nyc

Familia

Life Lesson, Living Life

I share my experiences cuz I want y’all to be better than me. Learn from all the weirdo, dumbass things I do and make better choices. First, I’m mad dramatic but my point is still valid. Don’t let two months go by before you make time for your family. I in fact, have done just that. The last time I was with my family was June 18, so I’mma few days shy of two months but wayyy too damn long. Now that I’m going to see them tomorrow I can just cry, and will most likely cry when I see them. Hell I’m crying as I write this. Although I have been in every other city than my own, it’s no excuse. I will never allow this much time to pass before I physically see my fam.

Life truly is too short. While I’m getting families to and from, safely, my own hasn’t laid eyes on this beautiful face. Pissing my sister off via cellular device, doesn’t have the same effect. Being all in both my nieces business, just don’t do the job over the phone and showering my nephew with love, can’t be felt over the phone. Realize and understand the importance of family BEFORE something tragic happens. I’ll be heading home to New York later on today, and a sleepover is definitely needed!

Tristan J

When?

Living Life

When did we get into the habit of glossing over the ‘struggle’? I find that folks are so eager to show that they are winning, that it creates unrealistic expectations so when you do lose, personally, you lose your fucking mind. We know, with all forms of social media, you have to keep up airs, stay put on but isn’t that exhausting? Now don’t get me wrong, who the hell wants to solely focus on failures? Nobody. That’s a depressing place to be, but shit happens, right?

I want to create a place of equal balance. A place where we celebrate the lows just as fiercely as the highs. Now maybe I won’t be the actual person to create this haven I’m looking for but i do want to play my part. So although I do believe I vocalize my lows and highs equally, I will be more aware of the content I put out. Just as often as I scream men ain’t shit but fuck boys, I’ll turn around and showcase men who have the qualities that’ll make your knees buckle.
Balance.

T. Jonez

We Wish You.

Life Lesson, Living Life

Hopefully your Christmas was merry, and Santa brought you everything you wrote on your list. Surprisingly this year, I asked for nothing but I received a super abundance of Love!

Every single year, my family throws a Christmas Eve dinner/party in Peekskill, NY. This year I was actually in jeopardy of missing it as my job was attempting to hold me hostage but by the heavens I broke free, took metro-north then a cab and arrived fashionably late. I must say, I had an amazingly fun time this year. Literally you could feel the love, bursting thru the damn walls. Lord knows my family has its ups and downs, hell my favorite uncle just passed away but his presence was felt. The house felt full.

Although I don’t always appreciate them, I’m lucky to have the family that I have. Even the folks whom I choose not to communicate with, they’ve helped to create who I am and I implore you to find things that you love about your own families.

Happy Holidays!

Tristan J

Piece Of Velvet

Lets Eat, Living Life

When something is good, I will praise it from the mountain tops. I will be their public relation guru, making sure I let everyone know all about the goodness I recieved. However when something is not deserving of praise, when something is deserving of critique, I am here to administer that as well.

So, I was planning and hosting a gender reveal party for a coworker turned close friend. With this being her first child I wanted to make sure I did an amazing job, from decorations to the balloons, to the guest list, so obviously the cupcakes chosen was going to be a big deal. The sweets was the focal point, so not having any cupcakes would be very noticable. I could have spent my money ANYWHERE, but I choose to go with Piece of Velvet, as the product itself is quite tasty. I placed my order six days (!!) prior to the event so I would be assured it would be ready to go for Thursday December 21. So you can imagine my surprise when my order was not ready upon picking it up, hell it wasn’t even in the Harlem location.

12:40 Arrived at Piece of Velvet in Harlem, to which the Counter Rep, Keisha advised there was no order ready for me, and it would not be there until 2pm.

1:45 I return back to the Harlem location, Waiting patiently for 2pm.

2:15 I question the Counter Rep, was the delievery, going to be coming soon? Was Advised, the van has left Bklyn, and would be here, but did not have a solid time of arrival.

3:40 Van still not arrived, Still no time of arrival. I asked where specifically was the van currently, Keisha advised, she was told they were on their way.

4:15 Van Arrives at the Bklyn store, Advised by Counter Rep Keisha the van would be at the Harlem Location in twenty minutes.

5:00 Offered beverage, since I had been in the store for now, over four hours.

5:45 Van arrives, advised my order was not with the arrival of products. Driver suggested it may have gone to the Bklyn Store. Counter rep Keisha makes several calls, was advised my original order was ‘messed up’ by a driver, and a new batch of cupcakes were being created.

5:50 Driver takes my number, and advises he will bring my order to Laguardia Airport as a courtesy.

So At this point, I am frustrated, furious and just plain ole angry, that there has been no communication. Especially when the order was placed in advanced. I head to work with the thought that eventually what I ordered will be delivered to me. So imagine my utter surprise when I call the driver, and he tells me he doesn’t know where the cupcakes are, and that there is so much traffic. Its embarrassing that as a company, this is what you do? This is how you handle discrepancies with customers? I was as respectful and polite as a person could be. There was no manager, no owner, nothing. Granted the Yelp Reviews are in shambles, but I never had an issue with them, I also have never made a custom order. I know better for next time, but I felt it my duty to warn you guys. Be careful with whom you decided to spend with, some folks could care less about customer service.

With Love,

Tristan Jonez.

 

Why Wait?

Living Life, Wheres the Adventure?

Why wait for 2018? Do it Now.

Recently I listened to a video snippet, and the author told me, why wait until 2018 to make the changes you’d like to make?

And shorty, is right! Why am I going to wait until 2018 to start fresh, when everyday I wake up translates to a new beginning? With the rise of the sun, I am able to decide who I want to be and who I want in my World. Everyone’s manual for living looks different, so I have to find the instructions that work best for me. Find the people who work best, with my vibe, who brings out the best in me. Letting go is extremely hard for me, especially since my mother died. I hold on to folks tight, I look past their wrongdoings at my own detriment and I allow them to stay in my World. I find them sucking the life from me, and once I’ve hit rock bottom only then do I let them go.

This situation, this friendship, this love is NO longer serving me. Its no Longer allowing me to grow, no longer allowing me to be the best version of myself, no longer making me happy. I wish you the best, take care, thank you. I’ve found that speaking this outloud makes the transition easier. Can people change, sure they can, but for my own peace, they have to change elsewhere. Protecting my own energy is my top priority, everyone can and will be second my own self. Eff how they feel.

I’ve had a few light stealers, and I’ve let each and everyone of them go. God Bless ‘Em

Jonez.

What A Day

Life Lesson, Living Life

Yesterday was one of those days that go from bad to worse in a matter of minutes.

Meditating didn’t work, neither did positive thinking. It was just one asshole person after the other, after the other. It’s funny how people believe their problem is more important that anyone else, and you should stop what you’re doing to accommodate them. No matter how ‘nice’ you are when you aren’t moving in service of them, its an issue. Thank God, I have enough common sense to empower MYSELF, and teach myself whatever I need to know to improve my work life. Folks at my workplace would rather depend on others for their answers then have the nerve to get upset when your focus is needed elsewhere.

So I accept that it was just a shitty day, the good news, my day is officially over. The even better news, I will NEVER have to repeat this day for as long as I live. Just like that, I can move on and Cheers to tomorrow! I will manifest what I’d like for tomorrow, and it will be an amazing day. I will be notified of a new opportunity, something that elevates my spirit higher. Complaining just takes too much energy, and lord knows I need all my energy. Instead of complaining I will be changing my situation. Not happy with work? Change it. Maybe I won’t be quitting my job but I can join a different department, possibly a different shift. Make ALL the changes you need to until you are as happy as you’d like to be.

Tristan Jonez.

PapaSanta

Living Life, Wheres the Adventure?

So there’s no possible way you can live in New York, be here for Christmas, and not experience the joy that is Santa Claus at Macy’s! Although If I am being honest I would like to visit with Black Santa at the mall of America, but I don’t believe he was invited back this year. So, I guess I am stuck with Old Saint Nick right here in New York, but I’ll take it.

I thought long and hard about if I wanted to take a solo photo with Santa, or If I wanted to include my five year old nephew in the festivities but I’ve decided to make this holiday season all about me. (Sorry Kayden, maybe next year) I plan on going as early as I possibly can, cuz I cant be fighting with other little kids for the chance to sit on Santa’s lap. And yes I checked, there is no age limit, or weight limit for that matter, to visit with Santa.

Tristan Jonez.

SideNote: What do a person wear for this momentous event?

WindowShopping

Living Life, Wheres the Adventure?

What’s more December in New York than Christmas on Fifth Ave?

It seems as if every single holiday movie has started with a shot of the big apple during the holiday season. (Although I believe Chicago, rivals NY for this honor) What’s even bigger than Christmas on Fifth Ave… The unveiling of the windows for the luxury shops such as Bergdorf’s, Tiffany’s and Saks Fifth Ave. The sheer joy, that tourist feel when they step up to the window after seeing the tree at Rockefeller Center is unmeasurable. With Project #Decemberinnyc I will be exploring these iconic shops but I’m here only for the windows!

Are You Ready? Then that’s settled, its a date, See you Soon!

Tristan Jonez.

TheRockettes

Living Life, Wheres the Adventure?

When was the last time you went to Radio City Music Hall to see The Christmas Spectacular? I want to believe my parents took me at some point in my life but I honestly can’t remember seeing it from my memory bank. Well this evening I went to The Christmas Spectacular and I had an amazing blast. There was a storyline, I thought I would just see The Rockettes dancing for two hours, but nope! I was so pleasantly surprised to see, the show which combined Santa Claus, Nutcracker and an excerpt of the birth of Christ. I do believe it should be seen from multiple angles in the theatre, If I do so happen to make it back to see the show again, I would like to be on the third mezzanine so you would have a wide-angle of the stage. Unless the price was soooooo amazing that I just couldn’t pass up, then and only then would I purchase an orchestra seat.

Because I went to this evening show, I received a Santa Hat! I can’t tell you how excited I was to put that on my head, when santa asked the audience to, it was the beginning of the santa dance number. I felt like a little kid again, dancing and clapping my seat. I didn’t care too much about who saw.

Happy Holidays Folks

Jonez.

Caretaker.

Living Life

I don’t take care of myself as much as I need to or as much as I should. Because I’m there for others, I don’t have or make the time for myself. As a result, I’m miserable. I keep myself occupied with work so I’m too tired to evaluate my needs, too tired to care. Obviously this is a severely destructive path, and if I don’t start to take care of myself, I’ll be lying in a ditch somewhere. I think I was expecting someone to come along and save me from myself but this isn’t a fairy tale and no one will rescue me. I gotta save my damn self!

This week, I’m on vacation from work so I couldn’t hide from myself. My body was seriously malfunctioning, places were aching, my mind couldn’t settle itself and my body was desperately alerting me that it was about to crash. Although I definitely have responsibilities this week, I canceled everything to focus on me. To really put me first, to indulge in me, to allow my body the space to rest, to stretch and to do anything else she wanted to. I always feel like I deserve more than what I’m receiving in my dating life, but if I’m not treating my OWN self like I deserve more, why would anyone else?

Tristan Jonez.