In MY dreams

When you dream, what do you dream?

Lately, My dreams consist of Sunshine & Palm Trees. Yes, Los Angeles is on my mind … weird. I think I’ve been watching way too much All American, because the West Coast has been calling to me. Fun Fact; I lived in LA in 2009. I went for vacation, and seven months later I was calling The Valley home. And I went there with about a G, quickly found a job, but I would go to Santa Monica everyday. Listen, its not a short trip from The Valley to Santa Monica Pier ON THE BUS! Lordy, I just think back and laugh cuz I was really navigating my whole entire life on the damn bus! (Laughing) This girl was determined! After a month, I moved from The Valley to East LA.

Now back to you, When you dream, what do you dream?

Tristan J.

State to State

This Weeks Edition of State to State is brought to you by the City of NY. I was/am here to celebrate my nephews Eight Birthday on October 4th, and babyyy, we had such a great time! It’s always an experience when you put five different personalities together, but there wasn’t an argument in sight! I flew in from Chicago the morning of, then an aircraft, train and bus ride later, Shorty was in Harlem, ready to slide up to somebody’s brunch, but I stayed focused.

First up, bowling … which I’m not as good as I would’ve loved to be. Shit, I was using the wrong fingers to hold the bowling ball so there’s that. Fun Fact; I’ve been bowling twice ever in life!

Next, a private party for my nephew which included confetti cake and mini carrot cake cupcakes. He was surprised by our cousins, who came through. Such a super fun time, and the birthday boy throughly enjoyed himself!

Tristan Jonez

Southern Rap Classic

Most southern cities, do not consider Baltimore to be part of the South… Silly I know but whatever, it is. I spent the better part of my childhood growing up on the East and West sides of the city. Tonight, while shuffling Spotify, I came across the playlist, “Southern Rap Classics”, and baby (!!!!!) I was back in high school jamming on all the songs I used to blast out of my window on Comet Str. From Three 6 Mafia, to T.I, and everything in between Houston to Atlanta. From No Limit to Cash Money, I was rapping, and dancing for two hours! Like All good things, there were a few artists and songs that were missing, that personally I need included in my OWN Southern Rap Classic Playlist so you know what’s next? Time for me to create a playlist dedicated to my childhood.

Do you have ANY Southern Rap Classics, that you’d definitely include in your playlist?

Tristan.

Muse-ical

So y’all already I LOVE Musicals! Oh em gee! The music paired with movements, and dance and visual storytelling. Just pinch me! If I could sing well, I would do all I could to perform in them ALL! I’ll be the first to admit, I was sleeping on Hamilton, the musical. I had heard a bit of the reviews, but no one clued me in on the music! OH EM GEE! Since its television debut, I’ve listened to at least one or twelve songs, everyday. The last time I played a musical to this length was “Rent”. My niece hates that movie because of me, which is such an unfortunate tragedy. However I still listen to “Rent”. Fun Fact; Alphabet City is one of my favorite neighborhoods to take a lazy stroll in the summer.

Although we are still dealing with ‘Rona Virus, I am hopeful I’ll have the opportunity to see Hamilton, the musical live on Broadway. If I had a choice of being in “Rent” or “Hamilton” I think I would chose RENT!

Tristan Jonez.

Via The Car

Its such a tragedy when you do not have a whole photoshoot, and the only photos you have are the four selfies from the Car. Well, YALL gonna get this photo and this fashion! This is one of my fav labels, Scotch & Soda! Bonus, its a set, however I didn’t wear the shorts that come with. This shirt is giving me upgraded pajama chic, but it was versatile to either lounge on the couch, or catch a first class flight to the beach city of your dreams. Such a comfortable but fashionable piece of clothing. Are you a fan of wearing clothing that could be mistaken for upscale pajamas?

Jonez.

Rose Garden

Ive always been a lover of nature, there was a time when I thought I was a photographer for Nat Geo. I would be like there’s a spider, well let me take out my camera and capture it. Ha! I was like alright, pose, let me see you, twirl, stop, move there, etc. I know the insect would be like this fool is crazy, let me scurry on out of the way. I do the very same when I find flowers. I HAVE to take the time to adore, and show my appreciation for them blooming as they have.

While in Portland, Oregon, I went to the International Rose Test Garden, where they actually work to create new types of roses. I am a bad blogger, cuz I took the time to write NOTHING down, but in my defense, I took incredible photos. Surprisingly you are able to walk in the grass, of the garden, and have photoshoots and picnics, while taking beautiful photos. Do you have a favorite color rose? Mine is anything with touches of purples.

Tristan Jonez

Cuba, MY Cuba

Ive been a horrible host, I was supposed to indulge and divulge all the details of our trip to Cuba, way back in May. In my defense I did start the conversation, with the story of my tour guide boyfriend, that I met on day one but then the World turned upside down. However I am here, to finally chat about the Country that made me teach myself Spanish!

This Week, I’ll share meeting my Birthday Boyfriend and dancing Salsa with him on my 34th Birthday. We’ll discuss how I walked over fifteen miles to see Fusterlandia, The after the club hole in the wall that served the BEST fried chicken, I’d ever had. But we cant leave out visiting Museo de Arte Colonial, where we had the pleasure of receiving a personal tour in Spanish!

Thank you for being as patient as you have been cuz Lord know I definitely dropped the Cuban ball!

Tristan Jonez

Vlogger?

For the past two months, I’ve been documenting my journey moving from Dallas back to Chicago. What started out as a way to use all of my bath products, turned into my vlogging of essentially everyday activities. It’s funny how second nature recording has become, but its not something that’s done all day, everyday. I posted the first video, I now have thirty-seven videos, and there’s still twenty days left before I am fully moved out.

I was, and if I’m being honest, still nervous about the videos. Lord knows, people are so damn mean, that its hard to put yourself out there and not really know what to expect. However I threw caution to the wind, and dropped the video. I’ve worked hard, and I’ve gotten much better with my editing, and it deserved to be out in the World.

2020 has taught me, Do it, and Do it Now!

Trstn Jnz

Once Upon A Cuba

I. Tour Guide Boyfriend.

So, picture this, its day one in Cuba, you have literally twenty minutes ago checked into your air bnb, and you are so excited, you are ignoring the urge to take a nap, so you can jump right into Cuba. Well, that was me. I was so excited to get outside, I couldn’t be bothered with resting before exploring. After a few wrong turns, and a walking thru someone’s neighborhood, I found my way into plaza vieja, which would be my favorite place in Havana.

Short Story shorter, I ended up meeting my tour guide boyfriend. My beau showed me all around Havana, pointing out special statues, while giving me the full history on Cuba. He also, was my personal photographer, we spent about five hours together. It was my introduction to Havana, with some spaces that was for locals only. A perfect gentleman, super sweet, and we were able to toggle between English and Spanish. If I had written it for myself, I doubt I could’ve worked that perfectly.

Brace yourself … Theres more to come.

Jonez.

Cuba

I just realized, We did not get a chance to fully chat about Cuba. I know, I know, I said I wasn’t going to share ANYTHING with ANYONE about my time in now my absolutely favorite place but I think I can share a few stories with y’all. First and Foremost, I had the most wonderful time, my birthday was FULLY celebrated. As usual I managed to walk everywhere, and get a real feel for the local culture, to appreciate the people, and the food. To truly appreciate the hustle the Cuba has, that I’ve yet to see anywhere. During this trip, I kept a diary, basically writing to my mother everyday. An array of emotion was felt, and although I cried, a lot, it was such an experience.

Please Relax as we explore Cuba … Together.

Tristan Jonez.

Zoom Partyyy

Last Night, I hosted a quarantine Happy hour. I posted it on my social media outlets, and to be honest, I wasn’t really sure who, If anyone, was going to show up. Well… imagine my surprise when my childhood friends came thru for me. I’ll be the first to admit I was nervous, it such a hard thing to put yourself out there, not knowing what the outcome will be. I had such a great time, I am so glad I thought about doing this, I am even glader (I know, not a word) that they came to happy hour with me. Such a great time, of laughs, and being able to be together, although we couldn’t actually be together.

Jonez.

Also Shout out to my boo, for coming thru to a happy hour and not knowing who the hell would be there, or what the topics would be about. Thank you for taking a leap, and joining, you are truly appreciated. Forever!

Bosch

Do y’all have the pleasure of watching Bosch? Its a series that is shown on Amazon Prime, and I am so in love with the characters … well most of them. There are some that I cant stand for the life of me. The main character, Bosch, is a man you’ll root for. NO SPOILERS but he definitely tip toes on a very fine line of right and wrong. Harry Bosch is an old school cop who, upon his hunches or part of the evidence, believes you’re guilty, will stop at nothing to secure the guilty verdict. I’m currently on season five but I need to slow down my consumption because we were only blessed with seven seasons. And season seven has yet to begin filming, and with the Coronavirus, who knows if it will be completed.

So remember, Bosch, Six Seasons, Amazon Prime, GO WATCH NOW!

Jonez.