People give me a confused look whenever I say the word Mas. I know they’re thinking Mass, as in going to church, specifically the Catholic church. Which leads them to look at me quizzically since I tend to mention costumes and music that moves through my body. Mas is light and color and sound and people and passion.

Peter Minshall is a Trinidadian born, Masman. A caribbean treasure who has managed to bring forth the art in the chaos. I think these two videos show you way better than I could ever explain, who he is and what he does.

September has flown by. The last time I checked it was August. That being said, soon I’ll be heading to Atlanta for The Georgia Romance Writers, Moonlight and Magnolia’s. This year Allison Brennan is the Keynote speaker. My friends and I are sharing a room I’ll let you guys know if high jinx ensue.

So I had a conversation with someone the other day about …. Social Media. Is it really social? What’s appropriate? Should a facebook profile determine your eligibility for employment? these were all discussed.

So is it Social? Yes, kind of. You can sit on your couch and interact with friends and family all over the world. Is it social in the way we defined social in years past no. It’s not getting out there face to face but then again when you’re talking a five hour time difference or an eight hour plane ride it’s social. especially when your alternative  is a letter my snail mail. (Will discuss the death of letter writing another  time)

So what’s appropriate behavior for social media? Please, please don’t put anything on your website, facebook page, Blog, twitter, that you wouldn’t want your mother to see. If you’ll be embarrassed about it don’t put it out there.

Watch what you say. We all suffer from foot-in-mouth disease from time to time, but please before you hit send at least re-read what you’re about to put out there for the world to see. Trust me I’ve done this before and when I looked back on my angry rant I wasn’t happy with what I saw.

Should it determine whether or not you’re eligible for employment? well here’s the deal, it shouldn’t be the only factor. If you are doing something that’s illegal and someone (lets face if everyone has a camera nowadays) or yourself decides to post a picture then, you better know someone is going to see it. remember six degrees of separation. It’s a small world and I have it on good authority that companies will google you. Chances are someone is friends with you and also knows your boss or boss to be. So play it safe ramp up those privacy settings and take down any unflattering photo’s.

I swear my weekends just booked up and I have no idea how that happened. suddenly I’m running around like a mad woman I’ll be happy when feburary rolls around. My aunt confirmed that she’ll be spending Christmas with us and we’re happy to have have her. I can’t wait, soon I get to harass her. Anyway I promised you guys that I’d post the pics from NY and here they are:

The Statue of Liberty

Jillian in Battery Park.

Jillian and I

I’m back from NYC. My sister-in-law and my nephew are fine. My brother completely in love with them both and my dad now has a grandson. I’m not allowed to post pics of Braden but I will describe him as my very cute mini sumo wrestler.
 Will be back on later to update this post with pics as I’m heading out the door and realized that I hadn’t set up this post and I just found my cord to my camera.