Following up IZATRINI.com, the second in the Featured Friday series and just in time for Carnival we present Trinidad Carnival Diary.

Ignore the disclaimer in the header of this blog as Trinidad Carnival Diary is the destination for up to the minute Carnival insight and information. As you will find out below Saucy Diva is as addicted to providing information to her “community” as she is about Carnival.

In addition to providing us with her 2007 predictions, she certainly didn’t shy away from giving heat to the current direction of Carnival while providing her thoughts and insight on changes she would like to see. Listen up NCC, the Saucy Diva has spoken!

And now the interview:

What made you decide to do Trinidad Carnival Diary?
The birth of Trinidad Carnival Diary has its beginnings with the photographs I took at TRIBE’s band launching. In 2005 I joined a West Indian online forum with mostly members who reside outside of Trinidad, making a promise to take some photographs at the launch and post them in the forum. This satisfied those members greatly as they got a “first hand” look of the costumes without having to wait for the website to launch. Last year I did the same, but needed an outlet to post the photographs since I took so many and I also wanted to give my review of the band launching.

Having dabbled in blogging prior to Trinidad Carnival Diary, I decided to start a blog where I would post the photographs and chronicle my Carnival journey from band launching to actually playing mas. The journey has taken me to other band launchings besides TRIBE as well as opened the door to other topics concerning and surrounding Carnival. When I first started the blog I was unaware of the wealth of information that is needed to market Carnival effectively.

How did the Saucy Diva get into blogging?
Writing is one of my hobbies and passions. A blog is just another outlet for expression and to tell the truth I have always had a diary!

How many regular readers do you think you have of the blog?
There are many blog “characters” who visit the blog daily and contribute to the entire experience of being more a “community” than just me writing about my experiences. As Carnival nears I get on average 939 visitors a day and I will guess that about 25% of that number are regulars.

How much time do you spend on average per day on Trinidad Carnival Diary?
Too much time . Luckily I have internet at work so I am always logged onto the blog during the day. At home it is possible to devote about four to five hours to the blog, not counting weekends!

What blogs (other than Allyuh ) do you regularly read?
Of course I read all the other blogs by my fellow Carnival Bloggers, especially “Carnival Jumbie” who is quite entertaining. Here is a list of some of my favorite blogs: Carnival Jumbie, Carnival Diet, MocaGyrl, CaisoQueen, The Modest Goddess, Fit 4 Mas, Everything Carnival, The Manicou Report, TnT Virgin Masquerader, Trinidad Carnival 2007, Trinidad Gazette, Trini Queen, Trini to De Bone, The Fete Chronicles, MasAssination

What do you do when you’re not blogging?
When I am not blogging I am usually doing something outside the house since once I am at home I am tempted to peek at the blog ever so often. When I am not blogging I am either engaging in some social activity, shopping, playing SIMS (I am an addict) or looking at a movie.

What question are you most asked by readers?
These days the number one question I get asked is about fete tickets and specifically Diamond Vale Breakfast Party.

If you could change 5 things about Carnival what would they be?
1. I would give band leaders much more autonomy, input and a voice in the organization of Carnival. Too many people involved in planning Carnival are stunted by their myopic vision of Carnival,without being in touch with what masqueraders need.

2. Increase prizes for all of the competitions.

3. Have more theater style/broadway musical productions, 3 Canal’s show is excellent and I would like more artists to get into that type of production and move away from the same old fete routine for the season.

4. Establish a factory in Trinidad where costumes can be made, instead of mas bands looking to China and India for cheap costumes, it will be done here keeping the talent in Trinidad. And the factory will be a year round venture as costumes will be produced for international Carnivals as well.

5. Set up a consumer affairs department for masqueraders and patrons who were cheated out of all the inflated promises by mas bands, individual section leaders and fete promoters when they fail to deliver. There must be some redress for patrons attending a fete with advertised performers and they do not show up. Similarly, when your costume falls apart or drinks run out on the road masqueraders should have a department to complain to as well as the offending band should be fined and the complaints made public! Too many unsuspecting persons are duped into giving their hard earned cash to greedy promoters and mas bands who have no intention of fulfilling the promises they make to lure masqueraders.

What are your Carnival predictions this year for:
Road March - Machel Montano - Jumbie
Best Band - Brian Mc Farlane’s India
Panorama - Phase II
Calypso - Singing Sandra
Soca Monarch -Sherwyn Winchester

Freestyle Friday - Tell us something, anything you want!
Look for the green string, left wrist.. all bloggers identify yourselves!

What do you see happening with Trinidad Carnival Diary after Carnival?
An evolution into something that not only encompasses Carnival but also other genres of entertainment in Trinidad and Tobago, and hopefully even regional events!Of course when August/Band launching season starts again it will be preparations for Carnival 2008 in full swing!