Road March, "Soca Pledge Remix," from their 'The Family' album. Most recently, they teamed with singer and producer, AJ, of the former Xtaushun Band who sang "Energy" and with JJ, formerly of Xtreme Band, for another Road March. The collaboration resulted in the 2011 Road March "Buns of Steel." Other Road March songs from Showtime include "Hula Hoop" in 2008 and, in 2009, "Circles" which may be deemed their biggest hit. In 2010, two songs won, "Yo-Yo" and "Whine Like Crazy," both from the I Am album. Older songs that are recognized by fans include "Madoo," and "B.V.I.," a tribute to the BVI's beauty and culture.

How Road March is Determined

 For local bands, during the festival, the prize sought is the coveted Road March title, a competition in which only BVI bands can compete. The winning Road March song is chosen from the songs that are played in front of the judges during the August Monday parade. The person charged with ensuring that the Road March competition was properly handled in 2011 was Miss Nakema Bell of the BVI Festival and Fairs Committee. According to Miss Bell, the Road March judges consider the total number of times a song is played by a DJ or a band, the originality and creativity of the song and the band's overall performance of the song. Bands have to submit an application and compact disc with the songs to be considered as contenders for the Road March title. The song with the most points at the end of the parade is declared the winner. In 2011, there were two dedicated judges for the Road March Competition.

What's Next for Showtime Band

 2011  proved to be another successful year for Showtime Band. They are booked regularly in the BVI in Tortola and in Virgin Gorda and are getting positive feedback from their fans. In addition, they recently released their eighth album, The Journey, with eight tracks, including "Buns of Steel, "Pushing Bush" and "Surround Me." According to co-manager, Roger Frank, Showtime is aiming at a sixth consecutive Road March title in 2012. In the near future, they hope to perform at New York's annual West Indian Day Parade. Roger also shared that "the (fans') support has been tremendous and had a driving force to keep the band going." The band regularly performs community service by linking with a cause of their choosing to show their gratitude for the support of their fans. For more information and for bookings, please visit their Facebook page.

Sources:

• Telephone Interview with Roger Frank, co-Manager of the Showtime Band on September 6, 2011
• Telephone Interview with Nakema Bell, BVI Festival Committee on September 2, 2011
• Showtime Band Facebook Page
• Showtime Band is 2011 Road March Champion, BVINews.com accessed September 6, 2011