How to Save Caribana

Caribana is a great parade. It brings such energy to the city.  The bright spots are the great attendance, costumes, music, and food. However, the parade has been plagued by problems: consistently late start, delays in the procession, and masqueraders being swarmed by the crowd. I deeply love this event and fear its end. Here are 13 things we need to do to save the parade.

1. Direct the masqueraders and spectators - Advise on one route to participate and one route to watch the parade.
2. Define the parade - Set space to wine to the side (image) and a lane to join in that is separate from the costumed participants.
3. Point to the destination  - Show pictures of what success will look like i.e. no jumping in
   
4. Find the feeling – Have stormers participate as masqueraders so they can see what it feels like to be swarmed.
5. Use pictures of children in costume to encourage empathy (Image).
6. Shrink the Change –  Emphasise that its only a small step to the left to wine to the side and that spectators only have to stay out of the parade for 4 hours.
7. Grow our People – Publicise messages like "The people wining to the side are doing it right", "Keep the parade", "Save the parade", "Respect the mas", "This is our identity", "Let'stand do it for each other".
8. Develop the public by showing them the "Save Toronto Carnival" campaign videos below
9. Tweak the Environment – Lock gates to latecomers; set hours for the parade and hours for the street party; post signs defining the parade areas; and use a simpler route, i.e. Yonge street or Bloor street;
10. Build Habits – Start each Caribana season with the rules; print flyers with a checklist of do's and don'ts.
11. Rally the Herd - Have CP 24 replace promo commercial with informative ad; Get Rhianna or Drake to support the cause;  and use social media to shame the stormers.
12. Re-shape the Parade - Set up stadium seating like the Molson Indy 
    

Once the parade is improved, then reinforce the successful change. Get "Way to go Toronto" trending.

Ready to cruise

Some of the boat cruise flyers I've found this summer

One of things I love most about summer in the city are the party boats. In the urban music scene, we call these boat cruises - although now that I think of it, the moniker is a bit redundant. Tickets (around $50) cost more than the cover charge at night clubs. But, I think this weeds out any potential hooligans and brings out a higher class of clientele. The vibe is just great. With the sun over head, a blue sky and the waves, the setting is perfect. Before I went on boat cruises, I thought I would feel trapped - not having the luxury of leaving when I felt like it. But with the music pumping, good friends, and nice drinks, I've always found there's a great vibe. Plus it's kinda  fun when another party boat passes and you wave to each other. Or even better - when your boat is partying harder and the other boat's passengers look longingly over at you wishing they were there.

I also love the opportunity to wear a nice summer  dress. I think that the higher ticket price and better class of people prompts guests to dress more formally than they would at a night club. At the club, women tend to wear a tighter and shorter dress but a boat cruise calls for a flowy dress that will catch in the breeze. To the right, I've displayed some of the summer dresses I've purchased  for this summer's boat cruise season. I recommend pairing the outfits with a ballet flat or a sandal since stilettos might just throw you off your game when the boat starts a rocking - literally!

Can You Solve This?

Sears Spring Look 2015 - Sears Canada

I always look forward to the Sears Look Report coming out. Here's a peak at the Spring 2015 edition.

I picked the outfits below during Sears Days.

Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the photo shoot.

FLAWLESS SPEECH - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Featured in Beyonce's hit "Flawless", author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's speech has really moved me.  If it really does take a village to raise a child, then we should all look at the difference in what we teach girls versus boys.

Kerry Washington on Scandal Season 4 - How you reveal a script

Nathan For Me

Nathan For You is a show in its third season on the Comedy Network.  Featuring an awkward but well-meaning host who assists small businesses, the show is not only funny but demonstrates some of the traits I value most: problem solving, creativity, and analytical thinking. Whether it is developing a ghost-free brand for a real estate agent or revising a maid service business model, Nathan For You uses out-of-the-box thinking that Management Analysts such as my self must incorporate in our work.