Out Of Paradise

Pride 2014

2014-07-07T11:12:00.002-04:00

Happy Pride to all my followers and those who happen to visit my blog. LGBTQI communities throughout the world celebrate pride in the month of June but it is also celebrated in other months of the year by other countries.
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Carnival 2014

2014-04-09T07:12:00.003-04:00

The many colours of Trini Carnival

Another Carnival has passed. Fetes (Parties), sleepless nights, going from one event to the next have concluded and as it is every year, thousands of tourists arrived to enjoy the celebration and culture of my twin island republic.
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2014 Carnival - The Bacchanal Has Begun

2014-02-18T18:17:00.002-04:00

The Greens, Panorama, Queen's Park Savannah (Source: NCC)

Hey everyone superwoman here, well is the Carnival fetes or what you would call parties galore. Mas camps and steelpan yards are in full swing mode. Tourist have started arriving on the island from as far north of the globe to as close as other islands.
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Xmas Out, Carnival In

2014-01-02T23:40:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone, I hoped everyone had a very happy and restful Christmas. After all the preparations, gift buying and sharing, Christmas is done and Carnival is in the air.

Carnival 2014 will be held between the 3rd and 4th of March, but as for now all mas bands are busy at work, feverishly putting together all the bandleaders/designers for their band sections.

During the course of the Christmas season bands launch their themes and designs, giving the public time to decide which band and what section they will be playing mas with for the upcoming year.
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Divali Festival and PNT Tv Update

2013-11-13T16:55:00.001-04:00

Businesses light Diyas and electric lights

Hey guys, superwoman coming to you. I want to take the time to thank all of my subscribers and those who have supported me. For your understanding and my deepest appreciation for your patience.

This year has been my most sporadic and I apologize but it has been difficult with equipment failings or lack of such. I operate without a budget and although despite our efforts it sometimes it gets the better of us.
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Back On Track

2013-09-21T04:21:00.001-04:00

OOP Blogger, SW

A Trip To Quinam

2013-06-13T13:17:00.000-04:00

Quinam Beach, Siparia

Hey you guys another fantastic video for you. I will be visiting most of the beaches and historical sites throughout my islands Trinidad & Tobago. On this day we visit Quinam Beach.
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OOP: Sun, Sand and Politics

2013-05-27T06:40:00.001-04:00

On the Sunday last Tee and I had the company of one of our closest friends as we headed to our favorite beach, Vesigny, which I have mentioned previously is further south than our home in La Brea.

Amidst our frolicking in the sea, we decided to take in the rays of the days...and as it always happen, the discussion turned to our government's unwillingness to sustain any meaningful dialogue about LGBTQ rights in our country.

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Easter - At the Park

2013-04-15T11:50:00.002-04:00

The Easter weekend and everyone is either on the beaches on at home relaxing. In Trinidad and Tobago due to the large amount of public holidays; we are said to be a 'Fete' or 'Party' nation.
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A Gay Carnival 2013

2013-02-16T16:22:00.004-04:00

Another year of Bacchanal and nonstop partying on the streets of Trinidad and Tobago. Carnival season in my sweet island paradise is total abandonment and sometimes the merriment goes overboard.
So this year I'm back once again and bringing to you our cultural celebrations, which is enjoyed by tourists and locals alike. However, there has been a lot of changes to every aspect of the festival this year and in its entirety it hasn't been good. At least this seems to be the general opinion of the public at large.
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Out of the Closet and on Camera

2012-12-18T09:28:00.000-04:00

Hey guys another exciting video for you to sit back relax and enjoy. A close friend invited me to his house party which thoroughly enjoyed. As you will see on the left.

He is one of the few openly gay guys in Trinidad willing to go on camera. We were at one of his famous soirees that was overflowing with appetizers drinks and decorations and it was truly a memorable night even for those more ambiguous guests.
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Upcoming Island Events and Festivals

2012-10-25T21:22:00.001-04:00

Divali, Christmas and Carnival

I have enjoyed bringing you along as I explore all the sights and sounds of my sweet island paradise of Trinidad and Tobago especially the unique places Tee and I constantly find ourselves. Right now we are in the middle of preparing for the Christmas and Carnival seasons.

But for some people they aren't thinking about the Christmas, only Carnival. Which we will be celebrating in the first week of February. Most Mas Bands are right now in full swing making mas costumes, lots of bands have many of their sections booked up and even a few have completely sold out. Most 'local' foreigners and tourist have already signed up for their costumes in the band of their choice.
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OOP Video Diary #204 (Vessigny Beach)

2012-10-09T14:06:00.001-04:00

On Sunday last in the spur of a moment I got the vibe to smell the ocean air, so I sold my girlfriend Tee on the idea but truth be told, Tee doesn't really need much encouragement to head to one of the many beaches available to us in Trinidad alone, she is fanatic about the beach. We chose Vessingy as it is the closest beach to us from South.

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A Typical Day Down South

2012-09-30T08:02:00.000-04:00

Another to add to our collection here at OOP, this time around we've made it to another beach. Instead of the northern tip of the island we headed deeper into the south land, better known as down south. However before we set out on our journey we diverted to a small inlet called the 'Flower Pot'.

Situated on Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd - Petrotrin owned property, this 'beach' usually plays host to a steady stream of locals seeking a revitalising break to a hot day. So on any given day from Monday to Sunday its busy.

After visiting 'Flower Pot' we headed to lunch at our favourite Chinese Restaurant. Not particularly sophisticated as far as restaurants apply but "New Time" just happens to be the very best at what they do.

I recommend "New Time" to anyone within any radius to find it and eat. Situated in Debe, you can find them on the main road, nestled on a compound with a glass fitting company and a animal feed store.

We ordered my favourite steam wantons and of course they make it the best way for me, we also had crispy skin pork, (Pork happens to be my girlfriend, Tee absolutely must have meats) mixed vegetables and fry rice. This is what our meal looked like! Gorgeous I know!

Our asses well fed and waist nicely protruding we dragged ourselves into the car and headed further down to penal. But this is where the journey ends.

Check out the video as I show you more sites and sounds, enjoy. Bless!

Emancipate Yourselves from Mental Slavery

2012-08-06T21:09:00.001-04:00

Welcome to another exciting addition to my blog. As I said last episode this season I will be posting on location videos and photos from different sites from my countries Trinidad and Tobago. Some will be famous tourist attractions like Maracas Beach (last week's post) and some will come from off the beaten path as it were like this week's attraction, Palmiste Gardens situated in the south of Trinidad.T

On the 1st of August was the national holiday for commemorating the abolition of slavery. Most of the celebrations were centered on the 'Lidj Yasu Omowale' village, which was housed in the Queen's Park Savannah in the capital, Port-of-Spain.

Lastly on some side news, singer Nikki Minaj who is originally from Trinidad came home to film the music video for 'Pound The Alarm' the fourth single taken from her second studio album, Pink Friday: Reloaded. In it she shows some of the most beautiful sites from Trinidad and Tobago and our biggest festival Carnival...so go check it out!!! HERE

A Day of Sand, Sea & Sun

2012-07-24T14:52:00.000-04:00

Maracas Bay

First and foremost, my apologies to the ardent supporters of my blog, OOP, for the abscent of videos due to technical problems with our computers which has since been rectified.

Pride celebrations have been going on since the beginning of last month not only in Trinidad but around the world. Pride is usually celebrated during the month of July in Trinidad and Tobago. There are lots of parties and appearances on talk-shows in both radio and television.
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Trinidad & Tobago's Fail : Human Rights

2012-05-13T21:47:00.001-04:00

Advocacy

A OOP Special Report: Letting Our Voices Be Heard!

On Friday the 11th of May 2012, representatives from various groups in support of the human rights advocacy campaign 'ADD ALL THREE' gathered in a walk to present briefs, first to the EOA (Equal Opportunities Act) offices and then to arriving ministers of the convening sitting of Parliament.

The day's walk was also in commemoration of the second annual walk to publicly mark IDAHO (Day Against Homophobia). Although May 17th is the official day of celebration.

Season 2 - Happy Boys Bar!

2012-04-03T22:44:00.001-04:00

Welcome everyone to the second season of OOP. This season Tee and I plan on bringing you interviews from interesting people that create, own or specialize in services that boost exemplary service in entertainment.
Showcase sites and places that you can only find with the help of a Trinidadian and lastly festivals in a more homely atmosphere.

The first show for the new season showcases a simple bar that goes beyond the promise of entertainment. It appears from the outside to be what Trinidadians call 'rum shop'. To understand the title, think of a stark neighbourhood bar with no frills, selling alcohol and beers, almost 24hrs a day, everyday of the year with maybe a television and radio for comfort.

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Trini Carnival 2012 (Part 2) - Tuesday

2012-04-03T21:38:00.000-04:00

I know this particular post is very late and I apologise but this is Part 2 to my Carnival vlog posted last month.

It is said to be called the greatest show on earth. The energy, the colour, superb wire bending and costume designing that goes into the spectacle that is Trinidad Carnival. The build up of fetes, Calypso tents, moulding of bodies in any number of gyms, shopping around for last minute accessories all cultivates on Carnival Tuesday.

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Trini Carnival 2012 (Part 1) - J'ouvert

2012-03-03T08:09:00.001-04:00

Finally I bring you a taste of Carnival through the eyes of the gay scene in Trinidad. Carnival as I have said before is our national pastime and one of our greatest festivals.

Although the mas and revelry only last two days on the streets, it takes almost a year to prepare for. The season takes places between February and March of every year, always the week of Ash Wednesday.

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After a Lime

2012-01-25T02:40:00.001-04:00

As shown above Club Bohemia is the place to be on Carnival Sunday! Both myself and Tee will be present and we will be bringing you all the sites and sounds that Carnival has to offer from the perspective of the LGBTQ fetes and pre-limes (parties).
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Carnival is in the Air

2012-01-13T17:03:00.000-04:00

Its Carnival time again from the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago and much different from last year I will be bringing you full live coverage from several locations of the number one festival of my country.

I will walk you through a steelband pan yard for the first time so you can see what goes on behind the scenes. The same will go for the Mas bands and all the colorful competitions that are spread over the very short and intense season.

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Christmas Was Here!

2011-12-30T06:39:00.002-04:00

So I'm back. So sorry I haven't been with you for such a long period but below I will tell you all about it. Christmas has come and gone and now we in Trinidad and Tobago will jump right into the Carnival season, which if you recall from earlier this year, my coverage wasn't as extensive as I had hoped so in the coming 2012 season I will be bringing a lot more of our greatest festival.
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Out Of Paradise Ep. 47 - SOE Exposed!

2011-11-03T07:48:00.000-04:00

The curfew imposed in Trinidad and Tobago by the current government continues to enforce nothing but new avenues of crime by criminals and affecting the already strained purse strings of the country to its absolute limits.

A petition by the collective business associations and the general public is right now being circulated to end the curfew. The question of whether the powers that be will actually heed our cries is another matter all together.

The arrest of curfew breakers continue to be the main focus of the many patrols of the joint forces of the police and army at this point. I guess the only bright spot is that the one honest and uncorrupted government figure in this country seems to be attacking head-on the criminal elements from within the police force. Only time will tell if her efforts will truly bare fruit.

used via townhall.com

With these pressing developments the issues of the LGBTQi community have been placed squarely on the back burner again. However for the very first time I am seeing a difference in the attitude from the community.

They are starting to stand up for their rights and actually, slowly, poke their heads out of the closet and are em-massing to collectively show their presence in meetings and voicing their utter intolerance for the behaviour of society and the government that continues to deny us the basic human right to live how we see fit and love whom we wish to love.

In my video I talk more about these issues and others that have occurred in the past two weeks. so enjoy, follow and comment.

Till next time, luv yah!

Unity. Visability. Rights.

2011-10-21T02:42:00.002-04:00

Taken by Tee at City Hall, POS, Trinidad

So it's another week, another episode of OOP. I know my show's episodes have been slow in coming these past few months but it's been a slow summer. The good news is that christmas is fast approaching and soon we will have much to talk about. The added bonus I can tell you is this year I am mobile, which means you get to see with more than cooking videos and photos what a Trini Xmas is all about.

However, this week's show is about a meeting I went too with PNT Tv's founder Tee. The event was hosted by the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) at our capital Port-of-Spain's City Hall.

The meeting seemed to have been called to explain the rules and guidelines one should follow to apply to the commission to get recommendations from them to maybe get help to you. Unfortunately, the LGBTQ community has no footing in these matters because we weren't included in the law. In fact it is still unlawful for a homosexual woman or man to engage in sexual relations. Isn't that just priceless.

Now here's the tickler, the law was passed in 2000 but didn't get funding until 2008. Then had to wait two more years to get a commission/board then another year, this year to be staffed. Judging from that it wasn't a great surrprise when we were told that the commission really didn't have the authority to really do anything at all except make recommendations to a tribunal and the goverment minister on the matter.

Please watch what I have to say on the subject matter and lets hope we get even further in the next meeting. Lastly I want to thank all my fellow brave gay persons of Trinidad & Tobago for showing up, for participating and verbally fighting for your rights, a human's rights.

Till next time! Luv Ya, Bless!