tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53473757315224275602024-02-18T18:22:02.506-08:00Chevonese FenderEnjoy reading inspiring and exciting stories on persons and groups from across the globe. Take in the Inspirational thoughts, the cool reviews and interesting blurbs. And this is what I strongly believe: Never Give Up On Your Dreams!Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347375731522427560.post-55354357594798158862012-05-08T11:52:00.001-07:002012-05-08T13:08:15.986-07:00Not Your Average Paradisal Photography<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL73Z4F7M8zXnBH-YVBMtqqVe57NQuCv2RP4neQA8SOKWPqnsB294kyM7uWoIKj529aZA2KTLo5OebVLJmq9aaWCBCT_oiXTE0fPPYY7M0uwShnXJU4NCVPbniag3CYYZnmSwl21Qgn2k/s1600/A+six+artists.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="449" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL73Z4F7M8zXnBH-YVBMtqqVe57NQuCv2RP4neQA8SOKWPqnsB294kyM7uWoIKj529aZA2KTLo5OebVLJmq9aaWCBCT_oiXTE0fPPYY7M0uwShnXJU4NCVPbniag3CYYZnmSwl21Qgn2k/s640/A+six+artists.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
From left: Marvin Bartley, Marlon James, Alex Smailes, Abigail Hadeed, O'Neil Lawrence, Rodell Warner. Photographers featured in the new Caribbean photography book, <i>Pictures From Paradise</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Learn more about these guys and the book launch from my article published in May 6, Sunday's edition of the Jamaica Gleaner</span><br />
<a href="http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120506/arts/arts4.html"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120506/arts/arts4.html</span></a>
</div>Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347375731522427560.post-12250423553784861902012-05-04T07:36:00.000-07:002012-05-04T16:12:58.648-07:00Six Days of Trinidad and Tobago—A time well spent<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">After clearing customs, having our luggage scanned then hand
checked by security, Marvin Bartley and I exited the airport in Port of Spain,
Trinidad to be greeted by one of our lovely hosts, Richard, who along with
Mariel, offered us a place to rest our weary heads.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And, the reason for our visit? <a href="http://marvinbartley.blogspot.com/">Marvin’s</a> work has been featured in
a new book called </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">Pictures From Paradise:
A Survey of Contemporary Caribbean Photography </i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">and we were there for the
book launch. The book was made possible by a Trinidadian team: Co-edited by
Melanie Archer and <a href="http://vimeo.com/savantltd">Mariel Brown</a>, designed by <a href="http://richardmarkrawlins.blogspot.com/">Richard Mark Rawlins</a>, published by
Robert and Christopher Publishers, and has a beautiful opening essay by
Jamaican Assistant Curator to the National Gallery of Jamaica, <a href="http://oneillawrence.com/">O’Neil Lawrence</a>,
whose work is also featured.</span> </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQ-BNyX9ocTv0igcSez1IMp5o_l_bKY6IL5N9wpM4B3RJEhP3m4Kr7zlMvri617a7EQ-rFVGivVqhGDe0_1kUrEcyOBdRHdBnZOrQnhwUduBmanyqeH-RkWzeauabZlImZQUFsfM7UpI/s1600/DSC01982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQ-BNyX9ocTv0igcSez1IMp5o_l_bKY6IL5N9wpM4B3RJEhP3m4Kr7zlMvri617a7EQ-rFVGivVqhGDe0_1kUrEcyOBdRHdBnZOrQnhwUduBmanyqeH-RkWzeauabZlImZQUFsfM7UpI/s640/DSC01982.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;">At the launch of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Pictures
From Paradise</i></span><b><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></b><span style="color: #666666;">photography book, Medulla Art Gallery</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;">From left, back: Marvin Bartley,
Marlon James, O'Neil Lawrence, Alex Smailes, Mariel Brown</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: small;">From left, front: Melanie Archer,
Abigail Hadeed, Richard Mark Rawlins</span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mwPBnRKtP7p7muhupRzlFfXlFY98ngzgzXzdp2BdC2dT_wxNoAVBhKxvE3kJI4IcE35SoOQiiJ_OZCE-JIes6awrxn22GNTvtbCqFP4VC4Z6aNxe6KEVWr_s1SZJcpZHsbiiICxU4G0/s1600/DSC01925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mwPBnRKtP7p7muhupRzlFfXlFY98ngzgzXzdp2BdC2dT_wxNoAVBhKxvE3kJI4IcE35SoOQiiJ_OZCE-JIes6awrxn22GNTvtbCqFP4VC4Z6aNxe6KEVWr_s1SZJcpZHsbiiICxU4G0/s640/DSC01925.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;"><i>Pictures From Paradise </i>still sealed in their packages during the book launch</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43AFLZbiEe27FxGOB92x8UlcVkDUvEZHywsj1AGbmBSDPe2XloV5PmJ3Oh3mTS694H_3MzNF3whSJwI337-Vq6q-FP_GxBujgsRWHI9cAm8MM0T2JH-21Ws8AA3kSZ-8WP0pHZfzMyCg/s1600/OMA+signing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43AFLZbiEe27FxGOB92x8UlcVkDUvEZHywsj1AGbmBSDPe2XloV5PmJ3Oh3mTS694H_3MzNF3whSJwI337-Vq6q-FP_GxBujgsRWHI9cAm8MM0T2JH-21Ws8AA3kSZ-8WP0pHZfzMyCg/s640/OMA+signing.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;">From left: O'Neil Lawrence, Marvin Bartley, and Abigail Hadeed offer their signatures to book buyers</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #7f6000;">Get a peek at the pages here:</span> </b></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://richardmarkrawlins.blogspot.com/">http://richardmarkrawlins.blogspot.com/</a></span>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Three of the Jamaican photographers out of the six that have been
featured were decked in their sharpest for the night of the launch that was
held at the Medulla Art Gallery on Fitt Street on Thursday April 26, 2012. The
reception and support was overwhelming and Marvin (M), O’Neil Lawrence, and
Marlon James shined, modestly signing signatures and posing for photographs. We
also managed to make a few friends, chatting up with the other featured
photographers that were in attendance, namely Alex Smailes, Abigail Hadeed, and
</span><a href="http://rodellwarner.com/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Rodell Warner</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">, all of Trinidad origin or by familial affiliation.</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfuneyssKlWFScBlmTj40tIboWmDHMjdIOjVdIGHc5mSxJbNSWbrxH8DwwB7I2BW8wrm5SNKW8moL-1tVqnaUcmrnxtV6GeFB8TUL46Hl_-OLaCM1b7vdxIMBbnxswRf2ZSIBbsTC5Yw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+11.02.25+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfuneyssKlWFScBlmTj40tIboWmDHMjdIOjVdIGHc5mSxJbNSWbrxH8DwwB7I2BW8wrm5SNKW8moL-1tVqnaUcmrnxtV6GeFB8TUL46Hl_-OLaCM1b7vdxIMBbnxswRf2ZSIBbsTC5Yw/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+11.02.25+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;">Three of Jamaica's finest photographers show their mirth at the Medulla Gallery, Port of Spain<br />What's up with the gun salute guys?? </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">After the launch M and I
took advantage of the<a href="http://www.bocaslitfest.com/"><span style="color: blue;"> NGC Bocas Literary Festival</span></a>, which ran for four
days from Thursday to Sunday, and were chaperoned by Mariel, Richard, Rodell,
and <a href="http://briannamccarthy.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Brianna McCarthy</span></a>. We had the pleasure of meeting celebrated
authors like Kei Miller and Earl Lovelace.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">What we noticed about Port of
Spain, Trinidad:</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The country prides itself on huge
land space, but their roads are particularly narrow! And narrow roads spell
very skilled and polite drivers. Everyone is surprisingly courteous. So much
so, that one day as M and I took our promenade through the neighbourhood’s
skinny road, we were verbally attacked with a powerful “Good morning!” from a
woman who was quite offended we didn’t address her first. To my defence, even
today, I have no idea what she looks like, because I didn’t see her.
Nonetheless, we continued our stroll and readily greeted everyone we passed
and, naturally, they responded.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2zacqFVTJUmHwr-yfev4kaDKqQx9f_ixCQBkWBSWqh3zsK7845cuaIrCtyjnMllspk14_N1CNFhs5z3_Xs_G82egYPb0hm9iH1nf5dW_7EgqL1eZKE6YHaNzoTZLP87-NBEw77qdwNs/s1600/trini+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2zacqFVTJUmHwr-yfev4kaDKqQx9f_ixCQBkWBSWqh3zsK7845cuaIrCtyjnMllspk14_N1CNFhs5z3_Xs_G82egYPb0hm9iH1nf5dW_7EgqL1eZKE6YHaNzoTZLP87-NBEw77qdwNs/s640/trini+park.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkTJpL6S3kgmrqUBUL2TpEJ1GKZ0ojUda0SVHOWSHZUN7bYcU2ruS2zFNIaViI_EOK94H6Akl9ufeg_hrm3Kaxjc5oP1fT2uPoOsjEEANjDjoSKbG9ofyOw4HjLj7G9Hz-MEP-cmvZ6M/s1600/DSC01910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkTJpL6S3kgmrqUBUL2TpEJ1GKZ0ojUda0SVHOWSHZUN7bYcU2ruS2zFNIaViI_EOK94H6Akl9ufeg_hrm3Kaxjc5oP1fT2uPoOsjEEANjDjoSKbG9ofyOw4HjLj7G9Hz-MEP-cmvZ6M/s640/DSC01910.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I really wanted a better shot of these cute girls, but didn't want come off as creepy. So I stood my distance</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVZh7LwCBtpumaaNeskrQgql1RyMTh11n6z8Tn4mIQBVJsVdi5wWsitgR0PppwVPdFJcTdlCEjIFuy8lOidKuZDeCn3cBwzklBd8KsPbTa0knJedw9_iOI1ErRx_jfRFoG82tdcqYBhI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+10.59.19+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVZh7LwCBtpumaaNeskrQgql1RyMTh11n6z8Tn4mIQBVJsVdi5wWsitgR0PppwVPdFJcTdlCEjIFuy8lOidKuZDeCn3cBwzklBd8KsPbTa0knJedw9_iOI1ErRx_jfRFoG82tdcqYBhI/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+10.59.19+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nearly everything is cheaper when
compared to the Jamaican and US dollar. There are beautiful modern and antique
buildings and for some reason the inhabitants never turn their lights off. When
we queried this—because we could never dream of doing this in Jamaica—we were
told that the electricity bill is moderately low. Yes, so low that we can stand across the street from a department store called <b>Francis Fashion</b>,
which has four sets of continuously running escalators, and literally
feel the heavy chill of the AC that was blasting through the
almost-never-closed glass doors. The benefits of the country owning oil and
natural gas rigs.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Double Take!</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The highlight of my trip, apart
from hanging with some cool peeps, was this young and hip fashion store (which
reminded me of Forever 21) called <b>Bang Bang</b>, where I got a pair of
aqua blue skinny jeans and bangles. Then there were the delicious roadside
delights like “Doubles” and “Gyros” from friendly vendors, who take hygiene
very seriously. Finally, I enjoyed soaking in the sing-song accents and
expressions of exclamation, like “Eh Eh!” and natives ending their sentences
with “boy.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHPnuQ40_vK3aIjzyRKdVjltA6uy8lxjF9YSUJ6t0z5KT9eOlv2ZQiJk-hMX5qwVja1Iou92lOQou6AeybFv7zg0dHUsy4cSZ8o6K2j8pJQMlsaPhK0iZULBL8DlpZ4vfZJnzqysH-UE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+10.55.26+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHPnuQ40_vK3aIjzyRKdVjltA6uy8lxjF9YSUJ6t0z5KT9eOlv2ZQiJk-hMX5qwVja1Iou92lOQou6AeybFv7zg0dHUsy4cSZ8o6K2j8pJQMlsaPhK0iZULBL8DlpZ4vfZJnzqysH-UE/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+10.55.26+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;">Chicken Gyro (aka chicken wrap)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvf1jHWewMAaRFWovpf9Fk81YGhRoPpNWBjNwHzdMAJR4OmW5mJp1tmfwrO2bvlu7qRpBroc1O2xI5ZOT679yDw3fuTTaJa3BfWx76ypL07jQc1AXCoWYIgRg2Ghbd0WQGneDa7VvzWe8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+11.31.19+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvf1jHWewMAaRFWovpf9Fk81YGhRoPpNWBjNwHzdMAJR4OmW5mJp1tmfwrO2bvlu7qRpBroc1O2xI5ZOT679yDw3fuTTaJa3BfWx76ypL07jQc1AXCoWYIgRg2Ghbd0WQGneDa7VvzWe8/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+11.31.19+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;">My fave, "Doubles!"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">IMPORTANT TIP: How to
eat Doubles.</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Step 1:</b> Roll it up like
so.... Then devour it like a real Trinidadian would. Also if you have it spicy, ensure to spread the sauce around before you roll.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Step 2:</b> Roll that
paper into a tiny crumple and discard it in a bin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Step 3:</b> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">After successfully not making a mess, celebrate with your friends.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rcvKNWaWVO4M2kY6-WJNAeHd-UwpeVVb7sSLn9Ib9oSqwpoaUp_nr_uAOAGo5lfbhyphenhyphennQowVkN-iDATpVTiOqNwDSN2AfHMq-CaLs6Pn8qpCmVcDexmipoS5kP2vTdsphaJJ83LAeBl0/s1600/Doubles+eating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rcvKNWaWVO4M2kY6-WJNAeHd-UwpeVVb7sSLn9Ib9oSqwpoaUp_nr_uAOAGo5lfbhyphenhyphennQowVkN-iDATpVTiOqNwDSN2AfHMq-CaLs6Pn8qpCmVcDexmipoS5kP2vTdsphaJJ83LAeBl0/s640/Doubles+eating.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Step
4:</b> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Then wash your hands!</span><span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEPgIJ9wGjHaRDKNthypCm9p1kPkM0LjBvMjAnjRREOCSykjg902XJPBaKBZRxgPAQznfrBO4HO_UwpbyVlbSQLG69rxdnlKHgAy6w0m8ygAHGtr-YnmjpuARpJTv93hDpr94gJCnn9c/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+11.31.38+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEPgIJ9wGjHaRDKNthypCm9p1kPkM0LjBvMjAnjRREOCSykjg902XJPBaKBZRxgPAQznfrBO4HO_UwpbyVlbSQLG69rxdnlKHgAy6w0m8ygAHGtr-YnmjpuARpJTv93hDpr94gJCnn9c/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+11.31.38+AM.png" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: #666666;">Roadside sanitation at its best! A creation by a Doubles vendor on Ariapita Ave</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now that you’ve read my
experience, what was yours like? And if you have none, you should definitely
visit this lovely country. I endorse it!</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Here are some more Pictorial
Highlights. </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Cool Buildings!</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4Ls795DCERvOD4I53bmi9q4yjpGiY0ZpU7mSJLphzovcxEPJ_divSf5siQeCkBaZrvFheGu7F0xCLrbosTh-20BXJZFjoljY9l5Dol9mtOe3CRzFzYVNKbsjtNIjMXkmtyzJ-75iCZE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+10.57.29+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4Ls795DCERvOD4I53bmi9q4yjpGiY0ZpU7mSJLphzovcxEPJ_divSf5siQeCkBaZrvFheGu7F0xCLrbosTh-20BXJZFjoljY9l5Dol9mtOe3CRzFzYVNKbsjtNIjMXkmtyzJ-75iCZE/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+10.57.29+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;">The Red Building (abandoned House of Parliament building under renovation, for a while now...) </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAGsU7TiCkESxNAaIxmm2p9y9M2ixonrkbMR2Iz577pMN0jv0hieg1HlJL0W5pB8bsAJqQcU6y-PPRvZpCRU_MFARh7FYwCtm-5z_j4P4P-G5eY222dbUX-m2d4HLko_pqD3RFChFwFE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+10.58.33+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAGsU7TiCkESxNAaIxmm2p9y9M2ixonrkbMR2Iz577pMN0jv0hieg1HlJL0W5pB8bsAJqQcU6y-PPRvZpCRU_MFARh7FYwCtm-5z_j4P4P-G5eY222dbUX-m2d4HLko_pqD3RFChFwFE/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+10.58.33+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;">Looking up, up, up, into the National Library of T&T</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfm7XL4dLrgawagNHy3Oi-ud2Ej0vjrfj8YcH2bl6VLzsolB7HQq8Xy5Y2_b8jTdDLDq0CnG9QeGe_E60YB6uNXrNsBqjUezYavupPBPmSTK2MZ3mQQFrWOx4AMMjkGOZY6ZOfXxNtLY4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+11.01.49+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfm7XL4dLrgawagNHy3Oi-ud2Ej0vjrfj8YcH2bl6VLzsolB7HQq8Xy5Y2_b8jTdDLDq0CnG9QeGe_E60YB6uNXrNsBqjUezYavupPBPmSTK2MZ3mQQFrWOx4AMMjkGOZY6ZOfXxNtLY4/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+11.01.49+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;">The Medulla Art Gallery</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirq3htKjM8I8XT2rxRrdgiMtqc7dKyPkVcMPImlwDhad0lr2Hv1MWIEegxB_FioSMdOmetRlrnWQKbDNwQpKkA8h3UONMT8KLBT_AkNCOmUNiL58yGOfDtIQx68LzGTC9RJsK7HNvqeQk/s1600/Untitled-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirq3htKjM8I8XT2rxRrdgiMtqc7dKyPkVcMPImlwDhad0lr2Hv1MWIEegxB_FioSMdOmetRlrnWQKbDNwQpKkA8h3UONMT8KLBT_AkNCOmUNiL58yGOfDtIQx68LzGTC9RJsK7HNvqeQk/s640/Untitled-2.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The crazy cool friends and our fashion!</i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovDCqQpeVz1BaUcOuCFgChUsU39wJiXhFZGNhwXVOAcJSASnr6jYs-IUUYM5IiJT5GI-PF7bulfM7sCku0VgdqN8n1IWfSk8zCJARqSR4GoT90vpcympvcUouDKnKFP6HZUX34RSQL08/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-04-29+at+11.48.51+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovDCqQpeVz1BaUcOuCFgChUsU39wJiXhFZGNhwXVOAcJSASnr6jYs-IUUYM5IiJT5GI-PF7bulfM7sCku0VgdqN8n1IWfSk8zCJARqSR4GoT90vpcympvcUouDKnKFP6HZUX34RSQL08/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-04-29+at+11.48.51+PM.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;">Me and Trinidadian artist, Brianna McCarthy</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNFwN-uQ-C1UAznjHycTHZaUnQHg97TXq-vpuOvChFKgwC2bc3MIF6l2Ei-MKfSndQ6lr7AiaMirBXwp-M1sX-tHOl6DTWqwVjUUieKSPiV-T22pmH4BfNZLs5cCt90DXNbntWtkGE1E/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+4.13.58+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNFwN-uQ-C1UAznjHycTHZaUnQHg97TXq-vpuOvChFKgwC2bc3MIF6l2Ei-MKfSndQ6lr7AiaMirBXwp-M1sX-tHOl6DTWqwVjUUieKSPiV-T22pmH4BfNZLs5cCt90DXNbntWtkGE1E/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+4.13.58+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;">Casual Funk</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRgP3DSl-VbjG1z_VsTAoi4TQ_B0T3K-UgKtn1j9h_6lNwnebUOjO1bG8sUi5Vb_au0-NESk8_gRGRFtQDkbXGmEsxk6_rX6Tl1oI-yJXtyM0Cb2m2vKuaH9Fby9VvKd8nqAC-oyXBYc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+4.14.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRgP3DSl-VbjG1z_VsTAoi4TQ_B0T3K-UgKtn1j9h_6lNwnebUOjO1bG8sUi5Vb_au0-NESk8_gRGRFtQDkbXGmEsxk6_rX6Tl1oI-yJXtyM0Cb2m2vKuaH9Fby9VvKd8nqAC-oyXBYc/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+4.14.25+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;">Cosmopolitan</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYU_ya9HivYk_6Kx5uJZ0sZ2QmnUt59jNpIMV7zphZnmlWunvS363PCOV6h8mMdq7CCeHXIYIg2eFtWZUX-BgJNVnJ0aWSfUDB5Glj1Ob9DqlLnKwOfCl6VIpj-mrpCOn9T9vjxNbMhU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+12.00.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYU_ya9HivYk_6Kx5uJZ0sZ2QmnUt59jNpIMV7zphZnmlWunvS363PCOV6h8mMdq7CCeHXIYIg2eFtWZUX-BgJNVnJ0aWSfUDB5Glj1Ob9DqlLnKwOfCl6VIpj-mrpCOn9T9vjxNbMhU/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+12.00.42+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;">From left: Marvin, moi, Brianna, Rodell in the basement of the Medulla Art Gallery, Port of Spain</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEULTnOMQav47hk9WVR0eQBOB9ta2It4gdJlk8wC8CKThH-Ztf15B6PSe7XDTMWrzyUnjRoU2OOUc7ci7RK_gC2Dg6_d024iMy25MZ7xZu_ZoKpKwNC3Qd1jR-wXsCAiTxm39C8DYt0Y0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+12.02.47+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEULTnOMQav47hk9WVR0eQBOB9ta2It4gdJlk8wC8CKThH-Ztf15B6PSe7XDTMWrzyUnjRoU2OOUc7ci7RK_gC2Dg6_d024iMy25MZ7xZu_ZoKpKwNC3Qd1jR-wXsCAiTxm39C8DYt0Y0/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+12.02.47+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaHApBKB8LxE7ZSPHFiutr8Sqd7vcOSaz2CNrr-4fSvJFd1CXx5ntQPUITrapNCXn3WRD2pw4d0ujaLeVXNgkivnajx2EUoiWRUwERJtteV6D-UB1TRZPi_CenNQq5rsyS7byx29nQ3I/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+12.04.26+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaHApBKB8LxE7ZSPHFiutr8Sqd7vcOSaz2CNrr-4fSvJFd1CXx5ntQPUITrapNCXn3WRD2pw4d0ujaLeVXNgkivnajx2EUoiWRUwERJtteV6D-UB1TRZPi_CenNQq5rsyS7byx29nQ3I/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-05-03+at+12.04.26+PM.png" width="438" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;">O'Neil in the middle</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>If you're friends with me on Facebook, you can find the rest of my images there!</i></span></div>
</div>Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347375731522427560.post-36788235379072489992012-04-20T14:16:00.000-07:002012-04-20T20:51:26.800-07:00A Photographer's Fashion Sense:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Marvin Bartley's Fashion Photography, and more... </span></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"I always knew what I wanted...where my life is concerned."</span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiAxMsZuihcMMel2ZjuomMOvtd-TkG6h5lhX36FKNNBzaqmiNQ2exNk27ywk8Pz_Ve43u4Xf6gafrXcvLSzMkW62zMeRLx_PnGd55THJ2pKWTRFYUgpw-_xc7go0MWati82Fic8HLX_g/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-04-20+at+11.36.06+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiAxMsZuihcMMel2ZjuomMOvtd-TkG6h5lhX36FKNNBzaqmiNQ2exNk27ywk8Pz_Ve43u4Xf6gafrXcvLSzMkW62zMeRLx_PnGd55THJ2pKWTRFYUgpw-_xc7go0MWati82Fic8HLX_g/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-04-20+at+11.36.06+AM.png" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Marvin
Bartley steps in front of the camera gracing us with a few poses, some of which
he’s taught models to use. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Believe me, it was as easy to get the photographer to agree to this shoot as it was for him to stop himself from directing it. Some habits are just too hard to break. With his camera pre-set, the
lighting adjusted, and a few awkward moments aside, the shoot picked up pace. Two
outfits later it was finished. Like most photo shoots, we check the images to
see what we’ve got and for a someone who’s spent years looking through the
other side of the lens, most of the images were pretty impressive. The hard
part was really narrowing down.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In
keeping with the shoot I got a chance to delve into Bartley’s fashionable side.
In my previous interview with the photographer for <a href="http://arcthemagazine.com/arc/2012/04/photography-untamed-the-method-to-marvin-bartleys-technique/">ARC Magazine</a>, I focused on
his first love—fine art photography, but I’ve summoned some detail about his second
favourite, which is fashion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4PdxkLg5Arw5FWMHiQsFMZ06JQrutJEvni1BItSAjtzOLDzpYgo45WVdQsN1wAhpR67OyDBWscQ9YJcKFzLYF8WUI2YrT_LmHzTh0dR3myTmxtxjE7I8HT3Nyp5EWvgGkqxGTQYoa1c/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-04-20+at+11.36.18+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4PdxkLg5Arw5FWMHiQsFMZ06JQrutJEvni1BItSAjtzOLDzpYgo45WVdQsN1wAhpR67OyDBWscQ9YJcKFzLYF8WUI2YrT_LmHzTh0dR3myTmxtxjE7I8HT3Nyp5EWvgGkqxGTQYoa1c/s400/Screen+Shot+2012-04-20+at+11.36.18+AM.png" width="265" /></a><span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Bartley
claims he’s always been fascinated with this genre of photography. Fashion magazines
were always stacked in bundles in his dorm room at Edna Manley College, all with the
intention that one day he would have an opportunity to create images that
mirrored high-fashion and editorials campaigns. At first he would practice with
his friends, who would offer their own level of modeling, but the
determination to be great pushed him to eventually work with models, musicians,
commercial clients, and the occasional individual looking for a physical
upgrade. He started teaming with one of Jamaica’s multitalented household
names, Dexter Pottinger, who easily exposed him to a few tips to improving the
way he captured high fashion images, while referring a few styling ideas to the
photographer’s personal style. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">These
days, fashion photography is what the young Jamaican does to relax, especially
when he wants an escape from the rigid commercial world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“My goal for this year is to move my fashion
photography into a very unique expression as I found with the direction I have
in fine art,” Bartley explained, “Because those are the things that make a
difference; when no one else is doing what you do.”</span><span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So far, Bartley has proven that his technical style and approach can co-exist in all sectors of photography, where his fine art, fashion and commercial work influence each other. One example is Etana's album "Free Expressions." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">His repertoire includes shooting for magazines such as SHE Caribbean, Jamaque,
Iconography, XO Mag, German Playboy, and Ocean Style. Some of his other clients
include Musicians such as, Tifa, I-Octane, Gyptian, Alaine, Shaggy, Sean Paul,
Tarrus Riley, and Richie Spice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">However,
the ardent photographer feels his journey is only beginning. He plans on
catapulting not only his fashion and commercial work, but his fine art as well,
claiming top clients, and the not-so-high ones, who are willing to give him a
chance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
wanted my readers to get to know the 29 year-old a little better and Bartley graciously
shared with me his routine and his thoughts about this whole business of
“fashion.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSRK9zVCeuStxT91HnluihgMHK0glrtdiAI04rGWZapVIqK1S4Nuo-wKR4860Ihuh2X4_7h8pBi4T49KEr2C8Zg3jJ-x5bJEH9GLyLBbBsMF4rpP0QYyJS6Lcg06-Px5LRkYK0a2Ic88/s1600/7869451071900etana_free_epressions1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSRK9zVCeuStxT91HnluihgMHK0glrtdiAI04rGWZapVIqK1S4Nuo-wKR4860Ihuh2X4_7h8pBi4T49KEr2C8Zg3jJ-x5bJEH9GLyLBbBsMF4rpP0QYyJS6Lcg06-Px5LRkYK0a2Ic88/s320/7869451071900etana_free_epressions1.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>What’s the first thing you usually do
when you wake in the morning?</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I reach for my iPad, put it on Calvary
Chapel, and while that is playing, I generally look on the images for a project
I’m working on then check my email. I’m a gear head. While editing, I’m usually
watching something on photography and the latest gears on my second screen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">What can’t you leave the house
without?</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">My iPhone and, occasionally, my iPad</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Do you believe you have found your
calling and when did you realize that?</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Yes. Ever since I got good at it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Have you crossed paths with anyone
famous or intriguing in your career? What was that experience like?</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Even though I’ve met a few
celebrities, like Sean Paul and Shaggy, meeting Renée Cox was the most
memorable. It was a big deal to meet an artist I’ve been researching and whose
work deals with issues that I care about. She’s a very artistic person in both
her works and personality, so it was very exciting. To have her tell me, after
viewing my fine art, that I was unto something good, is definitely reassuring. Even
today she’s still encourages me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Who do you hope to meet or work with
one day? And why?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Joel-Peter Witkin. He’s the only
photographer that I can identify with in the kind of photography that matters
most to me. I would like to be in the same space with him, or even watch him
work, because, outside of reading about it, that’s the best way to understand
his creative process.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9xxqcGzKOYKVeceWm38Vjjtgahg3P33eTYy7I2yfuW6a62YyOb3juyCSwnbGHk6oYW9amRPpkY1HVYUM3bPPVvN7tJyuTJmZ_joWnATCx2EMbiy_W2ppOqfRDhFxRRFgwU4pi_VgH-U/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-04-20+at+12.50.18+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9xxqcGzKOYKVeceWm38Vjjtgahg3P33eTYy7I2yfuW6a62YyOb3juyCSwnbGHk6oYW9amRPpkY1HVYUM3bPPVvN7tJyuTJmZ_joWnATCx2EMbiy_W2ppOqfRDhFxRRFgwU4pi_VgH-U/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-04-20+at+12.50.18+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to right: Jamaican artistes Tami Chynn, Gyptian, Tifa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>How do you usually end your day? </b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">No matter how late I work, I will
still take time out to browse photo-related sites like Digital Photography
Review and DigitalRev TV.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Is there anything that has happened to
you in your life that has sobered you up, or has impacted on your life today?</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I always knew what I wanted. I’m very
patient when working towards a particular goal. It’s safe to say that I’ve
never been drunk, where my life is concerned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">What philosophy do you live by?</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Do what you
love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.”</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I heard that
at a high school graduation in 1999, and that philosophy has stuck with me
since.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">What excites you the most about
fashion photo shoots?</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I like doing shoots that involve a
team, like a make-up artist, designer, and stylist. When everyone plays a
separate role, they tend to dedicate meticulous time to it. I believe such
collaborations create beautiful outcomes. I also like the ones that are planned
way in advance and the ones that are impromptu. A model is on hand, the outfits
are materialized out of nowhere and the make-up is ready. Spontaneous moments
like these make the work exciting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>What kind of models do you prefer to
work with?</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">For the women, I like working with
tall elegant models, who are effortless in their gestures and body language. I
like the facial features to be Afro-European (think Liya Kebede). Sometimes, I
appreciate the angular facial features, a kind of strangeness that can appear
alien.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">For guys I like working with men that
are just as tall as me. I’m 6ft 5”, so at times I find it strange to shoot
someone who is below 6ft in height. However, if the model has strong facial
features and is very good, I can easily overlook that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwRXDbEY1rGFV4qptUppAe24vKzAok0p9pJDCnDuY8EjfXhQL53DzOd4BZvUBE50EZKDVuf2umEfSfUEdmsFd8oHrtbWt-DiYT6MWBRQQj6KyKrgWwYNfX_N1Kw5cvier82qEGYvoHfA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-04-20+at+1.09.33+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwRXDbEY1rGFV4qptUppAe24vKzAok0p9pJDCnDuY8EjfXhQL53DzOd4BZvUBE50EZKDVuf2umEfSfUEdmsFd8oHrtbWt-DiYT6MWBRQQj6KyKrgWwYNfX_N1Kw5cvier82qEGYvoHfA/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-04-20+at+1.09.33+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Female model wearing Chantell Walters. Male model wearing Romero Bryan for Iconography Magazine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Do you have any tips for aspiring
photographers?</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Don’t just know all the technical
things. Just do it. Don’t just buy all the equipment you can buy. Use them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">What is your fashion sense?</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Anything that’s not what you see every
day. I don’t like trends or the idea of everybody wearing or doing the same
thing. I like when people have some originality. The fact is everything has
already been done and having a fashion sense is finding out what works for you,
your body type, your personality and making the most of it. It really doesn’t
change that much once you find it. That’s when you have your “sense” and not
what everyone dictates.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">See More Images from Marvin Bartley's Portfolio:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Also, catch up with the photographer at his blog space</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: </span><a href="http://marvinbartley.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: left;">http://marvinbartley.blogspot.com/</a> to see what he's been up to lately!</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sHS49Uc9stj2Ju3Mzra59hJvu9wRUvIxhIOl8LeO5AUZFnDgD5SWS7pQhB0UC4jN8bEUZa_3uYwx7MZBwm_-OgGseJkiIBVnS8qDEtudgI7D0jZ8PmrkEPyC1bUz-42SXbM_htIHL9w/s1600/big+hair.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sHS49Uc9stj2Ju3Mzra59hJvu9wRUvIxhIOl8LeO5AUZFnDgD5SWS7pQhB0UC4jN8bEUZa_3uYwx7MZBwm_-OgGseJkiIBVnS8qDEtudgI7D0jZ8PmrkEPyC1bUz-42SXbM_htIHL9w/s640/big+hair.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMu3U8IFDQrckbyPsTr8mahEQafcEJmAsEyQ3puLB8zzF7knb0uBsFAFyS9c6MQJP0SQ3EExXJZvH9FKkeVjvqcqwF0SmOHpGps0thKSgI92AZ-W40rz2rziKLmBq1izOw3sHXOx7QStk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-04-20+at+12.55.34+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMu3U8IFDQrckbyPsTr8mahEQafcEJmAsEyQ3puLB8zzF7knb0uBsFAFyS9c6MQJP0SQ3EExXJZvH9FKkeVjvqcqwF0SmOHpGps0thKSgI92AZ-W40rz2rziKLmBq1izOw3sHXOx7QStk/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-04-20+at+12.55.34+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Model wearing Catalin Botezatu for SHE Caribbean </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMzH-OrbLXhEBsrO2qlc4K3kTfDTUK-OS0Wu4eIXw_r9AlqTWwcaPSrJNqt_3qsPLNJ1SjULDC-o1Atd0yorjIK3yQlC67SPxvozVt5T-N6E6rYaIfsP1ss-j6nHqrfhPKXxNCAez6N0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-04-20+at+1.25.03+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMzH-OrbLXhEBsrO2qlc4K3kTfDTUK-OS0Wu4eIXw_r9AlqTWwcaPSrJNqt_3qsPLNJ1SjULDC-o1Atd0yorjIK3yQlC67SPxvozVt5T-N6E6rYaIfsP1ss-j6nHqrfhPKXxNCAez6N0/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-04-20+at+1.25.03+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9oXX1bI-y5bQUwqO0RWRPphZYF2t6IyD9G7xIWJ-vcLZKllAtUHmLxw0RUYHtu8J691mlx_EJihoaUGDHSND351QAF8oJ3oiCWbt7gTZAVhbae5YovdQJiqafN0F1a-S5-EhYMVqO1g/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-04-20+at+1.16.24+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9oXX1bI-y5bQUwqO0RWRPphZYF2t6IyD9G7xIWJ-vcLZKllAtUHmLxw0RUYHtu8J691mlx_EJihoaUGDHSND351QAF8oJ3oiCWbt7gTZAVhbae5YovdQJiqafN0F1a-S5-EhYMVqO1g/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-04-20+at+1.16.24+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Model wearing Barry Moncrieffe for XO Magazine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuXcSEp99ilxi8wZvqZs4jibDhNINBsy-UXROAhvZRCs-Kmovse7pe5QNlaPxxnrFCWYvlqDQ3Ea_Qw49cgxhRX_tz0VRiPndovLjTvB9b0GegPyBm-FgI7mCvM1GUAGFzltKqFeXF0Y/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-24+at+7.09.22+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuXcSEp99ilxi8wZvqZs4jibDhNINBsy-UXROAhvZRCs-Kmovse7pe5QNlaPxxnrFCWYvlqDQ3Ea_Qw49cgxhRX_tz0VRiPndovLjTvB9b0GegPyBm-FgI7mCvM1GUAGFzltKqFeXF0Y/s640/Screen+shot+2011-02-24+at+7.09.22+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMVodH9cUe9FVid3dYwJCwWqJL8V0tSDyhYb_-tBhGnShiRlRFjYoxg56osCkvwgJZGc7fdJU67cbrzZ8SG5D9-wI-kl8mUFEZy6IP3d3vlESWkr2kjWz4Cwt1yO8pzcI8y5_TFR0qAk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-04-20+at+3.30.34+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMVodH9cUe9FVid3dYwJCwWqJL8V0tSDyhYb_-tBhGnShiRlRFjYoxg56osCkvwgJZGc7fdJU67cbrzZ8SG5D9-wI-kl8mUFEZy6IP3d3vlESWkr2kjWz4Cwt1yO8pzcI8y5_TFR0qAk/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-04-20+at+3.30.34+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image left for Jamaque Magazine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdIgss-ay_gUhsLAfCaIMhL6I30NuUimOXAjV4efxjrN-rUFxqmPzP0gGfZ1AkeB5FgZ4cF6Xj_Cl8fZO7LLSvnIO985LCCptOTayD3D_fyu46UsKvPBIRwrRZwmuSYkxCKY7ECBg3fs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-04-20+at+4.01.07+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdIgss-ay_gUhsLAfCaIMhL6I30NuUimOXAjV4efxjrN-rUFxqmPzP0gGfZ1AkeB5FgZ4cF6Xj_Cl8fZO7LLSvnIO985LCCptOTayD3D_fyu46UsKvPBIRwrRZwmuSYkxCKY7ECBg3fs/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-04-20+at+4.01.07+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Model wearing Sushma Patel for SHE Caribbean</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnWyGhv0gg5GdfKdjfnOt8QhDJCA3WzIsaVDSuR7U6yiEHkkutByihVz0I_tRdjrMqDFgCAaTzFYFJE2GBF3qJC3aNaORPtg4ODiF1OteBdfI-72dkkzTtB27-LG4aTld5b5L0Fl84Lg/s1600/melanie2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnWyGhv0gg5GdfKdjfnOt8QhDJCA3WzIsaVDSuR7U6yiEHkkutByihVz0I_tRdjrMqDFgCAaTzFYFJE2GBF3qJC3aNaORPtg4ODiF1OteBdfI-72dkkzTtB27-LG4aTld5b5L0Fl84Lg/s640/melanie2.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Editorial Page for Jamaque Magazine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
</div>Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347375731522427560.post-11194795814841986622012-03-31T11:59:00.000-07:002012-04-02T09:43:52.903-07:00Captured By A Quiet Soul<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqftnPL1C8mm0ci8cIiKNsenDw7k0Jxixc4hXT-FqorRufE3EIfslodX22WWvT5CbmIY7Yx3ISMEDkhcYWX6eF9Gn8u9vIiuEDhGEepyFE-fgdnU8XPjPlr4rjY_X-mma63LyuHjJUEfs/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqftnPL1C8mm0ci8cIiKNsenDw7k0Jxixc4hXT-FqorRufE3EIfslodX22WWvT5CbmIY7Yx3ISMEDkhcYWX6eF9Gn8u9vIiuEDhGEepyFE-fgdnU8XPjPlr4rjY_X-mma63LyuHjJUEfs/s640/image.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Images by Shameer Khan
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<i style="color: #b45f06; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal; text-align: left;">"...focus on the positive things in life"</i></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We meet outside the Starbucks on 14<sup>th</sup>
Street and introduce ourselves. He gives me a gentle hug and smiles. I smile
back. After luckily finding a free table we sit across from each other. His
eyes suddenly squint in seriousness and he stares me down. Somehow I feel like
an ant being examined by a zealous teenager with a magnifying glass. I want to
look away, but I know that I shouldn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This scoping of my face goes on for seconds, though it feels like minutes. In a subtle voice he instructs me to turn my head
slightly to the side. I do that and his thick eyebrows wrinkle. He's pensive. I’m told to turn my head to the other side, but his expression doesn’t change. I'm thinking this meeting is going so well. Maybe I'm not as striking. Finally I'm told to suck in my inner
cheeks. “Like this,” he says and assumes the perfect angular face with pouted
lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sqjPMgpdknI3-WTFzUCD9NY_Fq6aovNRaAAB8pF2VDS3352oL4hDYpNpSyHyQsxjtooOjaV7KeKE7yzzfRA2Er_lpQx7AHH4gqjUH_skOg1lADy1svN27XX4y53DpmlRMpgYaZlg2nE/s1600/257_21777771521_4292_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sqjPMgpdknI3-WTFzUCD9NY_Fq6aovNRaAAB8pF2VDS3352oL4hDYpNpSyHyQsxjtooOjaV7KeKE7yzzfRA2Er_lpQx7AHH4gqjUH_skOg1lADy1svN27XX4y53DpmlRMpgYaZlg2nE/s400/257_21777771521_4292_n.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Inwardly I’m saying to myself,<i> this
guy is crazy!</i> But he seems to know what he’s doing and trustingly, I try it. Those black brows
wrinkle, animatedly again, as he shakes his head no. Apparently I’m trying too
hard. “Like this,” he re-demonstrates. I make another attempt and this time he nods with
satisfaction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Okay good. Let’s go,” he finishes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I follow him out the Starbucks and
seconds later we enter a building that’s his friend’s studio. The temperature has dropped tremendously so
it’s too cold to shoot outside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">His name is Shameer Khan, a Trinidadian native living in New York. At the time
we met, he was on the cusp of his teenage years. For his age he is extremely knowledgeable
about the fashion industry, in particular—what model agents want. He reels out—in
a non-bragging fashion—a list of girls he got signed with agencies like Elite
and IMG. There's something about his photographs that captures the pure essence of a model, even the ones with the slightest potential. Now these agencies send him their models when they need development test shoots done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As I was instructed, I keep my puffy extensions
straightened. The weave is so well done, that it looks like I was born with that full head of hair. He presents an
H&M bag with clothes he bought from the store and I dress in an orange leotard and black leggings. This outfit is much simpler than my usual
shoots, but he reminds me that it’s about my body, not about the clothes. I already
have on a light foundation, but Shameer applies an extra layer, still enough to
look natural, and surprisingly, applies my eyeliner, lip gloss and uses the eyeliner to
contour the sides of my face. Taken by the comfort of his actions, I ask him where he learnt all
this. He explains that sometimes stylists and make-up artists are a no-show to his test shoots and so, eventually, he learned to do everything
himself. I am very impressed.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_CX-EL93oboCpF3bjptmt4TkTDd5r52UxLFAfcjzykq50i_QAydrJkReaftkn1eMn6950TYAir4ztSLLSAweTsT5ISRzWGux9zjHlvzu_z_ibRnM_eCahMJZNB_6BEArbt77IF8gkWo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-03-31+at+1.02.02+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_CX-EL93oboCpF3bjptmt4TkTDd5r52UxLFAfcjzykq50i_QAydrJkReaftkn1eMn6950TYAir4ztSLLSAweTsT5ISRzWGux9zjHlvzu_z_ibRnM_eCahMJZNB_6BEArbt77IF8gkWo/s400/Screen+Shot+2012-03-31+at+1.02.02+PM.png" style="cursor: move;" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end result of my shoot with Shameer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">He patiently directs me into the poses,
in an almost-soft-spoken voice. The movements are not sudden or dramatic. Very
simple. Just enough to highlight my length, my features and that I can, at
least, pose. I suck in my cheeks just like we practiced and he snaps away. The
easy-going Shameer is smiling and that is a sure sign that the images are good.
After a few changes the shoot is over and I’m looking forward to the
possibilities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It’s hard to count how many models
Shameer has discovered, but it’s safe to say at least twenty—males and females
combined, and that’s just being modest. One of his greatest finds is Diandra Forrest, an albinistic model, who
captivated interests by fashion agents right away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In no time the Trinidadian born photographer
realized that he was good at what he did. When others took notice, he
quickly became a respected name in the New York fashion niche, receiving special features
on models.com and publishing editorials in UMag, Hommestar—The Pop
Magazine, and Highlights Magazine, just to name a few.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>Shameer…</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">What’s the first thing you usually do
when you wake in the morning?</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">First, I thank God that I am alive,
then I reach for my phone!<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">What can’t you leave the house
without?</span></b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Can’t leave without putting on my
Chanel Homme Sport cologne that I got as a gift from one of the models I work
with, Michelene.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqLWF_w8wf2bYGH128m9aMH8BVLT5Vk9LSD0sA3HiZ_udF3Ix5I4jMtf6GseTrtTd_OAvfSdp9PtLyFTtSirSwqA-QfFdQ0w5Lb5XD6vjKhQ2r3YdE5L9YgbQcEzQb99bJq9u3aQyukA/s1600/CIMG2452b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqLWF_w8wf2bYGH128m9aMH8BVLT5Vk9LSD0sA3HiZ_udF3Ix5I4jMtf6GseTrtTd_OAvfSdp9PtLyFTtSirSwqA-QfFdQ0w5Lb5XD6vjKhQ2r3YdE5L9YgbQcEzQb99bJq9u3aQyukA/s400/CIMG2452b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left: Oscar Reyes, Iman, Shameer, Joan Smalls
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Give us an idea of your typical day?</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Wake up, brush my teeth, make coffee,
check my emails, visit my favorite blogs, then plan out my day, jump in the
shower, get ready and head to the city. Some days I may have a shoot, other
days—a meeting, or maybe just shopping or something.<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Do you believe you have found your
calling and when did you realize that?</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Yes I think I have. When I was 16
years old I got my first camera from an MTV event and I fell in love with
photography. Unfortunately I was robbed and that camera was stolen, but eventually,
my parents later got me a professional camera because they saw how much I loved
photography. I still us that camera today.
I never liked school so I didn't apply to college because I knew that this is
what I wanted to do, for sure.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Anybody famous or intriguing you’ve
met or come across in your career/life? What was that experience like?</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I’ve met Tyra Banks through a very
good friend of mine Oscar Reyes, who was her agent at Elite. She took us out
for Frozen Yogurt and then to a comedy club. It was fun. She's actually an
amazing person.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Who do you hope to meet or work with
one day? And why?</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I hope to work with Nicki Minaj lolll…
I would love to shoot her one day. We are both from Trinidad and both grew up
in the same neighborhood (Southside Jamaica Queens)<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">How do you usually end your day?</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I just grab my favorite snacks,
chocolate, and soda, jump on the couch and fall asleep watching TV.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Is there anything that has happened to
you in your life that has sobered you up, or has impacted on your life today</b></span>?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Just moving to this country at the age
of 9, and going through a lot of struggles when my family and I got here, my
parents sacrificed a lot to give me and my brother a better life.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">What philosophy do you live by?</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Take life one day at a time and focus
on the positive things in life; and forget about all the negative things.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Any closing words from your awesome
self? Like maybe your goals for 2012 and beyond? Anything!</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">My goal for this year is to travel and
see the world. I haven’t been back to my country in 13 years and I plan to go
very soon to see my family. Then I plan on going to Europe! Especially London and
Paris, because I have a lot of friends there :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Shameer's Portfolio:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FDX4tH7OxJBxQowvR_W7Ooz48b8vyjgZFokoECjNwKJZg1FfnO4oVkV969AQihO_unSPJIs-We0nKKhbAdi_6oQM4BKNr03ncFdPL7CvsmkFpQC3gsAGJrIvgma7RtnUB48gt3UHZmQ/s1600/20HL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FDX4tH7OxJBxQowvR_W7Ooz48b8vyjgZFokoECjNwKJZg1FfnO4oVkV969AQihO_unSPJIs-We0nKKhbAdi_6oQM4BKNr03ncFdPL7CvsmkFpQC3gsAGJrIvgma7RtnUB48gt3UHZmQ/s1600/20HL.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_dhUQa8mciPEVlb2PuPeXlQNJGi7BtApotkF96KYLhMN5N_tXAH3ylgNs_KNEmulOdHN7uEcFkSyfk8w9YqxCR8HLDO7k1oaRGdnbhWb1QaPJ0nAQVulvAzUbtqAPYNsx5Mna-iTN0A/s1600/3_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_dhUQa8mciPEVlb2PuPeXlQNJGi7BtApotkF96KYLhMN5N_tXAH3ylgNs_KNEmulOdHN7uEcFkSyfk8w9YqxCR8HLDO7k1oaRGdnbhWb1QaPJ0nAQVulvAzUbtqAPYNsx5Mna-iTN0A/s640/3_2.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHQaVO1K7dR3kFDDsImnX7QruMvbCUVy7_HN40cJ3Gt7Guh_kg9T401xf6IO8jzY6WehcRWhx41ToO6Ha2jWtahCcx1ud7EN-YVyl8WHQm7K4B2caKM9QlSTHxRaNnn1h802f2pZIbUk/s1600/1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHQaVO1K7dR3kFDDsImnX7QruMvbCUVy7_HN40cJ3Gt7Guh_kg9T401xf6IO8jzY6WehcRWhx41ToO6Ha2jWtahCcx1ud7EN-YVyl8WHQm7K4B2caKM9QlSTHxRaNnn1h802f2pZIbUk/s640/1a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gZFKYLkN0JF6PITmupLK9amXpw0RdQczyq1re05xpz99R7svlyk-UmOJ8kCq3voZz2L_J1KQrj5cQXaYrLJdahO7u88GrsbolyqNqCl9zdrSSmoFsYGxF75I85elFKcVymycQczlbqU/s1600/DSC00565+%5B800x600%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gZFKYLkN0JF6PITmupLK9amXpw0RdQczyq1re05xpz99R7svlyk-UmOJ8kCq3voZz2L_J1KQrj5cQXaYrLJdahO7u88GrsbolyqNqCl9zdrSSmoFsYGxF75I85elFKcVymycQczlbqU/s1600/DSC00565+%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLW5vTZac5-EYcOJn4R1SEBySzN0KVOGYU15Lhf6DOo6a9nJ3BanXqLMCnHx2WxhzEA2cKm86VoPo92PvfCl-bQSEum1Z71XL3kRRc9hWx3mf-99g8liIVW47tj5x1sQD-DZZlRNdbs8/s1600/DSC04378+%5B800x600%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLW5vTZac5-EYcOJn4R1SEBySzN0KVOGYU15Lhf6DOo6a9nJ3BanXqLMCnHx2WxhzEA2cKm86VoPo92PvfCl-bQSEum1Z71XL3kRRc9hWx3mf-99g8liIVW47tj5x1sQD-DZZlRNdbs8/s1600/DSC04378+%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHWi0eyMdeuDbtWwvItvIf8ty8nowoSRibo68rmnVLEr-3NXGU876vuBmr_hI8uUg2DFUkKhFDTSyDbQ_W6nb83CyMnddJtKjehGgAiGjzUiccfM4HJH1OCIVDK1P6eRiH8BKaWoTEm4/s1600/DSC07698+%5B800x600%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHWi0eyMdeuDbtWwvItvIf8ty8nowoSRibo68rmnVLEr-3NXGU876vuBmr_hI8uUg2DFUkKhFDTSyDbQ_W6nb83CyMnddJtKjehGgAiGjzUiccfM4HJH1OCIVDK1P6eRiH8BKaWoTEm4/s1600/DSC07698+%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7bTTU3VM0qEuYMErO9R945Two6jNc_MHVsR87aMd6GpvekXqU904MrD9TmTfmBdDPN_Z4KkmV5S9qlSMFYkr-UBrQ1wcS_CGe2vRpdE6NyToxq7ZbMs2m7ZgQWcNmFbqd_jZ0DemtlFw/s1600/DSC09125+%5B800x600%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7bTTU3VM0qEuYMErO9R945Two6jNc_MHVsR87aMd6GpvekXqU904MrD9TmTfmBdDPN_Z4KkmV5S9qlSMFYkr-UBrQ1wcS_CGe2vRpdE6NyToxq7ZbMs2m7ZgQWcNmFbqd_jZ0DemtlFw/s1600/DSC09125+%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9f4Ma0kmPvfLyxwMQnYj30riCfnTUZxWkeUOEq15dWA8Yg_CIsgdiJOINJ0VoyKvSqZQTgsKrXq9QSH8OUZ4-Bg04leyJjGDU0QlaJXL_qSdj9UE1MBGJ_51aVSJsTbhnz8UeZNUSmZY/s1600/DSC01526+%5B5x7%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9f4Ma0kmPvfLyxwMQnYj30riCfnTUZxWkeUOEq15dWA8Yg_CIsgdiJOINJ0VoyKvSqZQTgsKrXq9QSH8OUZ4-Bg04leyJjGDU0QlaJXL_qSdj9UE1MBGJ_51aVSJsTbhnz8UeZNUSmZY/s640/DSC01526+%5B5x7%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGXmyITAtYylVpzhTEQ9mjV_1TRvz5Po1izWwItCqVchjluDXsxtdI-qeAj7W38DuyqrtqL2ypxHpewknSnNr6U6mm_kEm5AjFptbf2pcsMraf3u_7xKtgxXoQ5Eb2jXlMra2aPBxJfM/s1600/DSC06791+%5B5x7%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGXmyITAtYylVpzhTEQ9mjV_1TRvz5Po1izWwItCqVchjluDXsxtdI-qeAj7W38DuyqrtqL2ypxHpewknSnNr6U6mm_kEm5AjFptbf2pcsMraf3u_7xKtgxXoQ5Eb2jXlMra2aPBxJfM/s1600/DSC06791+%5B5x7%5D.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0YTWNECGmNzBR6T3jTsJUORd79CNe568H2X2YuTpL60f_-1O5Z1unoKU7uPERYrDGbijEI73WBSBKtX52gBvnyFx7m1Uwtk_TjEp_T7ZHPwRWLXhNPn49CMV1AlyZvRB0GfP22NV9Do/s1600/o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0YTWNECGmNzBR6T3jTsJUORd79CNe568H2X2YuTpL60f_-1O5Z1unoKU7uPERYrDGbijEI73WBSBKtX52gBvnyFx7m1Uwtk_TjEp_T7ZHPwRWLXhNPn49CMV1AlyZvRB0GfP22NV9Do/s1600/o.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1uBddjlhYBrgy7pw-oA3pOCiGT0hesObn82QmVmojjR_q0cb60yAaa8xRGZxx6XAa7gF-hjUYuxn0rkZytMWG9XpfJ3VbqXemUwMhiclE36piPAu9SQ66EWfL3ZypcVGrh3xCmG1arg/s1600/swagcut1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1uBddjlhYBrgy7pw-oA3pOCiGT0hesObn82QmVmojjR_q0cb60yAaa8xRGZxx6XAa7gF-hjUYuxn0rkZytMWG9XpfJ3VbqXemUwMhiclE36piPAu9SQ66EWfL3ZypcVGrh3xCmG1arg/s640/swagcut1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">See more of Shameer's work @ </span><a href="http://shameerkhan.blogspot.com/">http://shameerkhan.blogspot.com/</a></b></span></div>
</div>
</div>Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347375731522427560.post-66447848556570048922012-03-20T12:47:00.000-07:002012-03-22T17:13:48.781-07:00'Wal Wal' Keeps It Going in South Africa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #bf9000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>“…My
dreams keep me going!”</b></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84hTbkkqKBxBgfbXgogrKCo6_hdM7VKXqXEZI0Xi7jYRiIeeqYsR-TECNvgrkXidEYbETah56AMAedmtEovClTeHRB-Nip3YsvqwtVVu6Ar6-sgV9IPsi0k742_FJxtOcIEarnYFce6A/s1600/418404_626302413143_36200529_32568387_371524484_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84hTbkkqKBxBgfbXgogrKCo6_hdM7VKXqXEZI0Xi7jYRiIeeqYsR-TECNvgrkXidEYbETah56AMAedmtEovClTeHRB-Nip3YsvqwtVVu6Ar6-sgV9IPsi0k742_FJxtOcIEarnYFce6A/s640/418404_626302413143_36200529_32568387_371524484_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sometimes we are born in threes. Valentine
“Wal Wal” Gaudin—pronounced, Valonteen Godah—knows all about this, since she
was kicked out of her mother’s womb by her two brothers. In essence, she is the oldest of the triplets. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The twenty-nine year old grew up
in a small village on the west coast of France, called <b>La Roche-sur-Yon</b>, and as a child enjoyed playing with her brothers,
bike riding, and basketball. She decided
at an early age that the nickname “Val” would sound much cooler as “Wal”, and as result is affectionately referred to as such. Or “Wal Wal”, if you prefer. Now
light years away from those childhood days, Valentine is a proud Brand Manager
at the TRACE network in South Africa. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmtXMihyphenhyphenphr9qCHU3bl6RQdIkZyncTbs5jtbfEzoql5lFbNTZdNUIp4ooRbX4Pw4ATAXAtv52zNHpYRChB9bqoKgf_U1Y4XyKTP3r-jadNN529QQPXHqsTmOtWEW7hzwMUlO8klxt-Bo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-03-20+at+12.31.28+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmtXMihyphenhyphenphr9qCHU3bl6RQdIkZyncTbs5jtbfEzoql5lFbNTZdNUIp4ooRbX4Pw4ATAXAtv52zNHpYRChB9bqoKgf_U1Y4XyKTP3r-jadNN529QQPXHqsTmOtWEW7hzwMUlO8klxt-Bo/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-03-20+at+12.31.28+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her journey from France to South
Africa was no coincidence. Since
teaching English in France proved highly unlikely, Valentine decided that
taking a semester abroad to teach in South Africa would grant her that
opportunity. She fell in love with the
country and the following year went back and enrolled in Rhodes University. In 2005, unbeknownst to her journey, we met. She was a French Teaching Assistant
at Albion College and I was in my final year. Val's vivacious and affable
personality took me by surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You see, while I learned French
in high school, a part of that study included learning about the country’s
history. Much attention was given to the Anglo-French with accents so heavy,
that even when they spoke English it still sounded like French; and the
country’s racial and social divide, where blacks, non-whites, and immigrants
faced grave discrimination. However,
meeting this spirited French girl softened that image. I could easily understand her not-so-heavy accent. She showed appreciation
to and knowledge of my Jamaican culture and music, and effortlessly integrated with blacks and the international students.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">After her year at Albion, she
returned to France and acquired her Master’s Degree in Marketing and Communications
then packed her bags and left for her second home—South Africa. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKtY3eF7O3ywAzrvkV4iVxcsRr9HQRF3cdljq-8XzzwqJ_mkwKkl3vyLeaNcnJVGjjgDqUi6foolnm7XIYxdsVuvjD-dM72PWyNiC3WGHTypdo2jQXbrdCUIRn96KQ_qmootNIdnXtmE/s1600/385853_603603556833_36200529_32481849_208816696_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKtY3eF7O3ywAzrvkV4iVxcsRr9HQRF3cdljq-8XzzwqJ_mkwKkl3vyLeaNcnJVGjjgDqUi6foolnm7XIYxdsVuvjD-dM72PWyNiC3WGHTypdo2jQXbrdCUIRn96KQ_qmootNIdnXtmE/s400/385853_603603556833_36200529_32481849_208816696_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">These days Valentine remains
driven by the excitement of life—one that offers her the perfect rhythm and
beat. So there is no surprise that she now resides in one of the most culturally
vibrating countries in the world, working in one of the coolest jobs. Granted
it’s hard work, but why should one complain when he or she gets to work with and meet
celebrities from all over the world? As Brand Manager to TRACE, South Africa,
Valentine is proud to share that the network is launching their Sports Channel this
coming April.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">And what exactly is she
doing when she isn’t Tracing? Val has established a jewellery brand derived
from her self-given nickname, called <b>WAL Earrings</b>. The idea came to mind after
persons continuously inquired where she had purchased a pair of earrings she
had made. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I thought it would be great to
start making a bit of money while doing something creative that I love,” she
explains. While this may be her hobby,
Valentine envisions her brand will burgeon to the extent of marketing and
selling to retailers and eventually hire a production team. “Who knows?! My
dreams keep me going!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>So Wal Wal, tell my readers a bit
more about you…</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #bf9000;">In your list of accomplishments, what has been
the most memorable or meaningful? </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
don’t have a specific one, but I’m proud of the hard work I’ve put in to be where I am today. I mean, who would have thought that
a French girl, like me, from a small village would be the brand manager of one of
the most famous music video channels in South Africa (TRACE)? Hard work pays
off! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<b><span style="color: #bf9000;">What’s the first thing you usually do
when you wake in the morning?</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Shower!
I really need that to wake me up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #bf9000;">What can’t you leave the house without?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">My
phone!! I feel lost without it. I have a Blackberry, so I can check my e-mails,
twitter, etc. With my position I need to be connected all the times.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #bf9000;">Give us an idea of your typical day?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Well,
it really depends on what is going on during that week. Usually I have
meetings and press conferences, and I ensure to make time every day to work
out. I usually go to Bikram Yoga from Monday to Wednesday and go to the normal
gym the rest of the week to run. I’m currently training at night for a 10km run
downtown Johannesburg, organised by Nike. So I need to get
ready! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tc8Autjqf5LrcVB6xHmBKYhl2qPw2WymFNvQ905ocmaHFZ86jBL39F7vPCoUQAfXyZ-8MiqUhtVcRMOlt-2lMLykS7G3QbmELdWRlXF9MVrcVuuvjSR3rulV51C8HDccIar86RXpRms/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-03-19+at+9.22.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tc8Autjqf5LrcVB6xHmBKYhl2qPw2WymFNvQ905ocmaHFZ86jBL39F7vPCoUQAfXyZ-8MiqUhtVcRMOlt-2lMLykS7G3QbmELdWRlXF9MVrcVuuvjSR3rulV51C8HDccIar86RXpRms/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-03-19+at+9.22.06+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Earrings from WAL's <b>Afro Hearts</b> Collection </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #bf9000;">Do you believe you have found your calling? And when did you come to that realization?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
can’t say that I’ve found my calling, but I enjoy what I do. I'm also trying
to work on my own projects - such as the WAL Jewellery. That's definitively something
I really enjoy doing. I will try to put more work into that project in the next
few months, but for now I have to pay my bills. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #bf9000;">Anyone famous or intriguing you’ve met
or come across in your career and life? What was that experience like?</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Being
in the entertainment industry I’ve come across quite a few celebrities such as retired French Footballers, Zinedine Zidane and Christian Karembeu, Trey Songz, Slum Village, Ryan Phillippe, and Sean Paul. You don’t really get to speak to them because of their 'status' but
it’s always great to pose for a photo with them ^_^<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSRhcAEgdsunAFRSk8f9kHebAkvjuL3w0saE1BvPVcvfeMUi4SfGUhB33Ot4FZL1c9FZnaU8Ly3BsAK8ZQ3FAhE19fqrceBR6R1yISKi9aoWK0VfQpIRyxYPrOr1N1o9g1m1FT3dqMTs/s1600/Val+and+Christian+Karembeu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSRhcAEgdsunAFRSk8f9kHebAkvjuL3w0saE1BvPVcvfeMUi4SfGUhB33Ot4FZL1c9FZnaU8Ly3BsAK8ZQ3FAhE19fqrceBR6R1yISKi9aoWK0VfQpIRyxYPrOr1N1o9g1m1FT3dqMTs/s640/Val+and+Christian+Karembeu.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Val poses with French ex-footballer Christian Karembeu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdefKF2H_Sn4ew3zyCe03dgCiyvCWsjcAGMH8BDwNKiTfC-xfwTq1XtouzCE75GViT-FziDL2Xx-30gfj5B_rknwJ_4-qEor8s0JzsT4RxC4d6PTXtsaXX81-NtI_BL0AdK78g7uEy_2o/s1600/Val+and+Ryan+Phillipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdefKF2H_Sn4ew3zyCe03dgCiyvCWsjcAGMH8BDwNKiTfC-xfwTq1XtouzCE75GViT-FziDL2Xx-30gfj5B_rknwJ_4-qEor8s0JzsT4RxC4d6PTXtsaXX81-NtI_BL0AdK78g7uEy_2o/s640/Val+and+Ryan+Phillipe.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Val parties with Hollywood actor, Ryan Phillippe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC7g6xZ_m9seUoEGVpd0UU7l3bIyE3lGadiOw7T9bvtW9EGvdsfULBkbaUnnAn9qRgys_ktDbtX0O9u_REFym26ResBvvGNmKDFy6IjT-bzkEbsfKYvjEJguqvEJprEPBoNz5fDppXIb4/s1600/val+and+sean+paul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC7g6xZ_m9seUoEGVpd0UU7l3bIyE3lGadiOw7T9bvtW9EGvdsfULBkbaUnnAn9qRgys_ktDbtX0O9u_REFym26ResBvvGNmKDFy6IjT-bzkEbsfKYvjEJguqvEJprEPBoNz5fDppXIb4/s640/val+and+sean+paul.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She steals a photo op. with Dancehall artiste, Sean Paul</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #bf9000;">Who do you hope to meet or work with one day? And why?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This
is a tough one. I know my answer is going to sound very typical but I would
really like to meet Beyoncé and her baby, Ivy. The singer is extremely talented, keeps
her private life out of the gossip newspapers, a fierce business women, and
she's got curves like me!!! lol<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<b><span style="color: #bf9000;">How do you usually end your day?</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
usually end my day by working out. I need it to chase all the stress away.
Then I usually watch TV to unwind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<b><span style="color: #bf9000;">Is there anything that has happened to
you in your life that has sobered you up, or has impacted on your life today?</span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Meeting
my boyfriend Jimmy. He is an artist and follows his passion, which is music. He
taught me to follow my dreams, find what I enjoy doing, and give it a try.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #bf9000;">What philosophy do you live by?</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As
my dad would say: "There're no problems, only solutions". I love it! I
also strongly believe that when you think positively, positive things will
happen to you.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>Any closing words from your awesome
self? Like maybe your goals for 2012 and beyond</b>? </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Love u Chevy ;-)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b style="line-height: 18px;">See samples of Valentine's Jewellery Designs below:</b> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bMxBx5YqsZ2hn9O-aS_8l_u0etObShCjPKWwkgmfufrfXMiDQCgygBCzvazqgT5vGQb_vz21KLV_gQBiWaQF5uOW4N7FZsDm74h9TJPZBczJxoP21lT2UN7xv80LoLyDe4m9UHN83uY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-03-20+at+1.02.41+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bMxBx5YqsZ2hn9O-aS_8l_u0etObShCjPKWwkgmfufrfXMiDQCgygBCzvazqgT5vGQb_vz21KLV_gQBiWaQF5uOW4N7FZsDm74h9TJPZBczJxoP21lT2UN7xv80LoLyDe4m9UHN83uY/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-03-20+at+1.02.41+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Afro Hearts</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZd-P7FcyYOxc-X50SLlYrKau32Q0SiVu6l922cZ7TzQAq91LQ4iytREeqJ9v328C7MMZYsOeVaUlkxMHIt3rkWa9LdX1-f27RWN93IrdAR3hE9vHHmvYetk9AqppGWhf_96xwQtec784/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-03-20+at+12.19.56+AM.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZd-P7FcyYOxc-X50SLlYrKau32Q0SiVu6l922cZ7TzQAq91LQ4iytREeqJ9v328C7MMZYsOeVaUlkxMHIt3rkWa9LdX1-f27RWN93IrdAR3hE9vHHmvYetk9AqppGWhf_96xwQtec784/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-03-20+at+12.19.56+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaf0yig8Y0zbPeMK3sZS3rEmrEJjzl6yvjD1UYbPfhPbRGppOWLLjqiihg5vl6vuefuwvdO_xAL2WZTHGMndZhHmP0S1bz8J8NMlooNwlVjleGh58iHEDxeq_0zxEZpHNz6wy7fo5_EkA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-03-20+at+12.34.38+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaf0yig8Y0zbPeMK3sZS3rEmrEJjzl6yvjD1UYbPfhPbRGppOWLLjqiihg5vl6vuefuwvdO_xAL2WZTHGMndZhHmP0S1bz8J8NMlooNwlVjleGh58iHEDxeq_0zxEZpHNz6wy7fo5_EkA/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-03-20+at+12.34.38+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip64kXdyVqc_zwWDTEMDVMDRp91LiZrppgRhRTRTTB20Fbn0-oiE7tDPlOjQtohER0srDAJ13wuf8GOTq3vwk2vaoxLNaT59UAIXb2stGpW43FlJtm7ugza0KE6Um9LUo9d6TsE0oTwQY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-03-20+at+12.53.30+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip64kXdyVqc_zwWDTEMDVMDRp91LiZrppgRhRTRTTB20Fbn0-oiE7tDPlOjQtohER0srDAJ13wuf8GOTq3vwk2vaoxLNaT59UAIXb2stGpW43FlJtm7ugza0KE6Um9LUo9d6TsE0oTwQY/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-03-20+at+12.53.30+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The above three photos are of <b>WAL Earrings</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">See more of her collections at the links below:</span></b><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.622031996093.2078017.36200529&type=3">http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.622031996093.2078017.36200529&type=3</a> <b><br /></b><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.602481530383.2075136.36200529&type=3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/media/<wbr></wbr>set/?set=a.602481530383.<wbr></wbr>2075136.36200529&type=3</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347375731522427560.post-35425127811238297022012-02-29T12:52:00.000-08:002012-04-22T22:37:33.811-07:00How Cheap and Clean do you get??<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Young
Jamaican fine artist, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003369231558">Ebony G. Patterson</a></b>, seems to be the one most
sought after by galleries these days. After winning the Rex Nettleford
Fellowship for Cultural Studies awarded by the Rhodes Trust last year,
Patterson promised something grand and worthwhile. It was no surprise that
she continued with her exploration of gender, masculinity in particular, and
fashion in Dancehall culture. Her new venture is titled, <b>Cheap and
Clean: Interrogating Masculinities Project.</b></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4seNVKDM0V87VghySjvojZxRGIDUeHrquDqCjRwMCa9uBx7Ult2Fw3NI9HIG2Yuhj_Jw3sEN7-8zveN6TfPXF3QDDG6F9knpTgD9P_LYmxLGAG5dZBZWhdBaQPZkhMi_5HjQTd9VIaQY/s1600/Bonnie+and+sit+down.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4seNVKDM0V87VghySjvojZxRGIDUeHrquDqCjRwMCa9uBx7Ult2Fw3NI9HIG2Yuhj_Jw3sEN7-8zveN6TfPXF3QDDG6F9knpTgD9P_LYmxLGAG5dZBZWhdBaQPZkhMi_5HjQTd9VIaQY/s400/Bonnie+and+sit+down.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Ebony has a chat with some of the fourteen participants in her </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cheap and Clean Project at Arnette Gardens, Kingston.</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The project includes fourteen young men from the inner city, made
possible with the assistance of the Multi-Care Foundation of Jamaica, a
non-profit organization working with youth from the inner-city in the Arts and
Sports</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">. Over the past few weeks Patterson has been working closely
with all fourteen boys, learning first hand, from their perspective, how they
identify the cultural roles of men in Jamaican society and themselves as males
from the inner-city. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Each child is asked by the artist to design outfits
befitting their unique tastes, which they will embellish and later wear for the
live projection and documentation of the actual Cheap and Clean project
schedule to take place on Saturday, March 10 in Downtown Kingston, Jamaica. The
project can be viewed via the web on Facebook through participating
pages—Patterson’s </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003369231558">artist fan page </a><b>(Ebony G. Patterson)</b>, <b>Alice Yard</b> in Trinidad, <b>Fresh Milk</b> in Barbados, <b>Bermuda National Gallery</b> in Bermuda, the <b>Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft</b> in the USA, and <b>Pop Studios</b> in Bahamas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">On March
10 viewers will watch, in real time, a live performance with the fourteen
participants. They will be placed in a constructed photo studio designed
to reflect a Georgian dollhouse. The young men in their uniquely enhanced
outfits will pose for their photographs, which will be taken by noted Jamaican
fine art and fashion photographer </span><a href="http://marvinbartley.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;">Marvin
Bartley</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">So what
is this 'Cheap and Clean' concept? Well, I could easily say that it's a
cultural habit fostered by Jamaicans, usually from the lower economic strata,
who pride themselves in donning the sharpest and most expensive looking
attires, without the lofty price tag. In other words: wearing “knock-off
brands” that look the part, adding to the bling and flashy lifestyle. But let’s
not judge too quickly, especially for those of us who love shopping in places
like China town for our glossy looking “no-name” bags, paying a little extra to
get high-end designer labels like Gucci, Prada, or Valentino on them. So
instead of forking out $1000 USD or more, you pay $30 to $40 bucks. Pretty much
the same thing, right? That’s keeping it cheap and clean, or rather inexpensive
but still feeling and looking like a million dollars. However, Patterson
sums it nicely by calling it “being trendy on a budget.”</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwST6YY1wDyCCnYgzndZ9jhx1WVXBtCMsGSG4YnLFLxseAIpf7aOTWyWEuPQFtC3N0K3CW-qS7ywU5LShfuuu_lrYJ8w1oSW5knU_mzO842dHwbhSvCJVOqmoEJSqHFQcneI5Vw99NgbE/s1600/Bonnie+explains+to+student.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwST6YY1wDyCCnYgzndZ9jhx1WVXBtCMsGSG4YnLFLxseAIpf7aOTWyWEuPQFtC3N0K3CW-qS7ywU5LShfuuu_lrYJ8w1oSW5knU_mzO842dHwbhSvCJVOqmoEJSqHFQcneI5Vw99NgbE/s640/Bonnie+explains+to+student.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ebony provokes one of her participants further to gather reasoning behind his design</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XJUXRbvFpLFAAvPbORWIysWEew64qblXUmyyTZ46AKrEA85TbxhNpUWvTktDgul71g2qdqHRezxiaR5CpCpnjo9vflN9Wp6PyrO0zcJRIVMezFYe4I_sTzbeWAzNAgABGoT-vChA1LY/s1600/bright+colour+designs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XJUXRbvFpLFAAvPbORWIysWEew64qblXUmyyTZ46AKrEA85TbxhNpUWvTktDgul71g2qdqHRezxiaR5CpCpnjo9vflN9Wp6PyrO0zcJRIVMezFYe4I_sTzbeWAzNAgABGoT-vChA1LY/s640/bright+colour+designs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, your eyes aren't fooling you. Ebony adds the finishing touches to this colourful design by one of the participants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">Out of curiosity I badgered the busy artists with a few important
questions to further explain her experience with planning the project.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #b45f06; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">What will you find yourself doing up until the
launch of the project?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Well, up
until March 10 I will be meeting with the 14 young men involved in the project,
embellishing a massive dollhouse, discussing designs with the tailor, Chris
Pablo, and telling everyone to friend the Facebook page to see the project.
Also, I’ll be talking to (the web savvy) Ryan Lincoln about the technical stuff
with the project and waiting on the edge of my seat hoping it all falls into
place.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #b45f06; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">How has the experience been so far,
working with the boys and the young men?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I work with young people all the time and have always loved it;
plus I already have a relationship with the Multi Care Foundation, a
not-for-profit organization that sets up Art and Sports programmes in the inner
city communities and schools. I’m extremely grateful for them allowing fourteen
of their young men to participate in my project. This is the first time I’m
working with only boys and young men, though, and it has proven to be quite
revealing. I’ve learned that some of them have had to grow up pretty fast
because of their community upbringing.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #b45f06; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">What do you hope people will take away from
your Cheap and Clean project?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I hope the project will call people to question the performative
nature of gender. We are all playing roles—masculine and feminine—and in the
context of the Jamaican culture these roles are played amid major
contradictions. I’m hoping that by using young men and boys it will indicate a
particular place and stage where we begin to formulate these roles, and
question how this affects our larger understanding of gender dynamics.
Hopefully, people will question, again, whether or not these so-called roles
even matter today.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #b45f06; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">After this outlandish and impressive project,
what on earth will you do to top this?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oh dear!
I’m excited by this project, but it does not end on March 10<sup>th</sup>. The
core happens then, but there is a street video series that goes in conjunction
with it. I had a young man, Dushaine Loraine, conduct a series of interviews
with men in his community about their ideas on masculinity. These videos are
quite raw and revealing! These clips will be compiled in a web archive with the
documentation from the rest of the project, including essays from O'Neil
Lawrence, Curator for the National Gallery of Jamaica, and Nicholas Laughlin, a
writer from Trinidad. After all of that, I’ve been invited to do a solo
project, which will be in Martinique in May this year. I’ll be building 73
coffins in response to the Tivoli incursion that occurred in Jamaica in 2010.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">See below, related images
from Patterson's on-going <b>Out and Bad</b> exhibition which
opened in January this</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> year in the Bermuda National Gallery an runs until May 2012.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIpsnRRoKLtqkEviQVN7W8tIxTshwK28qpE8A-UqfCIheMiXZt6BMQeW2wY02xeEPyk2HpMcm8KAu6W28ukNysvn8SgI4mz29yiB50TUBSWPlEFlzZqgrh7Ss7L8-znRvCjO1wluuddc/s1600/cheap+and+clean+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIpsnRRoKLtqkEviQVN7W8tIxTshwK28qpE8A-UqfCIheMiXZt6BMQeW2wY02xeEPyk2HpMcm8KAu6W28ukNysvn8SgI4mz29yiB50TUBSWPlEFlzZqgrh7Ss7L8-znRvCjO1wluuddc/s640/cheap+and+clean+2.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Embellished life-size mannequins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoj4Kbkk1FHXdAb7ujDoDdwHb5RdU6KOXMW-t2gbpugBIzI5UdQgaXMCQz-VHnnh2HBAaXgv-L6a008ukDjbPpDBrdTuhL01QMoxw28rgJ542rxMkBGv8c5MqKWzZBlGWahEUSzC8SQ0/s1600/cheap+and+clean+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimoj4Kbkk1FHXdAb7ujDoDdwHb5RdU6KOXMW-t2gbpugBIzI5UdQgaXMCQz-VHnnh2HBAaXgv-L6a008ukDjbPpDBrdTuhL01QMoxw28rgJ542rxMkBGv8c5MqKWzZBlGWahEUSzC8SQ0/s640/cheap+and+clean+3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLp-L0DhenAqDDnIMxMpH6gI99Ijh2umNTVd7b2K4tDkCuiz6yjcIc1ixC-OeyOYajiZrbmBhxFdWrZcF1vdxRE49cyudl7DVMQ02fL01Ugi0ZIh6TfyabD05njJMjwAWDvVzLnylzPxs/s1600/tapestry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLp-L0DhenAqDDnIMxMpH6gI99Ijh2umNTVd7b2K4tDkCuiz6yjcIc1ixC-OeyOYajiZrbmBhxFdWrZcF1vdxRE49cyudl7DVMQ02fL01Ugi0ZIh6TfyabD05njJMjwAWDvVzLnylzPxs/s640/tapestry.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Out and Bad" tapestry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">And to
think that, at the end of her final response, Patterson has the nerve to modestly say,
“that's all” to the various projects she has planned. This forward-thinker
clearly does not understand the meaning of “too much,” as she continues to turn
heads and wow the art community and those surrounding it with her prolific ideas
and execution. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Be sure
to meet the artist herself, <b>tonight at 8pm Jamaican (eastern) time</b>,
where she will be delving into her ‘Cheap and Clean’ project. To gain
access, simply like her fan page—<b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003369231558"><span style="color: blue;">Ebony G. Patterson</span></a></b>, then click on the U-Stream
link located on the left bottom of the menu. Oh, and please support Ebony and
spread the word.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-CARRIBEAN" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Also,
don’t forget to tune back in on the artist's page on <b>Saturday, March 10</b> for the
highly anticipated live viewing of <b>Cheap and Clean</b>, also through
U-Stream at <b>3PM Jamaican/Eastern time</b>!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /></div>Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347375731522427560.post-74993449992961683632012-02-19T15:18:00.000-08:002012-03-01T10:08:58.112-08:00The Memorial Visit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Almost eleven years ago stood two colossal glass coated
structures. Now, in its place are two deep cavities in the form of a water
fountain or pool. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I came across the 9/11 Memorial site by accident, on my way to
Washington Street to research a location for one of my novels. When I realized
my proximity to the location I decided that it wouldn't hurt to check it
out. Apparently a pass is needed to enter the site, which you acquire from
their website. However, in the wake of Presidents Day, the passes were
readily available on spot.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfi1U3bOp6onrqsNzHI6WtFsVnw_pAeC5amhcfJbx41tH9-QVX_iyMcWrZjvrq8ofA-WPhWqnmPiDZ15AKTgKkjbFwXleB6_W7YxWOF1A176c0f7lAUF-_DFF8DVopuDkHcdNSWrvJAk/s1600/DSC01527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfi1U3bOp6onrqsNzHI6WtFsVnw_pAeC5amhcfJbx41tH9-QVX_iyMcWrZjvrq8ofA-WPhWqnmPiDZ15AKTgKkjbFwXleB6_W7YxWOF1A176c0f7lAUF-_DFF8DVopuDkHcdNSWrvJAk/s200/DSC01527.JPG" width="115" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirH97DQPcN1cHI_mSaUvzuP3_czSrC_xWMr8XHDLQvV2tJwUL-CiOLzAmaURnCRwgF3lOrlAOiMiGTf4LdchfTyWrEHAQ0toCcLMO4g0oR2c3W8F56btN3HDz4Lheqqc5Sts-OoJAEG4k/s1600/DSC01524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirH97DQPcN1cHI_mSaUvzuP3_czSrC_xWMr8XHDLQvV2tJwUL-CiOLzAmaURnCRwgF3lOrlAOiMiGTf4LdchfTyWrEHAQ0toCcLMO4g0oR2c3W8F56btN3HDz4Lheqqc5Sts-OoJAEG4k/s400/DSC01524.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Strangely,
I learnt about the twin towers the day they were destroyed. It was merely
two months into my first year at Albion College in Michigan, when a girl from
our dorm burst into my room, exclaiming, "Oh my God, they just hit the
towers!" My roommate, who has lived in America for quite some time,
responded with knowing shock, while I, on the other hand, was just bewildered.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This
wasn’t the welcome to America I anticipated. What I saw on the news channel felt like a movie.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> In fact I was convinced that it
was, until the channel changed and I saw the same thing. And the same thing
again and again, which was a lofty pointed glass building with one of its sides b</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">urning—soot</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, rubble, and unidentified objects falling from it in the
process. It appeared the other—its twin, still untouched, watched
helplessly as the mirror image of itself burnt and slowly crumbled. For weeks a heavy and foreboding sadness mixed
with anger and confusion settle over the college.<u1:p></u1:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_XZoti3ygLoIL5Szmk_IbyM2v0pJ9V5fOxXbwfGadmeK0rp8ud9VFA3xQWjRVc0AzAjmHeLVH6jBhc-tYv6BGJSWNZ-N66XotmQXgxtErh9kT61rbEMl1RysOfAEuOKX20KrwmurgL8/s1600/DSC01533.JPG--.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_XZoti3ygLoIL5Szmk_IbyM2v0pJ9V5fOxXbwfGadmeK0rp8ud9VFA3xQWjRVc0AzAjmHeLVH6jBhc-tYv6BGJSWNZ-N66XotmQXgxtErh9kT61rbEMl1RysOfAEuOKX20KrwmurgL8/s640/DSC01533.JPG--.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wnOUx3OW3zPiBJrTzKD1dPSgYDePaQwTd7XrnIUsKXr_Bwmnv5cietN91Ss1vB9IMf8s3ew4-vB7c6J_wKg2nduMb9dd-bd_SXI4SIO2WIdWlM0VmLyWdbza17x-t6TiobnutaZ_3e0/s1600/DSC01536.JPG--.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wnOUx3OW3zPiBJrTzKD1dPSgYDePaQwTd7XrnIUsKXr_Bwmnv5cietN91Ss1vB9IMf8s3ew4-vB7c6J_wKg2nduMb9dd-bd_SXI4SIO2WIdWlM0VmLyWdbza17x-t6TiobnutaZ_3e0/s640/DSC01536.JPG--.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsqw4p4hqNNh15yx_MDPpOjQfLFmgehjtg0mbapSb5vEyexnYjKDlCe9CKt5DQou4UeQ1h-AnAo52FXTrpc4wuz65e212QgUqdQ3A-s1djO4JNwidvk_Ja2QPjzLfquQgtR7ptmPWAIg/s1600/DSC01530.JPG--.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsqw4p4hqNNh15yx_MDPpOjQfLFmgehjtg0mbapSb5vEyexnYjKDlCe9CKt5DQou4UeQ1h-AnAo52FXTrpc4wuz65e212QgUqdQ3A-s1djO4JNwidvk_Ja2QPjzLfquQgtR7ptmPWAIg/s400/DSC01530.JPG--.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Inside the 9/11 Memorial site</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now, I have finally acquainted myself with what has become a part of America's scar.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was extremely cold that day, but I curiously joined the long line of visitors and accepted my pass from the officers donned in their 9/11 Memorial jackets. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After the line sluggishly progressed, my pass was scanned.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I went through the security check point, had the pass
marked with a red permanent marker then followed the queue into what resembled
a park. The winter season made it appear starkly destitute, with no semblance
of lushness or green trees. The main attraction, though, were the
fountains that indicated where the towers once stood. The names of the lives
lost from the September 2011 attack and the Pentagon bombing were engraved all
around it, and I along with everyone else just took it in, feeling something,
yet, at times, feeling nothing but the biting cold.</span><u1:p style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></u1:p><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> The sound of drills, cranes and the like
humming heavily in the background, as construction won’t be completed until
2014.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The
museum was closed that day, so there was only so much exploring I could
do. One thing is certain, the two dents in America’s history have managed
not be an eye sore, but more a tourist attraction.<u1:p></u1:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Have
you visited the 9/11 Memorial site yourself? Feel free to share your
thoughts and experience.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">See more images </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">within and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">around the memorial site:</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgp_cguvXrDoAtDqSbC7OWrXQiMm9WJpifPFGGVGXhh67I3QMJLX-PpWeT7lRHdff9v7qDx1vd7hhxDxllb9bwnHQRKPbvz9_c6RmTEiCYeocp4c4EXrMZNyjbCtIkdoS3OM8JstCSys/s1600/DSC01542.JPG--.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgp_cguvXrDoAtDqSbC7OWrXQiMm9WJpifPFGGVGXhh67I3QMJLX-PpWeT7lRHdff9v7qDx1vd7hhxDxllb9bwnHQRKPbvz9_c6RmTEiCYeocp4c4EXrMZNyjbCtIkdoS3OM8JstCSys/s400/DSC01542.JPG--.JPG" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Except for coins. Many visitors treated it like a wishing well</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0IWu39Rj4QVtps4Y1uC8GQbxcjRlezaG1JEBZ6fyFbw_5OGllEd7B85mkwDqmwgDC0XUlEwe-z-5nKeuO2VNcs84VKUROBiz5ypxLAnkRhyPy1qmeZO3hPm2_MVDqdOM-aXqrec5PSI/s1600/DSC01534.JPG--.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0IWu39Rj4QVtps4Y1uC8GQbxcjRlezaG1JEBZ6fyFbw_5OGllEd7B85mkwDqmwgDC0XUlEwe-z-5nKeuO2VNcs84VKUROBiz5ypxLAnkRhyPy1qmeZO3hPm2_MVDqdOM-aXqrec5PSI/s640/DSC01534.JPG--.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A few sombre faces take in one of the memorial pools</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasPWBGN3L3AJ52k8fTCevvE2-CULk3S6jJiHBAOVoR6QvisP3pCUsUmaCXIAtHGmdZdVJFfecXn5zW0xwD_O4wRUmE7KFPY6I1ZVJZshX7njet8Tha56iBJHbqTQ0LZ_6BiGMJhFBop0/s1600/DSC01525.JPG--.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasPWBGN3L3AJ52k8fTCevvE2-CULk3S6jJiHBAOVoR6QvisP3pCUsUmaCXIAtHGmdZdVJFfecXn5zW0xwD_O4wRUmE7KFPY6I1ZVJZshX7njet8Tha56iBJHbqTQ0LZ_6BiGMJhFBop0/s640/DSC01525.JPG--.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">An unfinished section of the site</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBBgBrHqpfLlhz28Y9mtKm5vVaTBVVcLHG0Xtz1R9hLwdXp_H7rhWUZy-v5qr1b2kzg51CczyWQJnQEzH97T50GEYegCPP2thonKmQWl7DCXyt8xjl0f-fNLDSwcGOTrHsDAGflC0kXg/s1600/DSC01509.JPG--.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBBgBrHqpfLlhz28Y9mtKm5vVaTBVVcLHG0Xtz1R9hLwdXp_H7rhWUZy-v5qr1b2kzg51CczyWQJnQEzH97T50GEYegCPP2thonKmQWl7DCXyt8xjl0f-fNLDSwcGOTrHsDAGflC0kXg/s640/DSC01509.JPG--.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">An intriguing root-like sculpture at the Trinity Chapel on Wall Street (a corner away from the Memorial site)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0v5Bq1k6VZPkS8E8uqO8Q9PwF-O66ussFX97hZkluggxkkIrhENYOO_P1cGtEYg_mfbYxi-Rf8CzB-SCji0YOxOKDrWNiwoBSCkAgRcSeKThivSGLtCrbIWk4LnWYxS96MsHvn06VRI/s1600/DSC01515.JPG--.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0v5Bq1k6VZPkS8E8uqO8Q9PwF-O66ussFX97hZkluggxkkIrhENYOO_P1cGtEYg_mfbYxi-Rf8CzB-SCji0YOxOKDrWNiwoBSCkAgRcSeKThivSGLtCrbIWk4LnWYxS96MsHvn06VRI/s640/DSC01515.JPG--.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Good ol' Borders... what's left of it (across the street from the Chapel/Church)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Tcw6VE9HnTIa7M0w43Vc2il53KsgYuHkN1iEXMPNT6nm45ueWkPtfdTfiNpWlbqHtRa0m7ebp5hW7z04sM0MUx51Du01JmdAFJeNheSkqvdWyxGEEIrm_2P8-cXyav0E-84MT3M7zdc/s1600/DSC01550.JPG--.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Tcw6VE9HnTIa7M0w43Vc2il53KsgYuHkN1iEXMPNT6nm45ueWkPtfdTfiNpWlbqHtRa0m7ebp5hW7z04sM0MUx51Du01JmdAFJeNheSkqvdWyxGEEIrm_2P8-cXyav0E-84MT3M7zdc/s640/DSC01550.JPG--.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qzKnnsnq8TY_ILrOHLwIEhYHKC8s641oVsMnEW3ka9PAiRrJqa2PmhFRBJ8_Xu79UOSbkmKBgiYgCru2AVczOvdmrtlm2qsFi0UT6gSpcFkHnomY_CLpxUoMDqhXOLO6WMhZ7TtP6Cw/s1600/DSC01553.JPG--.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qzKnnsnq8TY_ILrOHLwIEhYHKC8s641oVsMnEW3ka9PAiRrJqa2PmhFRBJ8_Xu79UOSbkmKBgiYgCru2AVczOvdmrtlm2qsFi0UT6gSpcFkHnomY_CLpxUoMDqhXOLO6WMhZ7TtP6Cw/s640/DSC01553.JPG--.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Love this shot of the street by the Trinity Chapel, just around the corner from the 9/11 Site</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div>
</div>
<br />
</div>Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347375731522427560.post-8508781468009417182011-12-24T15:04:00.000-08:002011-12-24T17:44:49.018-08:00The Unconventional Gift<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>The Unconventional Gift </b></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SVD2jqZgA6rUUko-qhweIwgZ559ZZW_UHZIZWV1_B_29zvFP5GZ3k6IeckQSJRfFOpD4QFzSQQGIt_jVGZ1RlPZ3dqMmwKHkg1F5yhTitfSc2JMjfzrtyy9vyjW11PuwvEsLUStQK24/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-12-24+at+6.29.41+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SVD2jqZgA6rUUko-qhweIwgZ559ZZW_UHZIZWV1_B_29zvFP5GZ3k6IeckQSJRfFOpD4QFzSQQGIt_jVGZ1RlPZ3dqMmwKHkg1F5yhTitfSc2JMjfzrtyy9vyjW11PuwvEsLUStQK24/s640/Screen+Shot+2011-12-24+at+6.29.41+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from Strawberry Fields</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: left;">What
will you be doing this Christmas? For us believers we will most likely be spending
the morning in church, revisiting the reasons why we believe and serve; to
forget about ourselves and focus on the "Light of the World." For
others it will be a day where folks from across the globe make that extra
effort to convene in one location for big dinners and merry making. Drink some
wine, get a little tipsy, perhaps a little drunk, fatten our stomachs on the
stuffed turkey or ham, the pound cake, the sorrel; the list goes on. And for a
chosen few, the 25th will be a day of quiet reflection on the months that have
passed and on how suddenly the year is ending. Those New Year’s resolutions
will be in tow as we convince ourselves that the coming year will be </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“the year” </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: left;"> for the fulfilment of our dreams. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For those who have no idea how they will be spending
the rest of the season, here's an unconventional idea. Take a trip away
from the city cluster and stress of Christmas shopping to a getaway where man
meets nature and nature embraces man. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A few
days ago I took a road trip with one of my friends to his backyard in the banana
parish, a place also infiltrated with the Rasta vibration. To my surprise I
pounced upon a few skin-bleachers, but mostly I was greeted by humble country
men and women who understood and enjoyed the simplicity of life. The people of St. Mary will welcome and hail
you, not with a “Wah gwaan”, but instead, with a colloquial “mannaz”
deriving from the word “manners” meaning </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“respect”</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">However the purpose of this trip was to experience
what I now describe the “Bongo Living.” I
took lodge in the hills of Albany at a bungalow owned by a Rasta, affectionately
called Bongo, who takes on the subtle temperaments of an Indian Yogi. Very much wise for his years, he stays abreast
with the current happenings of the world without the use of the latest gadgets. All he needs is his radio permanently stuck
on the BBC and his daily reading of healthy living magazines, which he
retrieves on a monthly basis from his American friends without having access to
a mailbox. The information he gathers
transforms him into a well read and knowledgeable machine.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFdNizsRvpnEM_2onGHwL0pgW7MB1wqznx4JC5BaK3bFmBmEQeXCTBQcNIK4Mv3vjHOgoOjrwjoPthmRbMFbTx48Rv9zE3ivLGwOm29UDh5lTmP3sS0roWQX7W7pGOPypRhqPH0hknzw/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFdNizsRvpnEM_2onGHwL0pgW7MB1wqznx4JC5BaK3bFmBmEQeXCTBQcNIK4Mv3vjHOgoOjrwjoPthmRbMFbTx48Rv9zE3ivLGwOm29UDh5lTmP3sS0roWQX7W7pGOPypRhqPH0hknzw/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A laid back, slow talking dread he is, but a man
cognisant of spirituality even not limited to that of Rastafarianism. Bongo is the all around health guru, from his
solar electricity to his vegan diet, complemented with his
daily consumption of herbal and "bush" teas and
vitamins. My friends and I never leave the Bongo cabin without a full dose
of his special bread and smoothies, and not to mention swinging idly in hammocks or dosing on the cots against the wooden floors. We take a small recess from Bongo's cottage and drive to another part of
the country area, trekking partway to Winter Hill to take in the lush vegetation and
the striking mountain view, while sucking on slices of sugar cane. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsj7Ja39LVwD5N5IP-3p67HFqboAfbMeoKf1omzASTuXDOTVpnAf2kC1KSIBl6jj44cx7Po3orKkn2aJtOsjOFEN_L2r3c1YdQ2r5sHJ1Hzs3lcA4Jrv34wz7AfuaFeV7TPZ-7SIcTkU4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-12-20+at+10.10.44+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsj7Ja39LVwD5N5IP-3p67HFqboAfbMeoKf1omzASTuXDOTVpnAf2kC1KSIBl6jj44cx7Po3orKkn2aJtOsjOFEN_L2r3c1YdQ2r5sHJ1Hzs3lcA4Jrv34wz7AfuaFeV7TPZ-7SIcTkU4/s320/Screen+Shot+2011-12-20+at+10.10.44+AM.png" width="276" /></a><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The next
stop is Robin’s Bay to a small resort called Strawberry Fields. While my two companions swim, I, donned in my
swimwear, use the ambiance to reflect and write pieces to a developing new
story. </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Like a tourist I trot around my friend’s backyard,
already deciding to make another trip. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So, I ask again. What are your plans this Christmas? If you
are still battling to find a solution, how about a peaceful escape similar to
my St. Mary experience. </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I can’t truly explain the pleasure that overcomes me while the breathtaking surroundings inculcate my senses. You have to experience it yourself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This season experience God’s gift to us—beautiful lands and seas. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Discover the
island’s hidden treasures, including the one’s often times overlooked, like the banana parish. This could be your
perfect gift to a special someone, your friends and or family and even to
yourself. It’s inexpensive and most of
all, exhilarating. And if the day is already designated to something else, there are still six days left in the year to unwrap that package of escape.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Have a wonderful
Christmas and may your endeavours be fulfilled in the coming year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">God’s
blessings!</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeBygiGTyWVcJUo3ukq_fe-CmUsiQ1HNHLpOLgJ2kH12Y8BEWL7mO900nBMYQrk1Dz_8Kjocqz2D6qHh_stGNeZmDBIZWhu57S1PistQMw7KU4DADw3K1TDhMmRFN_AE3erVTGWsOP-Y/s1600/DSC00971.JPG--.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeBygiGTyWVcJUo3ukq_fe-CmUsiQ1HNHLpOLgJ2kH12Y8BEWL7mO900nBMYQrk1Dz_8Kjocqz2D6qHh_stGNeZmDBIZWhu57S1PistQMw7KU4DADw3K1TDhMmRFN_AE3erVTGWsOP-Y/s640/DSC00971.JPG--.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A slice of Bongo's special wheat bread<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZrdcKjN9v3cw8yNxsOkyjdgmQjlAFhfClESALwTdN8BrJwOyGJB0DG_MidIkCwdrJuIRiwAT2aUWhCU3Qq2iXr1l5BRTGPCoOuqXDPLUExgTl47wrzUuf7YwvmQiInrPsRHSsfDFSxA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-12-24+at+7.19.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZrdcKjN9v3cw8yNxsOkyjdgmQjlAFhfClESALwTdN8BrJwOyGJB0DG_MidIkCwdrJuIRiwAT2aUWhCU3Qq2iXr1l5BRTGPCoOuqXDPLUExgTl47wrzUuf7YwvmQiInrPsRHSsfDFSxA/s640/Screen+Shot+2011-12-24+at+7.19.00+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way up Winter Hill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4kaKCfqyQDWa2-1ymF2jh7gzqzkw5tsvTWWtHZexkOXayGx0mxrFJRqlwZy5S_YPme5BLxwF-liKBjJUwwiOeij7rFQ9cgksfavhUQlrrowSvHwZ1IHWgDydYORzT80yb09b6ag6e1w/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-12-24+at+6.27.34+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4kaKCfqyQDWa2-1ymF2jh7gzqzkw5tsvTWWtHZexkOXayGx0mxrFJRqlwZy5S_YPme5BLxwF-liKBjJUwwiOeij7rFQ9cgksfavhUQlrrowSvHwZ1IHWgDydYORzT80yb09b6ag6e1w/s640/Screen+Shot+2011-12-24+at+6.27.34+PM.png" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTMqwFtJy71F10WwuC2JbG7q_R40j06OsFpvKbCxhR_eoO_JbwG9AilI2Fmxz5rzEuP9r5SKBUQ_tlyeIb3SEcVzgV79luGX-eK7sXQVXHUb1H7xlQryB5xWJUtUdVJU_EGtYITbolF4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-12-24+at+7.19.55+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTMqwFtJy71F10WwuC2JbG7q_R40j06OsFpvKbCxhR_eoO_JbwG9AilI2Fmxz5rzEuP9r5SKBUQ_tlyeIb3SEcVzgV79luGX-eK7sXQVXHUb1H7xlQryB5xWJUtUdVJU_EGtYITbolF4/s640/Screen+Shot+2011-12-24+at+7.19.55+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span id="goog_2144093441"></span><span id="goog_2144093442"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHINPYd2bzAKU91vjErcgO0Cx7Sn1ZdpKrgIAPdIPc6AcIi0b52gJB6BrxI0Adf04nidaTdmC_eu8xwPNEx-dHilXEFsLWsAEIwvdWC3L74YiS60oSLizjM8NpIz0s1fcEdd1n3NsSUII/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-12-24+at+6.30.07+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHINPYd2bzAKU91vjErcgO0Cx7Sn1ZdpKrgIAPdIPc6AcIi0b52gJB6BrxI0Adf04nidaTdmC_eu8xwPNEx-dHilXEFsLWsAEIwvdWC3L74YiS60oSLizjM8NpIz0s1fcEdd1n3NsSUII/s640/Screen+Shot+2011-12-24+at+6.30.07+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpcGrgKB5mSz3SoE7FyM5tqqjwShoEj2QjBswww9FboXbfGDKOOVlCxBzl8_8h8Ai8tqvKITmXV_VHjF5iA2DvLZH4ZONz0gw0P9l7tVXjD-aYt-aSk-u1SypRVJd99CKYpwy8PDC_dI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-12-20+at+10.08.14+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpcGrgKB5mSz3SoE7FyM5tqqjwShoEj2QjBswww9FboXbfGDKOOVlCxBzl8_8h8Ai8tqvKITmXV_VHjF5iA2DvLZH4ZONz0gw0P9l7tVXjD-aYt-aSk-u1SypRVJd99CKYpwy8PDC_dI/s640/Screen+Shot+2011-12-20+at+10.08.14+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbAABw8dzpnYPWlAB-69b1Ux6rqHVwI7a08esX4wBVpcp3ca2EjXHwFYh1CBuv6MnKd_D4yBPfiVyxnpSU5obNMkWBsLIAoLFhWCizNJz6rSZ1KHlZTaZAIVosoUlg38UGS7uee60wIU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-12-20+at+10.10.29+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbAABw8dzpnYPWlAB-69b1Ux6rqHVwI7a08esX4wBVpcp3ca2EjXHwFYh1CBuv6MnKd_D4yBPfiVyxnpSU5obNMkWBsLIAoLFhWCizNJz6rSZ1KHlZTaZAIVosoUlg38UGS7uee60wIU/s640/Screen+Shot+2011-12-20+at+10.10.29+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWtVOJjgkJUmJTAqtdEddlCILC-y1_cEjzfDvJGhyrL7NFSOZTD8t6qU-l1uohJniG-CQs3EthyubKPik15Tl7Iq86_-yJt1gD5L-ZbSe77WQSxs1rKNFcsrCDfqdwG8dvTvdJEXk48o/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-12-20+at+10.13.24+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWtVOJjgkJUmJTAqtdEddlCILC-y1_cEjzfDvJGhyrL7NFSOZTD8t6qU-l1uohJniG-CQs3EthyubKPik15Tl7Iq86_-yJt1gD5L-ZbSe77WQSxs1rKNFcsrCDfqdwG8dvTvdJEXk48o/s640/Screen+Shot+2011-12-20+at+10.13.24+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHcy21Apgx_hFr6LJRemgRBSxFgl7ahjE4sJgu5qjSlfm6DbRoykCNzefsoxhMcLwla5ZtTkDAuE9dp5c-iZ7q8w-WmJmhvoxPNa9mP1gs807NavU-HGnUqcGL3HU0Z8sI1NMtcweXaQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-12-20+at+10.12.36+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHcy21Apgx_hFr6LJRemgRBSxFgl7ahjE4sJgu5qjSlfm6DbRoykCNzefsoxhMcLwla5ZtTkDAuE9dp5c-iZ7q8w-WmJmhvoxPNa9mP1gs807NavU-HGnUqcGL3HU0Z8sI1NMtcweXaQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2011-12-20+at+10.12.36+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347375731522427560.post-10813132396629019572011-11-09T12:49:00.000-08:002011-11-09T13:30:38.411-08:00INTRODUCING A FRESH SOUND, OMI<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgz0rAmvdhyxyDEuIPNerh5KyU0JsQP2smhdLhyphenhyphenU2p7xGjREEOw7T7ZXfkPHC9BuwPe6g-Bq8CHzXNsz5qlkdSxh2Ckd0PgSgy5DxNROELUN1g_NDGC9THlPOkwRFWPzCSOCEH3CRgA5M/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-03-24+at+12.37.08+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgz0rAmvdhyxyDEuIPNerh5KyU0JsQP2smhdLhyphenhyphenU2p7xGjREEOw7T7ZXfkPHC9BuwPe6g-Bq8CHzXNsz5qlkdSxh2Ckd0PgSgy5DxNROELUN1g_NDGC9THlPOkwRFWPzCSOCEH3CRgA5M/s640/Screen+shot+2011-03-24+at+12.37.08+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>"Sometimes when I write songs, I treat my father like ... he's still with me."</i></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaweSqsbYo8K_frosDKWqQT2eG1FxLH6U7BeRYAad5dNI5LWVUtd8hwVHMqqkUC9uu8XKUIuG1JZIon0LFbMAsQ2oTkpBY_jqpOhHPvpqMQ10x0bsSmuLFfQr-_kew-vrwTDYze0ZvYw/s1600/omi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaweSqsbYo8K_frosDKWqQT2eG1FxLH6U7BeRYAad5dNI5LWVUtd8hwVHMqqkUC9uu8XKUIuG1JZIon0LFbMAsQ2oTkpBY_jqpOhHPvpqMQ10x0bsSmuLFfQr-_kew-vrwTDYze0ZvYw/s400/omi.jpg" width="290" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who is OMI and why
this sudden buzz about him? Well if you
haven’t yet been introduced to this young Jamaican singer here is your
chance. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>At the time when I conducted this interview, it so happened to be OMI's first. I was kindly reminded my his manager that I was given a great privilege, albeit, I had to wait until his label started promotions before I could actually post anything. Now that his sound has been hitting the airwaves, this feature is long over due...</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OMI, née Omar Samuel
Pasley, is from a modest lifestyle in Clarendon and is no stranger to the
creative arts. He graduated from Garvey
Maceo High and later secured a position as a Graphic Artist at the Super Plus
Supermarket in May Pen. Garvey Maceo
seems to be the new breeding ground for young talent ranging from fine art to
music. Know I-Octane? Well he hails from
the same school. So, is Garvey Maceo the
place to go for scouting new talent?
Well that’s too soon to say, but by the looks of Omar ‘OMI’ Pasley, the
idea doesn’t seem so farfetched. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Outside of his voice
and song writing, Pasley prides in being a painter, honing is ability to do
portraits. But that’s not why he
intrigues me, what I find fascinating is his sound. Think of Tarrus Riley or a John Legend and
you have an idea. But in all honesty, OMI brings to the table a sound that no
other artist has to date. That’s exactly
why Jamaican music/business mogul and producer SP wasted no time in scooping
him up.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SP, known for
catapulting Shabba Ranks’ career, discovered Pasley almost on a whim. He had been in discussions with Sydney
Bartley, <span class="apple-style-span">Director
of Culture of the Jamaican Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture of Jamaica,</span>
also a Clarendon native where the minister encouraged him to source talent from
the parish to assists its young aspirants. SP retold his experience that day he visited the Garvey Maceo High School. He was introduced to seven talents and
being somewhat of a knit picky man he was hardly wooed. Naturally he left disappointed, but later
received a sound bite with one of Pasley’s tracks and from the first note, SP
saw a reason to invest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now SP and OMI are
working on securing the twenty-four year old’s image and his market. OMI
believes that crossing paths with SP was fate, claiming that the producer holds
uncanny similarities to his father, who passed away at forty-two. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzoMieMCQf2gissC_ECdyq_-LphqFL5JaLQVd5Zv3jg48-C4K5K-o9FixL-KCCta_8cEbErcQyGWLCXNI31SIVGEbOaZvRIJDZIKs4opiPocjmkDy9OoDlSu0Uq57jxa42VTGC5ZBiRc/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-06-16+at+6.36.29+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzoMieMCQf2gissC_ECdyq_-LphqFL5JaLQVd5Zv3jg48-C4K5K-o9FixL-KCCta_8cEbErcQyGWLCXNI31SIVGEbOaZvRIJDZIKs4opiPocjmkDy9OoDlSu0Uq57jxa42VTGC5ZBiRc/s400/Screen+shot+2011-06-16+at+6.36.29+PM.png" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Photo: <a href="http://marvinbartley.blogspot.com/">Marvin Bartley</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“The way how SP
handles things, his seriousness and quick thinking, is like my father. And sometimes I’m just amazed,” reflected
Pasley.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pursuing music is
not just a fancy for the young artiste.
He grew up with a father who also painted and who was a singer and song
writer and it seemed more than fitting that he wears the same hat today. For Pasley his career is a dream lived through
his father’s spirit. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Sometimes when I
write songs, I treat my father like he’s SP and I almost ask him aloud if he
likes the sound or if the words are good,” the deeply contemplative Pasley
said. “It’s like he’s still with me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By OMI’s image and,
most importantly, his sound, the young singer is bound to have future records
deals and longevity in the business, especially with a level-headed manager like
SP. Currently two albums
are in the works and according to the singer his topics cover a wide range of
issues from sex, love, and modern day controversy. His current singles “Cheerleader” and “Standing
on All Threes” clearly shows his diversity and differentiates him from the rest
of the pack. So, don’t take him
lightly. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just as Pasley is
passionate about his craft, so is he about his spiritually. When asked the million dollar question, what is
the one thing he cannot leave the house without, he boldly replied, “Prayer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>EXTRA, EXTRA ... </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>Five Things You Should Know about OMI</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’m a perfectionist</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Very Disciplined<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I like every single genre of music, even if it’s in a
foreign language<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Love the elements of lyrics and vocals. The way how words
are used to bring across a message intrigues me<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Love women...jus’ joking. I like women, but seriously I’m a family person<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Check out his tracks here:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Standing on All Threes"</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/UE77myn8K2w?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Cheerleader"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/SQRvtyrhH_U/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SQRvtyrhH_U&fs=1&source=uds" />
<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SQRvtyrhH_U&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<br /></div>Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347375731522427560.post-2943149184413257392011-09-27T11:26:00.000-07:002011-09-27T15:12:12.291-07:00A Night Out into the Town...Downtown, Kingston<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Earlier this month I, along with a few friends,
decided to treat one of our visiting photographers from Long Island, New York
to a photography night out. He's a very successful Photojournalist and we
considered that the beardedness of Downtown Kingston would appeal to
him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess it's only natural that after dating a
photographer for more than four years, taking photos would rub off on me
somehow. For now, all I care to own is my SONY DSC-WX9, which is a nifty point
and shoot that actually gives you some amazing photos. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was around 8:30 at night when we jumped into
our cars and found ourselves on East King Street. In no time we took to our
feet and trotted through the streets, hoping to find something memorable. Something
quaint. Something strange and intriguing. Something worth capturing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After walking around and snapping for ten
minutes that foreboding facade that the city sometimes masks itself with was
easily shed and the four of us Jamaicans, along with our visitor were like tourists
in our own country. The streets were mostly empty and carried its usual rugged
and isolated exterior. I even pounced upon feces in a box,
which I photographed, then later deleted for good reason. I should commend the
doer for having the good sense of sparing us the horrific experience of greeting his/her defecation with our feet. That would not have been pretty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We arrived at the square and the night
finally came alive. To see a group of five all carrying cameras with no
interest in supporting any sales, it was no surprise when we received curious and unwelcoming stares. No one likes to be documented, at least not
without reason. So while some individuals eluded our cameras--though we concentrated on
capturing objects not people--some boldly demanded what our intentions were. I
guess it's hard for some to believe that we just wanted to take pictures for
the sake of taking pictures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nonetheless, the tense energy we were greeted with quelled when everyone sensed we meant no harm. One guy even offered to have his
stocks taken, so as long as he was not in it. When we had our fill, we circled the square and settled by the harbour to soak in the
night lights dancing against the dark waters. And I discovered light painting
for the first time. No one could
figure out how I got </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">what looked like a tiny star explosion in its galaxy.
Really cool!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The night ended well. Our American friend was pleased and for a
first-timer like myself, capturing downtown in the night was a titillating escape. I toyed
with the colour of some of the images in a program called Lightroom and got some cool results. My little SONY point and shoot isn't so bad after all. What do you think?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5BEcosmPKlx7YfO8341_wGWVvHRlbH5GhnBUE-TeRB-jyykPzavpkSygjMakhOQzYxvI2Z8yuXTG_SEX86LNroyJQpf9Hts1HNY3vmfDNtzuN70EcncgRTPnzg8jOIBT0ccu-NREUlo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-09-26+at+5.31.33+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5BEcosmPKlx7YfO8341_wGWVvHRlbH5GhnBUE-TeRB-jyykPzavpkSygjMakhOQzYxvI2Z8yuXTG_SEX86LNroyJQpf9Hts1HNY3vmfDNtzuN70EcncgRTPnzg8jOIBT0ccu-NREUlo/s640/Screen+Shot+2011-09-26+at+5.31.33+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRfPrSea9uLmt1nqBR8umbX37r-0fQGe53jZ-y6B_OjypxjVOmeRBQTkBldAOjLJjlmdzqiGGWTdpYqVs-Ls57JKYQoIeJ8ZGXMDeNyEct-VPbpgUVXkfld6ONeOe5ZzjfdLne9MgkQg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-09-26+at+5.35.39+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRfPrSea9uLmt1nqBR8umbX37r-0fQGe53jZ-y6B_OjypxjVOmeRBQTkBldAOjLJjlmdzqiGGWTdpYqVs-Ls57JKYQoIeJ8ZGXMDeNyEct-VPbpgUVXkfld6ONeOe5ZzjfdLne9MgkQg/s640/Screen+Shot+2011-09-26+at+5.35.39+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLpBOuDA2xOethntH-6-K6Gcji5c-nS_eIZZ3wClWJdsQFdUHDrDHKAEIUxQmGb3jC-_O8pXfhOMqczMRGw3RaG1BD604wjva5Xe2sk5D7ZP05SuPUhfOi74M4iG0fa2tcm_LBmf3wmc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-09-26+at+10.05.21+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLpBOuDA2xOethntH-6-K6Gcji5c-nS_eIZZ3wClWJdsQFdUHDrDHKAEIUxQmGb3jC-_O8pXfhOMqczMRGw3RaG1BD604wjva5Xe2sk5D7ZP05SuPUhfOi74M4iG0fa2tcm_LBmf3wmc/s640/Screen+Shot+2011-09-26+at+10.05.21+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMhxOw-5O7MK9QAKmmA-nt-sXymqHDjM7YGzKnt1SWC6OaVJHMZotUyQK2PwJT3Vjtscp41eaMzQv8vOlz23Cl_yPhNfiI2J_4f_FV2h_vDfOgrawYVCo6gDmK13fGjyAauoIFxQA2Sg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-09-26+at+10.04.29+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMhxOw-5O7MK9QAKmmA-nt-sXymqHDjM7YGzKnt1SWC6OaVJHMZotUyQK2PwJT3Vjtscp41eaMzQv8vOlz23Cl_yPhNfiI2J_4f_FV2h_vDfOgrawYVCo6gDmK13fGjyAauoIFxQA2Sg/s640/Screen+Shot+2011-09-26+at+10.04.29+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eTiaQ3Mnf5TyX4Y2to8vR9gp6107K-RUjLtGuXcG6mXV0sSryB7gTYElLHF7SdLpMLOezanxE6lj0lwZmupVDZtIqntl70-4x1s8RZZFosJab3mmDKHhAjvJBcVQnqhhx649S_Io68g/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-09-26+at+10.09.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eTiaQ3Mnf5TyX4Y2to8vR9gp6107K-RUjLtGuXcG6mXV0sSryB7gTYElLHF7SdLpMLOezanxE6lj0lwZmupVDZtIqntl70-4x1s8RZZFosJab3mmDKHhAjvJBcVQnqhhx649S_Io68g/s640/Screen+Shot+2011-09-26+at+10.09.25+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKPET8cbbjqzxJOHvA9XqZTm6hWF2X_q8pUzon1fJfu6tIzIgdkXOsTwrlte9oiXJge1z8s38EVzw2OlmViLzqo7lKPCzYRoKGDjKEhom1x2HJlvU-ehf-XG3cUlUb6pNM6oDRay3vSE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-09-26+at+5.34.23+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKPET8cbbjqzxJOHvA9XqZTm6hWF2X_q8pUzon1fJfu6tIzIgdkXOsTwrlte9oiXJge1z8s38EVzw2OlmViLzqo7lKPCzYRoKGDjKEhom1x2HJlvU-ehf-XG3cUlUb6pNM6oDRay3vSE/s640/Screen+Shot+2011-09-26+at+5.34.23+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23STM_LTNyZCCKb0v6C5EYLIJZdh7gT7NGiGhAH8zGt2WBRUcW77g744ULCNb9aLzC-L7KC2ngCth_GScvUw29EVURGzwoI3vfuGrtBuPfF3FjS5VHip92i3bwrSjU_03eqd_bg_3VFw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-09-26+at+5.34.46+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23STM_LTNyZCCKb0v6C5EYLIJZdh7gT7NGiGhAH8zGt2WBRUcW77g744ULCNb9aLzC-L7KC2ngCth_GScvUw29EVURGzwoI3vfuGrtBuPfF3FjS5VHip92i3bwrSjU_03eqd_bg_3VFw/s640/Screen+Shot+2011-09-26+at+5.34.46+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9w69FEr-_hTQL27ysBp1uH_l-_0MnfS5k8NuBa7YiMiCqI1ozfF4e7FXDtgXGWbTKdnDoN5375TiqeypoeD8OnfnMAiTE2tRkVh2MS2FyyeNvBBTQ0KdD7aKIeAqRQ2Vu37OZJyO0o4k/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-09-26+at+5.38.26+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9w69FEr-_hTQL27ysBp1uH_l-_0MnfS5k8NuBa7YiMiCqI1ozfF4e7FXDtgXGWbTKdnDoN5375TiqeypoeD8OnfnMAiTE2tRkVh2MS2FyyeNvBBTQ0KdD7aKIeAqRQ2Vu37OZJyO0o4k/s640/Screen+Shot+2011-09-26+at+5.38.26+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Definitely find a group of trustworthy friends and capture your own moment. There are so many interesting and picturesque places in Jamaica that have yet to be discovered. As you can see above, a point and shoot is just as useful as a film or a DSLR camera. So grab your camera and go discover!</span></div>
<br /></div>
Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347375731522427560.post-25830612349313604552011-08-16T20:29:00.000-07:002011-08-20T08:42:02.072-07:00ONE ON ONE WITH EBONY...MY FEATURED ARTIST THIS MONTH<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I must start off by congratulating Ms. Ebony G. Patterson on her latest accomplishment. She has been granted <a href="http://repeatingislands.com/2011/03/01/the-rex-nettleford-fellowship-in-cultural-studies-2011/"><span style="color: blue;">The Rex Nettleford Fellowship in Cultural Studies</span></a>. All the best Ebony! I look forward to seeing how your work with evolve over the coming years.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>If you are just joining me. I've been featuring one of Jamaica's well noted, young visual artists, Ebony G. Patterson. Catch up her previous features here:</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>Part 1 <a href="http://chevonesefender.blogspot.com/2011/07/part-1-of-2-special-feature-getting-to.html">http://chevonesefender.blogspot.com/2011/07/part-1-of-2-special-feature-getting-to.html</a></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>Part 2 <a href="http://chevonesefender.blogspot.com/2011/08/from-gangstas-to-disciplezebony-g.html">http://chevonesefender.blogspot.com/2011/08/from-gangstas-to-disciplezebony-g.html</a></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The vivacious and opinionated artist shared some details with me, as I dug a little deeper into her life and the mind behind the works.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Ebony, would you say you've found your calling? </b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It found me :). I mean if you think about it the conditions were right and ripe. Alot of people did think that I would have gone into performing. But people also knew that I loved the Visual Arts. I have always been a creative individual, so it was inevitable. Can you see me in a bank, in a suit????? Jeans for life!<i> She also forgot to say converse shoes and gladiator slippers.</i></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So you were featured as one of the speakers for TEDx Irie last April. That’s a big deal! </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Congratulations! What went through your mind initially when you got the news?</span></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thanks (blush***)! I thought, "MEEEEEEEEEE??????? Oh dear, I have to think about this." Then I said to myself, "are you crazy?! You can do this!" And so I nervously did! I was really terrified until I got up there.</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>In your TEDx presentation you ended with a rhetorical, '<i>where’s Ebony now?'</i> So you’ve transcended to using photographical imagery for your work, will you ever go back to painting?</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am always painting! I just had a whole show of drawing in Chicago in March at the Monique Meloche Gallery. I use photography as a tool not a medium. I have not reverenced to it materially, so I treat it in the same way I would a painting, adding physical layers. But as far as I am concerned I see those as painting ... because the language and the materiality is the same.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Things have a more 'juvenile' approach in Ebony's latest work in progress, similar to that of <a href="http://chevonesefender.blogspot.com/2011/08/from-gangstas-to-disciplezebony-g.html">The Fambily Series</a>. This time she focuses on gangsta babies and kids, with their bleached out faces, bad ass outfits, toy guns with balloons and teddy bears, of course.</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>Works not yet edited.</b></i></span></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHtxxFwvAVOB_P1h0_BPoTrIiKJftJm-jVyTBNAnq6KD-2IqsF0WI3UHWmQ8Z6hzfl4QdF2sIPg9xlWjNXfHm_s9ViO9R5GzXSXiKgJBWQ_I-V493dginVUdT11piY4Q9IL4ZJ9riwZA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-08-16+at+9.59.55+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHtxxFwvAVOB_P1h0_BPoTrIiKJftJm-jVyTBNAnq6KD-2IqsF0WI3UHWmQ8Z6hzfl4QdF2sIPg9xlWjNXfHm_s9ViO9R5GzXSXiKgJBWQ_I-V493dginVUdT11piY4Q9IL4ZJ9riwZA/s640/Screen+Shot+2011-08-16+at+9.59.55+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_41V77ALJka_CwlS1kSnH0V1HizUB4oakQ8I7X2_2MVwzPlRA1qA5bbO5lG8hI0jj-f7mtqysYjAmWSBux6qsDWccol-GraD3xepfJH7KrZU0J2PoGCJpyDKnkNKSK_M580Hdhg2k2Y/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-08-11+at+10.46.24+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_41V77ALJka_CwlS1kSnH0V1HizUB4oakQ8I7X2_2MVwzPlRA1qA5bbO5lG8hI0jj-f7mtqysYjAmWSBux6qsDWccol-GraD3xepfJH7KrZU0J2PoGCJpyDKnkNKSK_M580Hdhg2k2Y/s640/Screen+Shot+2011-08-11+at+10.46.24+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left (back): Nzingha, Aziza, Zjadaine, Malachi, Jake<br />
From left (front): Kaleb, Nasir, Daniel</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpO1Hd02SMWMbRuJKBv7s8-WiopWtzO7wHoVKKdmA8HN-4MXkIQ514r13gFXfjsh9IDnaMcpm7Bm3xvGbfUdrXSsDbM0JY7KXY__PGknNFq-0V1AJPeg4Eg0dH-JPbtioPkjkbYRyOZk/s1600/DSC00095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpO1Hd02SMWMbRuJKBv7s8-WiopWtzO7wHoVKKdmA8HN-4MXkIQ514r13gFXfjsh9IDnaMcpm7Bm3xvGbfUdrXSsDbM0JY7KXY__PGknNFq-0V1AJPeg4Eg0dH-JPbtioPkjkbYRyOZk/s640/DSC00095.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ebony instructs one of her lil' juveniles, Zjadaine, in her latest project, while Marvin Bartley shoots (Aug. 2011)</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>How many exhibitions have you been a part of to date?</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Oh Dear Chevy! 'Whole heap.' Hmm, a number ... 40 or more, not including solos. I have been showing since Undergrad.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Out of the many exhibitions, which is the most memorable?</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I would have to say my first major museum show, Infinite Islands, at the Brooklyn museum 2007. It was the first survey of contemporary Caribbean art by a major museum. I was just a few months out of Grad school. Some people dont even get that kind of acknowledgement during their whole life as artist; and to get that at such an early point in my career is tremendous.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>What would be your greatest accomplishment to date and why?</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Definitely The Rex Nettleford Fellowship. It's great that they wanted to support my project.</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Do you consider yourself successful? Is this where you imagined you would be? Or are you surprised and have you a long way to go?</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hmm I think given where I am, I have aquired much success. But I wouldn't say I am where I want to be yet. Given where I am and how my career has developed things have been moving quite steadily. But when I was a student at Edna Manley College I wasn't concerned about being a successful artist. I just wanted to make and share my work. As I have matured, I've maintained that in order to be where I am.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm where I want to be and that is important; but I am hungry for more and that keeps me focused and driven. Am I surprised? Sometimes, but its not because I didn't believe I had what it took. I am just as amazed at the amazing journey that what I love has taken me on.</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #500050; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Outside of the sensationalism of dancehall and how it essentially influences the outward appearances of men in that realm, are there any topics that have intrigued you now that you will explore in the future?</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hmm, I am always interested in issues of gender and ideas about identity; the politics of identity; and beauty, but these are things that I have always been dealing with even before the boys came into the picture. I am not sure if I am so concerned about the future. The work always takes me on a logical course, so the work will take me where ever we need to go.</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Do you sense a promise in the art community from the younger upcoming artists?</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">DEFINITELY. There is always promise. Jamaica has an institution that pumps them out every year. However the larger question is, what happens to the promise? And, of course, just like all students anywhere in the world, sometimes what you study in school is not the field you go into. However, for the few that really want to make it work and keep it going, it takes real commitment, willingness and inventiveness to survive. All of those take real work; and if you are not willing to do that then you can get swallowed up real quick! I think the <i>National Biennials </i>and <i>Young Talent V </i>exhibitions last summer at <a href="http://natgalja.org.jm/ioj_wp/">The National Gallery of Jamaica</a> are great testaments to the fact that we have much potential. As a community we have always known that we were never short of this.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>What direction do you think fine art in Jamaica is approaching and why?</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We are being alot more open, materially, but there has always been some sense of openness from the gerneration before with people Like <b>Pertrona Morrison</b> and <b>Omari Ra</b>. But I think some of the dialogues are changing. We are beginning to reflect on the issues of our generation, which is what art is suppose to d</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 27px;">o—to reflect on </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the concerns of our own time. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While the discussions about identity are still ongoing, we now have the examination and deconstruction of an art historical discourse going with the work of young artists, who are the so-called western cannon of art making as a way to discuss social and racial issues. We also have artists who are discussing issues about gender, politics of space and popular culture, violence. These, I think, are more current dialogues that are being added to the ongoing conversation from the previous generation of artists.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>What’s next in the agenda for you?</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Well, I have a major solo project with the National Gallery of Bermuda in 2012 and another solo project in Martinique.</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Now that we’ve handled all the serious questions let’s get to the more fun stuff...</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>What’s your favourite way to pass the time?</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I love dancing! And hanging out with friends, talking about nothing, and going to the burger drive-thru for a quick long bite, round about midnightish.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>What can’t you leave the house without?</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">SUNGLASSES, EARRINGS, AND ALL THE JEWELLERY!!!!!!! I like that people think I am badass sometimes. I think its funny.</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Is there anything that gets under your skin?</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Men in sagging pants!</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Anything extra you want to share with my readers and followers?</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Go out and see an exhibition, find an artist friend and be supportive. It is healthy for your development and theirs.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">See more of Ebony's works here: </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">http://moniquemeloche.com/ebony-g-patterson</span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.seelinegallery.com/patterson.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">http://www.seelinegallery.com/patterson.html</span></a></div><div style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.artitup.zoomshare.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">http://www.artitup.zoomshare.com/</span></a></div><div style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Enjoyed the features with Ebony? Please share your sentiments and questions right here on this blog.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Don't forget to catch up on what you've missed right HERE:</b></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>Part 1 <a href="http://chevonesefender.blogspot.com/2011/07/part-1-of-2-special-feature-getting-to.html">http://chevonesefender.blogspot.com/2011/07/part-1-of-2-special-feature-getting-to.html</a></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>Part 2 <a href="http://chevonesefender.blogspot.com/2011/08/from-gangstas-to-disciplezebony-g.html">http://chevonesefender.blogspot.com/2011/08/from-gangstas-to-disciplezebony-g.html</a></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #4c1130; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div>Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347375731522427560.post-74715510325607541212011-08-11T11:04:00.000-07:002011-08-11T13:27:25.326-07:00Why I Love What I Do<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's stories like these that keep me loving what I do. This stalwart, relentless fight to get that dream is the reason my blog even exists. I </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">LOVE this story of the "The Help" writer, Kathryn Stocketts and her fight to have her book published. A book that is now made into a movie, currently showing in theatres.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Enjoy the feature by <a href="http://shine.yahoo.com/blog/ZNAHYVD25LQYHGYN73HFCQOMSA/;_ylt=Ag967dXKlj5VArFn0BVOPyKfi6U5">MORE Magazine</a> featured on shine.yahoo.com and staying true to my motto... guys, <b>Never Give Up On Your Dreams.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"></span><br />
<div class="post-hdr cls" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; zoom: 1;"><div class="post-title cls" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; zoom: 1;"><h1 style="font-size: 33px; font: normal normal normal 250%/normal Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 635px;">Kathryn Stockett's 'The Help' Turned Down 60 Times Before Becoming a Best Seller</h1></div><div class="attr cls" style="color: #555555; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; zoom: 1;"><a href="http://shine.yahoo.com/blog/ZNAHYVD25LQYHGYN73HFCQOMSA/;_ylt=Ag967dXKlj5VArFn0BVOPyKfi6U5" style="color: #19538f; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;"><img height="32" src="http://a323.yahoofs.com/coreid/4e271f7ei1f27zws148ac4/CZ6Si_w8dLTCeREJusy..gYtisA-/1/tn32.jpeg?ciAAgGPBGtsp5eJX" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; float: left; font: normal normal normal 77%/normal arial;" width="32" /></a><br />
<div style="float: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><ul style="clear: both; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li class="last" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0px; float: left; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px;">by <a href="http://shine.yahoo.com/blog/ZNAHYVD25LQYHGYN73HFCQOMSA/;_ylt=Air0VCskC6lLZibKcTdbfLSfi6U5" style="color: #19538f; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;"><span class="author">MORE Magazine</span></a>, on Tue Aug 9, 2011 6:02am PDT</li>
</ul><ul style="clear: both; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0px; float: left; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px;"><a class="cmt-lnk" href="http://shine.yahoo.com/event/poweryourfuture/kathryn-stocketts-the-help-turned-down-60-times-before-becoming-a-best-seller-2523496/#comments" style="color: #19538f; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;"><strong style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">673</strong> Comments</a></li>
<li style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0px; float: left; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px;"><a class="cmt-lnk" href="http://shine.yahoo.com/event/poweryourfuture/kathryn-stocketts-the-help-turned-down-60-times-before-becoming-a-best-seller-2523496/#postcomment" style="color: #19538f; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;">Post a Comment</a></li>
<li style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0px; float: left; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://shine.yahoo.com/blog/ZNAHYVD25LQYHGYN73HFCQOMSA/;_ylt=Asv_IH8OJ8hFIIBhtwatwZqfi6U5" style="color: #19538f; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;">Read More from This Author »</a></li>
<li class="last" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0px; float: left; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AkPpzwB4Wh9ERCydIDW8sAKfi6U5/SIG=13ih383am/**http%3A//help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/shine/articles_abuse.html%3Feaci=ZNAHYVD25LQYHGYN73HFCQOMSA%26postid=2523496" style="color: #19538f; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;">Report Abuse</a></li>
</ul></div></div></div><div class="synd cls" style="height: 33px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; zoom: 1;"><div class="yui3-widget yui3-ymsb" id="yui_3_1_1_1_131308521590048" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="ymsb ymsb-mail ymsb-print ymsb-facebook ymsb-retweet yui3-ymsb-content" id="yui_3_1_1_1_131308521590055" style="display: block; float: left; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 0px;"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li class="ymsb-module ymsb-facebook-module" style="display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; height: 24px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 4px; margin-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 94px;"><div class="ymsb-live" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="22" scrolling="no" src="http://l.yimg.com/b/social_buttons/facebook-share-iframe.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fshine.yahoo.com%2Fevent%2Fpoweryourfuture%2Fkathryn-stocketts-the-help-turned-down-60-times-before-becoming-a-best-seller-2523496&t=Kathryn%20Stockett%26%2339%3bs%20%26%2339%3bThe%20Help%26%2339%3b%20Turned%20Down%2060%20Times%20Before%20Becoming%20a%20Best%20Seller&l=Share&t__S=967150495" width="94"></iframe></div></li>
<li class="ymsb-module ymsb-retweet-module" style="display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; height: 24px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 3px; margin-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 87px;"><div class="ymsb-live" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="22" scrolling="no" src="http://pro.tweetmeme.com/button.js?url=http%3A%2F%2Fshine.yahoo.com%2Fevent%2Fpoweryourfuture%2Fkathryn-stocketts-the-help-turned-down-60-times-before-becoming-a-best-seller-2523496&style=compact&service=bit.ly&t__S=967150495" width="90"></iframe></div></li>
<li class="ymsb-module ymsb-mail-module" style="display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; height: 24px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://shine.yahoo.com/email-to-friend?id=2523496&title=Kathryn+Stockett%26%2339%3Bs+%26%2339%3BThe+Help%26%2339%3B+Turned+Down+60+Times+Before+Becoming+a+Best+Seller&channel=life&event=poweryourfuture" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/mit/widgets/sprite_soc_btn.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -3px -188px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: #19538f; float: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;" title="Email"><span style="background-image: none; color: #0f4d8b; display: block; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 2px;">Email</span></a></li>
<li class="ymsb-module ymsb-print-module" style="display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; height: 24px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://shine.yahoo.com/event/poweryourfuture/kathryn-stocketts-the-help-turned-down-60-times-before-becoming-a-best-seller-2523496/print" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/mit/widgets/sprite_soc_btn.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -3px -81px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: #19538f; float: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;" title="Print"><span style="background-image: none; color: #0f4d8b; display: block; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 18px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 2px;">Print</span></a></li>
</ul></div></div></div><div class="post-body cls" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; zoom: 1;"><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div class="figure fig-left" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 333px;"><img alt="Katherine Sockett" height="400" src="http://phugcus.zenfs.com/phugc/479f1d90d3d3d293dad3b539fcf10933/photos/d0d4c01fa47d2011231bccf61eee9e4e/mr_e4b809e66f47b1.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; font: normal normal normal 77%/normal arial;" title="Photographed by Ben Hoffmann" width="320" /><br />
<div class="legend" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #eeeeee; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #555555; font-size: 10px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 8px; text-align: left;">Photographed by Ben Hoffmann</div></div>If you ask my husband my best trait, he’ll smile and say, “She never gives up.” But if you ask him my worst trait, he’ll get a funny tic in his cheek, narrow his eyes and hiss, <a href="http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AoLpxokqjX42JRzFTLruH92fi6U5/SIG=11qr9n3m3/**http%3A//www.more.com/kathryn-stockett-help-best-seller" rel="nofollow" style="color: #19538f; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;" target="_blank">“She. Never. Gives. Up.”</a><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">More from MORE: <a href="http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AtP0XvfS7Calf1LCqPQsb8Cfi6U5/SIG=11j5jg2rg/**http%3A//www.more.com/kathryn-stockett-influence" rel="nofollow" style="color: #19538f; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;" target="_blank">Three More Women Who Never Gave Up</a></strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">It took me a year and a half to write my earliest version of <em style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=Ar333We_Vqephg5NVUajDhKfi6U5/SIG=11h1q9l2a/**http%3A//www.more.com/the-help-octavia-spencer" rel="nofollow" style="color: #19538f; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;" target="_blank">The Help</a><a href="http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=Au7_U8WLcffPG9jJZvuxSzifi6U5/SIG=11h1q9l2a/**http%3A//www.more.com/the-help-octavia-spencer" rel="nofollow" style="color: #19538f; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;" target="_blank">.</a></em> I’d told most of my friends and family what I was working on. Why not? We are compelled to talk about our passions. When I’d polished my story, I announced it was done and mailed it to a literary agent.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">More from MORE: <a href="http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AhL3WqFikShSzIFFmOnVvSyfi6U5/SIG=11h1q9l2a/**http%3A//www.more.com/the-help-octavia-spencer" rel="nofollow" style="color: #19538f; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;" target="_blank">The Woman Who Inspired 'The Help's' Feisty, Pie-Baking Maid, Minny</a></strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Six weeks later, I received a rejection letter from the agent, stating, “Story did not sustain my interest.” I was thrilled! I called my friends and told them I’d gotten my first rejection! Right away, I went back to editing. I was sure I could make the story tenser, more riveting, better.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">More from MORE: <a href="http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AkIJk1BBIMiXnbbnkzeRy6Wfi6U5/SIG=11hh78dc2/**http%3A//www.more.com/creating-the-kardashians" rel="nofollow" style="color: #19538f; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;" target="_blank">Kris Jenner on Creating The Kardashians</a></strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">A few months later, I sent it to a few more agents. And received a few more rejections. Well, more like 15. I was a little less giddy this time, but I kept my chin up. “Maybe the next book will be the one,” a friend said. Next book? I wasn’t about to move on to the next one just because of a few stupid letters. I wanted to write this book.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">A year and a half later, I opened my 40th rejection: “There is no market for this kind of tiring writing.” That one finally made me cry. “You have so much resolve, Kathryn,” a friend said to me. “How do you keep yourself from feeling like this has been just a huge waste of your time?”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">That was a hard weekend. I spent it in pajamas, slothing around that racetrack of self-pity—you know the one, from sofa to chair to bed to refrigerator, starting over again on the sofa. But I couldn’t let go of <em style="font-style: italic;">The Help</em>. Call it tenacity, call it resolve or call it what my husband calls it: stubbornness.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">More from MORE: <a href="http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AuR_MI2heS0k3dJlDHU_uP.fi6U5/SIG=11df53fkg/**http%3A//www.more.com/rags-to-riches-stars" rel="nofollow" style="color: #19538f; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;" target="_blank">Stars Who Went From Rags To Riches</a></strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">After rejection number 40, I started lying to my friends about what I did on the weekends. They were amazed by how many times a person could repaint her apartment. The truth was, I was embarrassed for my friends and family to know I was still working on the same story, the one nobody apparently wanted to read.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Sometimes I’d go to literary conferences, just to be around other writers trying to get published. I’d inevitably meet some successful writer who’d tell me, “Just keep at it. I received 14 rejections before I finally got an agent. Fourteen. How many have you gotten?”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">More from MORE: <a href="http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AsuKKp.ZFtXeiD6_quk.euCfi6U5/SIG=11ns0gmsa/**http%3A//www.more.com/news/famous-strong-women-icons" rel="nofollow" style="color: #19538f; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;" target="_blank">50 Women You Want On Your Side</a></strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">By rejection number 45, I was truly neurotic. It was all I could think about—revising the book, making it better, getting an agent, getting it published. I insisted on rewriting the last chapter an hour before I was due at the hospital to give birth to my daughter. I would not go to the hospital until I’d typed The End. I was still poring over my research in my hospital room when the nurse looked at me like I wasn’t human and said in a New Jersey accent, “Put the book down, you nut job—you’re crowning.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">It got worse. I started lying to my husband. It was as if I were having an affair—with 10 black maids and a skinny white girl. After my daughter was born, I began sneaking off to hotels on the weekends to get in a few hours of writing. I’m off to the Poconos! Off on a girls’ weekend! I’d say. Meanwhile, I’d be at the Comfort Inn around the corner. It was an awful way to act, but—for God’s sake—I could not make myself give up.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">More from MORE: <a href="http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AlwVcSFLV_BN.xzJbwfsvVGfi6U5/SIG=11ejidcgc/**http%3A//www.more.com/norma-kamali-wellness" rel="nofollow" style="color: #19538f; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;" target="_blank">How 9/11 Changed Norma Komali</a></strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">In the end, I received 60 rejections for<em style="font-style: italic;">The Help</em>. But letter number 61 was the one that accepted me. After my five years of writing and three and a half years of rejection, an agent named Susan Ramer took pity on me. What if I had given up at 15? Or 40? Or even 60? Three weeks later, Susan sold <em style="font-style: italic;">The Help</em> to Amy Einhorn Books.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The point is, I can’t tell you how to succeed. But I can tell you how not to: Give in to the shame of being rejected and put your manuscript—or painting, song, voice, dance moves, [insert passion here]—in the coffin that is your bedside drawer and close it for good. I guarantee you that it won’t take you anywhere. Or you could do what this writer did: Give in to your obsession instead.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">And if your friends make fun of you for chasing your dream, remember—just lie.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;"><em style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Don’t miss out on great articles like this one from MORE:</em> <a href="https://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=ApK35NsXUnV5nBAPd2jgoq6fi6U5/SIG=12c2rtbf4/**https%3A//secure.more.com/common/profile/quicksignup.jsp%3FregSource=2096" rel="nofollow" style="color: #19538f; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none;" target="_blank">Click here to sign up for our weekly newsletter!</a></strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><em style="font-style: italic;">Editor's Note: This essay appears in the anthology The Best Advice I Ever Got: Lessons from Extraordinary Lives, edited by Katie Couric and published by Random House in April. Stockett's novel went on to be a bestseller and the movie "The Help" premieres on August 10.</em></div></div></div>Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347375731522427560.post-16231781335448512592011-08-09T16:48:00.000-07:002012-03-01T10:00:09.174-08:00From Gangstas to Disciplez...Ebony G. Patterson Takes A Creative Approach to Dancehall<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Bleaching...no longer takes on the whole notion of colour inferiority…now it’s a statement of masculinity.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For someone who has exhibited in more than forty group exhibitions, a growing number of solo shows, and has been feature in countless publications, one would think that contemporary visual artist Ebony G. Patterson has been on this earth for at least fifty years. But nah, she’s only thirty.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It’s no accident she’s an artist today. Before graduating from The Queens School, Jamaica, she cautiously reflected on her life and what she wanted to pursue. As a child Patterson was constantly surrounded by creative people. Her mother’s first assignment for the then three year old was to draw a roach, of all things. Her job was so, astonishingly, well done that the precious work of art was readily displayed among her mother's co-workers.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Patterson’s father had other intentions for the toddler, balancing his daughter’s drawing of roaches with birds by teaching her how to sketch the chirping creatures. She mastered that easily, and while she commandeered the art of drawing she found time with her god-sister and musical neighbours to sing in their back yard.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">With that kind of exposure it seemed only logical that she studied at the tertiary level at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMCVPA), where she majored in Painting. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">“My parents were both stunned when I said I wanted to be an artist and a part time singer. Go figure,” Patterson reflected.</span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">Perhaps her parents suffered from a bout of creative remorse. But Patterson continued on a sure path, continuing her studies At Sam Fox College, which led to a secure post as Assistant Professor in Painting at the University of Kentucky. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxiC6YkkCscrIjreX17OWh8GwhyphenhyphenDK4oAoDIL8s7NBLYSL2BGoSLeCHT1S5N0aZ9FVsRhVGoafxw9BDFudFohDlBHSfUoXF5W_tM_zurB9XmwaDQoYvCZWrgYHshX1pU52KG1JdkRA9A8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-08-07+at+9.52.30+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxiC6YkkCscrIjreX17OWh8GwhyphenhyphenDK4oAoDIL8s7NBLYSL2BGoSLeCHT1S5N0aZ9FVsRhVGoafxw9BDFudFohDlBHSfUoXF5W_tM_zurB9XmwaDQoYvCZWrgYHshX1pU52KG1JdkRA9A8/s320/Screen+Shot+2011-08-07+at+9.52.30+PM.png" width="216" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUu1fgKj8O3JU9985qIkdO6qw12F8akXK7TxbDabpqDkfaMivQ-LpEorAMSHz-F70VftHV7KrmataHbGbHag9jc-Mpr8C7DuGGx5GKVkziXNh4MSaP0hprx94dDxB7rVKYrco-t62KRA4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-08-07+at+9.52.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUu1fgKj8O3JU9985qIkdO6qw12F8akXK7TxbDabpqDkfaMivQ-LpEorAMSHz-F70VftHV7KrmataHbGbHag9jc-Mpr8C7DuGGx5GKVkziXNh4MSaP0hprx94dDxB7rVKYrco-t62KRA4/s320/Screen+Shot+2011-08-07+at+9.52.15+PM.png" width="172" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">The contemporary artist has always been fascinated with Dancehall and its impact on Jamaica's working class. While dancehall culture tends to portray this form of aggression, Patterson undermines that notion in her collage of images—<b>Gangstas for Life</b>, which is an exploration of “the </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB">grotesque as the sought after beauty.” </span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB">In other words: bleaching, the noticeable </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">cross gender appearances in fashion, where saggy pants make way for a tighter fit; earth tone and more sombre colours becoming bright reds, oranges, greens or any bold representation of the lively transformation of dancehall and its cultural impact. </span></span></div>
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">In her recent TEDx Irie presentation held in Kingston in early April of this year, Patterson shone some light on one of her most recent exhibitions, <b>Gangstas</b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span lang="EN-GB">, Disciplez + Doiley Boyz</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB">“Bleaching, it seems, no longer takes on the whole notion of colour inferiority…now it’s a statement of masculinity,” she explained.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB"><b>Exhibit A: Patterson's impression of gangstas, their styles, and their bleaching</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXellyc3qEiAAjE7mL_khRdqRnlhyphenhyphenyTsqjQSrMmt3rSsN9UZcblXXQnoCX3-QbyocbR9gpAHBnGcJsCRVWsKbZ7RPw1ELNyGGdh15tHdJWcV8wEQBJhCNFcKNfHLILFEr-fgl0cJre9eA/s640/5420_256598205304_824560304_8041402_1482879_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="417" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Behind the Scenes -- <b>'Gully Godz in Conversation'</b>, 2009 (Shot by Monique Gilpin)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXellyc3qEiAAjE7mL_khRdqRnlhyphenhyphenyTsqjQSrMmt3rSsN9UZcblXXQnoCX3-QbyocbR9gpAHBnGcJsCRVWsKbZ7RPw1ELNyGGdh15tHdJWcV8wEQBJhCNFcKNfHLILFEr-fgl0cJre9eA/s1600/5420_256598205304_824560304_8041402_1482879_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I suppose if you consider the recent buzz surrounding Dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel and his proud proclamation of de-colouring his skin tone, one sees her point. Kartel makes it clear that he is not uncomfortable with his race and instead glamorizes bleaching as a way of making him more attractive and desirable to the opposite sex.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB">Currently, Patterson is expanding her line of work, staying true to the dancehall stereotypes and prototypes. Her work in progress under <b>The Fambily Series </b>called <b>The Brella Crew, </b>is an impression taken in part from Kartel’s infamous personification of Michael Jackson having to walk under an umbrella when in day light to protect his skin from the sun. This work in progress will highlight in more detail how dancehall has not only shaped the individual, but the family unit. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB">With the help of Photographer, <a href="http://marvinbartley.blogspot.com/">Marvin Bartley</a>, her two assistants, and </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">models with impressive 'gangsta' impersonations, Patterson was able to pull off her latest project on the <b>Brella Crew. </b>Now she's even adding more intrigue by adding her interpretation, in pure Ebony form, of young gangsta disciplez, i.e., young children and teenagers.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB">See behind the scenes of the Brella Crew shoot here:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pf7bGSgnbzk9l-KB5CqH5ILZKw1Zqg0lB1R3iWf7BAsKBOEXh-4YvNigI4Xm7W-mHqjNvWWTWCrpR3F-dhHspQX7KU5xOko_6yUad7OX1lf9sGbqT7N6-8NcgyhgNVLOcdf5FEnFJBM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-08-07+at+10.31.18+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pf7bGSgnbzk9l-KB5CqH5ILZKw1Zqg0lB1R3iWf7BAsKBOEXh-4YvNigI4Xm7W-mHqjNvWWTWCrpR3F-dhHspQX7KU5xOko_6yUad7OX1lf9sGbqT7N6-8NcgyhgNVLOcdf5FEnFJBM/s640/Screen+Shot+2011-08-07+at+10.31.18+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Her very own Vybz Kartel. Ebony applies glitter to her models face to give the perfect bleaching effect.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPanL5H2f49jaxJ8stMM_GmmDFf4R0ftloZobjUnIW54PSJp1PqUzzEuZeUnnU__IhqmthZ3cMX_MP4SLed9oIG9Y3hkq3fUMnWh75UM6NamMsbdKnVU1qVAKDLZvqim0W8-PHB8kVd0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-08-07+at+10.34.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPanL5H2f49jaxJ8stMM_GmmDFf4R0ftloZobjUnIW54PSJp1PqUzzEuZeUnnU__IhqmthZ3cMX_MP4SLed9oIG9Y3hkq3fUMnWh75UM6NamMsbdKnVU1qVAKDLZvqim0W8-PHB8kVd0/s640/Screen+Shot+2011-08-07+at+10.34.06+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">With an assortment of gansta babies, teens and pack leaders, Ebony heavily deliberates the placement of each model for the perfect <b>Brella Crew</b> Fambily Portrait</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_ymlsxMd8dKTERvkvwYuGXqWhAC7lRb3E8YXhL4Xggzid1CpBhct6whw5i-5QJ9UE_BVcQP2fEZErzclN1ZfeDSi7VKnulU2DIaw9JYAed49bZ_k1Xn4z8KUBNHVx2421m2GAd6tSUw/s1600/IMG_6218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_ymlsxMd8dKTERvkvwYuGXqWhAC7lRb3E8YXhL4Xggzid1CpBhct6whw5i-5QJ9UE_BVcQP2fEZErzclN1ZfeDSi7VKnulU2DIaw9JYAed49bZ_k1Xn4z8KUBNHVx2421m2GAd6tSUw/s640/IMG_6218.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhG1Oo-dNa0mpP3ZFHzI_rF8wpTUwGfdUF6VLjwiFlOaGVr1jg9HbWsuOWv6a9VqBaVmKYXOe53OLuglopyHgMK1nNBlesc728_Rv-IzRY1W4H3210UzkgOHMkFWBah6HdbrhZ_D3UIw/s1600/gangsta+babiez.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhG1Oo-dNa0mpP3ZFHzI_rF8wpTUwGfdUF6VLjwiFlOaGVr1jg9HbWsuOWv6a9VqBaVmKYXOe53OLuglopyHgMK1nNBlesc728_Rv-IzRY1W4H3210UzkgOHMkFWBah6HdbrhZ_D3UIw/s640/gangsta+babiez.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gangsta babies Aziza (left) and Daniel (right) have no qualms about bringing it for the camera</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Take a closer look at some of Ebony's works over the years:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyRKa6rzqIC03HSa-FLpd0kslSsSPqD3s7yiCYk-uu7NEdWQbiKCqTZdr5NXkIIk6tbsUe9q3uCWI9rXs0sMA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">................... </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Join me a week from today, Monday, August 15 for a continuation of Ebony's feature: Part III titled </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"In conversation with Ebony G. Patterson"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Keep Reading...Be Smart...Be Beautiful...Be Blessed</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB"><b><br />
</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
</div>Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347375731522427560.post-179465077970646682011-07-30T15:08:00.000-07:002011-08-30T15:55:56.747-07:00Part 1 of 3 Special Feature: Getting to Know Ebony G. Patterson<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgz0rAmvdhyxyDEuIPNerh5KyU0JsQP2smhdLhyphenhyphenU2p7xGjREEOw7T7ZXfkPHC9BuwPe6g-Bq8CHzXNsz5qlkdSxh2Ckd0PgSgy5DxNROELUN1g_NDGC9THlPOkwRFWPzCSOCEH3CRgA5M/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-03-24+at+12.37.08+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgz0rAmvdhyxyDEuIPNerh5KyU0JsQP2smhdLhyphenhyphenU2p7xGjREEOw7T7ZXfkPHC9BuwPe6g-Bq8CHzXNsz5qlkdSxh2Ckd0PgSgy5DxNROELUN1g_NDGC9THlPOkwRFWPzCSOCEH3CRgA5M/s640/Screen+shot+2011-03-24+at+12.37.08+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Who is Ebony G. Patterson?</span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRlHBiEKRv-HwfiJ76oBfbGZUZDalFnkvdcaAdruWYMTZkMaYIyRuMWyUNuSjGS3Iz177fDGn_B6uREoDLog7NPBWklcVFx0e_vh_cHkNvxq7Ly1bRgrTsyEC5MaqncFafeqrnP-m4Q4/s1600/DSCN3609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRlHBiEKRv-HwfiJ76oBfbGZUZDalFnkvdcaAdruWYMTZkMaYIyRuMWyUNuSjGS3Iz177fDGn_B6uREoDLog7NPBWklcVFx0e_vh_cHkNvxq7Ly1bRgrTsyEC5MaqncFafeqrnP-m4Q4/s320/DSCN3609.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">She is a Jamaican born contemporary fine artist, who currently works in Lexington Kentucky as an Assistant Painting Professor at the University of Kentucky. When Patterson, affectionately called “Bonnie” or “Bonny”, is not working in Kentucky, she is at her home in Kingston delving in her Jamaican culture. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Constantly seeking new ways to improve her craft, the internationally acclaimed artist challenges her thoughts and eventually the ideas of others with her portrayal of Jamaican dancehall; that of its fashion, dance, and its cultural impact on the Jamaican sub-groups directly affiliate to the genre of music.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Brief History:</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">Patterson graduated from Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts with an Honours Diploma in Painting, after which she attended </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB">Sam Fox College of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis, receiving her Masters of Fine Arts in Printmaking and Drawing. Her most recent project was in Port of Spain Trinidad during her two week artists-in-residency which ended on Wednessday July 27, 2011. Her work in progress which was both and installation and performance, was sponsored by <a href="http://aliceyard.blogspot.com/">Alice Yard</a> as a part of their new segment called ACT 5 in commemoration of their five years of being recognized as a creative space. Patterson is the first Caribbean artist invited to partake in this creative engagement.<o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB"><br />
</span></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Patterson’s exhibition titled <b>“9 of 219”</b></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> included nine ornately designed coffins representing the nine lives lost to crime in the area during her short stay. It opened on Monday July 25 and took the form of a funeral procession, which the public was invited to partake in, and ended as an installation where the coffins were symbolically laid in a space designated by Alice Yard.</span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvb85iWNf4Xmy098phbRMHfbitUSx-ROjC5g-ya-fQu68gPbq0mPQYH7JVZjHYbE00RxxhDLj-AoXXLTz8U_3Afdoq5jctSPMIOJtSivsGjLf7zTb1MEQ6BZP4W7N2-MKaDZbEI3H4Fc/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvb85iWNf4Xmy098phbRMHfbitUSx-ROjC5g-ya-fQu68gPbq0mPQYH7JVZjHYbE00RxxhDLj-AoXXLTz8U_3Afdoq5jctSPMIOJtSivsGjLf7zTb1MEQ6BZP4W7N2-MKaDZbEI3H4Fc/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Asraph<br />
Patterson at the ad hoc burial ground of her bling funeral for her "9 of 129" project</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Patterson’s self-titled “bling funeral,” is partly inspired by the flamboyance of Jamaican dancehall culture.</span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: normal;"> She holds a strong spiritual connection to the</span> thought provoking presentation, seeing her country as having a direct resemblance to Trinidad with its troubled crime rate. The ideas can also be attributed to the sometimes colourful approach that some of our Jamaican dancehall artist tend to bury their dead. <span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: normal;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Having been exposed to Patterson's more lighthearted side, I decided to get more personal with the artist and</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> asked her to share five things about herself that the general public would not know. </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">FIVE THINGS YOU PROBABLY DON’T KNOW ABOUT EBONY PATTERSON</span></span></b></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 31.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">1.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">She took Ballet lessons for about eight years of her childhood <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 31.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">2.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">One summer of high school she worked for a short period of time in the kitchen of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mother’s</b> located in Half Way Tree. She lasted for about a week.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 31.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">3.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">She did her first drawing at three and it was a cockroach <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 31.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">4.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB">She can hold a note or two. Actually, when she sings she sounds like a cross between a Billie Holiday and a Jill Scott, i.e., old school sultry. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUnoYa3z7_sMZ-HUtKNMsL8MpPyg8etJq0PMhUZdRsx76mdgl55r8PzC3eLe7ird6uvFCOtll9lizVveNCQUuaoo3gwGQ0hfUx4Qt7lIbqMXMm1M-Ed1cKRbezpVOROQUZlq6DR6ICyg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2011-07-30+at+4.58.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUnoYa3z7_sMZ-HUtKNMsL8MpPyg8etJq0PMhUZdRsx76mdgl55r8PzC3eLe7ird6uvFCOtll9lizVveNCQUuaoo3gwGQ0hfUx4Qt7lIbqMXMm1M-Ed1cKRbezpVOROQUZlq6DR6ICyg/s640/Screen+Shot+2011-07-30+at+4.58.42+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 31.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">5.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">She's a shoe-aholic. Name the coolest funky kicks and foot wear and Patterson probably owns a pair.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 31.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Couldn't find the drawing with the cockroach, but here's a Valentine's Day card Patterson made for her mom around the same age. </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhO0LumJh5WKC1T0qpHFA_Y_Jc2D5-EE5vSGXGCx8v13n1L8A8f4WbJN-uS23MisNU1fRy_L1A-fj5pegY7r0qEKJkUqLjSvS-E3uFqXjWpD-bZ0L0E9Fwr1D65cpsPnwZrwTVwg0WzQ/s1600/Bonnie%2527s+Valentine%2527s+Day+Card+to+Her+Mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhO0LumJh5WKC1T0qpHFA_Y_Jc2D5-EE5vSGXGCx8v13n1L8A8f4WbJN-uS23MisNU1fRy_L1A-fj5pegY7r0qEKJkUqLjSvS-E3uFqXjWpD-bZ0L0E9Fwr1D65cpsPnwZrwTVwg0WzQ/s400/Bonnie%2527s+Valentine%2527s+Day+Card+to+Her+Mom.jpg" width="237" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Below is a painting she did at eight years old: 'Untitled'</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkAeWPlGLWKSU10wOpJEZL0B3u1mkqpMGe29LLxv9Ur1Uk5YrHre8DGepX1nIGCIUZM0bj_NiagP417qgUFIIeQJuCFneqGFkkL1wsXncB5XkB1DV21mk1dRy3J5MO_iEaboihHe_V7M/s1600/My+painitng+%2540+8+%2528+the+first+i+think%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkAeWPlGLWKSU10wOpJEZL0B3u1mkqpMGe29LLxv9Ur1Uk5YrHre8DGepX1nIGCIUZM0bj_NiagP417qgUFIIeQJuCFneqGFkkL1wsXncB5XkB1DV21mk1dRy3J5MO_iEaboihHe_V7M/s400/My+painitng+%2540+8+%2528+the+first+i+think%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: normal; text-align: left;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What do you think? Think she had the knack for being an artist??</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">I hope you enjoyed <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Part 1</b> of <b>2 </b>of my exclusive feature on Ebony G. Patterson. Visit me next week Monday (August 8) after I, you, and we celebrate Jamaica's Independence for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Part 2 </b>to<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>learn more about the artist. I will also be sharing more of her locally and internationally recognized, "more adult", peices.</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 31.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: normal;"></div></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"></div></div>Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347375731522427560.post-34513153419153165052011-07-11T11:26:00.000-07:002011-07-11T11:29:55.153-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDynbjYv63w4DrMLfQyi2e4Il8p-QzIqzeVgaB8TSh3_7ko5zCI7VDLQ_VvA1OwZz7ZVQyUWTAPCahvt_o7k85kx-pq8lIEx7nUj4WjeWtOfWHFJmThZVFBTxdI_R1RUE-r5nkyXMfMo/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-06-13+at+2.19.25+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDynbjYv63w4DrMLfQyi2e4Il8p-QzIqzeVgaB8TSh3_7ko5zCI7VDLQ_VvA1OwZz7ZVQyUWTAPCahvt_o7k85kx-pq8lIEx7nUj4WjeWtOfWHFJmThZVFBTxdI_R1RUE-r5nkyXMfMo/s640/Screen+shot+2011-06-13+at+2.19.25+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><h2 class="date-header" style="font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0.2em; line-height: 2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 43px; margin-right: 28px; margin-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="color: #881100; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 19.4pt; margin-top: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #881100; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1.4pt; text-transform: uppercase;">REPOST: TO SELF-PUBLISH OR NOT TO SELF-PUBLISH? THAT IS A DARN GOOD QUESTION!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="color: #881100; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 19.4pt; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="color: #881100; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 19.4pt; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">THE OPINIONS BELOW WERE WRITTEN FOR A GUEST POST FOR PIMPMYNOVEL.COM.</span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; letter-spacing: 2.4pt; text-transform: uppercase;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="color: #881100; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 19.4pt; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="color: #881100; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 19.4pt; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">To publish traditionally or self-publish will be a growing concern for those developing authors out there. If you haven't published your work yet, and like me, you are at the crossroads, this post that I've written may widen your perspective a bit and give you a few things to consider before you make that important move.</span><b><span style="color: #881100; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; letter-spacing: 2.4pt; text-transform: uppercase;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 19.4pt; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">see original post here: </span><a href="http://pimpmynovel.blogspot.com/2011/07/guest-post-to-self-publish-or-not-to.html#comments">http://pimpmynovel.blogspot.com/2011/07/guest-post-to-self-publish-or-not-to.html#comments</a><br />
<br />
</div></h2><h2 class="date-header" style="color: #881100; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0.2em; line-height: 2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 43px; margin-right: 28px; margin-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">MONDAY, JULY 11, 2011</h2><div class="date-posts" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><div class="post-outer"><div class="post hentry uncustomized-post-template" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; margin-bottom: 25px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.3em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 13px; padding-right: 13px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.do" name="7792560590899336684"></a><br />
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://www2.blogblog.com/rounders2/icon_arrow.gif); background-origin: initial; background-position: 10px 0.5em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: block; font: normal normal bold 135%/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 29px; padding-right: 14px; padding-top: 2px;"><a href="http://pimpmynovel.blogspot.com/2011/07/guest-post-to-self-publish-or-not-to.html" style="color: #333333; text-decoration: none;">Guest Post: To Self-Publish or Not to Self-Publish?</a></h3><div class="post-header"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 29px; padding-right: 14px; padding-top: 10px;"><i>Apologies for not getting a round-up to you last week,</i> mes auteurs<i>. However! You've now got a full week of guest posts to look forward to, starting with this one by Chevonese Fender. Sit back, relax, and enjoy! — E</i><br />
<br />
"Self-publishing used to have a real stigma attached to it. To be self-published meant your work was SO BAD that not one publisher would take you seriously. But that’s just not true anymore. Readers just want a great book to read." — Kaia Van Zandt, from Alan Rinzler’s post, <a href="http://pimpmynovel.blogspot.com/2011/07/guest-post-to-self-publish-or-not-to.html#one" style="color: #cc0000; text-decoration: none;">"Advice for Amanda Hocking from authors and agents"</a><br />
<br />
It is true that I, too, fell victim to this stigma. When I spent some time in New York, I would always see street vendors alongside 34th Street hustling to sell books that I would never take one second to peruse, let alone purchase. The approach is a turn off and the quality of the books, <i>i.e.</i> the print and cover quality, are a no-no in my standards.<br />
<br />
Two years ago I was on the 2 train to the Bronx and noticed a Caucasian girl reading an urban novel, which I decided must have been self-published based on the distasteful cover and book quality. I was not surprised when I got a glimpse of the content and how less than classy it was. That was my impression of self-publishing. So when my friends and family have the gall to suggest the idea, I literally cringe and regard them with utmost disdain. <i>Me, self-publish? Oh heck no!</i> The goal is to be seen and known as a respected author, not the other way around.<br />
<br />
I always agreed with Van Zandt's description of how self-publishing used to be <a href="http://pimpmynovel.blogspot.com/2011/07/guest-post-to-self-publish-or-not-to.html#one" style="color: #cc0000; text-decoration: none;">[1]</a>: that to self-publish meant my work was not good enough for a literary agent or publisher to give it the time of day. So, for a while I continued with my upturned nose, bent on having representation. It was not until I realized how the self-publishing industry had transformed and how beneficial it had proven to be for countless struggling and aggravated authors that I began seeing self-publishing for what it was.<br />
<br />
Granted, there are those self-published authors who, out of anticipation, eagerly publish their work without serious editing and consulting. These authors partly contribute to the negative connotation that self-publishing carries. But it seems as if the tables have been drastically turning. Now, self-publishing appears to be the second best approach, if not the first, for getting your unpublished work out there.<br />
<br />
So with two stories completed—one short story and one full length novel with its sequel on the way—would self-publishing be my best bet? Well, I would no longer have to hopelessly wait, after submitting my query letters for representation, for months to know if I’ve been given a "yes" or "no." I would no longer be limited to sharing my stories with my ten friends and family members and accept their praises as mission accomplished. And most importantly, no longer would I have to WAIT!<br />
<br />
So many tools, websites, and literary agent blogs offer advice and tips, weighing the pros and cons of publishing on your own or taking the traditional route. It doesn’t hurt becoming your own agent, marketing and representing your own product, and reaping total benefits from book sales, as opposed to splitting it three ways if you were represented by an agent who found you a publisher. Most importantly, you are in full control of your content! Sounds like hard work and it most certainly is.<br />
<br />
Is there respect for self-published authors today? Absolutely! Exhibit A: Amanda Hocking, after being told "no" numerous times, went on an ambitious whim and published on her own, only to find that her audience did exist and that her work is now worth a two million dollar contract with St. Martin’s Press. The publishers simply got on the bandwagon because they saw that there was money to be made; a foundation that was already set had been set through self-publishing. Even traditionally published authors like thriller and suspense writers Stephen King and Barry Eisler have self-published. Eisler <a href="http://pimpmynovel.blogspot.com/2011/07/guest-post-to-self-publish-or-not-to.html#two" style="color: #cc0000; text-decoration: none;">[2]</a>consciously opted out of a major contract simply because he wanted full control of his work and his money. Certainly these authors have an upper hand, as they have years of experience with the market—but the fact is, self-publishing is becoming more appealing than it was five or six years ago. Now, many services offer print-on-demand, which cuts out unnecessary printing costs.<br />
<br />
We Jamaicans have a saying: "Puss and dog don’t have the same luck," which simply means that one man’s success story may not be the same for another. There are a lot of factors to consider if you desire the same success story as Hocking. The genre, writing style, content, target audience, cover images, and marketing and promotional strategies are all vital things to consider. But who’s to say how successful you will be unless you actually try it? In my book, not trying is failing.<br />
<br />
Based on the numerous dialogues that I’ve come across, I’ve deduced one main thing: go off your gut instincts and your pocket. So should you venture beyond the traditional and daringly choose self-publishing? I’m certainly not against taking the bull by the horns, and there are many reputable authors, agents and editors who aren’t either. However, at the end of the day a decision has to be made.<br />
<br />
Here’s what I advise: create your checklists of short term and long term goals for your books and your literary career; weigh your options, do your research, understand the benefits and pitfalls of choosing either publishing option; and be patient.<br />
<br />
So, you tell me. Where do you stand?<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Chevonese Fender is from Jamaica. She modeled for five years, the latter part spent working in New York. She was represented last by Boss Models in New York, and a little over a year and half ago she made a life-changing decision to actually put her God-given skill to use and write. She writes edgy, inspirational romance and has not yet been published, but her first novel is recently completed and she finds herself at the crossroads, so to speak: publishing traditionally or just say, the heck with it—publish the darn thing yourself!</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div id="one">[1]</div><a href="http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2011/04/04/advice-for-amanda-hocking-from-authors-and-agents/" style="color: #cc0000; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2011/04/04/advice-for-amanda-hocking-from-authors-and-agents/</a><br />
<br />
<div id="two">[2]</div><a href="http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2011/03/ebooks-and-self-publishing-dialog.html" style="color: #cc0000; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2011/03/ebooks-and-self-publishing-dialog.html</a></div></div></div></div>Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347375731522427560.post-63936385923641271112011-07-05T17:51:00.000-07:002011-07-31T13:00:07.017-07:00Two-time World Record Holder, Usain Bolt, Makes Another One<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The World’s Fastest Man has a new franchise. Have you heard of it?</b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: normal;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In collaboration with Kingston Live Entertainment Ltd, Usain Bolt has a new dining and sports lounge located in Marketplace, Kingston, called <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tracks and Records</b>. I suppose the title is most fitting for the sporting magnifico who has expressed some interest in music and entertainment.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnClN8aFCKcNZrb14QbX9-bgDo4AQ1Bbu5_8JJS9eoTVm91gYyFrewZ2V5cXdy2TXr4RnPGFqOeywNiVnAyX-t9y5WGzzjgLvgh843-arPlgIK4Ru3iBNbJ_LFFXw290CIce96JZCUNhM/s1600/DSCN3538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnClN8aFCKcNZrb14QbX9-bgDo4AQ1Bbu5_8JJS9eoTVm91gYyFrewZ2V5cXdy2TXr4RnPGFqOeywNiVnAyX-t9y5WGzzjgLvgh843-arPlgIK4Ru3iBNbJ_LFFXw290CIce96JZCUNhM/s200/DSCN3538.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I, and a couple of friends, visited the new franchise early last month and were amazed to learn that the spot had been open since two months prior! That night wasn’t necessarily one of Kingston’s most sociable nights, seeing that it was a Wednesday, but for some reason the place was packed. My friends and I were in the slightly crowded lobby for a good seven minutes before we were acknowledged by the hostess.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: normal;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In the mean time, I quietly admired the bright green walls overlade with small and large vinyl records and the flashy miniature race timer with Bolt’s proudly proclaimed world record times. I zoned out from the décor and into my friends’ conversation with the hostess and my senses were heightened by the final words that actually expelled from the chica’s mouth.</span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_S05wKNgjnwuDw2_btvDnGoyePnew8J_h6E04KJ-TSu69BxwC-15zAA9knoOS3FJBado8vrAeYcV3vdMP6vwBbAfVvshrSWS7i9WaBk1jpSm2yacB15spuKDaf1sxUpjMxc_pOv04uI/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-05+at+3.32.19+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_S05wKNgjnwuDw2_btvDnGoyePnew8J_h6E04KJ-TSu69BxwC-15zAA9knoOS3FJBado8vrAeYcV3vdMP6vwBbAfVvshrSWS7i9WaBk1jpSm2yacB15spuKDaf1sxUpjMxc_pOv04uI/s640/Screen+shot+2011-07-05+at+3.32.19+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">A section of the lobby</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">You see, for the entire time of the conversation while my friends queried the availability of a table for three, the “lovely” hostess was busy punching whatever it was on her screen at the reception desk. So there was barely any eye contact, as she advised us to either sit by the bar, wait for a table, and she raised her head this time and pointedly added, “...or you can leave.” </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You know, if this were a movie, this would be the point where the record is scratched, suddenly pausing the music while a few mouths drop open in stupor. Of course, quite taken by the last barefaced statement, we looked amongst ourselves, internally agreeing to leave seeing that we’ve been getting the bad vibe since we actually set foot through the doors. Anyone who doesn’t want our money isn’t worth spending with...right? Nevertheless, we were hungry and curious and truly wanted to check the spot out. So we overlooked the crude statement and were escorted to the extended version of the bar. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9d3YwTiaH5o26sp046soAjLwY7vzNez_NS7blot3u8JfZGv5G1EQZihRIOmBIE51Rp74WaM4DU8ksFYz1xaKj8baouER0PB43soeyOzZdI4_KVJMvJz0JqfKwY-SdQznpsh9vTvz-R8/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-05+at+2.20.20+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9d3YwTiaH5o26sp046soAjLwY7vzNez_NS7blot3u8JfZGv5G1EQZihRIOmBIE51Rp74WaM4DU8ksFYz1xaKj8baouER0PB43soeyOzZdI4_KVJMvJz0JqfKwY-SdQznpsh9vTvz-R8/s320/Screen+shot+2011-07-05+at+2.20.20+PM.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In minutes we were addressed by a server, who handed us our menus; and there laid another problem. The menus, which took the shape and look of large vinyl records, are so big that we fought for space at the counter top to flip through the pages. To be frank, one menu could have served for all three of us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While we waited, we keenly dissected the buzzing scene. Dissected, because I was accompanied by two fine artists and it was natural for them to go in depth with the execution of the décor. As I gathered the interpretations of my gracious friends, I gathered my own. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">From the buoyancy of the colours to the intermeshing of wood, metal, marble, zinc, soft to hard furnishings, forward technology and old fashion fixtures, there appears to be an intentional fusion of Jamaica’s rural and urban vibe, with an edgy European influence. I’m still undecided on whether the execution works, but undoubtedly it is novel and does scream for your attention. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">The Décor</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">At first the décor appears confusing with this almost uncomplimentary blend of polished and rough impressions. Smooth marble counters at the bar are surrounded by zinc walls. Modish green-cushioned booths are countered by small board-game table tops fashioned with sleek chairs, similar to those by the bar. By the aisle of these tables are your every day Jamaican wooden light posts with an unexpected combination of flat screen TVs and board advertisements fastened to them. With flat screen panels just about everywhere, including the bathrooms, a grandiose projector screen—generally carrying sports programmes—top things off. Additionally there are four booths that have a touch screen table for ordering your food and apparently you can change the stations of the flat panel TVs that hang by those walls. The bathroom has a fresh ambience and where there is a flat screen TV, there is also a trough, supported by cinder blocks for washing your hands. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This theme resonates through the rest of the building, except for the mezzanine, also labelled the Digicel Sky Box, which mostly carries more refined furnishings. So now that I’m over the design and get the drift, it’s time to focus on the food.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">The refinement of the building had our pockets on edge, so we were quite nervous about what to order. Thankfully the prices are listed in the menus to avoid the surprise bill, outside of taxes and gratuity.</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span">After much contemplation, my friends settled for the <i>Pan Chicken </i>and <i>‘Flitters’—</i>Yes, I said flitters, not fritters—and I, the <i>Jerk Chicken Quesadilla</i> and a bowl of fries<i>.</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We were finally seated by one of the board-game tables when our food arrived and were duly surprised at the copious pan chicken dish, along with the flitters, which were flavoursome and essentially filling. While I wasn’t impressed with the fries, I couldn’t get enough of the quesadilla slices. The night was finished off with a confection of chocolate decadence. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: normal;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD01RyiJJWpAK-GTxMDd-KfMJZsPBtlTAJvjsmPwHYcQ-dMZc26IGKZ2TqwaTAlfukaMnBgEPdiG31oXLqa1qdFaEqiZ4csqpbVKlLbaJ4-8HqoCY-g8vtADi3SkNAaa8zI8B5TDnEOpc/s1600/decadence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD01RyiJJWpAK-GTxMDd-KfMJZsPBtlTAJvjsmPwHYcQ-dMZc26IGKZ2TqwaTAlfukaMnBgEPdiG31oXLqa1qdFaEqiZ4csqpbVKlLbaJ4-8HqoCY-g8vtADi3SkNAaa8zI8B5TDnEOpc/s400/decadence.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I’m particularly fund of this treat. Unlike other places with similar desserts, the brownie isn’t, at all, too sweet. My only complaint is the nuts that adorned the cream. Not really a fan of dried macadamia nuts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wEOe0k8TtBFP3IFrTK4zCFHqH_8lbf9N1yyrS9BfEwUjxjN3-Cw3KSUzx_E8fxUFSDw5_lj_zEwCUV_ZBgHw5ghruhfxnfwBtHNlq62aXJiPaSXzKRGEzvkn7SfP64iTxibmJc2bwUI/s1600/IMAG0053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wEOe0k8TtBFP3IFrTK4zCFHqH_8lbf9N1yyrS9BfEwUjxjN3-Cw3KSUzx_E8fxUFSDw5_lj_zEwCUV_ZBgHw5ghruhfxnfwBtHNlq62aXJiPaSXzKRGEzvkn7SfP64iTxibmJc2bwUI/s320/IMAG0053.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Not a pretty sight...What's left of the quesadilla and pan </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">chicken from our first night. We were too hungry to take </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">before pics</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So, with the cheeky hostess in the back of our minds, we enjoyed our evening so much that a few weeks later we returned. This time we were greeted by another, much friendlier, hostess and were taken to our booth on the mezzanine. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here’s an important note: If you intend on getting your stomach’s worth at an affordable price, you best head there before the kitchen closes at ten. After that they only serve entrées or appetizers; and though they are delectable, they aren’t as filling and you might find yourself spending more than you should had you ordered a full meal. And another thing—for those of you who happen not to walk with Jamaican dollars, don’t you worry your pretty little calculators about conversions, because your bill will take care of that for you; but only in UK, US and Canadian dollars.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Overall, Tracks and Records is a hit and a wise investment. The food is moderately affordable, the ambience is fascinating and cosy and outside of a few blunders, the service is fairly commendable. So if you haven’t yet graced the restaurant with your stomachs and pockets, I encourage you to do so. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>More on </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>décor</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxj9y4tduBeTlTkPmTUl_Xu6FYazA5bl6ZTf1RxicWXdCK29kH_vmpyHDk6gc_CzDzNmRqqCUFC-r_DIPIOo1mxXMJDXN9ltJR8KGIbJ0vXmU-q_2IORVEC9seEODypSTpFuluflv1qX8/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-05+at+2.53.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxj9y4tduBeTlTkPmTUl_Xu6FYazA5bl6ZTf1RxicWXdCK29kH_vmpyHDk6gc_CzDzNmRqqCUFC-r_DIPIOo1mxXMJDXN9ltJR8KGIbJ0vXmU-q_2IORVEC9seEODypSTpFuluflv1qX8/s640/Screen+shot+2011-07-05+at+2.53.15+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">From left: The lounge and bar; booth with touch screen table</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhir6wm5yz9NykAtLZU6Vh72C4fXV2QZbkMBL_q9hXxO4IRX6bTXvy1EplyeeWoZkno2vz7xYzcrhs55ho4IyECfhwpJ_i5h8UeAKui5WpofgdASTX1eSrNdoqzYsBYWEhDneYPrmEH4E/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-05+at+3.08.12+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhir6wm5yz9NykAtLZU6Vh72C4fXV2QZbkMBL_q9hXxO4IRX6bTXvy1EplyeeWoZkno2vz7xYzcrhs55ho4IyECfhwpJ_i5h8UeAKui5WpofgdASTX1eSrNdoqzYsBYWEhDneYPrmEH4E/s640/Screen+shot+2011-07-05+at+3.08.12+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">From left: Board-game tables, speakers by touch screen table; wooden posts with flat screen and board advertisements</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Jmh0SjCiloWfplQ-R2uLvbDcEGcQPnNrH5gCct-UKB5oFHouFLHwhENXAozpcae_v-BobIMSBs-dltryKP7fqPr6H0LZ6eUsuIZiacTK0BJzjkOd4RuJYujVcoPDnFIGlPONUEhNFSs/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-05+at+3.45.28+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Jmh0SjCiloWfplQ-R2uLvbDcEGcQPnNrH5gCct-UKB5oFHouFLHwhENXAozpcae_v-BobIMSBs-dltryKP7fqPr6H0LZ6eUsuIZiacTK0BJzjkOd4RuJYujVcoPDnFIGlPONUEhNFSs/s640/Screen+shot+2011-07-05+at+3.45.28+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">From left: Upper level at mezzanine; bar and lounge with grand projector screen</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBW61jioAzk-0piRPKwgUOqxdrtf6xGbI3auVlppjAA6iVx5oM0s8Bh8CYSFYPgCj7z90oYTYRzOS5jVzPRMNk8-2LxP-eoQ1hKI5s1ZLDIcEPHxEr_R2NrIOAUDiKrOle_Ba30tCi2o/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-05+at+2.25.04+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBW61jioAzk-0piRPKwgUOqxdrtf6xGbI3auVlppjAA6iVx5oM0s8Bh8CYSFYPgCj7z90oYTYRzOS5jVzPRMNk8-2LxP-eoQ1hKI5s1ZLDIcEPHxEr_R2NrIOAUDiKrOle_Ba30tCi2o/s400/Screen+shot+2011-07-05+at+2.25.04+PM.png" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">Women's bathroom--trough with cinder blocks</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">More on food...yummm</span></b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: normal;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0b8Lj9bQ_RHbTWKOZDwG51XZJjRL4HZpb-fFteaa-eMAPV3voaMmh2ZU44bm1njpIl7XAUtSS3rNR3kUnKm-klkVEFmwrwod2BlXTDdoXqK8XdgP83HO1fvLzUo_ykUr3-pHGHHlV6o/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-05+at+2.34.43+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0b8Lj9bQ_RHbTWKOZDwG51XZJjRL4HZpb-fFteaa-eMAPV3voaMmh2ZU44bm1njpIl7XAUtSS3rNR3kUnKm-klkVEFmwrwod2BlXTDdoXqK8XdgP83HO1fvLzUo_ykUr3-pHGHHlV6o/s400/Screen+shot+2011-07-05+at+2.34.43+PM.png" width="390" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">From top: Bungle of Fries; Jerk Chicken Spring Roll (This comes with eight, but one fell victim to our stomachs *_*</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYtiVC-bBZJKA-Ec_2sb7d5H2j9BQUWz9TsG4tmlkMXqI4ZoqqmpZxLDStSoQid_3rsLlApEz-zIPpt52MuYI3g7Ntm4226GGEzJLChYiO-R_k8dIPinP51A4tUPCWuwYkXVtiP0NGpE/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-05+at+6.11.12+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYtiVC-bBZJKA-Ec_2sb7d5H2j9BQUWz9TsG4tmlkMXqI4ZoqqmpZxLDStSoQid_3rsLlApEz-zIPpt52MuYI3g7Ntm4226GGEzJLChYiO-R_k8dIPinP51A4tUPCWuwYkXVtiP0NGpE/s640/Screen+shot+2011-07-05+at+6.11.12+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;">From left: Flitters; Tracks & Records sauces; tasty Spiced Beef Sliders</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you've already visited Tracks and Records, what’s your take on the decor and food? How was your overall experience? Would you recommend this venue to a friend?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div></div>Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347375731522427560.post-61207926807181478072011-06-17T10:27:00.000-07:002011-07-15T10:32:34.796-07:00Double the Quickie, Double the Pleasure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NccRdkTbZebm0-mcXuhJlgasRgeV1SRHLqdJn-IJRj4XKSPHtkPoCi_Ca8wylPxgI0mPljj1OF4FUE2nV0kLdgUqlDfVkOkB8y_DVmMa4dAFD7eQvv4BuHQRinxp6Wf-eV55wamCwUY/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-03-24+at+12.37.08+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NccRdkTbZebm0-mcXuhJlgasRgeV1SRHLqdJn-IJRj4XKSPHtkPoCi_Ca8wylPxgI0mPljj1OF4FUE2nV0kLdgUqlDfVkOkB8y_DVmMa4dAFD7eQvv4BuHQRinxp6Wf-eV55wamCwUY/s640/Screen+shot+2011-03-24+at+12.37.08+PM.png" width="640" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Meet two of the contestants of the Miss Jamaica Universe 2011 Pageant, <b>Kadyan Salmon</b> and <b>Christina Gonzalez</b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I met these beautiful ladies a few years back. Christina, while I worked at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing arts as the Publications Officer in the Marketing Department; and Kadyan, while I shed the executive hat, simultaneously donning a more daredevil one as a fashion model. So, clearly you see my prejudice.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;">I thought it would be fitting to present the daughter of all quickies and do a double take in my segment, <b>Drive Thru Interview</b>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tSjRHIoND9ydCgMl-Dn_Pa3iDCP1z4Zi-1vROAs0x1Jj7nyU-PBwxz8XpnLO2bsRsk8rkozK5dXEz1laUUMcIdR3i7SnDNAWqRHz5erR_taBo8vjuSZZxQxahn-YH-dXXdPdxvA-OrI/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-06-14+at+3.32.33+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tSjRHIoND9ydCgMl-Dn_Pa3iDCP1z4Zi-1vROAs0x1Jj7nyU-PBwxz8XpnLO2bsRsk8rkozK5dXEz1laUUMcIdR3i7SnDNAWqRHz5erR_taBo8vjuSZZxQxahn-YH-dXXdPdxvA-OrI/s400/Screen+shot+2011-06-14+at+3.32.33+AM.png" width="400" /></span></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_FCIeyb64j5nwkTe1pxhp8ejU8NMaIxefhr6K5AXuOGtRcSaW-In7nUj8x8ZYMqp00FsFvb1o0G4aiy3-Ej_ZNo3IrgigzuHWbcOTyXi_IvpJNeUsAzivL76sre0PsqYeys587DggXo/s1600/250166_177148229004934_132115823508175_406423_6466228_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_FCIeyb64j5nwkTe1pxhp8ejU8NMaIxefhr6K5AXuOGtRcSaW-In7nUj8x8ZYMqp00FsFvb1o0G4aiy3-Ej_ZNo3IrgigzuHWbcOTyXi_IvpJNeUsAzivL76sre0PsqYeys587DggXo/s320/250166_177148229004934_132115823508175_406423_6466228_n.jpg" width="262" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Photo: Miss Jamaica Universe 2011 Fan Page</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">"</span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">I Just do good with what I have"</span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Born in Kingston and graduated from Alpha Academy with her high school Diploma and an Associate Degree in Humanities. The twenty-two year old has a conscious spirit remembering that as a child, though she never always got what she wanted, she was never lacking in anything. Kady, as she is affectionately called, is grateful for the foundation set by her parents, who constantly instilled in her and her sisters to make-do with whatever they have. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">“It’s definitely because of this principle that even now as a young adult, you will find that I won't do every or anything to get ahead in life,” she says.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>What I like about Kadyan: She unabashedly reps the Kingdom</b></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: 10pt;"><b>Tell my readers one thing about yourself that has been kept a secret</b></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: 10pt;"><b></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;">People may not know that I love to cry. I have a very tough exterior, but inside I'm a softy. </span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">Do you have any fears? What are they?</span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"></span></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;">I really don't think I have any fears. Can’t seem to pin point any. Actually, I do fear not accomplishing all that God has destined for me. So I think that counts as one—the fear of being a disappointment to my God.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">What interested you to enter the Miss Jamaica Universe Competition?</span></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"></span></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;">To be honest, I've always watch the competitions, but never seriously thought about entering. For some reason I felt compelled to enter this year, so I prayed about it and told God to use me in the pageant. So, I would say, I entered to share my experiences with Christ with the girls, as well as to represent my country on the international scene; proving to people that NOTHING is impossible when God is in it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">If you do win, what does that mean for you and how do you think it will affect your life?</span></span></b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnDWMe6Uj4JqzA9LtRj6guZbfwTuTi6OXoTyj5SXQA29GQ5RXUtxhhlvayh5qEikmiKTWdfBaMlOPKwf33aUgWkVohdDqhJsACui0lIsEMiBheUePixBjVJWvNn-Rz-hO5PNoNcyki4M/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-06-10+at+1.18.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnDWMe6Uj4JqzA9LtRj6guZbfwTuTi6OXoTyj5SXQA29GQ5RXUtxhhlvayh5qEikmiKTWdfBaMlOPKwf33aUgWkVohdDqhJsACui0lIsEMiBheUePixBjVJWvNn-Rz-hO5PNoNcyki4M/s640/Screen+shot+2011-06-10+at+1.18.13+PM.png" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: <a href="http://marvinbartley.blogspot.com/">Marvin Bartley</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;">To win this title will definitely be life changing. It will definitely give me the platform I need to effectively impact the lives of young girls in my country. I have a passion for young people, and it’s painful to see when they sell themselves short due to low self esteem. I want to change that.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span">Indeed it will affect my life in a positive and negative light. Negative, in the sense that my life will no longer be private, and all that I do will be scrutinized. So that's one thing I will have to adapt to and fast! Good thing I'm a quick leaner :)</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">What can't you leave the house without?</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I can't leave my house without my phone and a lip gloss.</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">What's your new craze these days?</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;">An Ipad2. I want one sooooo bad.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">Have any plans for the coming year? And where do you see yourself in five years?</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;">Indeed I'm looking forward to representing my country in Brazil this September and I hope to visit my sister and family in England this Christmas. As for the next five years, Gods willing I should be engage by then, looking to get married, and doing my studies in hopes of becoming a Pediatric Nurse.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">Is there anything that gets under your skin?</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I really don't appreciate been lied to. So, I would say liars really get under my skin.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"><br />
</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">Any advice for girls who want to follow in your footstep?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;">Just be yourself. That's the only thing that people can't tell you you're not good at; because who can play you, better than you? Also, in everything, trust God. Indeed He knows and wants the best for us and nothing is impossible with Him. Live, Trust-God and Respect Yourself.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">Is there anyone in your life that pushes and motivates you, even when you feel like giving up?</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;">When I feel like giving up, I go to my source—God Himself. That's when He kindly reminds me that He will not give me more than I can bear and I do believe that whatever He brings my way, He will take me through it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">Is there anything else you want to share with my readers?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I would just like to add that I love life. I have a great appreciation for it and the people that are in it. Also, I want them to see my true potential and support me on my journey in being their very own Miss Jamaica Universe 2011.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJLrmnux8UpVGxIEOWs7OfjEfxz2qHIyhqCOh1uFbt7O98FxB4BbndtnZ7NsMXCo6KWE-h_40_At1fPK5PmtSq2bYTgfVvygOSBxe1vks654E8esIfie7ZVAZHFBei6Oi2_G81tmHJYc/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-06-14+at+3.34.05+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJLrmnux8UpVGxIEOWs7OfjEfxz2qHIyhqCOh1uFbt7O98FxB4BbndtnZ7NsMXCo6KWE-h_40_At1fPK5PmtSq2bYTgfVvygOSBxe1vks654E8esIfie7ZVAZHFBei6Oi2_G81tmHJYc/s400/Screen+shot+2011-06-14+at+3.34.05+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBVSScZzkS0aUZKugYx-Xs_SiIqj1rtVwFB7Lzgf_tRf-0HhfoYokCWGczyP188Ji9Hu7F_c_93OmZ3kXdHWV-J39KUzX449lOklPaLuXRbVj7vHZv39xWe_176LU0-XhcktFRE7Bl6o/s1600/247667_1939506721543_1058660807_2265232_8034099_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBVSScZzkS0aUZKugYx-Xs_SiIqj1rtVwFB7Lzgf_tRf-0HhfoYokCWGczyP188Ji9Hu7F_c_93OmZ3kXdHWV-J39KUzX449lOklPaLuXRbVj7vHZv39xWe_176LU0-XhcktFRE7Bl6o/s400/247667_1939506721543_1058660807_2265232_8034099_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Miss Jamaica Universe 2011 Fan Page<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">"I have a problem with procrastination… This "last minute" approach we have adapted is limiting our creativity and innovation."</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">This twenty-three year old is a native of Runaway Bay St. Ann, where she spent 17 years. She attended St. Hilda's Diocesan High School then later attended the School of Dance at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. Christina has certainly made a name for herself, clearly possessing and aggressive line of accomplishments which shows that she is no stranger to pageants.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">She proudly acknowledges the following accomplishments:</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Miss Columbus Prep 1st Runner Up</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Miss Teen Jamaica 2001</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Dancer and Choreographer of the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC)</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Rex Nettleford Award for Most Outstanding student in Choreography</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;">Teacher at Hydel Group of Schools :special education, pre-school--grades 1-6</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Teacher to Edna Manley College Junior and Adult Department </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Teacher for UWI Dance Society</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;">Dance Coordinator for Magnum Kings and Queens live show 2010</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>What I like about Christina: Don’t be fooled by the sometimes stern exterior. Deep down is her warm, chocolate covered and determined spirit.</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Tell us one thing about Christina that most people would not know?</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span">When I was much younger I wanted to be a police officer or a soldier.</span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Do you have any fears? What are they?</span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span">My fear is being unprepared for natural disasters such as earthquakes or meteor showers.</span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">What interested you to enter the Miss Jamaica Universe Competition?</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="apple-style-span">I entered this pageant because I want to use it as a platform for developing the Arts throughout Jamaica and the Caribbean. I feel that to be successful in the Arts we, as Jamaicans, should not have to migrate overseas when the resources are right here awaiting development. Many people don't realize it, but the Arts play a major role in the culture of society.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">If you do win, what does that mean for you and how do you think it will affect your life?</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="apple-style-span">Winning will definitely mean that my hard work has certainly paid off. It will affect my life because I will have a platform for fast forwarding the development of the Arts as a viable career choice in Jamaica and throughout the Caribbean.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOewM4ebVhYLtpQzu-ZT4xygC9xrHroIdZ9XUzzxxMxYddK1-VcmPGWvb_KIPO8jy9RglnvTD0ztuW1W4_0PufplZ9qLTFxKZNfbnMY52ZfuZJ7yOJT96lWgdXKSvC9aKHM73cxBQHkk0/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-06-07+at+11.08.54+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOewM4ebVhYLtpQzu-ZT4xygC9xrHroIdZ9XUzzxxMxYddK1-VcmPGWvb_KIPO8jy9RglnvTD0ztuW1W4_0PufplZ9qLTFxKZNfbnMY52ZfuZJ7yOJT96lWgdXKSvC9aKHM73cxBQHkk0/s640/Screen+shot+2011-06-07+at+11.08.54+PM.png" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: <a href="http://marvinbartley.blogspot.com/">Marvin Bartley</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">What can't you leave the house without?</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;">Once I’m dressed and have on a strong pair of shoes, I’m good to go. All other gadgets are just distractions.</span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">What's your new craze these days?</span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span">My new craze is definitely finding different channels of sharing my art education. I want Jamaica to realize that I am serious about my goals with developing the arts and sharing will be indication of this.</span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Have any plans for the coming year? Where do you see yourself in five years?</span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span">I do have some projects that I am planning for, both as an individual and with a partner. However I'd rather not disclose any information yet. I see myself, in the next five years, taking on more responsibilities and making greater contributions to the development of the Arts.</span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Is there anything that gets under your skin?</span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span">I have a problem with procrastination. I feel that it is definitely becoming a sore in the culture of our present society. This "Last Minute" approach we have adapted is limiting our creativity and innovation.</span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Any advice for girls who want to follow in your footstep?</span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span">I would definitely advise these girls to never limit themselves and try to experience life in different ways. Always stay true to who you are as an individual.</span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Is there anyone in your life that pushes and motivates you, even when you feel like giving up?</span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<span class="apple-style-span">I am motivated by persons within and outside my field who work tediously at achieving goals and accepting life's challenges as a means by which to grow.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Has anything occurred in your life so far that has shaped your outlook on life?</span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span">Entering this pageant has shaped my outlook on life. I feel that I am now put into a place where I can affect greater good and it is inspiring.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Is there anything else you want to share with my readers?</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Live everyday as though it is your last be aware of who you are and never allow anyone or anything to define who you are as an individual.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>So, there you have it--a quick and easy double-package interview! To follow these ladies, visit the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/MissJamaicaUniverse?tapp=tbits&sk=app_163177517067273&poll_uid=48bc002e-975c-4f93-8b2a-86e31202f183&fb_comment_id=fbc_10150204573774157_17228124_10150207747604157">Miss Jamaica Universe </a></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>Page; and be sure to cast your votes and show your love.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>I wish you all the best, ladies!</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"></div></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="line-height: normal;"></div></div>Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347375731522427560.post-3442537226134976262011-06-12T19:30:00.000-07:002011-06-14T13:04:49.107-07:00The Beauty in Tests<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDynbjYv63w4DrMLfQyi2e4Il8p-QzIqzeVgaB8TSh3_7ko5zCI7VDLQ_VvA1OwZz7ZVQyUWTAPCahvt_o7k85kx-pq8lIEx7nUj4WjeWtOfWHFJmThZVFBTxdI_R1RUE-r5nkyXMfMo/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-06-13+at+2.19.25+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDynbjYv63w4DrMLfQyi2e4Il8p-QzIqzeVgaB8TSh3_7ko5zCI7VDLQ_VvA1OwZz7ZVQyUWTAPCahvt_o7k85kx-pq8lIEx7nUj4WjeWtOfWHFJmThZVFBTxdI_R1RUE-r5nkyXMfMo/s640/Screen+shot+2011-06-13+at+2.19.25+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Don't Panic, this is just a test</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">This is the message on Joyce Meyer's broadcast today. I was only eight minutes into the video and it felt as if I was watching it for twenty minutes, because I was getting so much from it in that short period of time. So many things hit the nail on the head and God placed it on my heart to not keep it to myself, but instead, to share it.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Many of us are going through things in our lives that we feel we see no end to and no way of getting out. Sometimes the extremity of our circumstances forces us to seek the wrong escape by no longer trying, caring, and living or even finding distractions that bring us deeper into our own peril. But that's the easy way and the cheater’s way out. Who wants to overcome a situation by not overcoming it, because we cheated? As a believer I really see the importance of praising through the circumstances. As Joyce puts it, "Whatever you want, until you can do good without it then, you probably won't get it." </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">This is how I interpret it: until we, i.e., you and me, can be happy within our sufferings, then chances are we won't get what our hearts desire and we will end up spending the rest of our lives always wanting and never having. Also, when we do reach a point of happiness without the things we desire, sometimes it’s because we really don’t need it after all. Quite likely, because we have been so blind-sighted by what we think we need, we often times pass up an opportunity that God has placed before us as a replacement of that need. And until we are happy with where we are in our lives our circumstances will never change. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23PZbfz0_WTMqdQP3aR3Pp3QI0rL62j5vw5_2kIpD7CKoOiIkHBUxNrBQjEj0wphxBI87MGi3qxyQmfh09ZH8OWVErnnU95LysYWvghePCPQ1aX5lNfLC_D91Pln1FZzRB2Ahf-5eCRg/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-06-12+at+6.11.28+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23PZbfz0_WTMqdQP3aR3Pp3QI0rL62j5vw5_2kIpD7CKoOiIkHBUxNrBQjEj0wphxBI87MGi3qxyQmfh09ZH8OWVErnnU95LysYWvghePCPQ1aX5lNfLC_D91Pln1FZzRB2Ahf-5eCRg/s400/Screen+shot+2011-06-12+at+6.11.28+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An adorable figurine I purchased when I was in College</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">So enjoy the beauty of your tests. It is because of God’s love for us that He places us in these situations. You may think, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Oh I brought this upon myself; I should have known better; I deserve what I’m getting.</i> On the contrary, NO, you didn’t bring this upon yourself; and you probably didn’t know any better; and even if you did, God knew you were going to make that move anyway, because this was the only option you left Him with to teach you. So you in turn have no choice but to trust and rely on Him. And No, you certainly do not deserve the results of those actions. In fact, you deserve to come out of it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">So what’s the lesson God is teaching you? Seek Him first and everything else you desire He will give them to you, according to His will. Having joy in Him gives you strength to conquer the attacks and temptations of the enemy and most importantly endure your trials. Things shouldn’t always be going your way for you to be happy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">So what if you actually rely on Him and not yourself and on man? What if you actually believe and have faith that you serve a much bigger purpose than the rut or jam you are in? Well here’s what can happen: “Now to Him, whose power is at work within us, is able to do superabundantly far over and above all that we dare to ask or think (infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Hmm… Interesting statement, isn’t it? Seeking God and coming to Him in complete faith means that He will grant and bless you even more than you could even fathom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I like that Joyce Meyer puts her spin on “Testimony” claiming that some of us end up with “monies” instead of the actually testimony. We complain and gripe over not having and not receiving, so much so, that we overlook the lesson that should be learned. The truth is God allows these tests so He can use you beyond what you could ever begin to accept. Channel your hurt; disappointment; void of things desired into a lesson that only you can share when you actually learn it (2 Corinthians 1: 3-4). <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">One song writer says in his song, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2S8Brqc3o4">Forgiven</a></i>, that (and I’m paraphrasing here) you can never have a message unless you go through the “mess.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">So love the mess you’re in and find beauty in your test—the heartbreak, the unemployment, the lack of love, the lack of a husband or wife or girlfriend or boyfriend, the lack of finances, the days you shop and always have to watch the price tag, the loneliness, the one thing you need to get to the next level in your life or career, the dream not ‘yet’ fulfilled—because when God is finished with you, you will be much stronger, much wiser, and more fulfilled; and essentially more useful to you and to someone else.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">There is so much more to learn from this sermon and I encourage you to watch it. Click <a href="http://joycemeyer.org/BroadcastHome.aspx?video=Don%E2%80%99t_Panic,_This_Is_Just_a_Test_-_Pt_2">here</a> to watch now.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<br />
<span class="apple-style-span">Reference/Power verses:</span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <span class="apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>James 1: 2-4</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. <b><sup>3</sup></b>Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. <b><sup>4</sup></b>But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>James 1: 12<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black;">Blessed (happy, </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black;">to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor's] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him.</span></span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Ephesians 3: 20</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]—<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Deuteronomy 8: 3</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">… He humbled you and allowed you to hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you recognize and personally know that man does not live by bread only, but man lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>2 Corinthians 1: 9</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Indeed, we felt within ourselves that we had received the [very] sentence of death, but that was to keep us from trusting in and depending on ourselves instead of on God Who raises the dead.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">HERE are some beautiful songs sharing a similar message. And I pray that this post blesses and inspires some one. Be Blessed!</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"The Way You Love Me"--Anthony Evans</span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzueyIqnbpywZJS92u-jY0hHQ1CmJiC0oUByVh8sAuw4_C6DvFhA5teRRqSZ9C9DsIRwKSci3UGReFvvL1x' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Everyone Hurts"--Kirk Franklin</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw7CyXtsAKuXqfdOlV0bK7kHhnEh7ykpB74G7xPMDZJahEsEq2HXpByBav4V-xYdmz5gHHFrQwkISzpYoA9fw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Holding On"--Tye Tribbett</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyQp8ZyikSkv3MSz4eH2qgCcxZ02yhAetwOtkCNiailXY7-t-P2In4i9f3xqeiZ-wCxX_nKAlmReEenF8B3Fw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347375731522427560.post-81811120812198183682011-05-30T20:47:00.000-07:002012-05-25T08:22:24.986-07:00A Day in the Village with Rituals Coffee House<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">It’s 11:30 am Jamaican time and a good day to venture beyond the walls of my apartment. Destination: Village Plaza in Constant Spring, Kingston. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I arrive at the Village and pounce upon a beauty store. My once dignified eyebrows have grown out of shape and are borderline wild and if I get a price range of $250-400 Jamaican dollars then I’ll get them done. I’m buzzed in and the place is starkly quiet with a cornucopia of neatly displayed beauty products. There is one attendant at the corner to my right and she greets me. I get straight to the point.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I need to get my eyebrows done,” I say.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Waxing?” she asks.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I’ve always had this dreadful fear of waxing any part of my face beyond my upper lips. Too many horror tales of persons who’ve been left to walk around with their forehead peeled off or severely burnt. <i>So, nope, I’ll pass.</i></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Tweezing?” she continues. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I like that option, though I’d rather shave. “Yes.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You’ll have to set an appointment.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">“No walk-ins?” I query in surprise.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">She smirks and shakes her head as if I should know this. “By appointment only.” Then she adds, “Only if you’re shaving.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">My eyes light up. “Okay, I’ll do that!” I say with enthusiasm.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Sure, that will be seven-o-five.” I crease my brows in confusion, wondering if this is some Morse code for shaving brows. She notices my befuddlement and reiterates, “Seven hundred and five dollars.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">So the confusion has left and in comes the alarm. “How much?” I stutter. She repeats the said figure. I shake my head and lift the sunglasses from my face so she can read my eyes. Hopefully she can distinctly see my expression beyond those extensively long bangs that are sweeping her lashes. “No, thank you. That’s okay.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">She modestly says, “Okay, have a nice day.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I’m out the door, still shocked at the price to SHAVE eyebrows. I begin to marvel that maybe the blades are made of platinum and they’re hard to come by or maybe after my brows are shaved I receive this miraculous facelift all for the meagre price of Seven-O-Five. I shake my head, trying to boggle my mind around that and naturally begin to second-guess my private ranting. Instantly, I begin comparing prices to the threading and waxing salons in New York that charge from seven to eight dollars. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">It works out, more or less, to be the same, but threading is a whole different ball game. I've usually seen this done by South Asian women and they thread your brows like nobody’s business. You walk out with a face lift and a pair of full and sexy brows, even if your brows aren't naturally thick.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">There’s this thing where certain people are just good at what they do. For example Jamaicans are excellent at making <i>rice and peas and chicken</i> or <i>ackee and salt-fish</i>; the Chinese at doing nails, acrylic, and owning restaurants. Well, these Indian and Pakistani women are masters at threading brows. Believe me!</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">So while I get over my shock, I deduce that perhaps this particular beauty salon easily appeals to Jamaica’s upper class. Still, times are too economically strenuous to throw away seven-o-five on a pair of eyebrows.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I’m sidetracked and finally head to my original destination—Rituals Coffee House. I enter and already sense the calm, and Miss Seven-O-Five already forgotten. There are three persons, to my immediate left upon entering, lounging in the plush earth tone sofas skimming through magazines; and I see two other persons occupying two of the light brown tables. Art pieces adorn the walls; mellow music hums softly from the speakers; and the main delight, which is the food display, is very attractive. I’m talking about chocolate cheesecake, tarts, muffins, cookies, and the works.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaRKHbcqymhiiISGlLiIOumUNYAhrTLgQL2SHyNAfqpOmwoldj-wqFZ3ZWsfUv__eFGxP1aGIDp3VeYnoCEkA5HvAEE27Lp-WLaxO0ZdkG3io9TViozZNVDOiWdQqGJHgErPbjIIZmxM/s1600/IMAG0058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaRKHbcqymhiiISGlLiIOumUNYAhrTLgQL2SHyNAfqpOmwoldj-wqFZ3ZWsfUv__eFGxP1aGIDp3VeYnoCEkA5HvAEE27Lp-WLaxO0ZdkG3io9TViozZNVDOiWdQqGJHgErPbjIIZmxM/s320/IMAG0058.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I’m greeted the moment I approach and kindly explain that I’m just looking, because I have no idea what I want. I mean I do, I’m just afraid the lingo Americans use is not the same for Jamaicans.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">So during my order I end up saying something like this: “I don’t know how you do it or if you have it…but do you have those cold drinks in those cups with whip cream on top that has caffeine in it?”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Naturally, the woman taking my order laughs and nods, while directing me to the section of the board titled “Chillers.” I’m going to boldly say that I did not feel stupid. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga43xDTx72xw8eVrme7jVdgpETbSQoMLhR98FP2E5lg8C5GlBSU-if1KCuZiK_vIGWaSUBv8xMRkOpj-Sz2IlaKPDtrB_1UKjsXjj5ZOpKWOEAorkxkeHRCSy5KAeNrb3Ihc5Z8EGyoGw/s1600/260511-1236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga43xDTx72xw8eVrme7jVdgpETbSQoMLhR98FP2E5lg8C5GlBSU-if1KCuZiK_vIGWaSUBv8xMRkOpj-Sz2IlaKPDtrB_1UKjsXjj5ZOpKWOEAorkxkeHRCSy5KAeNrb3Ihc5Z8EGyoGw/s320/260511-1236.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cold drink in the cup that has whip cream and caffeine </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I find a section to the wall and pull out my gadgets, hoping they can all fit on the table and still leave enough space for my order of a <i>caramel latte</i> <i>chiller with</i> <i>dark chocolate syrup</i> and <i>ham and cheese panini</i> <i>sandwich</i>. With my net book, notepad, cell phone, and sunglasses nicely bundled up on the table I wonder, nervously, how I will graceful manoeuvre the plate of food and latte when it arrives. But lo and behold I manage, while making a crumby mess of course. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Needless to say I enjoy the latte. The sandwich not so much, since the crust of the Panini bread is so crisp it irritates my gums. I also struggle with the latte as the hole of the straw is too small to truly enjoy it. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Outside of that the service is commendable. The staff casually engages you in conversation, but not with your average “how are things going today, enjoying your meal?” or “Do you need anything else?” Oh, no. Expect to hear things like: “Hi pretty girl, enjoying your sandwich?” added with a meaningful smile. This surprisingly comes from a woman. Though I would expect “pretty girl” wouldn’t apply to everyone, especially if you are er…a male. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Seconds later a gentleman walks by and asks, “Leaving my share?” He’s referring to the untouched half of my Panini sandwich. I simply return his smile and shake my head no.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">However, let’s get to the décor. Rituals Coffee House understands the importance of “tranquillity” with its subtle brown and earth tone interior, accentuated with white roofs and golden strips, giving it a high-end appeal. The colour coding continues with the furniture with the tables and chairs having a similar earth tone feel; and, oh, the two potted plants situated at the entrance give it the perfect touch of green.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Here’s a great surprise! I take a chance and leave all my belongings out in the open, i.e., my purse; laptop; phone; and sunglasses, to use the restroom. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Looking back I never really had a choice. I was alone and didn’t want to lug my things. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">So, when I return from the ladies' room, everything is there waiting for me unscathed and in the said position I'd left them. Granted, the place is practically empty and the manager is seated one table behind me, so it would have been most unfortunate if something went missing under her watch. However, I don’t advice you to do what I did.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">So, is there anything I would change about Rituals Coffee House? Absolutely no—well, maybe the uniforms. The sombre black could use a touch of colour; and it would be nice for the smoothies and shakes to be accompanied with jumbo straws, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">instead of the skinny frail ones,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">for the intake of flavoured slushy ice. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqf7SflO6ZheAuiVqRNfOlb6oIJsbVerziAooZuheLXxZofB-1_1NHC6ghQBRKTwCjtue7XDHfWx8BDnXfeyAAwJ6ETcZkXwPOI4J2bVd8AWBskPHsG99ZnFviZ9yjuJNZGopSuYrg1k/s1600/jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqf7SflO6ZheAuiVqRNfOlb6oIJsbVerziAooZuheLXxZofB-1_1NHC6ghQBRKTwCjtue7XDHfWx8BDnXfeyAAwJ6ETcZkXwPOI4J2bVd8AWBskPHsG99ZnFviZ9yjuJNZGopSuYrg1k/s320/jpg.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ham and cheese flatini</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16px;">On another note, I find that Jamaica is slowly transcending toward a freer, less pocket angst marketplace, where consumers are not treated as potential thieves or nuisances, but as customers. So, to visit a place like Rituals Coffee House and know that I don’t have to be in a first world country to enjoy the same luxury of being left alone to chill in a comfy spot to use the WI-FI, do my work or reading or whatever it is I feel like doing that day, is always an added bonus.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpr7SBQIi3dcc8_fNpYBRZECzGOBomjizpBuE3bgL3RoPtALkh6Mqn8znsiSb2H8gj2FZ9wgGyOWtFgYTUU43eujQ3vvmUW8asg1ZSatwoY_fRMcU7LG20GgR2574IvNC-pgKJMws3IE/s1600/IMAG0059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpr7SBQIi3dcc8_fNpYBRZECzGOBomjizpBuE3bgL3RoPtALkh6Mqn8znsiSb2H8gj2FZ9wgGyOWtFgYTUU43eujQ3vvmUW8asg1ZSatwoY_fRMcU7LG20GgR2574IvNC-pgKJMws3IE/s320/IMAG0059.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small lounge next to the entrance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Naturally, purchasing whatever delights they offer is a nice start. Nonetheless, a simple cookie gives you the rights of passage to spend the entire day at one of those small tables or in one of those snug couches and just…chill. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">I went back a few days later, ordered the same latte, but this time with a <i>ham and cheese flatini</i>, and found that I preferred that sandwich more. The crust was soft, so no gum irritation; but I still fought with the latte and the inadequate straw. And I noticed, this time, I received my meal in a plate with a chipped edge. This is a no-no! But notwithstanding that blunder, this coffee house puts the ‘W’ in Welcome and the ‘N’ in niceness. If you haven’t been there yet, I humbly suggest you check it out. Who knows, you might even run into me there!</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">For those unfortunates, not in the wonderful island of Jamaica—though I understand there is a branch in Trinidad and Tobago—when you do visit and are in Kingston or Montego Bay, look up the Rituals Coffee House. Based on my great experience, you are bound to have the same. And one important thing, the price tag isn’t so bad either. My total order came up to $1000 Jamaican dollars; a tad over the price of shaving eyebrows! </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;">HAD YOUR RITUALS COFFEE HOUSE EXPERIENCE? What are your likes and dislikes? And what treats do you suggest I should try? Please comment away!</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif;">Disclaimer:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif;"> I do apologize for the image quality. The photos were taken with phone cameras.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
</div>
</div>Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347375731522427560.post-39538415434261845552011-04-30T12:35:00.000-07:002011-07-15T10:35:08.252-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span id="goog_1852542104"></span><span id="goog_1852542105"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEQ-Tt_bncuZ4V_2-H8Lug8SxGt_7Nisj1ptvGTBEVXXVWUIYDClF71Ha99by0c3AnqeEYYtH33YPKG0MzNJcH1i-22cg4ZChzcJ-L-_FCw4h7ePnJ_0tOnIwbqvoKAFg-y9jjWVi-rg/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-04-30+at+2.21.35+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEQ-Tt_bncuZ4V_2-H8Lug8SxGt_7Nisj1ptvGTBEVXXVWUIYDClF71Ha99by0c3AnqeEYYtH33YPKG0MzNJcH1i-22cg4ZChzcJ-L-_FCw4h7ePnJ_0tOnIwbqvoKAFg-y9jjWVi-rg/s640/Screen+shot+2011-04-30+at+2.21.35+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">An excerpt from my short story </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Innocentl</span></i></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 200%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>y</i></span> </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 29px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">I do not call. I cannot muster the courage. It is now August and in four weeks I will be home. I’m afraid that if I call Dominique I will fall and need him more than I should. I want to return home not missing New York as much; not missing him. If I pursue this I will leave with a dejected heart. Besides he can’t really be serious. I doubt he feels the way I do so I must be careful. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> <u1:p></u1:p> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">He finally calls.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">“Hello.”</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">“Why ‘aven’t you called?” he says peevishly. I do not answer. “Allô...?” He curses and hangs up. As I contemplate calling him back, he rings again. “Karel, is that you?”</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“Yes.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“Ah my stupid phone! It sometimes gets bad reception.” I say nothing. “So why ‘aven’t you called?”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“I—I was busy.” I’m lying.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“Hmmm...You exploring the city without me, with your friend?”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“Yes.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>Actually Andreen has been so busy lately that I mostly stay at home alone. My main source of socializing is when my brother returns from work and usually he is too tired to keep any conversation for more than ten minutes.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“We must meet today for lunch. ‘Ow’s one?”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“I...don’t know...”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“...Don’t know what?”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>Dominique does not wait for me to reply and gives me the location. I’m expected to be there. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>I arrive at the Cercle Rouge fifteen minutes after one and I spot him sipping coffee at one of the tables outside. Already I sense his agitation as he taps his finger incessantly, pondering something. As I approach the table he stands and does not give me the opportunity to properly greet him.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“You are late,” he glowers and examines me from head to toe. I suddenly become conscious of everything: my clothes, my hair, my skin.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“I couldn’t find the place,” I say defensively. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>In fact, I was so indecisive about my outfit that I changed at least six times. My hair I could do nothing about since there isn’t much I can change. I combed out the braids and teased it lightly, causing the ends to appear crinkled and curly. I tamed the fro with a black head band and actually went through the utmost trouble of wearing makeup—foundation, eyeliner, and mascara. Dominique doesn’t have a clue the trouble I went through to impress him. Moreover, I did not want to be on time and then have to wait foolishly, should he not be there or not arrive at all.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>He softens and kisses me lightly on both cheeks—the way the French do—and assesses me again. He smiles brightly. “You look beautiful ma fille.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>I relax and smile. “Merci, so do you.” He did...effortlessly. He wore a v-neck, white cotton shirt; washed-out blue boot cut jeans and a thin dark biker jacket with boots to match. He removes his pilot sunglasses and slides it over his head causing his hair to bunch up lightly. Suddenly I imagine my hands in his hair. I imagine the soft silky feel...</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“Karel! Come let’s sit.” He breaks my train of thought.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>We sit and instantly a waiter arrives. He orders in French and thirty minutes later, Dominique is enjoying the <i>saumon sauvage en petit salé</i> and I, the <i>onglet à l’échalotte</i>. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>After we eat he offers wine but I decline knowing it would do me no good in this heat. As I sip my water he takes out his camera and starts shooting. I become conscious and hide my face. He grumbles and pulls my hand away.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“You are too shy Karel. Your beauty should not be hidden from my Canon.” I still shake my head in disagreement. I hate taking pictures. “Regarde-moi!” He orders me to look at him and finally I obey. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>As the camera flashes and recycles, I relax and even smile. He suddenly stands with exuberance and starts shooting at me from different angles. I pretend to pose and he laughs including a few of the diners that are seated nearby. I don’t know how I’ve become so free around Dominique but he makes me feel beautiful. </span><i><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Je suis libre. </span></i><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“Dominique! Au mon Dieu! Ça fait longtemps que nous nous sommes pas vus! </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Ça va?!”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>I look up to see two girls running toward Dominique. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">They appear to be models; I’m here long enough to decipher them. He suddenly rests the camera on the table and rushes to the sidewalk and lifts the brunette, with the cropped hair, as she jumps into him. They squeal and exchange friendly kisses. I believe one landed on his lips. I feel uncommonly unsettled. The taller and skinnier one with long blonde hair hugs him awkwardly and then stares directly at me. I quickly look away. With their skin tight jeans and knee-high boots I suddenly feel inferior and unappealing.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>Dominique and the brunette speak animatedly in French for awhile. They are speaking too fast for me to understand. I notice the blonde does not join in the conversation and every now and then she sneaks a peek at me. As if suddenly remembering me, Dominique beckons and I approach.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“This is Karel. She’s from Jamaica.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“Ah Jamyca! I love Jamyca,” the brunette says genially. Her accent is a bit heavier than Dominique’s. “Nice to meet you. I’m Julette and this is Ekaterina.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>That explains why the blonde did not speak with them. She is Russian.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“Nice to meet you,” I greeted politely.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“Oh I love your ‘air...It’s so cute,” Julette drawls.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>Ekaterina still says nothing to me. She turns to Julette and mumbles something in Russian and Julette eyes Dominique awkwardly. I notice Dominique shifting uncomfortably and I wonder if he understood what Ekaterina had just said. Against my first notion, I suddenly sense there is something between him and the Russian; not Julette.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Dominique pulls the gaunt blonde aside and speaks aggressively. She tries to hold him but he pushes her hands away. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">She then glares at me crudely</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">, causing me to glance at Julette, who smiles at me sheepishly.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“But why Domi?! Why?” Ekaterina whines.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“Kat, I tell you many times not to call me that. It makes me sound stupid.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>At her moue and folded arms I almost want to laugh. Dominique continues to speak in hard soft tones in Russian and in seconds the girl bursts into tears. Julette runs to console her and I just want to leave. This kind of New York experience was not on my agenda. I don’t like that I see Dominique differently; like there is something he is hiding. Something I might not like. He is no longer perfect and I realize that I will soon have to wake up.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>We are in SoHo now and he is taking me to the different stores along the bricked streets. Even against my will he buys me cardigans and accessories and a small T-shirt, from one of the street vendors, that says “I heart French Men.” I find this gesture adorable and for the first time since our lunch I’m able to laugh freely. We do not discuss Julette or Ekaterina. It is as if Ekaterina’s outburst never happened.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>It is almost 6 p.m. when we take the R train to Park Avenue South to his apartment. I had no intention of coming here but it was not until we are crossing the street from the station that he tells me where we are. I’m uncertain about this but I express nothing.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“It’s directly across from IMG models,” Dominique says and points to the building. “I shoot a lot of their development girls.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>His apartment is spacious and sparsely furnished with just the basic necessities. It is very masculine with a theme of grey, black, and brown. He even has a studio which is separated by room dividers.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“One day I’ll shoot you there,” he says as I study the room. I look at him wide-eyed and he laughs. “Per ‘aps implied,” he adds as he rubs his chin, watching me with scrutiny. I ask him to explain and soon I’m backing away and openly protesting at the thought of posing naked. He grabs me laughing and tries to hold me still. “Trust me chérie...you will want me to shoot you in that way.” His hands graze my waist and hips. “I can tell by your form you are graceful.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>I swallow uncomfortably and clear my throat, tearing my gaze away from his. I ask for his bathroom and he directs me to his bedroom. His scent is so pungent there that I become heated and dizzy. He grabs me. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“Mon amour, ça va?” I must have wobbled. I quickly nod and retreat to the bathroom. “I’ll be outside,” I hear him say.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>When I return to the living room, it now has a moody and seductive glow. He has dimmed the lights. My heart is already racing. I don’t know what is going to happen here, but I should leave. I decide this as he hands me a glass of red wine.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“I should head back; it’s getting late,” I say nervously.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>He must not have heard me because his eyes, which are now a bewitching green, holds me transfixed and I’m unable to move. He sips his wine and moves in closer and I watch as one hand massages my neck gently before travelling to my cheek and landing in my hair.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“I love this ‘air of yours,” he says, his voice more coarse. “Do you want to feel mine?”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>I’m slightly alarmed by this question but yes, actually I do. But I do nothing. Impatiently he takes my free hand and rests it on his head and naturally my fingers move through, gently massaging. I’m out of control now because my breathing has quickened at the feel of smooth silk tickling my senses. He takes my untouched glass from my other hand and places it on the table by the sofa. After doing the same with his, both hands cup my face and his lips are now soothing mine.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“Karel, Je suis fou de toi...”</span><span lang="FR" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>A part of me wonders what about me is so fascinating; why he isn’t crazy about the likes of Julette and Ekaterina, but soon I cannot breathe. I open my mouth to exhale and he kisses me even deeper, tasting me, and my legs begin to quake. A soft cry escapes me as I taste and inhale him—his French manliness, which is nothing like the Jamaican men. Certainly not like my boss. But it is becoming too much and I try to pull away. He pulls me firmly in and I feel his chest pounding rapidly. Or is it mine? My mind is hazy and I can’t think and if I don’t stop now I’m afraid I will lose everything. I finally manage to yank my lips away.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“Dominique...”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“Oui chérie.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“I have to go.” He sighs and pulls away. “If I don’t leave I won’t be home until late and...”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>He places his finger on my lips, silencing me. “I understand. When do you leave?” At first I’m confused. “Jamaica...When do you go back?”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“Less than four weeks.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>He remains still and pensive. “Do you have to go?”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>I look at him oddly. “I can’t stay here. I need to be home.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>“No not the Bronx, Karel...Jamaica. Do you have to go?”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>If I found him strange before he became even stranger now. I laugh awkwardly. “Of course, why wouldn’t I?”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>He stands aloof and examines me and I cannot look away. “Because you can have a life here, chérie....” I shake my head, clearly not comprehending. “There is opportunity here mon amour. You don’t need to go back. Stay.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>He speaks with such conviction that I almost consider it. “No, that’s crazy. I’m sorry.” I walk away to the couch and grab my bags. He is disturbed by my actions but I must leave. With the taste of him still lingering on my tongue, I manage to say, “This was a great day.” I indicate to the shopping bags in my hand. “And thanks for these even though you really shouldn’t have.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>He walks smoothly over to me and takes the bags from my hand. “I will walk you down. And zis is nothing. I wanted you to ‘ave some souvenirs; a piece of me to take with you. Though you don’t ‘ave to go.... You can stay and ‘ave all of me instead.” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><u1:p></u1:p> <div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u2:p></u2:p>We are in the elevator when he says this. Blood rushes to my face instantly and I vigorously look away. I can sense him smiling at my discomfort but I ignore it.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"></div></div></div><div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><div style="line-height: 21.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"></div></div></div>Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347375731522427560.post-57354293239968307632011-02-28T15:05:00.000-08:002011-03-18T10:51:04.272-07:00Wanna throw a Great Birthday Surprise Party??<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">Follow these TEN STEPS and you can't fail!</span></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Step 1</b> <b>and most important rule</b>: Keep it hush hush<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Step 2</b>: Gather your team and secure location<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Step 3</b>: Call friends and family about the time and location and be sure to remind them that it’s a surprise<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Step 4</b>: Be casual and normal. Don’t start acting strange. A sudden change of temperament may cause the person, you are throwing the surprise for, to become suspicious. It doesn't hurt not to mention that the birthday is coming up either. In some cases, they completely forget! As it was in <a href="http://marvinbartley.blogspot.com/">Marvin Bartley</a>'s case.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_mQ0D8Q4giHDm7kfZUgHAqBBNVHc7iHQPQYjNcY8WF_OdYQPOnGYNubWkOm7G7UYjl5_9hroO6g2vSeg60F-5qNGwY604B7zWLGi3cTVHaVJUpwq_vVQ2vXRhlaaVmg9Us75Z2L4Ems/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.46.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_mQ0D8Q4giHDm7kfZUgHAqBBNVHc7iHQPQYjNcY8WF_OdYQPOnGYNubWkOm7G7UYjl5_9hroO6g2vSeg60F-5qNGwY604B7zWLGi3cTVHaVJUpwq_vVQ2vXRhlaaVmg9Us75Z2L4Ems/s200/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.46.06+PM.png" width="200" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Step 5</b>: Ensure cake, treats (nuts; chips; salsa dips, which can be home-made; wine; etc.) for patrons who will need to eat and be entertained, are secured.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">*Note to Patrons: Bringing a bottle of wine or a few treats to add to the party doesn't hurt either. Thank you!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Step 6</b>: On the appointed day remember the first part of Rule 4—BE CASUAL! ACT NORMAL! But most importantly put your plan of diversion in place. In our case, Dexter Pottinger and I live in the same complex, so there was no way to carry the items (cake etc.) to the venue without Marvin noticing. Which leads me to…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Step 7</b>: Get package out the house! Dexter gladly took Marvin on a local Kingston tour, with the promise that he would take him to Port Royal for fish later that evening. Of course it was around 8pm by then and naturally Marvin was slightly suspicious…of something. I mean, who goes to Port Royal after 8pm…right? Meanwhile, I was at the venue ensuring that everyone had arrived.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Step 8</b>: If necessary, feel free to do a rehearsal. In the case of our friend Duane Thomas, who cunningly avoided having his picture taken and who gladly extended his home to us, pretended to be Marvin, while we yelled "surprise." Was kinda exhausting after two runs.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UE2KAnKvdrE09I1zzLMU8xdghBNcjpQ49M5Ay7eNkj27NmVPZmxCFs6LnFhGmqJ5x9TKZbFViWDi_Pjd4g8ExWFw_jJuAHndvmut_JKhaNsT6sBmz3HF374OH9fZl1P2pYOa13flF4o/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.46.16+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UE2KAnKvdrE09I1zzLMU8xdghBNcjpQ49M5Ay7eNkj27NmVPZmxCFs6LnFhGmqJ5x9TKZbFViWDi_Pjd4g8ExWFw_jJuAHndvmut_JKhaNsT6sBmz3HF374OH9fZl1P2pYOa13flF4o/s400/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.46.16+PM.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://marvinbartley.blogspot.com/">Marvin Bartley</a> smiles at the end of a good night</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">So everyone was at the venue. Where was the package?? Well it so happened that it arrived minutes later. The package a.k.a <a href="http://marvinbartley.blogspot.com/">Marvin Bartley</a> was under the impression that he was coming to Duane’s for a meeting, after which he would go to Port Royal for fish. Umm… it’s about 8:30ish at night by then</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Step 9</b>: Another scheme was needed. Package was too polite and would not open door ahead of Dexter. So Dexter pretended to tie his already tied shoelace, so that </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">package/Marvin could open the door instead. It worked!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">When Marvin opened the door, we all yelled “SURPRISE!” and watched the many facial expressions unfold. Apart from jumping back in fear that he was being attacked by…something, the look on his face was priceless! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">We watched in amusement as Marvin recounted all the occurrences leading up to the party that he now admitted were indeed odd. He showed gratitude for being duped. After all, it was his first birthday party.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Step 10</b>: Enjoy the success! Ensure that everyone at least has a drink in hand and is having a good time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So there you have it. Ten important steps to planning the perfect surprise birthday party!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZamXMq9qm-zFOoEVqemxbaWTyM6yt1DPRXpfKtDHc50Rgkwppe3iCw-kot0PN4LGuZhwhJNKyemH7T0PapRWx4Q0tD5PT6yZVY_WkzZpZO0YfcOuNzrwa9raTFqahoqEgIwqOTXvzrs/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.41.20+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZamXMq9qm-zFOoEVqemxbaWTyM6yt1DPRXpfKtDHc50Rgkwppe3iCw-kot0PN4LGuZhwhJNKyemH7T0PapRWx4Q0tD5PT6yZVY_WkzZpZO0YfcOuNzrwa9raTFqahoqEgIwqOTXvzrs/s640/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.41.20+PM.png" width="614" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWlwAhZPgqhuZ7l0Zx7l8UpCxEK0en501VTffb2X3C7GeRK61hYDL-fTVKLC-Xef9pBLaeDSB0EdFA3eFe3iFOy0ET88wUc28ki9xfHfKX_-qHJlU_V91eapJUgX2b7kpFIqajWJY7EI/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.41.33+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWlwAhZPgqhuZ7l0Zx7l8UpCxEK0en501VTffb2X3C7GeRK61hYDL-fTVKLC-Xef9pBLaeDSB0EdFA3eFe3iFOy0ET88wUc28ki9xfHfKX_-qHJlU_V91eapJUgX2b7kpFIqajWJY7EI/s640/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.41.33+PM.png" width="481" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyc_Dy_io_VjNsCcuDsK06lcVpXgod9vdtMqgQvRiZ4TNRzYLDKhXYSpkxFFkNtnSYkEkc7HUd4Ay7F4Go2anyhC43gCjpKxZjLCI72N_JkCDCEyJ-uBgwz0HdZUGBQrE5M7ZDbsR1yI/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.41.45+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyc_Dy_io_VjNsCcuDsK06lcVpXgod9vdtMqgQvRiZ4TNRzYLDKhXYSpkxFFkNtnSYkEkc7HUd4Ay7F4Go2anyhC43gCjpKxZjLCI72N_JkCDCEyJ-uBgwz0HdZUGBQrE5M7ZDbsR1yI/s640/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.41.45+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">C</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKwBCqSMRshvUDqsWXBMYyqEhk0H9CvSyC8a3CczTykFg2TvFCWNzJ_EVyS_yd_IY4Vl4XZ3ad53MhpYiq-nuG9lk-xcTOgv51ht5ILWchmGVLZk872kQrA_6vnakoRO14m4bGsxgDPQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.41.59+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKwBCqSMRshvUDqsWXBMYyqEhk0H9CvSyC8a3CczTykFg2TvFCWNzJ_EVyS_yd_IY4Vl4XZ3ad53MhpYiq-nuG9lk-xcTOgv51ht5ILWchmGVLZk872kQrA_6vnakoRO14m4bGsxgDPQ/s640/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.41.59+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">D</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolnq4HoeShfVsVM55zKoSZaXpgi_B2iIFccbhy1FS1PmPs1YdHaO8DuSalWJyPaCnmaNwNvEiCCDeTyD2kTUlL3RhwSMbjkv_2Jm2utWQIuZIB5-kBe9MBUdnZe93DyNDj391QrUIEGA/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.43.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolnq4HoeShfVsVM55zKoSZaXpgi_B2iIFccbhy1FS1PmPs1YdHaO8DuSalWJyPaCnmaNwNvEiCCDeTyD2kTUlL3RhwSMbjkv_2Jm2utWQIuZIB5-kBe9MBUdnZe93DyNDj391QrUIEGA/s640/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.43.00+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[E] ... What the??</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhuN1htkWjHu1bFuU4nH2Q_aCFrtK_Wi8zmn5FFlxku3oz_f3VROrG7BOwWXF41DUpBQp6KCdjfpV1UXJT1_zBBCKkaMHWvTdtmTXewJrFiJr5L_SQWqwQHKV0w9Qe42MEeeKKPvHeo8/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.45.55+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="529" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhuN1htkWjHu1bFuU4nH2Q_aCFrtK_Wi8zmn5FFlxku3oz_f3VROrG7BOwWXF41DUpBQp6KCdjfpV1UXJT1_zBBCKkaMHWvTdtmTXewJrFiJr5L_SQWqwQHKV0w9Qe42MEeeKKPvHeo8/s640/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.45.55+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">F</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnWgzRPpAWhGsnYOx-bxFfFAt8tMx30Aos9LyOpujEwbtCxLnYP1kWUUVzN4hr5b6-4gyCXkLkaSxBcGJUw6tINqZsnCFnWum8RTggAe2b25DIiW7C7JRiG5WMjKBaJTOYmYX-ogEZj8/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.51.37+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnWgzRPpAWhGsnYOx-bxFfFAt8tMx30Aos9LyOpujEwbtCxLnYP1kWUUVzN4hr5b6-4gyCXkLkaSxBcGJUw6tINqZsnCFnWum8RTggAe2b25DIiW7C7JRiG5WMjKBaJTOYmYX-ogEZj8/s640/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.51.37+PM.png" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">G</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq17CxaBlOegZY8DIYPhDOaUkQxC8vDoXw9ThUIsJTTOGoAECw3JEMwieTQbzUxWtx1zLu3IYzxXjSJcEkIqSqr5f2yEP29HTle7sW3lufd4R8g63JX2ozsg4q5H8tkuGk262D4aLRERw/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.52.34+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq17CxaBlOegZY8DIYPhDOaUkQxC8vDoXw9ThUIsJTTOGoAECw3JEMwieTQbzUxWtx1zLu3IYzxXjSJcEkIqSqr5f2yEP29HTle7sW3lufd4R8g63JX2ozsg4q5H8tkuGk262D4aLRERw/s640/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.52.34+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">H</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTo_DEdAMtIABd_MOLNho9C15VT7kG5iHv5jH86IKpwh6dWnzI6OWd49L3UxWfTu-6DJKzfNwE9Pe_sPLX-Zvt9oh7zozA4St1fOZQK7316DDSPhXt9UiT-uWIc2lBRX4CHVbRq60CEM/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.53.47+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="595" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTo_DEdAMtIABd_MOLNho9C15VT7kG5iHv5jH86IKpwh6dWnzI6OWd49L3UxWfTu-6DJKzfNwE9Pe_sPLX-Zvt9oh7zozA4St1fOZQK7316DDSPhXt9UiT-uWIc2lBRX4CHVbRq60CEM/s640/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.53.47+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[I] ... Seriously Prince, was the party that boring??</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnN-L4mB5iis70T4GvgXWJ9KG9XPR1ZwMNjFMgBsjyjx1Ujd8KkwweToIDYAt2MenT5dvLhT7B8VVBXYdsoFHBo-ESYGOvqcNfsWhvRdmqZpTZ68wkzW8_F70cTnkeD6AuJ4ohM0fp-58/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+4.49.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnN-L4mB5iis70T4GvgXWJ9KG9XPR1ZwMNjFMgBsjyjx1Ujd8KkwweToIDYAt2MenT5dvLhT7B8VVBXYdsoFHBo-ESYGOvqcNfsWhvRdmqZpTZ68wkzW8_F70cTnkeD6AuJ4ohM0fp-58/s640/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+4.49.15+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">J</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFfU98McuLkdTuOjik1HqjgBSMishIAVD5FUebShGkfMAKy1ualdXUYdfWXT3pGlGa1WB4igjVw2KictIqNcW0AbFLAoaKvRG577MM3R-j_7vjbnyaua_yrINXp3jMr31cIsYBYsEP1s/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+4.50.28+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFfU98McuLkdTuOjik1HqjgBSMishIAVD5FUebShGkfMAKy1ualdXUYdfWXT3pGlGa1WB4igjVw2KictIqNcW0AbFLAoaKvRG577MM3R-j_7vjbnyaua_yrINXp3jMr31cIsYBYsEP1s/s640/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+4.50.28+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">K</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm33ARbNIrl4_wTPZvS0pGO15zEEnpqJwTNkTQOQoIdV-BzNdCfuApdf3FkAOMYrOctZaO0CV61hjYDMdID4pmebjWiJq_KCmdQZwAHYTA5kHj0ci_QDBIkn2ywblWuYyNgqYlEHDSC8w/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+4.51.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm33ARbNIrl4_wTPZvS0pGO15zEEnpqJwTNkTQOQoIdV-BzNdCfuApdf3FkAOMYrOctZaO0CV61hjYDMdID4pmebjWiJq_KCmdQZwAHYTA5kHj0ci_QDBIkn2ywblWuYyNgqYlEHDSC8w/s640/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+4.51.42+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5c8xPyl_uyc_XeMMZfxE4R9ba0Jq78GW-eFC5GZLPdGM3ZeXbq9M6rMZRKojOi5XjyBbmV9n2cCaG-DMjkSs9aXtvB_tUWFJDPDFoygjQpz8LVuD-t4OVn_HdEkb2bD1oXeAEnKkn3g/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+4.54.32+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5c8xPyl_uyc_XeMMZfxE4R9ba0Jq78GW-eFC5GZLPdGM3ZeXbq9M6rMZRKojOi5XjyBbmV9n2cCaG-DMjkSs9aXtvB_tUWFJDPDFoygjQpz8LVuD-t4OVn_HdEkb2bD1oXeAEnKkn3g/s640/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+4.54.32+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOHKneWXHzbQILWNVd3YmJVNHAgLyIT-BlvpzwZF47lFKjN6r8YNgGBuEbUkW0-6KHLiKQ2_5yS5SLqiivhSku0xHy8TW_5LMJK3nJbDXgVkSiijBLGdMYxhTbOLAHKo3HZviVOpVQBc/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+4.55.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOHKneWXHzbQILWNVd3YmJVNHAgLyIT-BlvpzwZF47lFKjN6r8YNgGBuEbUkW0-6KHLiKQ2_5yS5SLqiivhSku0xHy8TW_5LMJK3nJbDXgVkSiijBLGdMYxhTbOLAHKo3HZviVOpVQBc/s640/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+4.55.25+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">N</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XWy83xwfgZDHr1jXsEfXj2ZcKegRFGMUqhEp3H6N39JojX4fpIm9L_doKsy_1BE57I6F2mcWc68azDmHzO9VQ8sM9lz8ReQg0YlL7usWNFKX6QlZjwAIfJBgHNRSMSNzDyYAlp5F4KQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+4.56.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XWy83xwfgZDHr1jXsEfXj2ZcKegRFGMUqhEp3H6N39JojX4fpIm9L_doKsy_1BE57I6F2mcWc68azDmHzO9VQ8sM9lz8ReQg0YlL7usWNFKX6QlZjwAIfJBgHNRSMSNzDyYAlp5F4KQ/s640/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+4.56.25+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">O</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8hSGU38OFga6UNLIezmlL-Pd5k63gmbWus61mWJCpbSbbMEjEOm4NunoEuvCbcEiTfr1G-apX1HmMLLdWxxLBaj5rfEurHJwYI-Q9-O5rYHOPtYNHqf8b3wWY6BafqOEiYzKI4HFRtQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+4.57.14+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8hSGU38OFga6UNLIezmlL-Pd5k63gmbWus61mWJCpbSbbMEjEOm4NunoEuvCbcEiTfr1G-apX1HmMLLdWxxLBaj5rfEurHJwYI-Q9-O5rYHOPtYNHqf8b3wWY6BafqOEiYzKI4HFRtQ/s640/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+4.57.14+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">P</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajasIObS-wkjWx0AzR0Q7LyvubaihyphenhyphenOye8Ej7WH_wcDm2rG5ZxXHRRDAQsbfKXBRmom9_h79l2Zu-Po_t8DIKpDON-b8O17ZqyiEOV4BlrParIHdC4Kk0N67IUL7Ldze3ve5_abYFVsw/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+4.59.04+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajasIObS-wkjWx0AzR0Q7LyvubaihyphenhyphenOye8Ej7WH_wcDm2rG5ZxXHRRDAQsbfKXBRmom9_h79l2Zu-Po_t8DIKpDON-b8O17ZqyiEOV4BlrParIHdC4Kk0N67IUL7Ldze3ve5_abYFVsw/s640/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+4.59.04+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Q</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbayIby0oG8XfaCRkeDOAJCn1pFMm74ZaeXn_kWJB20Jk3g3KcqfCzD3aFRJp_AoFFJZBdo2_dSM2JX040Z_hzzs3CHF4JCnqCvFTVbrrfQKuNba3fyAY12JRCRaXRTP0rz_yQhMGxq08/s1600/IMG_2946.JPG-.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbayIby0oG8XfaCRkeDOAJCn1pFMm74ZaeXn_kWJB20Jk3g3KcqfCzD3aFRJp_AoFFJZBdo2_dSM2JX040Z_hzzs3CHF4JCnqCvFTVbrrfQKuNba3fyAY12JRCRaXRTP0rz_yQhMGxq08/s640/IMG_2946.JPG-.JPG" width="392" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">R</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwSeFIkQ4ZHtbMOSQn5V7X1krHtP_W6xrGa2JaJ8AtMBRwR3-LfP_cjmghACvQQLmmsG9bZPoDNEyqgsDh9uu-kqjibMlNK9dAKVDmjt6KUBci5I66e6HTAYy93p6esqBJd-GoQ3PL4o/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.40.33+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwSeFIkQ4ZHtbMOSQn5V7X1krHtP_W6xrGa2JaJ8AtMBRwR3-LfP_cjmghACvQQLmmsG9bZPoDNEyqgsDh9uu-kqjibMlNK9dAKVDmjt6KUBci5I66e6HTAYy93p6esqBJd-GoQ3PL4o/s640/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.40.33+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmoe_pepCV0mfffUmUutE3_J2dRslj_m261AqLT8wHHPcbPdKG0r1CAl1MxccNkaakL7Z1SYfh6GY3hYbEtrZ4WsNtCVcB_INyDX_5KxHfhs-N057BHDcTm8S6qcDFcRc7yD1ymLCs7Q/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.47.32+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmoe_pepCV0mfffUmUutE3_J2dRslj_m261AqLT8wHHPcbPdKG0r1CAl1MxccNkaakL7Z1SYfh6GY3hYbEtrZ4WsNtCVcB_INyDX_5KxHfhs-N057BHDcTm8S6qcDFcRc7yD1ymLCs7Q/s640/Screen+shot+2011-02-28+at+3.47.32+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Have a similar story to share? Feel free to tell how you planned your surprise party and add any steps that you think are important to note. Remember to keep it PG 13. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Blessings! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347375731522427560.post-37641574461501242172011-02-22T19:07:00.000-08:002011-06-03T11:31:25.585-07:00TIFA Says She's Here to Stay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">"...E</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">very time I decide to leave something good happens and I end up staying."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8-El_paxospfxTiA9INpFqfixIKHSYkxcYZHQDgoGiSpLb5L9o-_6xVcgqsRnrHw7S2yDupgSP8dgteF7L1O96GIEFuH79Ks5p3PCfCGMVkFREiZG7oc2gWlUJ6UYsuDrxT82XxHX-4/s1600/Tifa-fixt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8-El_paxospfxTiA9INpFqfixIKHSYkxcYZHQDgoGiSpLb5L9o-_6xVcgqsRnrHw7S2yDupgSP8dgteF7L1O96GIEFuH79Ks5p3PCfCGMVkFREiZG7oc2gWlUJ6UYsuDrxT82XxHX-4/s640/Tifa-fixt.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graphics: Camilla Facey</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;">As a child Latifa ‘Tifa’ Brown was diagnosed with Blount Disease, which is</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="apple-style-span">a growth disorder of the shin bone (tibia) in which the lower leg turns inward, resembling a bowleg<span style="color: #333333;">.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;"> Her first corrective surgery happened in a time when her parents were recently divorced.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;">She travelled to Canada at the age of five to begin the mending process while being under her father’s care. This Certified Diva hardly remembers the dark times in her life. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;">With the bone disorder a thing of the past, her leg now adjusted giving her the “so sick walk,” she tends to focus on those treasured moments and the eclectic values absorbed from the adults in her life.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;">She gloats about her childhood, claiming she lived every child’s dream—the big house, the farm animals, which she classified as pets; especially her ram, affectionately called “Bulla.” She also remembers the invaluable time spent with her grandmother and 1978 Miss Jamaica World, the late Joan McDonald, where she learned the importance of being a lady. So, yes, the tea parties, fashion shows and brunches at the Hilton with “grandma” had certainly been useful in her nurturing.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><b>“When I’m around my grandmother, I had to speak proper English,”</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;"> she jokingly reminisces. </span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">But she was also exposed to the not so polished side of life, having tagged along with the grown-ups to the yard parties, with blaring dancehall music from the favoured colossal speaker boxes. Of course, what makes this artist so compelling is the perfect incorporation of her “uptown” and “downtown” upbringing that appeals to a wide audience. And as a result she boasts of knowing how and when to “switch things up."</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Since she </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;">exploded on the scene in 2005, Tifa has wasted no time in gliding that upward spiral. Some of her most memorable songs are <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bottom of the Barrel</b>, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Move Yuh Body</b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, </i>and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Spell It Out</b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">,</i> where “A Wha Do D.E.M.!” was conceived and has since become her tag line.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I suppose that would explain why she took home four awards after receiving seven nominations for Jamaica’s Youth View Awards recently held on February 5. Oh, and let’s not forget that she has grabbed the attention of American rapper, Ludacris. He was so impressed with the stellar deejay that he invited her, and a few others, on his <b>How Low</b> remix. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">So allow me to dig deeper and get a bit more personal with our Jamaican Diva.</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8szOQo378hvhIr3x8KVHeJ8WM_-9_gq85T1EDWMSJ6CR-gZZAe0q8NY4Ggi0nllJZuYkKAq6UZotEdZDiohG3oQAGTEVxHjGnpu4Ox_7p6sYBCN3gOTQqB4W2rxNqbmsOvKYHaEkrf7U/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-19+at+3.15.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8szOQo378hvhIr3x8KVHeJ8WM_-9_gq85T1EDWMSJ6CR-gZZAe0q8NY4Ggi0nllJZuYkKAq6UZotEdZDiohG3oQAGTEVxHjGnpu4Ox_7p6sYBCN3gOTQqB4W2rxNqbmsOvKYHaEkrf7U/s640/Screen+shot+2011-02-19+at+3.15.00+PM.png" width="417" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Marvin Bartley for BackAYard Magazine</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Who is Tifa?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">She laughs.</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> To be honest ah don’t know… um…Really, Tifa is just a projection of Latifa. She’s shy, creative, determined, stubborn, spontaneous, and secretive.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">What’s your sound and style?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">It’s dancehall, reggae, hip hop, and a mixture of an uptown and downtown vibe.</span><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"><br />
</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Do you always write your songs?</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Ninety-nine percent. The only one I haven’t written is by Lil Joe, who recently passed away. It’s called “Single” on the Cobba Cobba Riddim, produced by Equinoxx.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">I understand that you don’t have a manager. Why is that?</span></span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">She sighs. </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I had one but it didn’t work out. But I have guidance from Ward 21 and Headline Entertainment who help oversee some of the projects I work on. I prefer it that way because I get to know first-hand about the other side of the music business and I get to personally handle my affairs. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">But at the rate at which your career is going, don’t you think you will need one in the future?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m going to need one soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">What’s your average day like?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">These days things are a bit slow, but usually as soon as I wake up, I check my blackberry for show updates and respond to emails. Then I bathe, go on the road to deal with interviews or make special appearances.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">What’s one thing you can’t leave the house without?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">My bag, because it has everything in it: my phone, comb, brush, and my lip gloss—can’t leave without ma lip gloss!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">What are you addicted to these days?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Nothing really. I’m a seasonal girl and have my phases.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Favourite Colour?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m not a “favourite” kind of girl. But lately I tend to be into pink and gold. But if I’m in the mood for something I’ll be into it. That’s how I usually treat everything, music, fashion, men… S<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">he chuckles at that</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Okay, so you’re not “a favourite kind of girl” but what about artistes in the business that you look up to?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Locally I love Lady Saw; Lady G; Macka Diamond; Movado; Agent Sasco. I like international artists such as Bob Marley; Maxie Priest; Dennis Brown; and most definitely Mary J. Blige, especially the older version of Mary J. I take a lot of inspiration from her.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">What irks you?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Dirty nails and dirty dishes. I have to be extremely tired, not to do my dishes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Since you entered the music scene in 2005, you’ve been gradually progressing and gaining popularity both locally and internationally, what has been your most memorable collaboration?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve really only done two collaborations, with Tami Chynn for the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Certified Diva</b> music video and with Ward 21.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Is there anyone you hope to work with in the future?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m not so keen on collaborations, because usually I find that one artist usually ends up doing better than the other afterwards. I don’t like that experience for me or for the other person I work with. But if I had to choose, anyone who sounds good and who’s happening right now. I’m more a “spirit tek”<a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Chevonese/My%20Documents/PRESS,%20BLOG/Tifa.doc#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></span></span></a> person. If we have a connection then I can work with you.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">What was it like collaborating with Ludacris? Did you work with him in person?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">No I didn’t; but it was an amazing experience. I was surprised to learn that he was even a follower of my music. I can’t thank Alric and Boyd enough for making the link. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>For those who don’t know, Alric and Boyd are master music mixers who’ve developed sounds for Rihanna on her Rude Boy mix, and naturally Ludacris’ How Low </i>remix<i>.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Do you have a favourite video?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I would have to say <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Spell it Out</b>. I like <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Move Yuh Body</b> too, but even today <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Spell it Out</b> is my baby. I’m always involved in my video productions and that was the easiest and the least stressful. Everything worked out according to plan and I got exactly what I wanted. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSMWLYSkTdSl5-MZ_F21OJWmmVbbLOJgrxK0GkUQloBfGoQtY2h-wD_uR16Lg0Gy3YaFEt8ixlvfebRsZJPcU0MOhHLsRzXRnzjT_tVTyzovJuSw9BYed_0Xw0HdZaSsmJ-JwKEFgT8c/s1600/l_e4e52606c8d841899bb58765ef9440b2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSMWLYSkTdSl5-MZ_F21OJWmmVbbLOJgrxK0GkUQloBfGoQtY2h-wD_uR16Lg0Gy3YaFEt8ixlvfebRsZJPcU0MOhHLsRzXRnzjT_tVTyzovJuSw9BYed_0Xw0HdZaSsmJ-JwKEFgT8c/s400/l_e4e52606c8d841899bb58765ef9440b2.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Marvin Bartley</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Discrimination against female deejays in Dancehall; does it still exist?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Things are getting better. In the past it used to be one dominating female dance hall artists and now we have much more. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Yes, but is the tension still there?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Definitely. It won’t go away. We always want to be on top, to be the number one artists, but to be honest I believe the market is big enough for everyone. My style is different from a Lady Saw or a Stacious, and the world is big enough for everyone to get a piece. I love when we as female artists come together and get a chance to shine like on the Ward 21 Production of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dem Gal Sitt’n Medley</b>. It really highlights our individual styles. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Have you faced discrimination?</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Yes. A lot of persons didn’t believe in me. They would look at me and see the “ben foot” and say things like ‘Where’s she going with that?’ or ‘She doesn’t even have a degree.’ I grew up with so much discrimination that I learned how to have a thick skin and continue to do what I know I can do. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">But you have a degree now. You studied at University of the West Indies (UWI) and graduated with a BA degree in Psychology and Human Resources Management. But you’re a dancehall artist. What happened?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Nothing happened. I’m my mother’s only child and she wanted her daughter to have an education. But Psychology wasn’t my first choice, I wanted to do Business Management, but UWI didn't give me the option. I’m making good use of it though, especially when managing myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Has it ever been so hard that you want to just throw in the towel?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">A lot of times. But every time I decide to leave something good happens and I end up staying. So I guess it’s a sign that I should stay put.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">You have a lot of singles out, but so far no album. When will we see an album from you?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">This year definitely. Before, the time wasn’t right, but people have been asking. I wanted to wait for the right opportunity and want to put out songs that people haven’t heard before and would actually want to buy. So I’m coming up with new songs like <b>Get Flat</b>. That video is coming soon. So look out for that.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">So…You performed in Slovakia…? What was that like, being surrounded by so many persons who don’t speak English, let alone Patois?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">It was amazing. It was good to see my fans, in their “I love Jamaica” T-shirts, singing the words to my songs even though they didn’t speak English. I also performed in the Czech Republic and am the first female dancehall artist to perform there. I’m very proud about that. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">She has also performed in Austria, Germany, Czech Republic and Italy. Tifa’s performance was so riveting in Italy they dubbed her the Queen of Dancehall!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">I read in an article where one writer described your journey as “somewhat easy.” Do you agree?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Yes and no. I have to give thanks because so many artists have been in the business for fifteen, twenty years and haven’t put out a song, done any music videos or performed in the places I’ve been. So I’m blessed to have Ward 21 and Headline Entertainment giving me guidance and helping me make the right decisions in my career. There’s no formula. When it’s your time, it’s your time. The good thing about me is that I’m consistent.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">What’s in the works for 2011 and beyond?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Apart from working on my album, I’m a brand ambassador for Nuvo liqueur.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Are you interested in anything outside of music?</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Real Estate, Fashion, Perfume, Hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Where do you want to go, that you haven’t visited yet?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Japan! Ever since I was three years old and watched an episode of Sesame Street when they went to Japan. I also want to go to Bahamas and visit Atlantis because I’m a very adventurous person.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">So what’s stopping you? Just go!</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">After a mild chuckle, she says...</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><hr size="1" style="text-align: left;" width="33%" /><div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;"><div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Chevonese/My%20Documents/PRESS,%20BLOG/Tifa.doc#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></span></span></a> spirit tek: When one feels he or she naturally meshes with or can relate to another without force.</div></div></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>For more about TIFA, follow her at</b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.myspace.com/tifamusiq1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">http://www.myspace.com/tifamusiq1</span></a> <b>and </b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><b>twitter</b>.com/<b>tifa</b>music </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check out Tifa's videos here:</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her latest: "Nah Stop Shine/Move Yuh Body" </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/FhGDm9LZMc0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her Favourite: "Spell It Out"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/FA8XLu9jAho?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My favourite track: "Why"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/YyS69nwHnbg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LIKE THIS STORY?? Leave your feedback below and feel free to share!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347375731522427560.post-24651627025773810282011-02-02T21:53:00.000-08:002011-06-03T11:33:05.000-07:00Burgeoning Director Predicts Bright Future<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">These days</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3D</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> is no longer limited to three-dimensional graphics. For some Jamaicans when the term is mentioned Jamaican model turn designer, turn make-up artist and stylist, Dexter ‘3D’ Pottinger comes to mind. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pottinger, who describes himself as “a creative soul” sees himself expanding beyond expectations, even making a name for himself in the world of video directing. According to the twenty-eight year old icon, when working on various projects with other directors in the past, he felt there was an itch he could not scratch unless he was in the director’s chair himself.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"They just did not have the vision as a stylist,"</span> Pottinger says.</span></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJWifteOMoJPbSpClKRJRTz5r7xLCqGOubeLAS0-WLgLVbBK8fMEideChuETBHqdcw1LE6VG3QErgKfjScT3DyrhpK8qzl1DbuXLh1U5TbE8UUVKoM4uxqlt73Qmzb9mPZVydY9S4PFw/s1600/D+Pottinger%252C+Photo+by+Marvin+Bartley.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJWifteOMoJPbSpClKRJRTz5r7xLCqGOubeLAS0-WLgLVbBK8fMEideChuETBHqdcw1LE6VG3QErgKfjScT3DyrhpK8qzl1DbuXLh1U5TbE8UUVKoM4uxqlt73Qmzb9mPZVydY9S4PFw/s400/D+Pottinger%252C+Photo+by+Marvin+Bartley.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Marvin Bartley</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> So he fearlessly ventured into the business with directing his first music video for former girl group “Make Boys Cry” (MBC) in 2005.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Since then he has been honing his craft, adding the flair he believes has been absent from the music video scene by not only highlighting the artist but also the clothes and accessories.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">So far, no one is complaining.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">In fact, his execution has allowed two of his music videos for 2010, <b>“Move Yuh Body”</b> and <b>“Certified Diva”</b> to be nominated for video of the year for this year’s Youth View Awards (YVAs) </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">to be held this Saturday, February 5 at the National Indoor Sports Centre.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A true example that nothing good comes easy and over night, Pottinger’s five years of hard work has paid off. And if he doesn’t win? Knowing that he has only been directing for a short period of time, he is simply honoured to be recognized among the greatest in the business. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This cutting edge director, stylist and make-up artist prides on thinking outside the box and relies on the right team, such as Winston “Willo” Wilkins of Team Willo and newcomer to the business as director of photography, Marvin Bartley, to bring his ideas to life. As he continues to develop his repertoire and gain respect in the business, Pottinger hopes to eventually work with RnB heavy weights like Rihanna and Beyoncé. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not that he has far to go, since he has already worked on Drake’s music video, “Find Your Love” as a stylist. As a director he is proud to have worked with Jamaican bread stars such as Bad Gyal Ce’Cile, Tifa, Etana, Angel, and Russell Diamond. He has even played a vital role in shaping the images for female contenders Ce’Cile and Tifa, both nominated for female artist of the year. So not only is this young force a visionary, he is one to be reckoned with. </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeioqWwbRbULYqUnERM3UcXUN47K6HEHP2nR-qLLL-Gf9HhyHyETAEGnEL2F1dckeUpmcAxlO4SfLqDgr4AKmU8ld97aLuk2qQ1LLem0D_sE37uM16kdX766QgO_etJ0W-V6oBhBXoVQQ/s1600/dexter%252C+photo+by+Marvin+Bartley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeioqWwbRbULYqUnERM3UcXUN47K6HEHP2nR-qLLL-Gf9HhyHyETAEGnEL2F1dckeUpmcAxlO4SfLqDgr4AKmU8ld97aLuk2qQ1LLem0D_sE37uM16kdX766QgO_etJ0W-V6oBhBXoVQQ/s400/dexter%252C+photo+by+Marvin+Bartley.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Marvin Bartley</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> So what else does the future hold for this chameleon? So far 2011 has been eventful with the young creator co-directing his first television commercial for Telecommunications powerhouse, Digicel for their current Jus’ Buss II Campaign. He also acclaims his success to his fans, understanding full well that without them he would not have burgeoned to where he is today.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> And for those inspired, who dream the Pottinger dream, this is what the driven director has to say: </span></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Start researching on what you want to pursue and intern in the field to gain knowledge. Jump at it. You don’t need the money to start; all you need is the drive and the passion.”</span></blockquote><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73HKx4SaV8Ydjj15iavAcjX61UvFZr6TPOpiJGdZR3bR0vGRwsfZtqyWXF-kXzuEBQ6muFP0e0osMvDRBbD-jjgCWg_rQwV0Tkebrn6Z5uk65T6UN1lAzqANO_uI5YpsRArgn-vL3eL0/s1600/Dexter+on+set+with+Tifa+for+Move+Yuh+Body+Music+Video+shoot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73HKx4SaV8Ydjj15iavAcjX61UvFZr6TPOpiJGdZR3bR0vGRwsfZtqyWXF-kXzuEBQ6muFP0e0osMvDRBbD-jjgCWg_rQwV0Tkebrn6Z5uk65T6UN1lAzqANO_uI5YpsRArgn-vL3eL0/s400/Dexter+on+set+with+Tifa+for+Move+Yuh+Body+Music+Video+shoot.jpg" width="371" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pottinger adjusting head piece on dance hall artist, Tifa, on set of her "Move Yuh Body" video</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWqVvpkQfXrQDSIc5xG6OWHLH87v9OdvsV6atwd0HU5pz52drhJHy_okABrpy4JwpU946zXkyjkOEbbeYSE8y3-zvEIWwuIOunP4TYTcWUjOnQL7pZUI-B1ezesNkOOeGtRplzQicEPc/s1600/Dex+and+Marvs+behind+the+scenes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWqVvpkQfXrQDSIc5xG6OWHLH87v9OdvsV6atwd0HU5pz52drhJHy_okABrpy4JwpU946zXkyjkOEbbeYSE8y3-zvEIWwuIOunP4TYTcWUjOnQL7pZUI-B1ezesNkOOeGtRplzQicEPc/s400/Dex+and+Marvs+behind+the+scenes.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pottinger ensures his video runs smoothly with DP, Marvin Bartley for Tifa's "Move Yuh Body" video</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LIKE THIS STORY? Feel free to share and leave your comments below.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"> </span> </span>Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347375731522427560.post-66021444524100186002011-02-02T21:25:00.000-08:002012-04-22T22:49:40.862-07:00Get to know me, your blogger:<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">As a child raised in Santa Cruz in the parish of St. Elizabeth, I always had a wild imagination. I had what can be classified as “the imaginary friends syndrome.” Usually I played different career roles. At first, because my mother was a teacher, in my mind I became one. Had my own classroom, in fact my own school. Later, teaching became dull and I imagined myself as a veterinarian, but true veterinarians had to master the sciences, which was not my forte and so I considered becoming a reporter. Of course by then, my imaginary friends outgrew me and naturally I parted ways. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">So it was decided, I was going to be a journalist. Somehow the reporter/journalist I envisioned wasn’t like what I saw on my local tele. I was more intrigued by how the Americans handled things and that’s when I knew I wanted to venture beyond Jamaica. Still I never saw it possible and didn’t know how.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">One day, I pounced upon a programme called “Profile,” featuring the late Madge Sinclair and was so impressed that a Jamaican was making waves in Hollywood that I immediately realized my dreams no longer had to be limited to my country. I then quietly vowed that I would be above average, if not someone great. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">I convinced my parents to allow me, their youngest, to study abroad. After Manchester High School I received a scholarship to study at Albion College in Michigan, and gladly attended with the secret desire to pursue acting myself. I figured the closer I was to America, the closer I would be to achieving my goal. During College my interest in journalism faded and my friends encouraged me to consider a modelling career and though initially I was hesitant, I took it more seriously in my final year when I realized my collegiate journey was ending. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBaP9PzTozT3i3NEokYYL0BGGCfWRP3hNmMQDeRjSKPzk2lm0VDJPmr_-UDgs6JLIuegMVbYDcQB_k5hwtHf-RsvbQ5KhAdHePno1QAu2Xx2AAli4uuth7zjyibLVHXYkwIE7_lfiYOY/s1600/GRAD+GIRL+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBaP9PzTozT3i3NEokYYL0BGGCfWRP3hNmMQDeRjSKPzk2lm0VDJPmr_-UDgs6JLIuegMVbYDcQB_k5hwtHf-RsvbQ5KhAdHePno1QAu2Xx2AAli4uuth7zjyibLVHXYkwIE7_lfiYOY/s320/GRAD+GIRL+%25282%2529.JPG" width="209" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A happy Albion College Grad.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;">I travelled to New York and stayed with my brother, attended the open calls of some of the different agencies and I received a million nos. Nonetheless I made use of my work permit and received my first job at Macy’s in Herald Square, Juniors Department, utterly dissatisfied with the way my life was unfolding. I had a BA degree in Communications and there I was working in a retail store, failing at my new found passion to become a high-fashion model. Eventually, I signed up with a temp agency and secured a few fleeting jobs. The most memorable was working as a receptionist at the showroom for Donna Karan New York. Worst job ever! It was grossly mundane as all I did was sit at an empty desk, stationed directly before the elevators, with a clipboard and greeted people as they entered, while hearing the same promo video over and over again. I literally wanted to shoot myself in the foot. This was supposed to be a two week stint, but on the third day I called my temp agency declaring that I was leaving the job. They coaxed me to stay and I did, but I watched insufferably as models tried on clothes for perspective buyers, wishing it was me.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"> </span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;">Things changed when I received a paid internship in a Public Relations firm. I decided that if I wasn’t modelling, I should at least be working in my field of interest. I gladly left Macy’s and worked at the firm for a month. Shortly after I received a job offer as PR Assistant to another PR firm, but unfortunately I faced another stumbling block...my permit was about to expire. Two and half months later I packed my bags and went home, quite dejected, convinced my dreams were shattered. However, God worked mysteriously providing an opportunity for me to pursue modelling when I returned home to Jamaica. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"> </span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;">While I endured my nine-to-five at Edna Manley College as the Publications Research Officer, I joined a local model agency to prepare myself for the bigger picture. Soon I discovered that I needed to be more vigilant than the agency and decided to aggressively pursue my passion without them. In 2008 I resigned from the College, got in shape, revamped my look, and revisited New York. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">For two years I travelled back and forth between Jamaica and New York praying for a breakthrough. Even with the physical upgrade I was still told no, but it was my life, my dream, so I kept on trying. I connected with a few photographers and received a few test shoots to build my portfolio. Finally a young photographer discovered me on a model site, took pictures of me and got me interviews with agencies like Elite, Red and Basic. Still, I was told “no” for various reasons. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">The said photographer referred me to a booker who started a new agency. After meeting with him, he decided to work with me and sent me on my first casting. I wasn’t chosen, but I learned later that it was a casting for the first season of “Models of the Runway.” The agent/booker eventually parted ways with his agency and joined forces with Boss and brought me over, boosting my modelling career.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">My time with Boss provided me a window into the world I love, building my portfolio and securing a few publications and jobs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ex0BykODa5aTI8QOXdAoEahD6dUAcBne9-oKXFc6pYfif_nePrHs4hPt_v44uUs51ffISmFJsElbtWWA8c0m9mWhXKiTF1mSS1zJiSSIYjoLWOZYIa7Iq-zvDCYuoniMd8uWIGKLS0U/s1600/boss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ex0BykODa5aTI8QOXdAoEahD6dUAcBne9-oKXFc6pYfif_nePrHs4hPt_v44uUs51ffISmFJsElbtWWA8c0m9mWhXKiTF1mSS1zJiSSIYjoLWOZYIa7Iq-zvDCYuoniMd8uWIGKLS0U/s640/boss.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Fabien Montique</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"></span></span><br />
<div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347375731522427560.post-88352346253280516872011-01-06T22:17:00.000-08:002011-01-06T22:17:35.748-08:00Hello World...AgainToday marks the first day that I'm trying something new...blogging! Stay with me friends (though at the moment I have none) and watch to see how this world unfolds.Chevonese Fenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137859773559612154noreply@blogger.com3