A clip of Pip

A little clip of Pippa, who has recovered well from the operation to fix her damaged femur head.

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Elspeth

My batteries are recharged

I got back to Trinidad yesterday morning ... from a very heavenly, relaxing trip to St. Vincent and Bequia. For those who don't know, St. Vincent is an island in the Grenadines with a population of somewhere just over 100,000 people. Bequia is an island of approx 4 - 5,000 people about an hour from St. Vincent by ferry. My father was born and grew up in St. Vincent. The whole family went often when we were children to visit granny, grandpa, etc. I've been back once or twice over the past ten years and went back there this time to get my Vincentian passport - taking the opportunity to stay on and have a short but priceless holiday.

Feet: Mine & Matthew's

I took my photographs to be developed and got them back this afternoon. The blue of the water in this shot (scanned) does not do justice to the bright turquoise of the Bequia waters. The image shows me and Matthew, sunburnt, dangling our feet off one of the jetties. Matthew is my cousin Nathalie's 8 year old son. He was spending 3 weeks in Bequia with Auntie Val & Uncle George (his grandparents/my mother's sister and her husband). They own some fabulous villas in Bequia, a stone's throw from the beach. I will highly recommend this as a destination to anyone who really wants to get away and rejuvenate. Bequia is about 7 square miles of 'nothing to do' but swim, eat, sleep and forget about everything else. You can also go fishing, tour the little nooks and crannies of the island, go for meals or drinks in quaint or exotic little restaurants and bars, go on yacht or boat rides, charter tours ... etc.

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The sea water is clear and calm, like a massive pool - ranging in colour from clear to turquoise to aqua-green to deep blue. Matthew and I spent hours in the sea playing until night fell. A striking thing about Bequia is the sense of simplicity and safety. The two of us out there playing in the darkness of the evening (on a beach that was virtually void of people) was no cause for worry or concern. In this lightness and freedom, Trinidad felt far away and dense with unnecessary elements of life. Hearing news about TT from a distance (kidnappings, $700 million drug bust, etc.) was alien in comparison to the refreshing small island life and values.

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I didn't feel to come back ... but flying in over Trinidad, the sight of the deep green mountains, plains and rivers was a good welcome home.

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Elspeth

Mother to a Child (music video)

Click here to see MOTHER TO A CHILD music video

Lyrics and vocals: Delana Mitchell

Flute & Guitar: Kepha Yaseph

Video: Elspeth Duncan

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This video was shot in a few hours on Sunday 14th August (2005). Read more about its genesis and an interview with Delana here and here (former posts).
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N.B. As with the other videos, I've saved it at a lower resolution so that the file will be smaller (hence, naturally, some loss in video and audio quality).

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Elspeth

Update

I will be leaving the country on Wednesday for a short while and most likely will not be updating the blog until I return (next Monday, 29th August). Tomorrow I will upload The "Mother to a Child" video and leave you with that over the few days that I am gone. It is a fairly long song (about 5 mins) and therefore may take long to download depending on your speed.

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Wishing all of you an interesting and enlightening week.

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Tomorrow: Mother to a Child video.

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Elspeth

Answers

A reader asked me these questions in a comment on this post yesterday and said that "they are five questions I am sure readers would enjoy". I will copy and paste the questions and answer them here.
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Q. 1. Who would you say has been your rock or your backbone in helping you reach this far in your career?
A. God has guided me. My family and friends have supported me.
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Q.2. If there was one famous artist you could meet who would it be?
A. The two people I would really have been interested in meeting are not 'artists' and are not physically present now: Joan of Arc and Jesus, both of whom I find to be interesting, inspiring and perhaps misunderstood/misrepresented in different ways, having been sifted through the pens of many writers throughout history. I would like to have heard their stories from them personally - maybe even to have seen them "at work" or "in action". In this life, an artis(e) I would like to meet would be Bjork. She is brilliantly creative, unique and unpretentious. In 'meeting' her I would want to work on something with her.
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Q.3. Does your religion play a strong role in the music and art you display?
A. I was brought up in a Christian household, but I don't really subscribe to 'organised religion' as it is presented at large (although I am not against it or against those who subscribe to it). I personally find aspects of it to be used in hypocritical and judgmental ways and I have found that the separate religions have the potential to cause division rather than unity, prejudice rather than acceptance and understanding. I have my own understanding of God and I use the term 'spirituality', which I find to be more all embracing. I would say God/spirituality plays a strong role in what I create because I am not separate from God and I move according to how my Spirit moves me.
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Q.4. List one thing you would want to accomplish before you depart from this world?
A. My purpose.
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Q.5. You have kept your personal life/relationship off of the blog..is there a special someone that you spend alot of time with? or are you too busy with your career that you don't have time to get involve with anyone?Explain.
I have kept my 'personal' life off the blog because it did not start as the kind of blog where I would say what I did daily and talk about my relationships, personal details, etc. It started as a creative space for my work and it has evolved in that way. I suppose to some extent I present the work in a 'personal' way, but I never saw this as a forum for discussion of my life on the whole ... although many of the posts are inevitably creative abstractions of real life feelings, experiences and thoughts. However, since you asked ... "The special someone" ... There are many special people in my life ... but I know you are asking specifically whether I am single or not. I have been single for a while. However, this will change. Not being someone who needs to be in a relationship in order to feel complete, I am happy to be 'on my own' ... rather than be in something 'just for the sake of being in something'. In this time on my own, I have focused on myself and experienced growth on many levels, coming to understand more of who I am. The "special someone" will therefore experience a fuller version of me. Am I too busy with my career to get involved with anyone? Becoming involved with someone has nothing to do with the status of my career or the level of my daily activity. I am currently 'busy with my career' because it is important to me, I love what I do and, as I said above, I move where my Spirit and feelings direct me - and I have been moved to work on certain projects in recent times. The time and energy put into these projects has been available perhaps because I have not been 'involved with anyone'. (Everything happens in its own time - and I have also grown to understand and trust this). The one I will become 'involved' with will understand that my creative expression is an important part of my life and will fit in effortlessly to that - perhaps even share it. I would not be able to be 'involved' on that level with someone who does not understand, support or allow this to be possible. Is there a special someone that I spend my time with? I currently spend my time with myself, my immediate family, close friends and my animals.

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P.S. Normally I change the post in the morning when I wake up, but I was unable to do so today because it's been a 'busy' day. Only now getting around to it. So, maybe I'll leave this up for another day to make up for it.

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Elspeth

Murphy's Law

The server is acting up today. I've tried to get on this morning to do the daily update and have not been able to get through. And now that I am finally on ... I have to dash off to meet some friends to go on a hike.

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E.

Buzzy blue day

Buzzing.
Blue.
The flower is open
The scent spirals
Into the centre
Out of itself.
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Elspeth

Interview with Delana Mitchell

Delana Mitchell, singer/songwriter
Interview transcribed from dictaphone.

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Elspeth: When did you first start writing music and why?
Delana: I first started writing my songs in the year 2001. I started my first song in 2001. Why I started was because I was inspired by a friend of mine, Queen Omega - and another friend, Michelle Lashley who really showed support and pushed me. And that made me believe that I could do it. So I just tried it out and eventually I got the first one and then afterwards, well ... you know the rest (laughter).
E: So you ...
D: Wait, I didn't say why. Why? Because I have a passion for music. After the Creator, music is the number one joy in my life. And that within itself gave me more inspiration to live and to know that I am able to do things ... to do more things ... and that I have talent and I could show off this talent.
E: Tell us more about ... you were talking about the passion and the joy of the Creator. Is that what infuses your work?
D: Yeah. Mainly. The first thing. Everything else after.
E: Even though that means everything, what else inspires you?
D: The experiences I had in life as a child. I never thought I would turn out like this. I think I've come far, I've come a long way, because it was hard, it was rough. Just living life (sigh). God just took me out of a lot of things and made me a new person. And I don't know if it was supposed to be like this or because I asked for it or because of what I went through as a child ... this is the reward as an adult. But ... just life. Life and experiences and people ... and I love expressing how I feel. And the best way is in song.

A scene from the video

E: Would you say that your music has a particular style? Do you give it a name or do you just call it 'music'?
D: I would have limited it to a style. I got linked with some foreign producers and when they heard it they suggested 'reggae soul' or 'soul reggae' and I agreed at the time. But from when I started back to sing, because I had stopped after I had stopped school (I didn't finish school) ... after school I had stopped singing ... and when I started back to sing, I started with one style, which is reggae. Then I had jumped to another style, which is soul. And then it started changing. So I can't limit it to one style and say well, it's soul or it's jazz ... because it will keep on changing ... and I enjoy taking chances ... and I would like to do all different types of music ... to push and see just how far I can reach. Mmhhm.
E: This song, Mother to a Child ... how did that come about?
(Both laughing because it's obvious)
D: This song would be one of my greatest hits personally ... ever. I don't know what I would do next. And what has come before ... I mean, I really like them, but this song means a lot to me because ... and it came about because at the age of 30 and not having a child and not getting pregnant before that, I thought that was it. I had given up. And that's part of what the song says: you know, I had given up - that was it for me. At the age of 30 I said that that was it. No more hoping, no more wishing, waiting ... and then to find out that long after, I was pregnant. It did a lot for me. And during the early stages of the pregnancy, a little past the early stages (laugh) I was just down in a hole, I was depressed. And then I decided to do the song ... and the song just raised me up and took me out of that. So the song came about because of that - because I thought I couldn't get pregnant and I did get pregnant. And it reminded me that the Creator was still doing his work ... and I was the one who was weak. I was the one who had given up and forgotten all about that, so ... It just refreshed a lot of things in my life. The song ... yeah, yeah ... and the experience that caused the song. (laugh)
E: Anything else you would want people to know? Anything that I didn't ask that you might want somebody to know?
D: I am a pretty fun loving person with a very serious side that people often mistake because I laugh so much. I laugh a lot and they get mixed up when the other side comes on, you know? I think it goes back to the same thing - the experiences as a child. And when I did get a hang of the life ... when I did understand what the life meant to me and ... why it is so important to make the most of life and to enjoy what you have and to do everything now, it had no turning back. There is no turning back for me. I just have to do what it is I'm doing. Because it keeps working for me, you know. It keeps working over and over - the different stages, the different phases that face me. It keeps working out for me. Every time it works out, I am reminded that I am on the right track. You know?

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END
Thank you, Delana.
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Elspeth

Mother Nature

Yesterday a friend of mine commented on yesterday's post, saying that what struck her most "was the word hospital amidst the sentiments of beauty." In other words, a place where people go when they are 'sick' or 'dying' is the place where many women go to have their children. The word hospital had not struck me in the same way, but she brought it up and I understand fully what she is saying. In the video, Delana is completely immersed in Nature - so Mother to a Child goes two ways: D to her child ... and Mother Nature to her.

A river scene in the video

When we were shooting, there was a part where D had to sit at the base of a large tree for a sequence of shots. My neighbour, Kitran (who had come along to assist), said jokingly at that moment: "Look, just don't have the baby now ..." (in a field 'in the middle of nowhere'). But what if? Maybe more hospitals (in fact more institutions and buildings on the whole) should follow the guidelines of Mother Nature.

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Elspeth

Mother to a Child

I was honoured to have the experience on Sunday 14th August (Sunday gone) of spontaneously shooting a music video for a song by Delana Mitchell, a young emerging singer with a moving and simple style that I would hesitate to label. Delana is pregnant and is in fact due to be having her baby today! As I write this, she is waiting to go to the hospital.

A scene from the video

It was the fastest shoot I've ever done since embarking upon this path. She called me late last week and it was literally a "rush job", as she (understandably) wanted to get the video done while she still has her stomach.
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The song is a beautiful piece called Mother to a Child (with Kepha Yaseph on guitar and flute) - of course written and sung for/to her baby, which she never thought she could have. The baby is therefore a miracle - and, in its own way, so is the video. I know everyone has their own opinions, but without reservation, I would personally say the song is a hit. Something that has come from such a deep place is bound to have a powerful effect.

Another scene from the video

Normally I would not have wanted to do this (video) in such a rush. In fact, I almost said no ... but I said yes (knowing what both the baby and her music mean to her) and dived in. I'm really glad I did. That day, the weather was perfect. And by this I don't mean sunny. It rained, it "sunned", it rained again, it was grey, it was murky - but the sun always came back out. And each weather 'backdrop' ended up being the perfect complement to the way the video unfolded in the tucked away river location we found up in the back of Maracas Valley, St. Joseph. So much so, that it was as if Mother Nature herself was the director, guiding us along and showing us what to do. We were actually through with everything by about 1:00 after having a late start at 9:30-ish!
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That day's team: Delana, Les, Sam, Kepha, Kitran and myself.
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I went home, still driven by the momentum of the day's unique energy, and started to edit. I was about 75% through with a solid rough draft by midnight. In fact, I did not know how absorbed I had been until I looked away from the computer and realised it was pitch black outside ...
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This is a precursor. I will feature an interview with Delana later on - maybe in a few days (I just have to transcribe it). And then the video, some time afterwards, when it is ready.
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In the mean time, Delana, may Mother Nature bless you today

with the wonderful experience and safe delivery of your child.

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Elspeth

Street Life (video)

CLICK HERE to see it

Today, Sunday 14th August was supposed to be the launch of the Street Life video at the Museum. But various factors caused events to unfold differently and it ended up being launched on Gayelle last weekend instead. I've been meaning to put it up here since then but am only now getting around to uploading it. But in a way it's just as though August 14th is still getting the chance to have its own little 'launch'. I'll leave this post up for two days.

N.B. As with the other videos, I've saved it at less than normal quality so that the file will be smaller (hence, naturally, some loss in video and audio quality).

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Below are some links to behind the scenes posts (e.g. interview with Malik, etc.) during the making of/prior to completion of the video:

http://nowiswow.blogspot.com/2005/07/street-life-video-in-progress.html

http://nowiswow.blogspot.com/2005/07/street-life-lyrics.html

http://nowiswow.blogspot.com/2005/07/street-life-interview-malik.html

http://nowiswow.blogspot.com/2005/07/street-life-will-continue.html

http://nowiswow.blogspot.com/2005/07/being-trini.html

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Elspeth

Incense

Floating

wisps

in the air

carry

me

away ...

Breeze.

Leaves.

Clouds.

Sky ...

Where am I?

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Elspeth

Passport time

Keep forgetting to wake up early and go down to the passport office ...

dreading the thought of the lines ...

but it has to be done ...

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Not very wordy these days,

But will give updates soon.

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A good day to all.

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Elspeth

New Day

NO MORE PAST

ONLY PRESENT

NO MORE OLD

ONLY NEW

NO MORE THEN

ONLY NOW

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ELSPETH

5,7,5,7,7

Ball of sun in sky

Bounces into a new day

Clouds catch falling light

And transform it into rain

Thus inventing a rainbow

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Elspeth

Shift

The great Unknown
which exists to be known
is stirring in the silence.

Another shift is coming

from inside.

Feel it,

rising like a cobra.

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Elspeth

Daily Bread

Everything is like slowly melting butter.

I will cut through it like a knife

and spread it on my daily bread.

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Elspeth

La la la

La-la laaa la la la laa la la-la

La-la laaaa la la la laa

La-laa la la la laaa

La-la laaaaaaa.

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(La'd version of first part of first verse of"Let it Be" by the Beatles)

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When I find myself in times of trouble

Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

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Elspeth

Street Life launch on Gayelle TV

Will you be looking at it?

Old man's eye in scene from Street Life video

To those in Trinidad: Tomorrow night (Sunday 7 August) on the programme "Stay Home" (on the Gayelle channel), the Street Life music video will be launched in a half hour television segment (inclusive of interviews). Also to be featured in the programme's other half hour segment (with interview) will be my video for The Coming Rain.

Two other scenes from Street Life.

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Tune in from 8:30 p.m.

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Elspeth

Clouds

From the sand I watched clouds resting phenomenally in the sky.

They were unusually still.

In the sea I merged with clouds floating weightlessly in the water.

It was gently rough.

In my mind the clouds melted quickly into nothingness.

I was quietly clear.

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Elspeth

Ra Ma Da Sa, Sa Say So Hung

I am Thou

Ra - Sun

Ma - Moon

Da - Earth

Sa - Infinity

Say - the Totality of Infinity

So Hung - I am Thou

Hiatus

Gap between then and now

Now and then

Shift from what is to what is not

Yet

Space (non-astronomical)

A practical pause.

Time

to gather strength

Time

to come to the centre

My tattoo, seen on streetlight,

Manchester, England 2003 trip.

Time

To stop and go

No further.

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Elspeth

Still Water days

These days are quiet and still

(yet moving)

Like water.

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Elspeth