I Just Think Different

The queen of my heart, forever and always. Happy Mother’s...

Sun, 12 May 2013 16:05:11 -0400

The queen of my heart, forever and always. Happy Mother’s Day, mama!!! #mamasboy

DC. Chillin at The W rooftop lounge sahnnnn! (at W Washington...

Sun, 12 May 2013 01:34:28 -0400

DC. Chillin at The W rooftop lounge sahnnnn! (at W Washington D.C.)

Shift! A well deserving brew after a great race with the broham...

Sat, 11 May 2013 23:28:50 -0400

Shift! A well deserving brew after a great race with the broham @alandeep! (at American Tap Room)

Wicked waffle!!! #baconeggcheese (at Wicked Waffle)

Sat, 11 May 2013 10:20:31 -0400

Wicked waffle!!! #baconeggcheese (at Wicked Waffle)

Good Lordy, sweet Jesus and hot sauce.

Thu, 02 May 2013 20:42:46 -0400

Good Lordy, sweet Jesus and hot sauce.

The only person I really have control over is myself.

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 13:07:53 -0400

So, I will roll with the punches.

@misskaters’ fucking mess hahahaha!!!

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 04:23:33 -0400

@misskaters’ fucking mess hahahaha!!!

LEHGO! @misskaters @soyskillet @alandeep @thisiskarlo (at...

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 14:13:53 -0400

LEHGO! @misskaters @soyskillet @alandeep @thisiskarlo (at Smorgasburg Williamsburg)

chrissotravels: Today I revisited an old, memory laden...

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 01:28:37 -0400

"The only thing centered and uniform about the hallway is the hallway itself and it encapsulates a variety of off-centered, busy subjects, as a hallway should!"

"What I'm currently working with is my blue/silver 2012 Trek 2.1 Compact aptly named Tuna."

"A gentleman and his trusted iron steed standing unabashedly between industry and nature. Emblazoned on his chest, a stunning call to all those around him, "For the Greater Good!"

"My good friend, Tim, and I road the path from Bethesda, Maryland all the way to Washington, DC."

chrissotravels:

Today I revisited an old, memory laden trail - the Capital Crescent Trail (http://www.cctrail.org/). My good friend, Tim, and I road the path from Bethesda, Maryland all the way to Washington, DC. In total we covered 26.69 miles in 3 hours and 4 minutes. There was a lot of stop and go in the city but I am really getting a better grip on aggressive city riding. I really have to thank TIm for the invaluable training, I love cycling and traffic was always a big fear of mine.

The reason I say the trail is memory laden is because it was the nameless trail from my early childhood memories riding with my father, uncles and cousins. It was the same trail that I revisited in college to do my first stop action project. And it was the trail that I drove to to practice dragon boat racing in the Potomac for my ex’s chinese school. An ex that set up the framework for the impenetrable, trust robbed walls around my heart. Quite a trail! However, coming back to the CCT as I am now really opened up a new opportunity for me. With a newer, more mature mindset I looked at the trail as a closure with a lot of my past demons. As I pumped my legs and (made incredible time ~7 miles in 28 minutes) zoomed past trees and fences and memories I felt like I was finally saying goodbye to these memories. The good and the bad. I felt I was riding ahead and away from the younger me. Riding away from my dad and my uncles and my brother…I felt like I was finally old enough to lead my own trail and to discover my own paths. I felt like I was riding away from every poisonous relationship I’ve ever had. Literally running over and killing every “other guy” (god why is there always another guy). The trip was emotional and physical and amazing.

I have to hand it to Tim. He rode a single speed bike, only had a front brake AND was wearing long commuter pants sans chamois. I don’t know how his legs or prostate made it the 26 miles but they did! Riding through DC this time was more intense because I got to lead a couple of times and we got separated a couple of times. There was some seriously legit bus weaving done today! Our first break was at Union Station for smoothies (we discovered milkshakes were a bad idea last time). I saw a photo opp with the station’s hallway’s architecture and pulled out my DSLR to capture the moment. At first I took a test shot to gauge the exposure and then set up Tim centered and posed. As I looked through the pictures tonight I realized I liked the test shot so much more. Touching on the photographic conversation Tim and I had over beers and burgers after the ride, I thought about what makes a picture and what makes a photograph. I thought about photo journalism, I thought about composition, I thought about the rules and how to break the rules. I thought about fine art and I thought about a maturing photographer and I realized, yes, I definitely like this test shot more. Not to be that guy that analyzes his own picture, BUT. I saw the uncentered composition so much more intriguing. Tim is not the center of the picture, and one could argue, wasn’t even the subject. The mix of people at the end of the hallway, the homeless man passing Tim, Tim’s bike and Tim’s outwardly gaze cause the viewer to arc across the picture from the back to the left foreground. Even the overexposure fills the frame with a pure light that contrasts against the gritty, contrasty textures of the hallway’s ceiling and floor stirring yet more intrigue. The only thing centered and uniform about the hallway is the hallway itself and it encapsulates a variety of off-centered, busy subjects, as a hallway should! Both physically and artistically the hallways presents itself as a vehicle of transport for the viewer. Be it to the other end of the hallway to where we locked our bikes, or be it through the silent chaos of frozen action that is this picture. I may be looking too deep into it, but I think Tim, his teacher and my favorite professor would be proud.

I, of course, had to take a picture of my personal setup. A photographer’s glory is from behind the camera but sometimes I like to let the viewers see a little bit of me. What I’m currently working with is my blue/silver 2012 Trek 2.1 Compact aptly named Tuna.

After Union Station we decided to ride down to the historic Eastern Market area (hence the strange rhombus shaped detour we took on the bottom right). We ended up getting lost in a sketchy neighborhood, replanning and then ending up at a closed bar. So we gunned it back to the city center and decided to head back to Bethesda for food. It was getting overcast and we were afraid of rain. On the way back I couldn’t help but stop ever so often for instagram opps (@chrissogram). One particular spot had me turning around and calling for Tim to follow me. On the left of the trail was a uniform fence and on the right was a chaotic mess of dying trees and roots. Separating the two was a smooth endless pathway - I HAD to put Tim in the middle of it! What resulted was one of my favorite pictures of the day. A gentleman and his trusted iron steed standing unabashedly between industry and nature. Emblazoned on his chest, a stunning call to all those around him, “For the Greater Good”! Call me crazy, but when moments shout themselves out to me I cannot but help to shout back.

It was another fantastically spent day with an equally fantastic friend. I am really biking more and more and I have to say that I am loving it (at the cost of my BJJ gym time). My posts have been becoming much more happier and, I have to say I am becoming much more happier. Out of a long drought I have suddenly been refilled with hope and, dare I say it, excitement. Excitement for what there is to come. Excitement for how uncertainly beautiful the future is.

You get what you make of it.

Trek On,

Chris

Amazing write up on an amazing day, but on a completely different level than how I saw it. And I never knew it could’ve had a deeper meaning for Chris, as I was there to just enjoy his company and the ride! Good on you, brother. I can only hope to be on that trail you are blazing to your future right now as soon as possible (emotionally, mentally, career-wise).

Today was definitely the best ride of my life, hands down. Thank you, fellow City Hunter, for blazing this trail with me! There will be many more to come soon!

Bethesda to Georgetown! Capital Crescent Trail ridin’ with...

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:49:32 -0400

Bethesda to Georgetown! Capital Crescent Trail ridin’ with brosef @chrissogram (at Capital Crescent Trail - Bethesda)

The Adventures of Scarlett and Tuna! @chrissogram (at 2...

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:43:55 -0400

The Adventures of Scarlett and Tuna! @chrissogram (at 2 Bethesda Metro Center)

chrissotravels: Last thursday I went into DC for an...

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:08:00 -0400

"As we were about to make our way off the basin into the city to find the famous, Shake Shack, a military helicopter came thundering past us."

"We walked our bikes around the basin starting at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial."

"Scarlett was a beauty Tim had built from the frame up."

"The tidal basin waters where coated with the cherry blossoms giving it an illusion of a pink and white sea."

"As we completed our round about the basin I managed to snag a nice close up of some mallards enjoying the cool shade."

"However, taken at a different angle the purity of the petals gave way to a more realistic view of the basin."

"What was supposed to be a cherry blossom shoot quickly became a Tim & Scarlett (his beautiful road bike) photoshoot."

chrissotravels:

Last thursday I went into DC for an impromptu shooting of the Cherry Blossoms. To my elation my good friend Tim Tolentino (http://www.timtolentino.com/) was free to come with me and show me the ropes of city riding! We metro’d in with our bikes and rode from the Smithsonian stop to the tidal basin. Of course my peugeot decided to pop its chain and after some playing around with it I got it stay on its inner chain ring, thus restricting me to ride single speed through the streets of DC. They cherry blossoms were as beautiful as I remembered, it had been several years since I had the time to come and see them. We walked our bikes around the basin starting at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. What was supposed to be a cherry blossom shoot quickly became a Tim & Scarlett (his beautiful road bike) photoshoot. Scarlett was a beauty Tim had built from the frame up. It’s rear wheel was single speed/ fixie convertible. The tidal basin waters where coated with the cherry blossoms giving it an illusion of a pink and white sea. It was almost surreal. However, taken at a different angle the purity of the petals gave way to a more realistic view of the basin. This would be reinforced a couple of days later when we received news that a body was found in the basin. As we completed our round about the basin I managed to snag a nice close up of some mallards enjoying the cool shade. As we were about to make our way off the basin into the city to find the famous, Shake Shack, a military helicopter came thundering past us. I managed to zoom in and get a quick shot of it - United States Army emblazoned on its tail. We wondered where it was going and why, and a part of me wondered how a different place and different shoes would have made this view mean some different things…In any case, it was an amazing thursday with an amazing friend. I gained a lot of confidence in city riding/ traffic dodging and will certainly apply it more to my weekend rides around my area. As for everything else, I’m still waiting on more news from SMSC and am going through my training at REI.

Things are very very good right now, and I am so grateful…

Trek On,

Chris

One of the best Thursdays I’ve ever spent with one of the best individuals I know.

Went for dessert, ended up gettin food as well, hahaha. This...

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 21:58:21 -0400

Went for dessert, ended up gettin food as well, hahaha. This place is awesome!!! #thisiswhywerefat @fortuanately (at Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers)

A well deserved lunch! @chrissogram (at Shake Shack)

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:04:06 -0400

A well deserved lunch! @chrissogram (at Shake Shack)

rotfuenf: A random ball pit is set up in the middle of a...

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 20:00:12 -0400

rotfuenf:

A random ball pit is set up in the middle of a city
And this is what happens as people approach it.

THIS IS AMAZING!!!

Huevos rancheros!!! Easter brunch with the fambam! Happy Easter...

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 14:01:47 -0400

Huevos rancheros!!! Easter brunch with the fambam! Happy Easter everyone! (at Eggspectation)

No Room for Doubt

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:05:27 -0400

Lately, it’s been so easy for my feelings to waiver and falter. Did I do the right thing? Was it really all for the best? Will I really be alright in the end?

Doubt is like a plague. It’s so hard to eradicate from the mind once it spreads (and it spreads quickly). And the sad thing is, it’s all in my head; only I implanted these thoughts within me and let it continue to spread. Everyday, I hope for a sign that things will be good. Sometimes I do get such signs, whether it be from people I am with (having their presence around me), doing certain things throughout my day, or just from the things I see and hear that motivate me to feel better; but like most things, they are only a temporary solution, and as soon as I realize that I’m alone, the doubt returns.

I’m not one to crave attention, or depend on others so much so that it’s unhealthy and bothersome, but we’re human. I’m only human, and I definitely believe we are not meant to be alone, and it’s never a bad thing to feel needed or wanted. But the truth of the matter is, I need to learn how to be happy for myself, with myself, and by myself.

Then, maybe then, someday, I will be with someone who will be happy with me.

And now, I’m just free falling to the bottom.

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 19:53:59 -0400

And now, I’m just free falling to the bottom.

marcus-d: New music from Substantial and myself. Enjoy. Back in...

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 15:25:28 -0500

marcus-d:

New music from Substantial and myself. Enjoy.

Back in 2011 Baltimore emcee Substantial was facing the possibility of cancer. He ended up having preventive surgery and while laid up, decided to start working on a tribute album to Jill Scott, one of his biggest influences. It was his was of staying busy while healing, and at the same time to give the people their roses while they can still smell them. The result is a free project Substantial calls “Jackin’ Jill” - a tribute project from Substantial built by “Jackin” music from various Jill Scott releases. This collection of reworks and remixes of her work blended by DJ Jav form a cohesive pseudo collaboration focused on life, love & music.

Today, as Substantial heads back into the doctor’s for a follow up examine 2 years later, we are unveiling the cover art (drawn by Substantial himself) from the 17 track project, plus a taste of what’s to come with the track “Golden Lady” a reworking of the amazing Stevie Wonder track from “Innervisions” that Substantial uses to play off the track Golden from Jill Scott’s Beautifully Human album (the last song Kool Herc played at Substantial’s wedding). Substantial adds to this Marcus D produced tribute track the gorgeous vocals of Steph The Sappic Songstress. Be sure to listen to Marcus D on piano throughout as well. The result is a richly layered, beautiful new track from one of Baltimore’s most thoughtful and talented artists, Substantial.

Enjoy and feel free to share!

credits

released 07 March 2013
featuring Steph The Saphic Songstress
produced by Marcus D

Now tell me, DMV heads, who of you have heard of Substantial? He is a native. He is one of the best, most down to earth artist I’ve ever heard. throughout all this time that I’ve listened to him, he never once conformed with the times of glamour, mainstream, and bs rapping that’s going on nowadays. Real hip-hop at its realest. I had the pleasure of seeing him at the National Harbor for Nujabes’ tribute show. Y’all are about local artists, yeah? Here you go. If this is your first time listening to him, welcome and enjoy; and don’t forget to check out all of his other dope shit.

Best of luck on the doctor visit, Substantial! Prayers headed your way.

Almond hot milk tea. (at san clemente yogurt)

Sun, 03 Mar 2013 20:57:37 -0500

Almond hot milk tea. (at san clemente yogurt)