Drinks?

Guess what?! I went on a date! I know I know. Crazy huh? Its been such a while that I’ve been on an actual date… you know the one where a man asks you out, checks your availability, makes plans in advance.. picks you up AND drops you off. Like I didn’t know men still did, well American men. Shit, its been a while since I’ve held a conversation with a man who seems to be able to hold, and steer one. A man who can make you laugh, is worth his weight in gold. The date restored a bit of my faith in people.

Tristan J.

Oh … and he wants to see me again.

Birthday Ali.

Dear Ali,

Happy Birthday King! Today you would’ve turned 35! Can you believe it? Thirteen years babe, you been away from me, and it feels almost like forever. I miss you. I miss you badly. You left me … and you promised me you never would. I’m sorry I couldn’t save you. I tried. I tried doing everything I could think of to help, to be there, to take the statements you was making serious. I tried. Lee, you still left me. I know you won’t believe me, but I’m not mad anymore. Only the occasional bouts of sadness, like today but I promise I am going to get all the tears out before I go to sleep…. then I’ll spend the rest of the day celebrating you. I keep your photo with me, its survived thirteen years, from NYC, to Baltimore, back to NYC, to Dallas and now to Chicago with me. In reality, you’re everywhere I am. Everywhere.

I thank you for sharing your light with me. For sharing your love. Your memory will forever live on with me Ali Sidney. I love you. I miss you. Happy Birthday Love.

I love you forever and ever, Always.

Tiff.

Lost / love.

It’s weird to meet the Love of your life and Soulmate at 17 but it happened to me. Whats even weirder, to only be able to experience them for three years. Ali Sidney. Man, I can’t even describe how much I miss him. Wish I could see him, talk to him, just be in his presence. Today is his birthday, well it would’ve been. 35. Thirty Five years. For him to have died at twenty two, is such a tragedy in itself. A tragedy I don’t think I’ve fully healed from even with the help of therapists, In the back of my mind, I still miss him.

Believe me when I tell you, Life is Short. Love on those who you love. If you are feeling the pressures of society, of life, PLEASE find the courage to speak to someone who can help you. Suicide is NEVER the answer, especially when the problems are temporary ones.

Tristan J.

Hallo-LUSH

I know I need to broaden my horizons when it comes to my go-to products for all things bath, but LUSH is the one place, where I KNOW, I will find exactly what I am looking for. Its been a while since I’ve indulge in a bath cocktail, as they can tend to be a bit pricey, so Ive just been sitting in the tub with NO bubbles or bath bombs, and let me tell you its a sad state of bathing. So for Halloween, I will be ‘dressing’ up the bath with all things LUSH.

If you was in charge of the bath ‘decorations’ which products would you choose? Or would you Choose them All, cuz Halloween only comes once a year?

Jonez.

Shooting Nights.

Night Shooting; Night Two.

Its all in the lighting. Everything is fully dependent on the lighting, Oh, and how steady you can hold your hand. Mind you the temps in Chicago, by the water, isn’t nothing to play with. However Night Two was a success! I am learning to appreciate the types of photos that are captured, when there isn’t a expectation in mind. Unfortunately all the minutes for night mode videos, are too dark. Way too dark, but its alright, we’ll continue to work on that. I also gave time wrap a try, and whoa! I am shookth! I only recorded three seconds, but in those few seconds I see what I can make happen and I am so excited.

PS. I’ve been keeping an open mind when editing and y’all!! The possibilities have me so super giddy. I’ll set them for the World’s consumption tomorrow!

Good Night, Tristan J.

The Call

So y’all know, my ‘father’ and I aren’t cool, and I am not looking to change that anytime soon. I’m not going allow toxic folks into my World, no matter what their title might be in relation to me. My father and I had a text message exchange last Thursday, with him contacting me, talking rubbish. I know it can be hard to apologize, but just do it, especially if you’re wrong. Its sad to see a man, chit chat, about nonsense, just so he’ll be able to saying something to you. Anywhoo, My aunt called me today, expressing concern over not speaking to him for three days, even though she was calling consistently, I volunteered, as tribute, to call for her.

After searching my blocked list, and my voicemails, his number was nowhere to be found. Graciously my aunt sent it, I called and low and behold, he’s alive. I must admit, my heart did skip a beat until he answered, I wouldnt want to be the one who’d have to deliver news to the rest of the family that he was deceased. And now, I don’t have to.

Tristan J.

A Fail

Its been a while since I’ve experience a fail with my photography, but tonight, I got a dose of failure. I hardly ever shoot at night, its just not a strength, If I’m being honest, but I’ve been looking to challenge myself. Before going out to shoot, I watched a few youtube videos, to familiarize myself with what my presets should be for capturing night photos. Well guys, still a fail! Granted, I didn’t have anything in particular I was attempting to capture, just wanted quality night pictures … of whatever. Well I got just that, but no quality. Well I can’t say that either.

So upon further investigation of my photos, I do like em. I actually like them a lot, BUT its still not what I think of, when thinking of great night photos. I know the artificial lighting didn’t help, but I’m going to play around with the presets, so I can find what works for me. Excited? I damn sure am!

Tristan Jonez.

Also, Let me know what you think of my photos? Thank you!

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

I’m back in Chicago, Got in two days ago? three days ago? Chile, IDK, I can barely keep up with the days of the week, but I am back home. Didn’t meant to spend two weeks in New York especially since I barely took enough clothes to last. So trust, I was out here, hand washing everything, everyday! I left Chicago with high 70’s weather, I return to the high 40’s! Gawd! Please remind me why I love this city so much? Sigh! Living in Dallas spoiled me, cuz now I am NOT ready for these cooler temps so early into the fall. Sunshine, please Save ME. I won’t even mention the rain!

Also, Amazon is a Hater! I was supposed to receive a package today, hence me coming home, and guess what wasn’t ready for me? Yup, My damn package. I had plans to fly elsewhere, but I guess Chicago, missed me too!

Tristan Jonez

Shower Thoughts

This weekend I watched Boomerang with Eddie Murphy, and I can’t remember if I’ve ever seen it in full. Over the years, I’ve seen bits and pieces but to sit down and focus? Nah. For all of us, there are movies we’ve seen that have shaped our mindsets, wether right or wrong. ‘Pretty Woman’ was that movie, that I’m sure I had no business watching, but it shaped certain opinions I have about love/sex. Boomerang was that movie for my best friend Jeff, he STILL has his strong opinions about a woman’s feet.

If you’ve never seen the movie, First, GO AND WATCH!! Secondly, here’s my shower thought. Unfortunately it took for Marcus, hurting Angela’s feelings BEFORE she bossed up, quit her former position and took an opportunity being a Boss with another company. However in the notion of Bossing up, she changed the things which made her unique, that first shot when we are being reintroduced to Angela, she could almost be mistaken for Jacquline. Who’s Jacquline? She’s the woman who role reversed it on Marcus, and caused him to truly reevaluate his behavior, but not before letting it be known what her boundaries and intentions were. Jacquline had to repeatedly verbalize to Marcus how far she was willing to go, how much she was willing to share with him, and yet, every time he could he would challenge those boundaries. (Eye Roll)

Jonez.

All American S2E5

My eyes started welling up as I was writing the title. Shit. What an incredible episode, brilliant and emotional writing I equally love & hate entertainment (shows/books) that make me cry. Pulls the emotion out of me. Makes me identify with what’s being portrayed. And yes, I know, that is what marks the making of good show … one where the audience can identify with. But fuck.

These are the times where I wish on a million stars that I had a mother to vent to. A person who’s sole job was to be there for me. To comfort me, and right now, I need it.

I’m adding the CW television show, to the list of motion pictures, I will NEVER Rewatch, Seven Pounds is at the top of that list.

Jonez.

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