38 Candles.

Written on January 14 @ 12:58a

Happy Birthday to Me!

I’m having a hard time trying to decided what to do for this birthday, but this year feels like a good one. Who the hell knows what will transpire, where I’ll go and the folks I’ll meet but its still feeling a season of fun. And that is something I look forward to. Not making any promises about what type of time I’m going to be on, but I do know, I just want to keep my word to myself. I’m confident that I’ll have fun creating whatever memories will be created.

So Birthday Girl, If you decided to go to London, or possibly Puerto Rico cuz its cold af in Chicago, or just decided to stay in your city, I know ‘ThirtyATE’ will be the best birthday year! Also, don’t forget to open your card. Love you, and Happy Birthday Again!

Tristan Jonez.

Little This/That

I want folks to speak up about grievances they have with me, when they feel them. What good is waiting two months to speak on something that ails you, if when you do want to address it, I have no idea what you’re referring to. Now if you need time and space to calm down, I’m going to give you all the space you require, but let me know something. Its so frustrating to me, when someone brings up the past, then I have to play mental gymnastics to remember, then the issue is solved instantly because I let them know what’s what. Nothing I ever do is with ill intent, Ever.

And furthermore, If you believe I move in that manner, you should evaluate your friendship with me.

Jonez.

Champ S1E2

Although I’m not Caribbean, I do think there is a certain expectation for girls born into a Caribbean family, wether its being the first born, or first born daughter.

I am loving ‘Champion’ on Netflix, a British series about siblings equally trying to find their place in the music business and in the World, I would end that sentence with how it relates to each other but its very one sided. It IS frustrating to watching, because you want to step in and shake the parents, as well as Bosco, but this has been going on since childhood. Up until now Vita, has tiptoed around her older brother Bosco, treading lightly about his current feelings or ANY feelings he’d possibly have in the future, which has only emboldened him. Its far past Bosco to even try to reign his ridiculousness in because all his life he’s been empowered to do as he pleases. While everyone is protecting Bosco, when will it be Vita’s turn?

Do you watch the show? If so, what you think about it?

Tristan J.

The List

Just finished watching ‘Mr.Malcolm’s List’ and of course I loved it. I remember wanting to see it in the movie theatre, but my attention is so short when it comes to dates since I never know what day of the week it is. Hardly Ever, blame work. So I remember seeing a short preview but I never followed up, and I think when I remembered about it, it was no longer in theaters. Such is life, but tonight while scrolling amazon Prime, poof there it was.

I absolutely love 1800’s flirting, shade and banter. I love that more words are used to convey a feeling that can be most certainly shortened. Its the overly drama of it all, that just woo’s me. I love the courtship, the quick glances, the standing too close, just the feeling of catching their eye. How can you not love it? I throughly enjoyed the film, one character was such a hater, and she annoyed me, but when doesn’t someone annoy me? Its my character flaw. (shoulder shrug) Also, there’s a book, luckily for me, NYPL had it available so that’s what I’ll end my night reading.

Sleep Well Babes,

Jonez.

“Let go of what you think is supposed to happen. Just let it be.”

-Lee Pruitt, Being Mary Jane, S4

Womb Things.

Continuation from my thoughts on the BET Show, Being Mary Jane, I know she had this burning desire to be a wife and mother, but mother was what she wanted with a passion. While watching I was thinking about my own feelings towards motherhood, and I KNOW I would kill the ‘job’ but I don’t have that without a doubt passion to become a mother. The Life I currently live doesn’t really support that of a child. I love being able to do whatever it is I’d like, without having to think of another human. I don’t have to be considerate of anyone, and I only have to take care of myself. Plus I don’t have to give up my window seat. 😉

I remember watching a documentary on Black women, motherhood and freezing their eggs, and the women who was interviewed all had the same in common; becoming a mother so bad, they wouldn’t allow to not bed one. Bot matter how much money, or time, or anything, they couldn’t see their lives not being a mother. That was their identity, although they had not been able to produce any children yet. While watching I realize I do not have that identity. If I don’t have a baby, it doesn’t make me feel like I am missing out on something. That’s just not my path.

Tristan.

Being Her.

I just binged watched Being Mary Jane S4 episode 10-20, then watched the finale movie, which was concluded with a nice bow. By the end of Season 4, I was screaming thru the television, and if there was an actual season 5, I would NOT have watched. I just couldn’t take the character anymore, her ridiculous decision making skills was too much. I apologize not ridiculous, just massive impulsive decisions, all the time, was making it hard for me to continue to relate to this character. It was interesting watching the show, and I throughly enjoyed it!

Like I said, it ended with a bow but Idk if I loved her choice in partners. I mean I still roll my eyes at her going to get pregnant after only two days of Justin being gone, but he still left. Again, not an excuse, but we all know how Mary Jane is, so it is plausible that she believed he was gone for good. Although she kicked Lee out of the apt they was touring, and he still came over the next day because an argument doesn’t mean its a breakup. However Justin left. Then he left again, when she confirmed she was pregnant. There was several points in their relationship where he left. But Beau came in and made himself useful? Was there for MJ when she was doing all the things alone. Because she wanted to get married, I am happy she did, the person didn’t really matter to me.

Jonez.

Being S4

I’m taking my ass to sleep, but I, for a second, thought about bingeing Season Four of Being Mary Jane but these first three episodes already have me annoyed. So I AM going to take breaks because girl whet. MJ is most def going to waste Lee’s time, I already know when his children come for a visit, she’s going to realize that she wants to build her own family, and him having two kids just won’t fit in the mold she believes she should have. However I am going to stick with this storyline, because she does deserve someone who is honest and upfront about the things that matters in his life. But for the record, we all know MJ feels a quick emotion and just make whatever decision, then tries to atone later on.

Rhonda Sales aint the one to play with! Kara told MJ what she needed to do, but nah, as usual MJ is gonna do whatever she wants and that sorely backfired on her. Like get it together. So at this moment, Mary Jane is repping all that she deserves. Tighten up babe.

Tristan J.

Keys

With so many different choices of new music, its nice to be reminded of your day one artists. With the announcement of Alicia Keys and her husband, Swizz Beats using their own collected art work to show at The Brooklyn Museum, It had me checking for her music. I remember her dropping ‘Keys” in 2021, but I didn’t really give the music a chance. From the one listen I did manage, It was a good vibe. So tonight Its the album of choice, but I will say I do love the concept of having an Original (Unstripped) and Unlocked (Remixed) version of a song on the same body of work. I do look forward to seeing how this concept carries the album.

Currently my favorite song, ‘Come for Me’.

Once you finish listening, tell me your favorite. -Jonez

Mary Jane S3E10

Although I know that Mary Jane wants Black love, wants Black babies (?) and just overall wants the Black experience and what point does she allows herself to be opened to the possibility of dating ‘other’? In this episode MJ and the white guy she’s been canoodling with have actually made it outside, and in spaces with other people, but of course shit goes to the left, when a Black couple frowns upon her interaction with said white man. Even though in that scene, their physical interaction was very minor, just a hug, but the judgment of these random folk makes you question everything happening between you and this man? I do know race is a tricky thing, especially as a person who has dated other, but why do we have to complicate it? He likes you, you like him, is it wasting time if the possibility is there? I get that he won’t always understand the ‘inside’ jokes of Black folk, and the full experience of being a Black woman, but there wasn’t a way to see where the relationship could’ve went?

Well, Hmm.

Tristan Jonez.

Scored.

Even though this week I shared about Story Ave. the film, the score is magical. I absolutely love the things music can do to us. How it can make us feel? Turn a sad moment even sadder, Make you curious about the scene, and the character. Music literally, in a movie, is everything. And although our focus may be on an original score, choosing other works, is still a feat because how did you know THAT song would fit oh so perfect? I’m currently listening to the score for the film again, while I type this, as it does help to visualize the parts of the movie that align with the music. Such a talent, in which artist Pierre Charles illustrates. Mr. Charles has also worked on the score for the Netflix thriller, “They cloned Tyrone”

After listening, tell me your thoughts?

Tristan J.

10437

Throughly enjoyed this movie! Sidenote, I love when directors film in their city because all the scenes are shot with an immense amount of love. Such a love letter to the Bronx. Sometimes Life really is a bitch, and you just need ONE person to believe in you. support you. to cheer you on, even when they don’t fully understand what you have going on. Or your dreams are so vastly different from there’s but they still try. Cuz it really is, If you believe in it as fiercely as you do, then yes, I am going to support you regardless of my feelings on the matter.

I won’t spoil the movie for you all, which is currently playing on Starz but I do love the friendship that was formed. I was saddened because Luis didn’t actually confront his demons, but I guess we got as close as we were going to get to that. And because it was based on a true story, I would like to hear the real story from the ones who lived it, I’ll take documentary style too. The actor playing Kadir, the main character, Asante Blackk was such a delight. The range was there, the feeling was there, I was upset with him, mad for him, just wanted him to win.

Please Watch This Movie.

Jonez.