The Backline/Homemade Individual or Individualized Backline

So I read Saucy's post today and I have to say that after reading that and the comments, the 'Backline Individual' talk has gone too far. Being one of the people who was present in CBOX and initiated the 'Backline Individual' talk I think I need to lay down my opinion on this issue.

The Backline or Homemade Individual or Individualized Backline or what ever you want to call it is basically, when someone has a backline costume and add something extra which makes a noticeable but PLEASENT change in their backline costume. BIs are not meant to take over, overpower or push up themselves infront of their section, frontliners or individuals, as I said on the SPICE FB discussion board, they did not buy the right to do so. After FHOs and indis pay TT5k+ for their costumes, BIs have no right to push to be infront because its simply not your place.

I don't know about others, but I know the reason why I am adding a BackPack, is that I could have afforded Frontline, but simply I have other priorities and that 2K could and has been used in other areas, however I want to add a little extra so I am making a small shoulder backpack to satisfy my want of having a personalized costume. Maybe the reasons why people are looking to this phenomenon is simple maybe they couldn't have afforded a Frontline or maybe they just express themselves as a creative individual or they find their costume lacking. Perhaps if bands start introducing more options then this can decrease the number of persons wanted to take up the BI approach.

Two questions that keeps coming up are: How much is too much? and Should you contact your Band to inform them of Your customization?

In my opinion, I think that once the original costume is not recognizable or looks cosquelle, its too much. When customizing try to get the right colours and trims to match your costume, don't put brown feathers on a yellow costume,etc.

With respect to informing your band however, in my utmost honest opinion I don't find it necessary, simply because I am paying for it and when I paid and signed that dotted line, there was no fine print or contractual obligation that stated I cannot add extras. In my eyes its like buying a car, if you buy it and add rims, flare kit and spoiler, can they do something about it?

My Letter to Spice

Now even though I am registered and I support them in all that they do, I cannot take their lack of communication and accomodation for certain bra sizes. I have given Spice enough time to send out a message about certain things, but all Driselle Ramjohn seems to send out is about section launching at prive and updated closing times. Simple put it annoys me that up to now Spice has not sent masqueraders a proper message about registration and prices. I am routting for Spice but they've got somethings to learn.

So here is my letter to spice, I know they ain't ging to reply but I know they'll read it.

"Hello, I have been meaning to write you guys a message for a while now concerning you lack of accommodation for certain bra sizes and lack of communication. Up to now, I have YET to receive a message about registration details! I have YET to receive a message about prices! That is just unsatisfactory! After the great and timely service you gave for 2009 what happened? Please you need to buck up on that! Why is it that frontline bras go up to 36c I can understand in terms of the monokinis, but regular bras, such as Caspian Sea, Rubies of Mumbai and Rome should go up to the same size as backline bras! Also Why are persons NOT allowed to bring in their own bra to decorate!! Honestly you guys need to be more accommodating because a lot of people are upset and unimpressed with you guys as a band about this issue, because simply put it is not done. No other band I know about rejects people even bringing in their bras for you to decorate if you don't carry their size. I am telling you as it is, a lot of people are turned OFF from the band because of that. This is not a hate mail or anything, I am just a concerned masquerader routing for you guys to be the best!"

Costume Swapping has begun

carnival junction done start to light up with costume swaping...I say give it a few days for sales! lol

But I didnt know carnival jucntion become ebay since when you does sell Iphone n ting!

Spice yuh on shit!

Yes I said it!!! SPICE is on SHIT!!! You know why?! I 'll tell you why those m.c. prices are too outrageous for a new band such as themseleves to be having! YEAH you in demand and YEAH your costumes nice, but I am not and I repeat not amused nor satisfied at all!!!!! I paid $3975 this year for my FL which was great, last year their highest priced FL was $4800....so whats up with the 1200-2000 increases jed?Just remember Spice demand is a funny thing and just as quick as it rise it d same way it will fall!!!

Spice....yuh stickin

Over the past few days, my friends and I have been eagerly awaiting Spice's prices....but alas no prices...Last year the band also launches on the 19th which was a Saturday the website was up by the time I came home from the launch and prices were up by the Friday!!!!
So what happen this rounds? I've been nice but we about to go into August and registration is supposedly Monday...as in Monday the 3rd! As in the Monday after this weekend and we have yet to get a message from Spice on anything regarding registration.....so I'll say it again.... and this time not so nice....(takes a deep breath woosah mimi woosah) Spice where is the F@$%in prices...lmao

Can't Touch This!!!

A blogger asked if TRIBE can touch Spice with their designs. Can they? Let's face the facts; first, Island People stopped being a real threat to TRIBE practically 2yrs ago, after the two bands and respective followers settled themselves. Second, I think TRIBE was in need of some serious competition -competition that willl make a TRIBER even consider taking a deep into the Spice-y sea waters- after all competition is what motivates a business. Third, Spice is that competition!

I am sure most of you have heard of the design challenge issued between designers of the two popular bands, my question is who do you think will come on top?

In my most unbiased opinion, I do believe Spice and TRIBE are on a similar level with respect to quality, both bands treat their customers like gold and produce costumes of great quality in comparison to other bans, who materials look cheap, faded, used and abused.

On the road, I was stopped many times by persons asking if Spice was TRIBE...I believe that alone spoke for itself. However at the designing level, I am not quite sure they're going to be on par any more. The Designing Duo, Richard and Anthony have taken Spice to higher heights this year, judging on their costumes from the Media Launch compared to this past season I think Spice can only go in one direction... and that's up.


With all the new sparked attention Spice is getting I hope that they don't end up in a situation where they aren't ready for the influx in demand thus resulting in the same situations from other Now It bands when they were on the come up.

The Carnival 2010 Train has just started, we know you have your ticket and you're on board, but it's in which coach your in? Are you in The Spice, TRIBE,or some other band's Coach?

We'll see how it goes on July 19th and 25th

SPICE collection review!!!!

So I was aiming to reach Spice at 2pm but due to certain issues, yuh girl did not reach until 3:15pm.
Anyway, when I arrived, I was greeted by a tenet and about 10 people for the most sitting under it.So my boy CJ who was handlin the tent, told me to take a seat n wait in a while, I probably waited for 15 minutes and then was called upstairs, we I meet 5 people in the front room, seated waiting to be called for payment.

After I waited about 10 minutes there, we were called to sit and wait till a cashier clears up in order for us to cash. ( Does this musical chairs sound familiar? :::(Insert cough here)TRIBE(and here)::: Anyway, moving, now this is where the real test of patience and waiting came through. I probably sat waiting for the cashier to clear for about 30 minutes. No lie. There were 3 cashiers, one dedicated to the right side of the room, and there were another 2. The other 2 were kept up for about 30 minutes. The first cashier, apparently a couple who register in Prive, their registration info was not entered on the computer so they had to go in d filing cabinet and manually find their files. The second cashier had a couple who were collecting for like the wholeee nation!

So after my mother unleash the bad Grenadian in her, and had some words with Anya ( no foul language! my momma has class ppl!) Anyway, the cashiers cleared up, we waited for about 5 minutes and got on our way. The cashier however did not check my ID and I am worried that if that is her regular practice that ppl could be walking away with costumes.

Anywho! I got my fully printed receipt and was then ushered (by the same girl who registered me, the one who modeled Peppercorns (she nice eh!)) Anyway, got ushered where i got FHO treatment, I was asked what bra size I would like to try on, Tried on several bras, until coming to a conclusion of a 36DD which by the way is no where near my size. I was shocked to see that the straps, weren't clear but where also red!! yay!!!!

Then I was asked what size is my waist, i said 38" and was presented with a large belt, tried it on, and apparently yuh girl lost reall inches because It was over big! So much so I had to change to a medium because no matter how much you had adjust it, it was just too big!!!


Afterwards, I was shown how to put on my back(well shoulder) pack! and got my panty and extra boyshorts, which btw i heard from bunny that they are the same as Tribe's own and I believe they may be locally made, but they fit good though!

After that, I picked up my stuff and headed to the last table where I got my goodie bag and band! I even have a band for the toilet, look ting!


So on to the goodie bag!
Goodie bag contained (this is female i dunno bout males eh)

1. tampon
2. monster condom
3. another condom
4. orbit white gum
   
5. dentene ice gum (sample pack)
6. banana boat sun block spf30
   
7. banana boat aloe vera after sun gel
   
8. aids/ safe sex pamphlet
9. spice book
10. dermae natural bodycare Organic Expressions Hydrating Day creme
11. dermae natural bodycareTea Tree and E Antispectic creme
12. dermae natural bodycare Organic Expressions Facial Cleanser
    
13. dermae natural bodycare$100 Gift Certificate for Facial and consultation
    
14. Wonderworld 10% voucher
15. Spice/Monster cup ( just like the bmobile!)
16. Sunsilk De Frizz, shampoo, Conditioner
17. Advil Liqui - Gels
    

PROS:-

• Cute goodie bag

• GREAT customer service

• SPEEDY cashing ( once it doh have any issues)

CONS:-

• Only 3 cashiers
• Bras weren't appropriately sized

SOLUTIONS:-

• Perhaps they should designate a cashier especially for those who registered outside of the camp like in Prive and Wicked in White
  
• and another for those collecting for groups of more than 3.

But unlike me, who had a relatively smooth collection, Sapo, on the other hand ( one of the bloggers) had to switch from her Scotch Bonnet Frontline to Cardamom Frontline, because of how the bra fit. The cups are short and therefore everything was outside for Sapo, so she had to switch. Also Rene also didn't get her Headpiece for Sea Salt FL till today and that costume was due for collection since THURSDAY!
But all in all for a new band, they weren't too bad for first timers!


Now here is the lineup

1. Paprika
2. Brown Suger
3. Sea Salt
4. Melilot Bleu
5. Golden Basil
6. Peppercorns
7. Garden of Sage
8. Mediterranean Borage
9. Scotch Bonnet (WTF?)
10. Cardamom

So d line up Shitty! let we not even go ther, but whatever, it looks like the reall party is at the back!

So we meeting at Memorial Park
Monday - 9am
Tuesday 6:30 am

Rest stop, is at QRC grounds.

On the road survival....when you and yuh crew split up

So after seeing Saucy;s post on TRIBE's Line up I am surprised a bit but happy at the same time, it's an ok line to not make any section feel inferior so placing a less attractive costume with another is all good to me. But the question arises.... "I'm in blue tanger and my crew in Green Honey creeper, etc. What do I do? How am I gonna find them?! Huh? Huh?HUH?!!!!"

Relax my friends. The solution is simple.....

1. Have designated meeting points after crossing the 'stages' (can you hear my sarcasm with saying stages....scoff!) for example.:- You and crew have to split up to cross the stage downtown Port of Spain, aim to meet back up by KFC.
2. Always keep a cell phone in hand ( and please try to leave your blackberry home...we ain't want nobody trying to thief your phone, it is carnival and the guntas will be on the prowl sorry to bust your bubble!) so that in the event you get detached or lost ring them up...do not text because on Carnival Monday and Tuesday the servers go haywire and sometimes you don't receive text messages at the time when they were sent....lets try 3 hrs later you'll get it....
   
3. Try yuh very best not to stray from crew and band!!!!!! Very important! Especially to the newbies, don't stray because you see a man doing airbrushing tattoos and you want one, unless you know where the band going and your crew know where you going! stay your tail in the damn band! Always be accompanied by at least one person...please!

That's the end of my tips for today have a blessed day everyone...buh bye!

Oh What a Calamity!!!!

In the worlds of another blogger oh what a calamity it was today with IP and their registration dramas!
Firstly their was a not sent out saying that it was open registration today, meaning both past and new masqueraders could register! Well unfortunately change of plans it is registration for past masqueraders but new masqueraders may be able to register.
Secondly registration was due to begin at 11:00am today and after some phone calls were made and questions asked, online registration was then revealed to be scheduled for 2p,online registration has yet to start. Thirdly prices only went up 11 am this morning!! Madness again!!
And to top it all off a power cut! lol that's right T&TEC muck up the scenes and registration had to be conducted manually i.e pen and paper, with cash only.

Lol it seems as though something following IPM lol they better say some prayers

But anyway in a serious note, to those of you going to register in IPM good luck to you and I wish you all the best!

D Heat!! Ahhhhh D HEAT!!!!

So last night I was on a particular blog, chatting along, when a very controversial issue stirred up. Now, I am all for peace and serenity and I must say that bachannal amongst bloggers disturbed me a bit because I love to see bachannal free communities!

However I have realised that people have this mentality of defending one's band of choice. We all need to remember what Betty like Jane is not going to like, everyone is entitled to enjoying their own damn cup of tea! Thus the band rivalry starts and we argue and argue about 'our' bands and who is better and who is accused of doing what. And as a means to solving the problem we act immature or stupid, ignoring our friendships and showing our ugly colours. You feel them band studyin allyuh? steups. Carnival is supposed to be a time for unity, so please , let the only bachannal on blogs be from the bands itself and who designer they drop. Please and Thanks!!!!
(storms off blog)