Hey folks! I kind of lost my mojo for a few weeks, but I should be back on track next week. Life has been throwing some really hard coconuts, and I got a few hits, however all is not lost. I went to visit an old school friend on Thursday, she encouraged me to keep at this blog, because she really enjoys it. It felt so good to see her, since it has been years.
One thing I love about the life I have, is that I had a really good class: Ms. Sagar Form 3 at Bishops Centenary College. We all had our nerds and our comedians, our wild child and our fashionable muses, our loud-mouth debaters and our quiet dignity torch holders.
The majority of us stayed until we became Form 5 General. Our class room was in the Biology lab, and there was our cafeteria, our lunch room and and our stand up comedy central place. We discussed and studied anything and everything: religion, race, life at home, siblings, subjects, etc. I guess, I am supposed to say we were normal. But we were never normal. I can't remember anyone in my class liming outside of it, the Bio Lab was our liming spot, our comfort.
Fifteen years ago, we all graduated and went our different ways. Then Facebook came along, and it has been so easy to get in check with each other. Some have children, some got engaged, some got married, some went to the weddings of those who got married, others got married in a very simple and small ceremony, two people had beach weddings, and very few are still single, maybe one.
We have nurses, artists, flight attendants, accountants, self-employed, etc. And we all live around the world and marry folks from around the world, ha! My sister once suggested, "Y'll should definitely have a tea-party!" The thing is we were not a convent, nor a prestigious school, we were just a bunch of young women who made a life for themselves and are still living.
I got permission to add a pic. I am adding it in its raw form, it is from Cadell ("The so-called wild one who had a boyfriend with a motorcycle!") I did not now about that one, lol.
I am working on some new stuff so I am cruising. Yesterday, I finished the house and I liked it but I was disappointed. I felt I could have had two bedrooms instead of one roomy bedroom, so I made preparation for it in the event I may need to add a 2nd Bedroom in another version of the design.
Feast your eyes!
Psssst: Many of the lighting fixtures I designed to fit the slightly odd decor. I also design the furniture as well, since I believe that most people would like to have rare original pieces. :-).
We were offered somewhere to buy, the seller positively saying, "Yes you will get it." Only to rescind the offer a few days later. During that period we went to see it, and it was a pretty small plot of land with a very old house on it.
Lately, I have been under some intense stress, and I have been having panic attacks. My panic attacks usually come when I perceive that a terrible event, or an experience that I had before, or something new, is going to occur.
And last week, I had three panic attacks, and so I slept alot. I slept so deeply, that I did not dream, and I always almost dream in full vivid colour. Before I get a panic attack, I become highly observant, and I can focus intensely. It is funny how I can even explain what is going on in my head. What I hate is that, I can almost always tell, when something is going to happen...this does sound crazy, but it is true.
Anyway, my PA sensors was right, and I received a bombshell on Thursday. In addition, I came to the realization that, sometimes, even those closet to you, do not know YOU. What is sad is that, the feelings that was there before has effectively dried up, and I no longer feel obligated to act as before. Instead, its like my mind and body has put up a large fortress with an active dragon living there. And I feel as though I cannot process anything simple, only complex things are being actively solved at the moment. After the solution, I forget what I was thinking and my mind needs to rest. If you do know what is happening to me, please leave a note. I am thinking I am heading for a big whoop, and my body is stocking up on ammunition.
Or maybe, I need a vacation.
Next month I am having another interview, an old school friend of mine, she is beautiful and talented, and very willing to be interviewed. I will take a break until then, to get my bolts checked and rest, because as I write to you, my eyes are closing.
Unlike my illustrations, in person, I have absolutely no movie star looks. I think that is a good thing, because Madeleine Albright, who was one of the most, or the most powerful woman during the Clinton Administration as the United States Secretary of State, was no Sophia Vegara. Now, I am not questioning the abilities of these two women, please consider some facts:
Madeleine Albright can speak English, French, Russian and Czech, also Polish and Serbo-Croatian. She taught at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. Is awarded a B.A. from Wellesley College with honors in Political Science. She also Studied at Johns Hopkins University, Columbia University…Career wise, Ms. Albright is extremely brainy and experienced, and I would not like to be a contestant on Jeopardy with her, especially if one of the topics are American History and Politics. By the way, did you ever see the website of Johns Hopkins University? I would love to study there one day, if I have the time. Biophysics could be interesting.
Sophia Vegara, also went to a university in Colombia studying pre-dentistry, and she is so beautiful, that she gained many opportunities to work as a model and actress. It all depends on what you want out of this life, so don't knock her choices. From what I have read she has starred in many shows in her native Colombia and the U.S.
Depending on what you want out of this life, you must have the abilities, cajones and determination. If you have the beauty and/or brains to make it happen, by all means. What if you are beautiful with smarts? Geena Davis, is a member of Mensa (an organization for really bright people). She has starred in one of my most favourite action movies, A Long Kiss Goodnight, with Samuel .L. Jackson. Her I.Q. (intelligence quotient) is 140.
About two weeks ago I stumbled upon an article on the internet, the question was, why are smart people ugly? Not all of them are ugly, its just some of them. Just as not all beautiful people are models and movie stars, some volunteer in lands that need assistance.
Intelligence only happens if you learn from your mistakes and you try to never allow history to repeat itself. That's my take. Learning from experience. How can history never be allowed to repeat itself? I do not know. What is intelligence, or being intelligent? According to my pocket Oxford dictionary: Intelligence (noun) is the mental ability to learn and understand things or information. Intellect (noun) is the mind's power of reasoning and acquiring knowledge. Intelligent (adjective) is having mental ability. I guess most folks has some sort of mental intellect, even the fictional Patrick Starfish. Fact: SpongeBob SquarePants was created by a marine biologist. Ok I am trying not to get excited, I love SpongeBob episodes too much!
What would I rather have? On the one hand there is beauty: the envy of other women, the most popular girl in the group, and the arm candy to a Prince or an immensely rich tycoon. One person I know is so beautiful that she has hardly gained the experience of actually being single, for as long I have known, there was almost always a guy around, and he always had wealth and popularity. Or you can be intelligent and educated enough to make up for your lost looks, here you don't have to worry about guys, although, if you do have a boyfriend its because you have enough smarts to keep him on his toes and he pursued you enough not to let go. You can work and be good enough to be a Secretary of State or an Attorney General, or even write an interesting blog or a book! The successes are almost endless... and you are not limited by how long your looks are going to last.
You know, given the way how people are most cynical today, I am secretly hoping that someone comes and says: "Yadda, yadda! A blog by an ugly chick who is hoping that she is eventually accepted for who she is... like a Hollywood movie!" LOL
Do you remember the illustrative portrait of the Wismans? I was finally able to get an interview with Mr. Wismans during his busy schedule. So take a moment and read what he has to say, I am sure you would love it. And don't forget to leave a comment or question about the interview.
Q: Where are you from and what school/college/University did you go to? A: Rotterdam, The Netherlands & I studied sculpture, architecture and product design at the Art Academy
Q: Who/What brought you to our Twin-Island Republic?
A: I fell in love with an extra-ordinary Trini woman on this beautiful island and so I came.
Q: What is your current state of mind right now?
A: I am designing a series of interior products. I am projecting expressionistic, self-made camouflage like patterns, in rigorous, and massive geometric shapes. This I do to make an almost perfect balance. Shifting with shapes to make complex, though, serene designs is my goal. It's quite a challenge because of the different outcomes, only 5% survives.
Q: What type of Art/Design are you into?
A: Finding ones own identity in a faster globalizing world is like running blindfolded in ever changing labyrinth. Though, in this post-modern times, one needs to find ones position in the world.
In my work I try to find a universal style. I take patterns, trends and discoveries I find on my research from all over the world, from all ages and eclectically reflect them on my work. I think you could say I am an expressionist as well as a minimalist.
Q: What awards have you won in the Nederland/Netherlands?
A: My biggest achievement, is that I won an architecture prize out of 94 contestants. The challenge was to come up with a new concept for a stone brick and using it within a nature resort in the Netherlands. I used this brick and made it into a gigantic meandering nestlike building which functions as a hotel, restaurant and a museum for WNF. This absurd huge nestlike building in time becomes green of algae and dissolves within the environment.
Q: Five years from now what can we expect from you in terms of Art/Design?
A: I am working on a show for the end of the summer where I will present my ideas of architecture, interior design and sculptures. I will blow up my sculptures into buildings. I think I need another 3 lifetimes for all I want to do: Writing graphic novels, traveling the earth, and making photo documentaries, plus opening a cute little restaurant, maybe even starting a carnival band.
Q: If you were to tell someone about the Netherlands, someone who has never been there, what would you tell them about life there, and the people?
A: Life here, in Trinidad, is very different. In the Netherlands, everything is so structured and captured in protocols and rules one desires for bacchanal. Here in Trinidad, the opposite is true. It is warm and nature here is extra-ordinary. There are a lot of nice galleries, museums and theaters. Everyone is free to decorate their houses here in Trinidad which results in beautiful patterns. People are less jealous in The Netherlands of each other, and ones race doesn't matter.
The Wismans
Q: What about places of interest to visit in the Netherlands and what food to try?
A: I don't like the obvious tourist spots. If you want to really experience something special in Holland, go Friesland, where there are a lot of lakes, nature & birds, 1000 years of boat history, and typical Dutch cows. Or in the far south, visit the ancient Maastricht where the newest Parisian fashion meets medieval, and eat a raw herring waffle and an old cheese sandwich.
Q: What would you tell your Dutch friends about Trinidad and Tobago?
A: Best place to party and enjoy nature and a lot of very nice people. I would advise them to balance their time in Trinidad & Tobago, I find Trinidad's nature more beautiful than Tobago's.
Q: Is this your first Carnival? How was it for you? What about the dialect, etc.
A: I really saw a lot of interesting costumes, bikini mass bores me after a while. I really enjoyed all the expression of the people. Since I have been living here for a year, I can understand the dialect by now.
Q: What is your favorite dish in Trinidad and Tobago? And where is your favorite
spot?
A: Stewed pork with macaroni pie, mhmmm. The whole of the North coast of Trinidad is my favorite spot. It's energizing.
Q: If you have a comment for CafféLatté magazine, what would it be?
A: Keep on doing the good work Lisa, love your blog!
Thank you Mr. Wismans for Your Moment and Interview with CafféLatté magazine and I look forward to more of your work in the near future.
We all love movies, and there are many to satisfy all types of movie lovers. Have you ever tried to read the credits after a movie? I do, just to see how much people are involved. Well you know the answer, a lot of folks. I estimate between 100 to 300 people are involved in making a single movie. I mean, there is the location, equipment, extras, makeup, set designers, special effects, engineers, carpenters, proof readers, blueprints, writers, etc.
After I watch a movie, I always wonder what you would you do if you worked on a movie and your name is one of many in the small fonts coming to the end of the credits? My favorite part of a movie is when it is mentioned that, "No animals were harmed in the making of this movie". Or, "The events depicted in this movie are fictitious. Any similarity to any person living or dead is merely coincidental." I decided to find out why this is said, because the Na'vi does not exist, and I can't remotely imagine some bloke going after the makers of Avatar claiming that one the Na'vi characters looks like his mother.
And then there are the stylists. For instance, in Black Swan, instead of Natalie Portman's stylist, it is "Stylist to Ms. Portman", and then the person's name. I am sorry I did not get that info. So, the credits are just as important as the movie. What is really cool about movies are the Extras/ non-speaking part. It's not really glamorous, given the fact that the pay is not so great. Extra gigs average about $64.00 (USD) per day. And that is a non-union payment. Its like working at a fast-food restaurant. They don't pay you like you are important, but you are. Now, I am not daft, but I am surprised that unions hold so much power. I thought that unions here in Trinidad are so petty, like protesting for 9% more and pounding in the hot sun and rain for it. I mean if you must protest for an increase it has to be for something substantial, like, eradicating racism, like civil rights, or justice, or utilities, or even a 50% wage increase? Anyway, who really benefits from these protests? Sometimes the protestors get fired after everything cools down. Without further ado, CafféLatté Magazine's 5 Fantastic Movies and Soundtracks.
AVATAR
Director: James Cameron
Producer: Jon Landau
Writer: James Cameron
Theme Song: I See You
Song Writer(s): James Horner, Simon Franglen, Kuk Harrell
Song Composer(s): James Horner, Simon Franglen
Singer: Lenoa Lewis
You know there are some songs that no one else should sing, let alone karaoke, this is one of them. Considering this video is a karaoke version, it has cancelled my previous sentence. Leona Lewis has a beautiful voice and her feeling and power in this song cannot be copied.
TITANIC
Director: James Cameron
Producer: James Cameron, Jon Landau
Writer: James Cameron
Theme Song: My Heart Will Go On
Song Writer(s): James Horner (music), Simon Franglen, James Horner and Walter Afanasief(production), Will Jennings (lyrics),
Song Composer(s): James Horner, Will Jennings
Singer: Celine Dion
Best person to sing this song is Celine Dion. No contest.
THE LION KING
Director(s): Rob Minkoff, Roger Allers
Producer: Don Hahn
Writer(s): Jonathan Roberts, Irene Mecchi
Theme Song: Circle of Life/ Can You Feel The Love Tonight
Song Writer(s): Elton John/ Tim Rice
Song Composer(s): Elton John, Tim Rice
Singer(s): Carmen Twillie, Lebohang "Lebo M." Morake, Elton John, London Community Gospel Choir
I had to put this here, the whole soundtrack is fantastically written.
CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON
Director(s): James Schamus, Wang Hui Ling
Producer: Ang Lee, Hsu Li Kong, William Kong
Writer(s): Hui-Ling wang, Du Lu Wang
Theme Song: A Love Before Time
Song Writer(s): James Schamus, Elaine Chow
Song Composer(s): Jorge Calandrelli, Tan Dun, Yo-Yo Ma
Singer(s): Coco Lee
When I first watched this movie, I was irritated with the bamboo flying scene, it was just too much, but it all added to the masterpiece of the movie. Where is Zhang Ziyi now? And Chow Yun-Fat?
THE GODFATHER
Director(s): Francis Ford Coppola
Producer: Albert S. Ruddy/(Robert Evans)
Writer(s): Mario Puzo, Francis Ford Coppola
Theme Song: Speak Softly love
Song Writer(s): Larry Kusik
Song Composer(s): Nino Rota
Singer(s): Original singer Al Martino
The thing about "Il Padrino", is that there are some versions of the original soundtrack, that is so Sicilian that you can never tear yourself away from it. Its like you can taste taste the cannoli, and the olive oil and even the murder. It is really a piece of art, no, it is possibly the best movie soundtrack I have ever heard. Seriously, it makes you forget all the murder that you saw in the movie. In addition, it actually puts a classy spin on gang violence…way different than rap music.
BONUS
BICENTENNIAL MAN
Director(s): Chris Columbus
Producer(s): Chris Columbus, Gail Katz, Michael Barnathan, Neal Miller, Laurence Mark
Writer(s): Isaac Asimov, Nicholas Kazan, Robert Silverberg
Theme Song: Then You Look At Me
Song Writer(s): James Horner
Song Composer(s): James Horner
Singer(s): Celine Dion
Robin Williams as a robot. I liked that he can only do hilarious talk antics, and not physical antics. Well written movie.
p.s: Do not be so dumb to think I am claiming copyright for these movies.
