Move on up

Temptation

So much is on the go this week that this post could also be called "Lots of Balls in the Air" but since the blog statistics show that the post called "Hurricane Paula & the Sex Pistols" has been by far the most well-read blog of all time, I'm a bit reluctant, given the pervie possibilties.

In a nutshell: The (new) Bakery Factory in new premises looks like it is on track and will be open 1 April. Plans are busy been drawn up ready for approval, mainly for the DTI, so we can order the ovens. This also means we are on a two month critical path.  Arggghhhhh.

We are also looking at a bigger abode, because as sweet as our little house is now - it's a shoebox in the suburbs (Tortola's equivalent). Not the stuff of dreams.  Can't say too much (this is an island) except that a large kitchen, double garage, laundry, voluminous sitting room, family room, library, four bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and sooooo much space to make a middle-aged woman who is inclined towards fantasy interior decoration, weep. It's also in one of the most beautiful parts of the island with a lovely local community and the best surfing. What's not to love you ask yourselves (or rather, "how can they afford this?"). Answer: Bitch driveway. It fulfills all my Everest fantasies, except it would be on a daily basis as opposed to that once-in-a-lifetime experience. I think (know) we'll have to run shuttle services for the cleaner and babysitters. I'm actually going to need that Hummer.

Carrot Bay

Next new big thing: William started his 'proper' sailing lessons today. Tyler said watching the squabs of six year olds trying to drag their little dinghies out of the water and de-rig was so sweet as they fell over themselves and everything else.  James (aged 10) may be sailing his first competitive regatta with the RBVIYC over on St Thomas (US Virgin Islands) this weekend, which will mean he will leave on Friday afternoon and return Sunday evening. He's thrilled but we're a bit apprehensive - it being the first time that one of our "babies" has travelled without us.

Clearly we need to start shifting the gears going forward, as IF we were to move to the new house - it would involve the boys tootling around on their bikes a lot, surfing on their own down in the bay (see above) and getting themselves home. Mr Caribbean Man has also said he'll 'machettee' some space for them around the house too, as well as build them a tree house. It's really, really no longer Parktown North.

If you'd like a good laugh and also some insight into what it's really like to live in the Caribbean read this from my neighbour India Hicks.

The "Cheer Up" Mix

A Caribbean Ground Orchid - first of many, we hope

As my neighbour India Hicks said today on her blog "I'm sure one should only Twitter when one's up not when one's down. I'm down. No Tweets". It must be a general Caribbean malaise that has all us 'Colonial Leddies' feeling a bit blah at the moment- so nothing better than making up a 'mix' of all one's favourite music of the moment to keep talking to a minimum.

Just ignore the videos' (apart from Rihanna and Swedish House Mafia) and put your headphones on!

First up - my all-time favourite at the moment - a little bit of drum & bass which needs to be played very loudly: Chase & Status - Time

Next, some Caribbean Gangsta ragga  by our local homegrown  girrrrlllllll Rihanna (Bahmian) which as you can only imagine is rather big over here. The video is very Caribbean - it really could be Tortola.

Tinie Tempah is also huge here and I just love him, especially for his sharp Oswald Boateng suits. And for once he dosn't look like Ali G, as is the type.

Here's some brilliant angsty eighties-type indie rock with The Suburb's 'Ready to Start' which I've  listened to on replay a 1000 times. It's got a bit of the Cure, the Smith's, a dash of Jesus & Mary Chain.  This is when I start looking for my old Echo & the Bunnymen cassettes again.  Ohhh, this music makes me so happy!

Still can't stop loving Usher's OMG. Such a sexy, sexy song - it makes the parrot screeching right next to me, just disappear. "Honey gotta booty like pow pow pow".

This is fun, huh? Now for some more drum & bass: The Scream's 'Lets Get Ravey'. Breath-taking!

OK, now for the Boys fave:  Swedish House Mafia. This has to be played full-volume in the car with the aircon on max for that Caribbean effect!  I particularly like this version as it features Tinie (again) and a seriously cool video (vaguely smutty and again a bit Carib).

A little bit of South African pop by Lonehill Estate's Green Pocket. My friend Susie says it's too Randburg Flea Market for her and Tyler thinks it's 'a bit X Factor' and admittedly it has a 'Flock of Seagulls" feel to it, but what the hell, I like it.

Finishing up with Rihanna's ex-boyfriend Mr Chris Brown's Beautiful People. He's a bit of an *hole, but his music's great.

OK, hope I've made a difference to your day. It always seems to work for me, till the good times come back again.