Went to the cinema...

"Cinema should make you forget you are sitting in a theater."  ~Roman Polanski 

I have now seen Transformers: Dark of the Moon. I thought it was good - which means to the rest of the world that it wasn't bad or that I'm easily entertained - the action was good, the graphics/animations were excellent, the plot was... ok. I'm not now nor have I ever been a major movie-watcher like Shoeaholic (my new source of everything entertainment-oriented) - it takes a lot for me to convince myself to either stay out or leave home and go to the cinema. When I get there I like minimum fuss.. my ticket, my popcorn, my seat in the middle of the room - I don't like lines or waiting on people or having to decide what film to see - If I'm at the cinema it's because I know why I'm there.  

I thought it interesting that on one of the days I'd decided to go to the cinema this article, by Express columnist Sheila Rampersad, ran in the papers.  Interesting because each time I go to (or know that I'm going to) either MovieTowne or Caribbean Cinemas 8 I find myself reminiscing on the older cinemas - most especially Globe Cinema on Market Street, Chaguanas. I'm not sure whether it's still in operation as a number of factors (ok .. maybe just two?) led to my turning to the named multiplexes above to fulfil  my film-watching needs.

Every July-August holidays (note not summer - we don't have 'summer') once my brother and I were old enough to handle ourselves we chose the movies we wanted to see and went to Globe. We had a system. We'd arrive early - and lime on the stairs waiting for them to open the cinema itself... we'd split up - I'd get tickets whilst he got snacks... we'd then go in and find The Perfect Seats (though not like this) in House. Our system ensured that we got through quickly with ticket-and-snack purchases... and that we got the seats we wanted. Arriving early let us check out the crowd... and enjoy the general atmosphere found when any group of Trinis gather in one space. As you can read in this fabulous article from Outlish.com, House was where all the action was... running commentary was available (whether you wanted it or not) on the movie. Our system was so perfect that we used it every year until my brother went away to college (and then I lost my movie-buddy). We also got to be pretty well-known by Globe's operators - there was one instance (just one) where we ran late... the guy that guarded the entrance to the theater told us he was worried when he didn't see us.

A friend and I were talking about our experiences and, in truth, in those days that is what it was... it was not just an outing to see a movie, it was a total experience - interactions with people, double-features, a lot of snacks with just a $20 bill. Whilst I appreciate the cleanliness, the huge screens, the more-comfortable seating, the improved sound and 3D capabilities there are times when I really miss those days and that old cinema. 

Price of progress I guess...

Does anyone else miss it? 

peace,

Ren

A fantasy land story ...

"Imagination is the true magic carpet." ~Norman Vincent Peale 

 

Inspired by this statement from a guy friend: "in fantasy land, where corporations were evil and work was punishment, of course I'd be delighted to bring you a joy filled cupcake on my loyal steed"

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Once upon a time in a land not-so-far away, a maiden was doomed to slave for an evil corporation. Each day she arose hoping that it would be the last, but such was her fate that until the time that she (or some other close member of her family) won the lotto she must continue to toil. Weekends offered a brief respite from her punishment though this often led to a dismal Monday morning as the truth of her situation settled in on the maiden.

One day, the maiden learnt of a new and magical place… over the highway yonder… which sold joy-filled cupcakes. These cupcakes were said to boost one’s happiness through its magical chocolate ganache, to increase one’s positivity through its heavenly butter-cream and to raise one’s spirits with its divine deliciousness.

The maiden plotted with her friend to escape the clutches of the evil corporation … just long enough to obtain a cupcake. Alas, it was not to be… at the very moment of escape, the maiden was called upon to use her powers of editing and writing to create documents that would further the work of the evil corporation. The maiden's friend was also thwarted in her attempt as her steed was corralled by minions of the evil corporation. In desolation, the maiden retreated to her cubicle… chained to her desk by the powers of darkness. All hope was not lost however, as the maiden was able to send out a single call for help through the ether.

A wizard, feeling the vibrations in the ether, took note of the call and determined to assist the maiden (and her friend) by journeying forth on his loyal steed, Hoss, to obtain the magical cupcakes. He battled through the fearsome maze known as Cross-crossing and then ventured forth through hordes of crazy Trini drivers. Finally, under the heat of the noon-time sun, he arrived at the magical place. Quickly, he exchanged a few pieces of silver for a box of joy-filled cupcakes and then took the most direct path to the evil corporation.

The wizard soon learnt that it would not be easy to get to the maiden. Calling upon his own powers of charm, he outwitted the Golem at the Gate and made it through to the maiden upon whom he bestowed the box of joy-filled cupcakes...

No more was the Monday miserable... the cupcakes immediately lifted the spirits of those that consumed them... and further, brought thoughts of freedom and escape to that magical place. 

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Of course, none of this took place. I had to work all day. No-one was able to bring me cupcakes though I did get after work with my mom and brother. There's a new cupcake place (open as of last Wednesday) in Price Plaza, Chaguanas... known as the ButterCream Cupcake Bistro Ltd. Very posh... very pretty... very yum... 

Happy Monday all!

peace,

Ren

Lunch Room Conversation...

"Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end; then stop." ~Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

This quote makes me wonder whether Lewis Carroll had any Trini blood in him. It sorta sounds just like the directions that a Trini would give... :)

So we're sitting in the lunch room today (some of us having lunch... some of us avoiding going back to work) and talk comes up about the wonder that is Google Maps... You can find Trinidad and Tobago on Google Maps... You can find lots of stuff on Google Maps... including my house. I have a friend who spends time on Google Maps correcting the labels they have for roads and spaces and I know of persons who've started taking photos to map to places in T&T...

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And while all of that is exciting and maybe you're now thinking you can go label some places on Google Maps... that's not my story. Today's post is on our lunchtime conversation and just how confusing it can be for persons to find places in Trinidad and Tobago. Apart from our vague (yet strangely accurate) direction-providing skills, today's lunchtime convos emphasised that our road names can be a bit.. confusing.

Take, for example, the old Southern Main road which runs from north to south Trinidad. This road was used before the main highways and is still used today as it links all the villages and towns together. This road turns into Main Roads when it passes through towns... What do I mean? If you're travelling south along the Southern Main road from Chaguanas to Point Lisas you drive down the Southern Main road until Isaac Junction where you turn right... then... although you're still continuing on the same road - it's called the Couva Main Road... then after you pass through Couva you turn left and - the road name changes back to the Southern Main road.

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This is one of many places in which it does this. Talk in the lunchroom is that the road we all know as the North Coast road (Maracas anyone?) becomes the Paria Main Road after Maracas Beach till Las Cuevas where it is again called the North Coast road for a little while before turning back into the Paria Main Road to get to Blanchisseuse... lol

When you consider the naming issue and the fact that we tend to have place names repeated... e.g. Palmiste in Central... Palmiste in South... it's pretty amazing that people don't get lost. As one of my workmates say though... "is ah good ting T&T small cuz if yuh get loss yuh just hadda make 2 turns before yuh find yuh way..."

Lol... I ♥ T&T...

peace,

Rtr