On my new ride..

I was in the airport and I saw all these pretty indigenous bird themed ads. When I looked closer I realised it was promo for Caribbean Airlines, the new er.. Caribbean Airline. I love the change, it gives me hope: that they will actually have a schedule and stick to it, that they will have decent food, that the seats and tray tables won't be icky ... I could go on but I won't outta some perverse loyalty to my current carrier, Bwee, in its last days. That said, I had a lovely tiramisu on the flight out of Miami last week.

Anyway, here is to something new come January 2007. So far Caribbean Star gets my vote for the best looking pilots, Tobago Express for the most delays and cancellations, BWIA and Air Jamaica tie for best in flight magazine and Air J again for best plane food tho that really is an oxymoron. Welcome to the fray Caribbean Airlines .. pity about the sucky drab name ..

On Love Thursdays and other stuff..

1. Love Thursdays: an idea I believe started by Chookooloonks. I've seen it on Abeni's site among others. Nice concept. I don't usually have anything to add but I love reading. There now is a whole site dedicated to this idea: Love is all around. Aside: If someone can tell me how to get the link attached to the pic you would make my day. For real.

2. The song 'Kingston Town' by UB40 seems to be following me around. I heard it in a store in Miami, at Shakers bar on Monday night and in the street outside my office jus now. Coincidence? I think not. I feel that some *magic* awaits me yes. A Trini friend insists that the song is really about Princes Town where he is from but the name was changed because of a federation related conspiracy ... hmm.. did I say 'friend'..

3. I have gone and fallen for the ABC series: Grey's Anatomy. I find myself rescheduling things and skipping gym in order to watch. Last week I literally ran thru the airport and sped on the highway to catch it. And to think its the 3rd season and I am still rushing home. Now thats love. It all started when Sex and the City ended brax and left me all alone. Desperate Housewives never did it for me.. bere hype.. but I started watching the show that came on after. Cristina and Preston are my favourite characters. Aint it great when u find a show u really get along with?

4. Speaking of Yang and Burke.. an interesting discussion on relationships, race and the related dramas started up over at Hottie's blog today. All from a photo of Halle Berry and her new guy who happens to be a white model. Gooders Girl had a post on a related matter. Were my brain not thoroughly spent by work and hard sums today I would contribute. For now I'm just reading...

Happy Love Thursday Folks!

The Chief. Part 1

He is my boss's boss. Hell, he is everybody's boss in this little corner of the world. I first met him three years ago. I was a part of a team that did a collaboration project with his company. We were in the middle of a meeting and he came into the room just to give official greetings. I could not concentrate for the rest of the afternoon.

Shortly thereafter, I got an offer I could not refuse with his organisation. On my first day, my CEO took me by the Chief's office for introductions. He was busy, he looked up at me and asked if I was related to a famous athlete. I did not even know who the athlete was but I tried to make a witty comeback. He dismissed me.

Months passed. I saw him only at official events. He always smiled and passed me by. I found him extremely attractive: handsome, smart, charming and allover um-um good. I googled him. I read his theories, speeches and presentations. I went to every function were he spoke.

One afternoon I went to a ceremony where he was giving a speech. I was late. He was already at the mike in the middle of one of his patented super suave oratories. Everyone hung on his words. The man can talk. There were no more seats so I stood. As he spoke he scanned the room, our eyes met and I tried to smile. He smiled, then stuttered and coughed. He dropped his papers.

I looked on in shock as he bent over to pick them up and knocked over the mike. A bunch of people sprang to his aid. He stood, paused for a moment and then coolly restarted his address. All of this was being broadcast live on TV and radio. He didn't look at me again for the rest of the presentation.

I wish my girlfriends had been there to tell me if I was imagining things. I stood at the back of the room with my cheeks hot for the next 45 minutes. When it was over I made a move towards the exit but the ushers and bodyguards blocked my way. I waited as they hustled to get him out of the building. 'Good afternoon Ms. Spice'. His hand was on my arm. I am certain my whole body flushed. Before I could think of a reply he was gone.

Fitr Saeed ..

Today is the Islamic holiday: Eid-Ul-Fitr. The message is all too important .. Eid Mubarak!

Celebrate the spirit of Mercy, Peace and Forgiveness..

Happy Diwali!

Today is Diwali: the Hindu Festival of Lights. Shubh Divali!!

May the Lights dispel darkness, evil and ignorance from the world..

Update: Dinner, Dancing and Dullness..

Thanks for the love blogosphere. Here is what's been going on:

1. Frenchmen's Foreplay was a blast. They really have the formula for a good time down pat. I heard some people complaining about the wait at the bar but I was on cloud 9... I went there for a good time and nothing was gonna stop me! Lots of yummy food, drink and people. This time me and the girls went ga-ga for Shaggy. I dunno if its that we havent seen him in awhile or what but he was looking good! Mr. Boombastic! Soon as I get my hands on a non-blurry photo, I'll post it. See y'all again New Years Day.

2. The Sultan did come to visit and in fact has been around alot over the past a few weeks. We had dinner a couple [okay 4] times and I was surprised how comfortable and happy our meetings [note I didn't say dates] turned out. Even though I consider him a friend, he still usually acts in a hardnosed bordering on stiff professional and I'm-the-boss-of-everyone manner. This time around tho he was truely like any one of my friends. We chatted, laughed and enjoyed each other for hours. Guess what? He has decided to relocate too. This from the man who was the main opposition to my move two years ago. So the story continues ..

3. Mr. Default Settings has been downgraded to Mr. Default. Ours has become an old and dull relationship of convenience, we lyme when neither of us has anything better to do. Well maybe .. A mutual friend is of the opinion that he is crazy about me but just shy. Why else would he spend so much money taking you to dinner? That my friend's reasoning cause he claims only invests in a girl when he expects returns. Yep, I have cavemen for friends. Whatever his story, Default is precariously close to falling into the category of 'just friends'. I think. Hmmm..

4. It's official. I need a vacation. Not a weekend in Jamaica partying. Not a 36 hour stopover in New York with per diem. [tho I aint complaining about those!] I need a blue sky holiday.. more than 2 days of lying around doing nothing at all work-related. Preferrably with .. okay, I won't go overboard. :) Gone to bed. I am tired. Goodnight.

On my yoga flop..

I found this account of my first attempt at yoga 3 years ago. I have calmed down since:

okay so, my shrink suggested that i try yoga to calm my nerves as well as tone my muscles.. hmmm.. so this afternoon i left work and rushed to the yoga studio (?? what DO you call that place?) where soft tranquil music was playing..and everyone was already lying around on the floor. there was a big sign that said 'maintain silence before class'... so i wondered around till i found a bathroom to change and besides all that river /waterfall music made me wanna pee..

so i changed into 'comfortable' clothes as i had been instructed to bring from an earlier phone call.. and prepared for 2 hours of calm and relaxation.. i went into the studio and put down my towel and breathed deeply.. and instantly choked on some incense that was burning in the corner .. this thoroughly disrupted the mediatants (?) all around who gave me disdainful looks.. then class started without warning and everyone started snorting thru their alternate nostrils 16 times.. WHAT THA .....!!??

i tried to be calm but my toes kept twitching and my alternate ears were itching and.. anyway the teacher gave me two sideways glances and i sat still... in 'sashimi' pose ????... er.. this was gonna be a long 2 hours.. my watch clinked as i turned my hand to see what time it was.. erp.. are yogi's allowed to wear watches?? what is the true meaning of time anyway?? ...hmm.. is 'sex and the city' on tonight? i wonder..

oh oh.. only 10 minutes of class gone.. that leaves 110 more.. aww geez.. this is supposed to be calming?? i feel like i am in detention.... erp.. while i had my eyes closed and was pondering my inner beast, everyone changed position... okay..almost 20 minutes... hear what .. thats it.. with one 'soft fluid motion, while maintaining the flow of oxygen to my brain and concentrating on my true inner balance'.. i whipped up my towel off the floor and bolted thru the door..

"let me blow your mind" by eve and gwen stefani was on the radio .. i turned it full blast, rolled down the windows and tore thru the streets.. YAY!! FREEDOM!! NOISE!! LIFE!! YAY!! i reached home with my heart racing.. turned on all the radio's and tv's in the house, ran up and down the stairs screaming at the top of my lungs.. then i did a complete aerobics workout (i used to be an instructor) lunges, spiderwalks and all.. broke a good sweat and probably burst a blood vessel...
now i feel soooooo much better :)

have a good day y'all.. and remember.. SAY NO TO YOGA!!

On Island Spice. Part 2..

For those who saw it, my very first post was an introduction. More to the blog than me. So now that I actually have people reading this thing .. I'd like to introduce myself properly..

Hi, I am Island Spice [*hello Island Spice* say the blogaholics anonymous], I was born in the Spice Island, Grenada, to a Jamaican mother and a Trinidadian father. I am a mix of most of everything except Chinese. [Injections pending]. I have lived in Jamaica, Trinidad, England, Italy, Grenada and St. Kitts. I have no real abiding city right now because of my work but I am considering staying awhile in Port-Of-Spain. I am also pondering moving to London, Hong Kong or Dubai so we will see..

So I started this blog on the spurring of some friends who think my dating career is hilarious, horrific and generally entertaining. I reviewed what I have written over the past month or so and it seems stiff and disjointed. I know I aint in my groove yet folks but stick with me, I hope to get there.. eventually! Now that I am writing more, I feel like talking about things other than just the men I date ... so I intend to stray..

Part of my work is Tourism and besides it being my job, I am truely fascinated by the beauty, life and happenings in the Caribbean. So I will write about that too. According to one of my ex's, I have an opinion and a story about every blasted thing! If anyone has ideas, questions or polite criticisms feel free to send them to islandspiceblogger@gmail.com . I still don't plan to get into major political discourse [other than to encourage everyone to vote!] because I really do too much of that at work. This is my escape ...

Thanks for sharing in my world! Cybermartini's all around!

Cheers!
PS. Names remain changed to protect the innocent, the chupid and the litigious...

The Young Guns

I am frustrated. I spent the better part of today comforting a very sweet young man I know. Yeah, I like 'em young too.. only thing is that is often accompanied by foolish. So this particular young man, call him Junior, is about 22 and we are fairly good friends. He used to intern with me in the summer.

JR usually calls me about once a week to chat shit and tell me of the latest on the party scene. I enjoy his stories, jokes and company. Today he called to tell me that last night, his brother got shot. In the chest, outside his home. He is alive but in serious condition. They had just finished playing some ball and were heading inside for dinner when a car drove up, someone pulled a gun and fired.

Now Junior does not live in the ghetto, far from it, he lives in a nice townhouse complex in a desired neighbourhood. His suburban housewife mother is in shock. Me? Not so much. I know more Juniors / JR's as well as seniors than I can count. Heckler & Koch, Beretta, Glock, Rugar and company have made a home amongst us.

When I reached out to hug him, I felt a bulge in his waist. I knew he wasn't that happy to see me. I gave him the look. A slight frown. He gave me the nod. A handsome smirk. A wink. Cocky lil bugger. That was the last time I saw JR alive. I spilt my morning coffee in my lap when I heard he was dead. Killed on the sidewalk outside my New Kingston office. Outside the club. In a party crowd. Relaxing out back. Playing ball. In a flash. Just like that.

Why? Why? Why would a fine young man take or attempt to take the life of another fine young man? The explanations don't equal excuses. Music, alcohol, fights, girls, knives, attitude and guns. Live by it, die by it. This situation breaks my heart. As I said to Junior repeatedly today: 'When will it end? When we are all dead?' Bed's made, now lie in it. Reprisals are being plotted as I type. When will it end??

On Foreplay this weekend ..

For anyone who didn't know, the Frenchmen in Jamaica host some of the best ultra all inclusives in the region. They have three major fetes each year: Foreplay on Hero's Weekend in October, Climaxx on New Years Day and Afterglow on [Jamaica] Carnival Saturday.

Foreplay, the 'hero' of beach parties is this weekend in the resort town of Ocho Rios. The fete used to be held at the famous Frenchman's Cove in Portland and I hear that may even be the root of the promoters’ name. For the past 2 years however, the dance has been relocated to Reggae Beach in Ocho Rios. I think this is due to this venue being closer to Kingston as well as having more available accommodation, parking and general facilities.

The Frenchmen know how to put on a fete: there is endless food, drink and music. Foreplay has the added delight of a beautiful beach where they throw in catamaran rides, body painting, massages and other entertainment. This is no jokey food either, no corn soup.. I talking shrimp, beef, pork, fish, pizza, cheesecakes, Haagen Dazs sorbet.. yuh hear me! Last year I started my afternoon eatings with a smoked marlin salad.

Foreplay is the place to see the beautiful people and personalities from all over the Caribbean: athletes, musicians, politicians etc. I was all excited to see Sean Paul but I noticed that no one else in the crowd seemed star struck. Did I mention the complimentary Havaianas slippers? Don't worry about the weather forecast either, last year there were thousands partying while the 'outer bands' of Hurricane Wilma drenched us. In fact the rain seems to make it all the better. I kid you not.

On my last trip across to Foreplay, I met numerous Jamaicans, Trinis, Bajans and one Guyanese guy on their way. Even the BWIA pilot mentioned that he was going too... This is one not to miss. See allyuh there!

PS. Don't miss 'Nite Cap' the set-up party... Wear your pajamas to the beach!

The One Hit Wonder

We met at a party. We danced. He asked for my number. I shyly gave it to him. I gave him one last smile as I departed. I was genuinely thrilled when my phone rang two days later.. We chatted, we arranged to meet and chat some more on the following weekend. I hung up expectant. The next day he surprisingly called again. He had two tickets to a foreign film festival on Friday, did I want to go? Sure. He would pick me up at seven. He was on time. I liked that. He looked even finer the second time around. I liked that even more. He was affectionate. He was a gentleman, street and book smart and, did I mention fine? He introduced me to his brother and his boys. Nice. We went clubbing after. He put a wine on me. Mmm mmm good. We left early. We held hands. We talked in the moonlight. At my door he held my body to his, and kissed my cheek. I floated to my bed. Visions of sugarplums danced in my head.

About three days later I started picking up my phone and looking at it to see if it was working. Three more days and a weekend later the reality set in. I had run thru the gamut of excuses in my head and settled on the facts: There would be no follow-up hits. What tha........? I tried to remember if there was any negative vibe that I had somehow missed. A look, comment ... I am still drawing a blank. Now I look forward to the next time I see him in the street. I will smile, greet him sweetly and move on. Convincing myself that it's completely his loss.

On my funeral (Meme)..

My first meme.. I have been tagged by Christina. Five Songs I want played at my funeral.

1. For my family and friends in the church: Sing A New Song : lively and yet appropriate
2. For the significant other that I sincerely hope I have before I die: Save Tonight by Eagle Eye Cherry.
3. For my country: Don't Cry for me, Argentina from the musical Evita: Always had fantasies of bidding my followers farewell from the balcony of the Casa Rosada..
4. For my fellow masqueraders at the next Carnival: High Mas by David Rudder: Remember me at the start of the festivites ..
5. For everyone: A special Jazzy T remix of Third World's Try Jah Love and Master Blaster by Stevie Wonder: the ultimate freedom song .. may you all be ecstatic and jammin till the break of dawn...

While we are on the topic, I would also like:
1. Music. Lots of it. A full steel band. All-Stars or Phase II, must play Bruce Hornsby's 'That’s the way it is' like how the Caribscope show used to start.. and that dread guy from Stella Maris to play the trumpet.
2. Happiness. *Cheerful colours please* as well as a memento photo of me in a bikini on Negril beach or in a Carnival costume on Ariapita Avenue.
3. Food. lots of spicy and delicious finger treats .. samosa's, sui mai, rum balls..
4. Cocktails. Mai Tai's, Daiquiris and Pina Colada's..
5. Kindness. I want donations to children’s homes that must made in kind and in person.

What's up with the morbidity? I tag Gela and CoolDestiny who were relishing other deathly topics last week.
PS. Lex, I didn't realise I had been tagged when I saw your book one. Promise to do it next!

On hi-tech dating..

Technology has made dating too impersonal and rushed. I'm a fine one to talk yes, as I sit in an airport lounge blogging via wireless card on my laptop and hoping Mr. Default Settings calls on my roaming Digicel mobile before I have to board. :)

But seriously, instant gratification is taking over like the plague. I met a guy in Grenada the other day, we didn't get an opportunity to speak much but we exchanged business cards when I was leaving. He took the card, checked for my email address, asked if the cell number on the card roams and then said 'I'll google you'.

Call me old fashioned but that comment did not warm my heart one iota. As soon as I could, I googled myself. I was shocked at how much stuff came up: newspaper articles, university group activities, even photos on work related websites and comments about me on peoples blogs!! I skimmed over all this information that he would probably find and felt misrepresented.

Nothing there to say if I eat olives on my pizza, what I sing in the shower or if I am kind to animals. Would this be useful data to help speed up the whole getting-to-know-you phase? What ever happened to walks on the beach, handwritten love notes and courting each other slowly...?

Anyways, I gone send Default a quick email yes, his blackberry probably on silent cause he's in a meeting.... ;)

On new US passport requirements..

I promised myself no work related posts (except my o-so-subtle plugs) on this blog but today I changed my mind. Hell, its a woman's perorgative innit? Here are two articles detailing how we are being put in order by Uncle Sam yet again. Apparently this may be in response to Chavez's 'stinky devil' comments:

International Herald Tribune: Caribbean Criticises Change
Jamaica Observer: US Drops Tourism Bombshell

I don't have any details on the reactions of the various islands affected but I am sure we will all be bending over backwards in an attempt to appease the US government in the morning. Lucky TT, no need to cling to tourist dollars when you have oil and natural gas..

The Bipolar Mr. Clean

We met at a networking party. I actually knew him from before through work but had never spoken on a social level. So on this night he somehow got my number amidst all the card swapping and other such frivolity. Our first date went very well, he was endearingly warm and charming. He obviously knew of my love for golf because he took me to a lyme by the clubhouse. He was great fun and I agreed to see him again. The second date involved some of his friends and was at the Haagen Dazs cafe. Nice. He started talking about a jazz festival a few months later, at which time I mentioned that I was considering moving to another island and might not be around. For a minute there was angry looking flicker on his face but that passed.

Over the following weeks we became an item. of sorts. I guess. From early tho, I noticed some bad mood swings. He was the life of the party one day and a kind of snarky grinch the next. A friend said she heard he was manic-depressive, so I started tracking his mood swings. He was 'up' most of the time, but would have awful dark periods for about a week. During these down days he would tell me stories of how he was banished to live with his grandparents as a child, that his mom hates him and even that he was really the illegitimate child of the Prime Minister. WTF!?!? And those were the good days, on really bad days he would quarrel with, insult and belittle anyone in his path. Ugly.

So one day a few weeks before I was scheduled to leave, I was home packing boxes and he came over with chinese takeout to lyme. When he entered and saw the place filled with boxes he got all agitated, made an excuse and left. A few days later he called to say he had a gift for me. He came over with a bath mat set. *perplex* not only was that the tackiest gift EVER, surely he didn't mean for me to take it with me as my boxes had already been shipped. A few more days later he came over with a carpenter, a plan to build a bar on my patio and a set of handblown martini glasses. That's when I had to sit him down and say 'I am really leaving, the gifts are appreciated but I have no use for them.' then I made the mistake of suggesting he needed counselling. He blew up and stormed out the house.

During my last days before moving I was partying and lyming alot. I saw him many places I went and he didn't speak to me. Not only did he not speak to me, he made a point of greeting my friends and turning his nose up at me. Once I said goodnight and got a 'I'm not trying to hear that!' response. When I was in the plane on my departure day I got a text 'I will always be here but you have some things you need to work out before there can be an us'. Well you know what they say about he who laughs last ...

Lesson Learnt: Crazy is what crazy do. Sometimes its really not my problem. I been home since, seen him and he continues to ignore me.

On anti-social behaviour..

I don't feel like partying, socialising or even lyming today. I came back in the country late last night, I am drained from travelling and I feel like lying around and doing nothing. I mean it: NOTHING. No ole talk, no mascara, no shoes, no blogging even *gasp*.. okay .. jus kidding on that last one. Playing with my layout, anyone who has opinion on it feel free to comment. Never did understand why blogs only take up 1/3 of the page..

This week promises to be a hectic one and I need to store some energy for it. So pardon me while I put up my socks and pyjama'ed feet and eat haagen dazs out the container ... who to blog about next boi...?