.437 iToots

i couldn't resist.

(i just love the photo becky took of toots so freakin' much)

as soon as her new room is finished and painted (or we move - which ever comes first) the leatherman original is going on the wall.

if you're wondering about the lighting, the first photo was taken without flash

.401 if these veins could talk...

.396 black america

i've known his mother for twelve years. za, one of the moms i recall in memory as i raise my own child, is still amazing to me. from her i learned that, even if your child has mainstream education, what they learn at home sticks best. she, turning her dining room into a classroom, alphabets and numbers lining the walls, desks and crayons coloring it's space. it's no surprise that her first born, marquis, now the oldest of five, turned out to be such a creatively dope and quietly respectful young soul. i've known him since his voice was squeaky and his pajamas were fashioned with cartoon characters. and now, him, fourteen years old with a fly penchant for drawing and a collection of skateboards that he calls his trophies. he absolutely refused to take pictures until i agreed to getting only his outfit, but i couldn't resist one shot of his face. it's amazing to look at a teenager you've seen as a little person, and still see them exactly as they were. i think i'm going to be one of those elders who pinches the cheeks of fifty year old adults who's diapers i once changed.

390 day 365

feeling much too gangsta for an 'end of challenge' recap.

it's been a year and now i'm done.

[fin]

.368 day 344

iPhonography.

.366 day 342

her favorite place to be.

i hope to one day look over at a teenage her, and remember these moments, like they're happening right in front of me.

"and when the angels ask me of my fondest memory, i'll say 'i remember...you'"

ron austin

.363 day 339

roughing it.

.339 day 316

there's a randomly amazing story behind meeting this stranger/friend,
but you'll have to buy my book "in the spirit of being" (august) to find out.

(unless you're anwar. cause...i kinda, sorta tell him most things...first)

.315 day 284

.311 day 280

i love running into friends unexpectedly...pulling out my camera even more unexpectedly...and getting to capture the awkward facial expressions of an equally awkward moment (but the most awkward moments are when i run into friends unexpectedly...and they are camera-ready, equipped with poses and all. eek! why? just...why?).

anyway, this is free. friend. cancer. indie artist. adorably awkward. 

.307 day 277

she took a tote...and all her cares went up in smoke.

.305 day 275

.303 day 273

.299 day 269

.292 day 263

 a visit to ellie's...

.286 que sera, sera...

...whatever will be, will be.

the future's not ours, to see.

que sera, sera...

.285 day 258

i never speak about my relationship with tootie's father.

partly because, unlike the typical "don't ask, don't tell" policy i put in place for all my past relationships, té and i courted an extremely public "romance". so when things went south, in ways you wouldn't believe, even if i had the heart to tell you, i retreated back into my old way of social living: it's nobody's business. in fact, it never was. 

(that was my first mistake)

however, one sunday, possibly this sunday, he mentioned to me that i never tag him in any photos. that never do i post portraits i take of him, or of him and toots, up anywhere, online...and he is right. i lost a lot of friends because of the illegitimate and downright "lifetime movie" way he and i got together. lost even more as the relationship progressed and seclusion became my 'go-to' safe haven. i am still recovering from revelations, still piecing together parts of a never-ending puzzle that has no boarders. it's all too much. too much to address publicly...ever.

i do not believe in half-truths. 

to talk about the dissolution of our relationship would require me to, either, hold back the details of some rather cryptic and strange moments of said union, or release it all with no regard to, both, public or private backlash. the former would cause me ill feelings, the latter would cause him the same. i keep the peace by narrowly walking the neutral ground that lies in the "in-between".

.284 day 257

jalen. 11 years old. sagittarius. 

michael jackson, dance impersonator.

musician who plays by ear.

one of the sweetest souls you ever will meet. 

such an undeniable talent, the world will know his name. 

mark. my. words.

(please show him love and like his page on facebook)

(this is a just a teaser from our shoot earlier today. more pics to come.)

.281 day 254

bare.

toddler toes

.259 day 233

i was being a creeper at the playground again. 

i'm just awaiting the day someone yells out: 

"HEY! YOU, WITH THE CAMERA! GET AWAY FROM MY KID!"

(but you gotta agree...this child is some kind of wonderful.)