Today's Day Off Tomorrow's Salty Oil

Nothing is happening today. Other than the fact, I decided to be the responsible sister and collect my little sis' birth certificate after much wrangling with the Immigration Authorities from Chaguanas about her real name, whether or not it has a stupid dash! They really made her feel as though she came from Uzbekistan or something. So, she had to get an affidavit, in which she paid $100 to get her name spelt wrong (again) and a damaged Birth Certificate. Finally, we can move on. Sigh...

Today for dinner is Garlic Rice (where I boiled the rice with a crushed whole garlic), and Pepper Kidney Beans with Geera. Later I will take a rest for evening activities.

I was looking at some files I took in NYC during my sojourn there, I miss it alot. I miss the smells, the museums, the subways and the coffee (I had a lot there). Plus some of the people (Americans are really not that bad, its just you-know-what). Today I will show some pics I took at the Brooklyn Musuem. At the time they were setting up a Murakimi Show, and we saw the Buddha sculpture and it was really lovely and large

If you know about the third picture, please post a comment, because I have no idea, it would really help.

2011©Lisa Marie Bonaparte

Murakami Buddha Sculpture

A corset-like garment worn by the males of a tribe in Africa

I am so sorry, I don't have a clue, but I love this

Chinese Dynasty Vases

Remake of rooms in homes that were torn down in NYC

Monday's Child into Tuesday's Teenager

I had a meeting on Monday, and after that I lost all strength, then I had a headache and sinus trouble, so I medicated myself and rested up for Tuesday.

Tuesday, started off slow. An hour before opening, there were no customers, the sandwiches were not selling, and a few people were only purchasing Munch Packs (one-piece chicken meals). By twelve, there was a line, and the sandwiches were going at a fast rate. The Cruncher and Zinger are usually served as a Combo (one regular side and a drink), Up-sized (large side order and drink), or with a Big Box Meal (drink, and two or three regular sides). The big box meal is hardly ever popular here, even Trini's have their limit to spending money on Fast-Food.

The most popular KFC deals are the Snack Pack (two-piece meal) which is popular with Primary and Secondary school children, women, and elderly. For the more active elderly, the Munch Pack is more popular. The Kids Pack is asked for by kids four years to eight years, and toy collectors. The sandwiches are popular with foreigners, import labour, Coast Guard and Halliburton workers. The Dinner Special is hugely popular with Army, Police, Coast Guard, Halliburton workers, Oil Workers, Transport drivers, Tall large and burly men (with an extra fries and Corn or cole Slaw) and grandfathers. The five piece meal is great with families and discerning mothers. The 8,10,12 pieces are popular with beach-limers, huge Indian Family limes and Down the Islanders. The 15 and 21 piece are hardly sold. I probably saw them being sold once or twice.

On Tuesday we sold many 5-piece specials, and Dinner Meals.

You know I never spoke much on the difference between Spicy and Original Chicken. These are most important. The Original is usually prepared in Pressure cooker-like pots with sealed lids, the flavour goes into the chicken which makes it so delish. The Spicy is prepared in open fry pots. Its just different preparation methods. I like the Original better, but only in the leg piece.

So why did Tuesday become a teenager? For one reason: There was a domestic situation that played itself out into the restaurant. A female customer came into KFC looking quite flustered, she had a difficult time choosing her options, but eventually settled on a dinner meal. Most times I keep myself busy so I made my rounds. Eventually I was hailed to prepare a Cruncher for a customer. I then heard a gasp from one of my colleagues and looked up only to see a tall man, grab  the yellow pail of soapy/chemical water and dump all of its contents on the feasting and visually-satisfied-now-shocked female customer. The water drenched the customer to the skin and and on the table, the soapy/chemical water went into her box of chicken, and her drink. Soap bubbles were visible on her hair,  her eyes were wide with shock, her face and arms were slick with the soapy water, her hobo-inspired purse...wet. The whole place was dead silent for a few seconds. Her moist eyelashes dripped with the cloudy/soap bubbles of the dash. All eyes were on her. And her eyes were on all. She was at a loss for words...and we were at a loss for laughs. I packaged the finished sandwich and gave it to the cashier, who then gave it to the customer who was looking at the slick looking customer, her eyes wide with shock and embarrassment, her pink mouth in an 'O' formation, burst bubbles in her short hair, and her pink jersey now stuck to her skin showing her bra print-out. The security guard, as usual, did nothing. He simply sat there. The man who did the dastardly deed was no where to be found. He was tall and dark with glasses and a white polo shirt. It did not seem that he was one of the diners. He simply saw an opportunity and took it. The Manager proceeded to give out instructions, and F, the deaf employee mouthed, "Call the police". There were some smiles, some shock, some laughs and indignation. The wet female customer left in seconds, going after the guy. I don't know what happened next...

HA!

That reminded me of an experience a friend told me while he worked at Unit Trust. He said a man and a woman had a fight out on the Brian Lara Promenade. And the male had the female in a choke hold. He said the female took hold of the male's most important member and squeezed the living daylights out of it. His choke-hold loosened and he screamed like a little girl. But she never stopped, she squeezed and squeezed until he knelt down...the watching public was in stitches.

Life in the Caribbean has its ups and downs, but what I have noticed is that here in Trinidad, life is never short of adventure of some sort.


2011©Lisa Marie Bonaparte

Just For Laughs....

I found an excellent YOUTUBE video with hilarious pranks with even funnier reactions. The show is called Just For Laughs and I believe it is a British show. Here is a clip:

Enjoy your day!!

Just Before I forget

In 2007, I did an illustration of Seal and Heidi Samuel (yep that is Seal's surname) in New York City, but I never got to use it. So its on display here.

And don't forget, if you do want yourself illustrated, contact me by email! Enjoy!

2011©Lisa Marie Bonaparte

New Views

This is the project I am still working on. It is what I call a Semi-Pyramid Modern Contemporary home. There are stairs that lead straight to the beach. They are in the midst of trees. (I love stairs and trees, there is such an ethereal feeling, but it can also be dark. I still have to do a jetty for it, it will just take time. As you can see there is transport by helicopter, then there is a main wooden gate entrance. And for a little thrill I put an infinity pool at the entrance.

Here are the features:

Two guest rooms, one of them with two beds

Three bedrooms

One master suite

Wash/Restroom (to save space upstairs)

Two bathrooms

Living Room

Kitchen/Dining Room with children's (activity) table

T.V. Room

Infinity Pool

Helipad

Patio

That is all I have for now, but if I get the fancy, I will try to put another bedroom somewhere. What I forgot, was water storage, however, the whole set up should be run by Solar Energy.

Materials: A little sketchy, but the true beauty lies in natural/quarry stone, wood, concrete, red brick, aluminum, steel (mainly for foundation and structure), granite(?)

2011©Lisa Marie Bonaparte

A MINI UPDATE

From Friday 8th July 2011 to Sunday 10th July 2011 was my district Convention, plus I volunteered so I was busy. 

In addition, I have decided to close my FB (Facebook) account, it is not officially closed as yet, since the FB admin is so very generous to wait 14 days to see if I really want to 'divorce' them. Turns out they have a lot more red-tape to reactivate after you have stated that you want to deactivate your account. I can't help myself, I was a super FB 'Weed' Addict. I would 'smoke' it in the morning, 'smoke' it in the night, 'smoke' it whole weekend too! It was too much, especially when my friends would meet me and say, 'Girl, you are always on FB'. I just did not want to be known as Lisa Marie the FB 'Junkie'. So there...but then like Anita Baker's song, 'Caught up in the Rapture of Love', a former schoolmate of mine is getting married, and guess where I got the invitation? Facebook! I got all the details, plus to bring something to drink....and wear white. I am even wondering where I can begin to find a white outfit in an 'elegantly casual style'. I am stocky and thick, so it would be wise to start looking from now...The only problem is...I have 14 days to rethink my deactivation of FB decision.

Back to work at my favourite joint. I can't say how pleased I am to be there, everyday is an adventure.

I am glad to finally return home to one of my current projects, a Semi-Pyramid Home on the top of a hill done in Google Sketchup (I tell yah! This software Rocks!!). I have been going at it for about 2 to 3 months now, and I am ready to kick the bucket and start something else, on the other hand I am anxious to see the finished product. The Master Suite was completed last week, and this week I have two bedrooms, a restroom and a laundry area to start. Hopefully, the project is completed by month-end. Have a look! 

In due time, you would be able to see the finished home.

2011©Lisa Marie Bonaparte

Let CafféLatté Magazine Illustrate you!

Hey Folks do you like my Illustrations? Well, for this month of July FIVE (5) Photos would be chosen to be illustrated for free! Simply send a picture of you or you and your significant other/friend/child and I will illustrate you!
 

Only up to two people per print. The artist will not do nudes, or 'runchy' shots. The pic provided should be no less than 4 x 6 inches @ 150 dpi. Finally, it must be clear and sharp. Please provide your email address for your finished product delivery. Permission must be given to publish on blog: caffelattemagazine.blogspot.com.

You will receive a 300 dpi picture by email in Hi-Res JPEG format. It would have my exclusive signature and the authentic CafféLatté Magazine logo.

Send your photos to caffelattemagazine@hotmail.com. Or, click the contact me on my profile page.