Daily Juggling - Making, Making Do and Doing

When you venture into any public space outside of your house, you have to put on your game face, tuck in your tummy and get ready for the challenges. No matter how you plan and coordinate, you have to be ready for the inevitable. I have been planning this whole week to package some files and I really think that I have had the best intentions.

However, every day something else pops up - some good and some bad. There are some things that I would prefer to avoid but if I want to be successful in my current role, I have to try to meet the various demands. There is a lot that I don't plan for and it's not that I am disorganized or that I procrastinate. It's just the nature of the way things work. The unexpected comes and you have to respond. Sometimes, I am at a loss as to how to respond and I have to take time to consider the situation.

When you go to college, you learn a lot of theory and you discuss what the possibilities could be in a situation. Real life is much different. I always encourage people to share their story on their journey so that others can learn from them. Raising a family, being an entrepreneur, working or leading a non-profit are all individual roles that demand your full attention and energy. There are some people who juggle all and more. Consider what challenges they may meet on a daily basis.

Therefore, we are all jugglers in some way. Today, I was told that sometimes we need take our time with situations and the advice is well taken. I find I have bursts of energy and other times, I feel overwhelmed. However, I put my best foot forward and try to accomplish as much as I can. The advice I mentioned has played out well several times because we often feel that we don't have the solution. We let the matter rest and eventually we find a solution or a solution finds us.

Whatever your role might be, you have to stay focused and as Kenny Rogers sang, you have to know when to hold, fold, walk away or run. Balance your priorities, maintain your physical health and be the best you that you can be.

ribbon

Acrostic Poem: Emancipation

Every soul rejoiced
Minds and bodies calmed
All engaged in the fight
Never flailing, never relenting
Capacities imagined and envisioned
Invigorated energy
Purposeful intentions
Anticipation for the future generations
Tireless toiling ended
Inventive mindset to resume
Open minds and arms to a
New life in freedom

© Linette Rabsatt

Words of Ribbon 2019

Fierce Competition in 2019 BVI Soca Monarch Competition... and the Winner Is...

Ramon George, BVI Soca Monarch 2019
Photo Credit: BVI Soca Monarch Facebook Page

According to the BVI Soca Monarch Facebook page, the winner of the competition on Saturday, August 3, 2019 was Ramon, whose song was Rampage. First Runner-up was JJ, whose song was All of That, and third runner up was Diffy, whose song was Sip Sip.

Original article published on July 25, 2019:
It's time again for the BVI Soca Monarch competition! Eight (8) competitors are vying for the title of  2019 BVI Soca Monarch - each artiste with his distinct flavor and style. The reigning BVI Soca Monarch from 2017 is JJ and he is competing once again in 2019.

After Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, festival was scaled down. However, the British Virgin Islands continues to progress and recover, and part of this process includes showcasing our culture and taking time to celebrate our emancipation from slavery. This year marks the 65th celebration of Festival in the territory and 185 years of emancipation from slavery.

The BVI Soca Monarch competition is slated for Saturday, August 3, 2019 at the Primetime Festiville and several regional artistes will also be performing including Mr. Killa known for "Run Wid It", Rupee known for "Think Twice" and "Tempted to Touch", Freezy known for "Woy", and Explainer known for "Lorraine".

The competitors include known band members and other budding artistes who are full of energy, spunk and talent. The songs listed below were shared by the BVI Soca Monarch organizers for the public to vote for their favorite. I enjoyed listening to all the songs and confirm that I would not want to be a judge for this show because the artistes have come strong this year.

Keep It 100 by TeeJay
TeeJay is a member of VIBE, the reigning BVI Road March champions. He is the lead singer of the band's "Eye Contact" and "Don't Leave". "I 'm so much better with you by my side, feels like I can do whatever, but I don't want to feel like I lied" are a sample of the lyrics. The song has a groovy feel, like a soca love song. The song flows well with the rhythm and pace so it's left to the actual performance to see if TeeJay will be the winner.

All of That by JJ
JJ is a member of OMG (Our Music Group) and is the reigning BVI Soca Monarch. His song gives a Caribbean flavour as he sings about coming to do "All of That". This song is an example of 'feel good' music that keeps your fingers and feet tapping. Lyrics include "Don't care if you want to judge me, is my life - is I decide to get on like I have no training". This song does reflect that JJ has some soca training though.

Chappy Boy 65 by Chap Chap
Chap Chap is well known in the BVI and his father, Chappy is also a known band man who sang in Primetime, the band the festival village is named after. Chap Chap sings "Waving up the flags, slavery is no more, freedom come through the door, I jamming til my body sore". This song is high energy with a rhythm that is synonymous with BVI Festival music. He is a serious contender and if the performance energy is high, he stands a good chance to win.

Rampage by Ramon
Ramon's song invites you to really have fun and go on a rampage! I hope that with the infectious rhythm and lyrics which entice you to move, Ramon will take the stage on a rampage when he performs on August 3, 2019. "We on a rampage, on the road Parade Day, we going leave it ablaze..." are some of the lyrics.

We Ain't Going Home by Pascal
Pascal is another member of OMG and he is not new to the music scene in the BVI. "We jamming again and we ain't going home, we got our friends and we ain't going home" are some lyrics. This is another high energy song with lots of rhythm to get you off your feet. The rhythm varies in the song and brings excitement to the listener.

Dilaahlaah FM by Mr. Bluez
Mr. Bluez's song is unique in style and rhythm and it seems to have influences from other genres. "Ahyu I think done, bring my other shot of the rum" and "The fete is my home, I'm a party animal" are some of the lyrics.

Wuk Up Permit by Jim Bob
I would say Jim Bob's "Wuk Up Permit" has the most fun and unique lyrics. I guess with all the improvements that the government is making with work permit processing, the song is ideal for this competition. Jim Bob sings "She here on a wuk up permit, shake your hips like you working for tips, homeboy don't rub up on it, cause a money man done eat it!"

Sip Sip by Diffy
Diffy's song "Sip Sip" is surely different. "Sip sip on it" encourages you to groove while sipping on your favorite drink at the festival bar. Lyrics include "Behind the truck, having my fun ..... we chipping and we sipping...." This is going to be an interesting performance.

I wish all the competitors good luck because the competition is looking tight. It's hard to say who is my favorite and since I do not have the judging criteria, I refrain from making any predictions.

** Thank you to Virgin Islands News Online for featuring excerpts of this post in their article, "Big $$ up for Grabs @ Fierce Soca Monarch Competition".

a to z the usa: Arts and Culture in U.S. Virgin Islands

Thank you for sharing information about VI Callalloo: Poems from the Caribbean!

a to z the usa: Arts and Culture in U.S. Virgin Islands: Arts and Culture in U.S. Virgin Islands The cultural life of the U.S. Virgin Islands is filled with contrasts and connections.

Travelling on LIAT - My Experience

I am sharing my positive experience with flying with LIAT over the past few days. The customer service was on point and the flights were all on-time and problem free. I was updated at every point during the travel and literally have no complaints. Kudos on great service, LIAT!

We complain when there are issues but we hardly take the time to report the successes. Therefore, I think it is time to share more positive feedback and highlight good service. LIAT is the original Caribbean Airline and should be acknowledged for continuing to serve us. I compare this experience to my travel on Air Jamaica some years ago and the experience was similar - positive. 

If I compare this recent flight to my trip to Guyana in 2008 when Caribbean Airlines bumped me off in Trinidad and left me to sleep in the airport with no apology, then I have to praise LIAT... because I surely cursed Caribbean Airlines.

The only criticism I would give is that the service counters should ensure that they have Immigration forms for the various destinations. BVI did not have Trinidad forms and Antigua did not have BVI forms. This was especially important when we got to Trinidad because the Trinidad Immigration team could use some customer service training.

On the return leg home, there was an alarm raised in St. Maarten and we were notified and updated. We were still able to arrive in BVI on time! I will be happy to travel on LIAT again!

Some Musical Storytellers

I like to listen to all types of music. Sometimes the lyrics are garbage but the song has good rhythm and dance vibe. Sometimes, the dance vibe is enough. On the other hand, I do love a song that tells a story and keeps me enthused at the same time.

Some of the music of the 60s to the 80s told a story. Country musicians loved telling stories and a good example was Kenny Rogers in his song The Gambler. The Mighty Sparrow told lots of stories and he greatly influenced the soca and calypso we enjoy today. Jean and Dinah and Obeah Wedding are great examples of Sparrow's lyrical genius. Bob Marley was another exciting lyricist who shared so many aspect of life in his reggae albums. No Woman, No Cry and Trenchtown Rock keep us listening to hear a tale in reggae style.

Nicholas "Daddy Friday" Friday was one example of a talented musician, along with The Jam Band, who kept people in the Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean enthralled by his catchy and insightful lyrics - all sung to a rhythmic balance of rhythm box, live instruments and drums. Jam Band's discography include We From De VI, Hugo and Let Loose.

Hip Hop had its share of storytellers including Slick Rick in Children's Story, Sugar Hill Gang in Rapper's Delight, and Will Smith as Fresh Prince in Summertime. Later R&B had hits like I Wish by Carl Thomas, Boyfriend Number 2 by Pleasure P and Need You Bad by Jazmine Sullivan.

I listen to many genres but these days, I mostly listen to the old school music. The depth of the music is not the same today. I do find myself listening to more soca these days because I think the genre has grown and there's even a collaboration with Machel Montano and Ashanti in The Road. 

Soca that I am pumping in car these days include:

• Kerwin Du Bois - Right for Somebody
• Teddyson John - Vent
• Jougo (VIBE) - Rule Numba Uno
• Kelly Jr. - Love Trip
• Pressure BussPipe - Do It and Done
• Machel Montano - Epic (2014)
• Skinny Fabulous, Machel Montano and Bunji Garlin - Famalay
• Farmer Nappy - Hookin Meh

Music is entertainment, it influences, it inspires, it evolves and it helps us to keep fit. Music is truly life.

Poem: As We Are

I don't want to be consistent
But yet I want to be resistant
Not because I'm being difficult
But sometimes I don't know who to trust
I've never believed in luck
And that's how I got my guts
To stand up and stand out
I do doubt myself and my strengths
Because the world focuses so much on
Weaknesses or personal appearances
Forgetting that so much is unknown
And our little temporary thrones
Are really useless and of little interest
Thrones have no depth and
although there is temporary wealth
It can't save our souls or make our bodies
Whole if we get sick
I'll just be me
With my flaws and talents
My bravery and need to repent
My frankness and shyness
My moods and my quirks
I'll remain inconsistent
Obstinate and tolerant
Because all of us are as we are

© Linette Rabsatt