What’s your earliest memory of Kingston?

Rae Town — I used to live there when I was a little boy… right beside the prison. Went to school there, and played cricket and football in the schoolyard.

What do you miss when you are not in Kingston?

When I’m not in Kingston I miss my bed… I cyaan sleep!

What are your favourite home comforts?

Likkle cable… Discovery channel, History channel, BBC America.

What would you do if you were mayor (of Kingston) for a day?

Well… hmmph (laughs). I don’t think I’d be able to accomplish everything I’d want to do. But a lot of changes need to be made. The state of the roads is one problem, also the signs; the graffiti is horrible… A cleaner Kingston. That would be one of my main concerns.

Share with us the title of the last book you read.

Now that I can’t tell you. I haven’t read anything in donkey’s years!

What’s your middle name?

Godfrey.

And the last bit of music that stirred your soul?

It’s definitely a soca song, but I don’t think it stirs my soul per se… but it’s something like I Feel For A Drink ah Rum by Blaxx.

Which cologne are you currently splashing?

None.

Share with us your last bit of retail therapy.

I don’t really buy anything for myself. Apart from a few clothes and tools, that’s about it.

What is your preferred beverage?

Right now I drink a lot of Arizona Iced tea.

What was your most memorable meal in Kingston?

We went to Gauchos one night. The size and quantity of the escovietched fish was just right.

What are your current projects?

Bacchanal — manufacturing costumes.

What’s new or different about the Bacchanal costumes this year?

The whole look is totally different from last year and years in the past. More rhinestones, more ‘bling’ to it. And they’re a bit skimpier than usual.

Was anything special done for this year’s Once Upon a Dynasty theme?

Not really. I spent a great deal of time looking for materials that I thought could fit and tied in to the costumes of the particular dynasties we’re featuring this year.

What upsets you?

Not much, but on the work side, when they [workers] don’t pay attention to detail and you have to constantly say the same thing over and over and over again, it starts to get to me.

What are your favourite spots on the island?

I was coming back from Port Antonio to Kingston, driving on the South Coast and I stopped somewhere outside of Manchioneal, and climbed up on the banking and looked over at the sea right there. It was a nice little cove we stumbled upon by accident. After that, when I had time, I bundled up the kids and the wife and used to go and have picnics there by the beach.

Share some places in your Black Book.

I’ve been to Berlin and Frankfurt in Germany, Paris, France, Athens, Greece, Singapore, Hong Kong, Hawaii… But my most favourite place that I’ve been to is actually Rio in Brazil. I never stayed long enough to really fully experience Carnival, but the food, the place, the people, everything is great. We stayed at the Hilton there one Easter and they had this parade of ducks… It was the funniest thing to watch them lead the ducks through the hotel lobby and into the fountain, and throughout that period the ducks were constantly in the fountain. It was really an amusing sight.

What’s your advice to a first-time visitor to Kingston?

Visit. Look. Explore Kingston, and the rest of the island. I’d advise them to go out on the street and experience it on that level.

Finally, what’s your philosophy?

Life is short. Live it!