This carnival had the potential of being popped down in many regards.
As many of you know , one incident changed everything. Changed the game, changed the mas, changed me and even changed the tone of this post, making it very different from the others. But there is something hysterical and telling about being in an ER two weeks before carnival with your first three questions being,
“When can I get back to work?”
“When can I drink?”
…and “Can I play mas?”
No wonder the doctor still doesn’t take me seriously lol
There’s something even more telling about the nurse smiling as she cuts the SCORCH band of your hand as you go into theatre, and something existential about counting backwards before surgery thinking about life in its fullest. There is something overwhelming about an unexpected outpouring of love and support when you didn’t even know anyone knew and something moving to have received love and inspiration from the most unlikely of places… #watermelon
Despite its shaky beginnings, this Carnival was NOT the worst, bad, or anywhere near dismal as I expected, but rather turned out to be one of the BEST in my life!
Somewhere amidst the car wreck, broken wing, meds and flowers, the Carnival spirit fueled me in a different way than it had in the past. I was filled with strength, purpose and drive. I was determined to give my friends, family and masqueraders the same level of vibrations that they had sent to me. To make sure to see the monster that is TRIBE hit the road in its 11th year, And determined to experience ‘that feeling’ as I saw BLISS on the road for its 5th anniversary, with more Pomp than ever before! I was determined to be safe, but to play mas and to make sure that I didn’t hit the road looking like a patient LOL #SLINGBLING
And so I JOIN in the words of Bunji and say
“Turn de music loud, make sure yuh glass have beers!”
“Everybody raise your glasses with mine “
“Show meh yuh glass high! CHEERS!” as we Salute C2K15 in its highest !
CHEERS to you, for being some of the vibsiest revelers I’ve seen in years! De road looked good!
CHEERS to my fellow designers and the mas bands for making beautiful presentations and displaying our colours well,
And CHEERS to the artists for giving us that good ‘thumpa thumpa’ to keep it moving.
…from my heart to yours…
CHEERS to all those who sent their love, positivity and concern,
CHEERS to my TRIBE family for helping me in every way possible to make this ordeal easier,
CHEERS to my momma and friends for helping make my costume on carnival Saturday, shave my legs and get dressed for the road (Gurl! the struggle was real lol) ,
CHEERS to all of you for reading my ramblings from week to week and
CHEERS to SCORCH for allowing me to say thanks
Show meh yuh Glass high as we CHEERS to celebrating Life!
As we CHEERS to Change and randomness!
And as we CHEERS to keep pumpin no matter what may come our way!
The #RoadtoDeRoad for me was tough, and it continues but this carnival and YOU gave me a renewed perspective and VALidation for what I am sharing with you here today! Dey Cyah Keep We Down!
Look for meh in Jamishness! CHEERS!!
