Move over Caitlyn Jenner, Treyoncé has Arrived!

Treyoncé | 2015

yasssss hunny, yassss! by far, my best photo ever taken  by someone other than me. i'm really surprised that i didn't blink the photo turned out so well. now, this was my second set of that day. the first set was done with hair pinned up [showing below, with +Adam Bouska  - founder of the NOH8 campaign]. as soon as that was done, i was ready to peace out when i realized the theme behind the theme of +NOH8 Campaign - to express yourself in a photo to show who you are and what you are proud of. for me, that's my hair. yes, i have accomplished many things others may consider to be more important, but this was for me. most men of color can't/never grow out their hair, let alone know what it may look like beyond the standard fro. so, i went back in line for a second set, with my hair whipping back and forth. 

was i nervous? HELL YES a bit, mainly because i never wear my hair out like this. yes i am proud of it, but there is indeed a lot of it, that likes to do it's own thing. was this whole thing shallow? maybe to some, yet in the end, the money spent on my glam shots goes towards an extremely selfless goal for everyone, especially the LGBTA+ community. great experience, great people, and officially added to my calendar for next year! also, this was one of the largest shoots held by the +NOH8 Campaign campaign - original shoot was back in March. due to the capacity of people, not all of photos have been selected for upload yet, roughly 3/4 have been uploaded as of today, June. thus, only one photo is up for me for now - will post an update once it's ready!

Me | Adam Bouska

T-Tips

• get there early - the shoot was held at a church in the north Dallas area, so parking was not too much of an issue. however, there was indeed an endless amount of people. 
• how does the photo-shoot work? 
• you fill out a waiver in the first line to receive your group number. i was group 500 and arrived barely an hour after the event start
• from here, you go into a waiting area, where there are snacks and drinks until your group is called - more like waves since there were groups of groups.
• once your wave is called, you enter into the tattoo area to get as many NOH8 tattoos as you like
• wait for your actual number to be called, then proceed to the line where you will pay 40$ for your photo
• roughly 4-8 shots are taken, with only one selected as the final shot which you receive after edits have been made
• 40$ gets you the one final shot, however, you are allowed to pay for an additional head shot if you like [which i did for my Treyoncé masterpiece]
• group shots are cheaper i believe, but you only get one photo. now, keep in mind, these are digital copies posted on the NOH8 site aka, there's no need for multiple copies. everyone will receive a link to the wave-gallery, where you can save your image [just like solo shots]
• wear something white - this was one of the only requirements [beyond da moolah] for the shoot. some people did try to wear tie-die shirts, all black, etc. but they were told to either put on provided white shirt [all 3XL] or to go home and change

Granada Summer Mockbuster - Mean Girls

hello, hello! though it doesn't happen often, +Facebook's "Suggested Events" actually turn out to be quite fun and relevant. backed by +D Magazine was the case with a throwback screening of Mean Girls at the amazing +Granada Theater . located just around the corner from SMU on Greenville avenue, this time-capsuled theater doubles as a venue for concerts.  

of course i didn't learn this until after i got there, since this was my first time here and what-not. the theater itself reminds me of and old Hollywood theater that was thrown into a wonderpalooza at some point in it's life - which makes the place that much cooler!

now, because this is mainly a spot for concerts, the seating sitch does not follow the status quo for regulat theaters - aka, you get stadium chairs. fear not! this actually makes the experience feel more open to the cash bar people around you. a unique feature for this place is the promotion of live-tweeting via the side screens - anyone in the audience can make quick comments/jokes/call-outs, scene-by-scene. this screening also featured an old-timey intermission. whaaat? that's right! an intermission. how dare they interrupt Regina George long did it last? about eleven minutes or so - just enough time for a bathroom break, quick drink, or to see if your car got towed. 

yep - towing is a slight possibility given the minimal free parking spaces offered. Granada does have its own 8$ entry parking lot, but since i am cheap like to look for options, i was able to park behind the restaurant next door. now, that lot in particular usually is valet only once the evening rolls in. how did i sneak by? no clue, but i certainly didn't ask questions [however, i did listen in on others that parked there while i was waiting in line for 85% confirmation i wouldn't get towed to see what the actual deal was ]. overall, this was a fun experience, definitely repeatable, and of course Mean Girls gave me life, as always. [if you have not watched/do not like this movie, you can't sit with us]

T-Tips:

• buy tickets in advance -  the tickets sold out the day of the screening[though not everyone showed up]
• i bought mine right way, 2 weeks in advance - just do it, they're only 3$
• get there early - beyond the parking sitch, seating is first come, first served. if you're very particular like me [i like to sit above the peons up high] or have a large group, try to get there right when the doors open
• bring a light jacket - remember, this place is normally used for concerts aka, cold blasting air to counter large crowds. however, it's a little over the top just for a movie. i was semi-freezing the entire time [even though it was +Nick Lachey  all day outside] 

Ego, Ipse - I, myself

Monterey Bay, California

Let's keep it short and simple (as a refresher for the nubies)!

W h a t : 

travel tips | life of a post grad | men's hair and style

ego ipse is a latin phrase that loosely translates to "i, myself" - a close phrase to match my own catch phrase "i'll do it myself", backed and trademarked by the 'rents since age 3 #AriesFTW

and what does the blog address "espioge" have to do with "egoipse"? try saying it backwards

W h o :

that's right, who am i! friends, family, and strangers usually call me trey. once a nickname, now my actual name that can rarely be said without a smile. dallas based corporate america YP by day | slightly overactive kid by night (and sometimes afternoon).  there's more to me than a paragraph alone can define, that's why this blog is here to help!

W h y :

the travel bug has bit me and my fever is rising! each trip has inspired me to do more and help other beginning travelers do the same by offering advice, and learning from you as well! though it is still forming, my personal style is something that reflects who i am, whether it be my clothes or hair. in all, just offering insight into the elusive life of a postgrad with his first job :)

Handstands in the Sand - Haulover Beach!

Haulover Beach, Miami 

located on the northern tip of Miami, this beach has expansive white sand dunes and deep blue water that offers a relaxing escape, when compared to most tourist beaches. though i went on a monday, the beach was still slightly crowded, with fun locals enjoying one of the sunshine state's best nude beaches!.......what?? that's right, this beach has a nude section for those wanting an "all over" tan. 

why would i choose a nude beach when there are plenty of clothing required beaches elsewhere? simply because....why not! i had never been to one, and figured i would give this new bucket list item a try. as you can see, i was rocking my awesome core vibe yoga shorts from +Eros Sport  [good enough to be featured on their Instagram page!]- but did i partake in the clothing optional, un-dress code? i sure did! - for all of ten minutes, ha. it is one thing laying nude on a beach, but an entirely different experience walking to/from the water, or anywhere else for that matter. 

now when i asked exiting beach-goers where this section was, i was informed that the nude beach sits between the two pink lifeguard booths. honestly i thought it would be pretty obvious to find the section, but this beach is over a mile wide. most married couples lounge on the right hand side of the beach [if facing the water], while a large majority of single males claim the left hand side of the beach. this divide was by no means set in stone or clearly defined, simply how a majority of locals choose to enjoy beach. if you choose to layout in the area, you can plant your towel or mat anywhere you wish, regardless of your Facebook status. i also asked if you are required to be nude to enter the nude section and the answer was - no! bearing it all is entirely up to you. no lifeguards or birthday suit police patrol the area to scare off wary visitors. 

for those worried about being unwanted eye candy or advances, fear not! though you may choose to bare it all, rules of conduct still apply. no means no, same with any other beach, sauna, swimming pool, or where you would wear minimal clothing. lifeguards do monitor for any "extracurricular" activity as well. no matter what you choose, always remember there is no pressure - the beach offers plenty of  places to relax away from the skinny dippers  

T-Tips:

• if you're beach hopping (like i was) use a ride share service such as +Uber  or +Lyft . fast pickup and only costs $15 from south beach - whoa!
• bring a beach towel AND hand towel. although great for laying in the sun, beach towels usually lack in brushing off sand when it's time to go. 
• use a marker to know where your belongings are (colorful umbrella, etc.)
• watch for underwater and over-water wild life 
• don't be alarmed if you see anyone [guy/girl] topless - this is officially legal in Dade county Miami
• double check umbrella/chair rentals before leaving your stuff

Calle Trece - South Beach

Port of Miami

from great people, amazing views  and tons of places to relax beach side - south beach miami truly is the place to be . since i only had a day, i decided to spend all of the daylight hours on the beach, because dallas is currently lacking in the beach department (at least until an earthquake brings the atlantic a little closer)

Calle Trece - South Beach

i chose a lovely AirBnB condo for my one day stay that was right on 13th Street [Calle Trece] - less than a 5 min walk from south beach and local cuisine! this was my second time using the new service, and i have not had a reason to complain just yet. beyond the location, the room itself was shared with the host, though i was given a key to come and go - excellent for a one night stay! 

the area itself is very active, with most people in some sort of beach attire during the day. all of the food places are interconnected outdoor seating, with shade umbrellas color coded to designate the end/start of the particular restaurant. lots of music and people of all ages, making for a slightly upscale urban beach feel 

South Beach

oh, south beach. clear water, endless beach space and lively people......take. me. back! this was my first time going to the beach to actually swim in over a decade. i was hesitant of diving in because of my hair, but after the first overwhelming wave, that anxiety went out the window [along with my up-do]. serfbort > hair.....to an extent, but fear not my #LHDC team members! you can keep your up-do from forming into a do-not by using well placed bobby-pins, a visor, or both! if you plan on staying in shallow areas, you will be fine for sure. 

there are a few vendors that sell food & drinks. though the area is relatively safe, there are dollar locker rentals if you want to secure your belongings while enjoying the warm water. the best way to avoid any major loss potential is to minimize what you bring to the beach. for me, i only brought my room key, driver's license, debit card and phone - all stored in a phone sports sleeve/case. all items, including my galaxy s5, are waterproof! again, this is entirely up to you and who you are with. 

T-Tips

• double check umbrella/chair rentals before leaving your stuff
• bring a beach towel AND hand towel. although great for laying in the sun, beach towels usually lack in brushing off sand when it's time to go.
• use a marker to know where your belongings are (colorful umbrella, etc.)
• watch for underwater and over-water wild life 
• don't be alarmed if you see anyone [guy/girl] topless - this is officially legal in dade county miami
• lastly, try to walk, carpool or uber to the beach. traffic in the area can be a nightmare, especially if it is your first time to the area

Tea time

it's the last day of my cruise!  so bittersweet, but I'm ready to get some real beach time. i will admit, i was slightly frustrated that instead of staying another day in the Bahamas, the cruise planners decided to have us "park" midway between my new favorite island and Miami, but i'm sure they have their reasons...

so! i decided to try out bingo for my last day. i felt like burning money/there was nothing else to do...until i re-read the itinerary for the day and saw there was tea time at 3pm!!! problem: bingo also started at 3pm. which did i choose? por que no los dos!? 

i figured tea time wouldn't last too long, so i power walked on over to the wonderful Windsong dining room and found [for once] there was no line. just like at dinner, i was escorted by the wonderful wait staff to my seat, then another followed with a box of tea bags and mini-tea pot! the only de-caffeinated bouquet available was chamomile, but that worked for me.  

salmon bruschetta, chocolate macaroon, strawberry, lemon scone

an assortment of cakes, cookies, brownies, fruit, and macaroons!! wheeled by shortly after. i died a little; it had been far too long since i dined on this delicacy. sadly, the macaroon was crunchy aka stale. thankfully, the smoked salmon bruschetta and lemon scone made up for it big time. not to mention my fancy little tea pot! overall, the whole ten minutes was surprisingly relaxing [and filling] with the ocean view and quiet company. i definitely understand why this is so popular over seas [ba-doom-pshh].

as for bingo, i thought i would be too late, but the event didn't actually start until 3:30. though i didn't win any of the 5 games of bingo, i did win 5$ from a tear-off card #ballin [similar to scratch off, except you tear off ribbons to reveal your prize]

T-Tips:

    Tea-Time

• sit near a window - nothing is more relaxing than sipping tea while enjoying an amazing ocean view
• try at least one of every treat/food item - then order seconds thirds of your favorites
• ask for honey - i personally enjoy a little sweetness to my teas and prefer honey over sugar for almost everything.
• take it all in - tea time is a mental time out, don't rush it!
• yes, i needed to get to bingo, but this was a higher priority

    Bingo

• order a few tear-off cards [they are only 1$]
• check the price of bingo cards before purchasing - oops
• use your hotel room pen to mark the numbers - bingo daubers [markers] add extra excitement to game, but unless you plan on re-using them, save your 5$ [unless you brought your own]

DTown Bahamas!

 

woohoo, i passed through gate - what now Gandalf!?! now, i have found the one area with free Wi-Fi and making this hodg-podge collage post of  +Nassau. my excursion starts in just under 2 hours, so i sadly can't go into full descriptive detail at this point, but i will return!

horse-drawn carriages are lined and ready to go for those wanting a relaxed tour of the city, or island style drop off to your food destination!

one of the oldest sections of the island, the town hall area is spacious, rich with history, and...no shade at all. i know, i know - i'm on a tropical island and should not be complaining about the sun but i'm only pointing this out for the photos. since the sun was so high, i could barely see what was captured on my phone. thankfully, these shots turned out well, though slightly more angled than usual 

a small shopping area next to a McDonald's that looked rather neat to this tourist, though the McDonald's did not make the shot because....my phone, bleh

 

feeling slightly medieval-regal with this patterned pathway. there's only banks here, but still a very intriguing design

a church with features that reminded of a scene from a movie that i do not recall..oops

pirate mural outside of a pirates museum - most people take a photo in front of the mural, but since i was sans-selfie stick/no peeps around, i am not featured. i know, it is indeed one of the potential shortcomings treycationing solo, but i will be fine

lastly, the picturesque shopping alley near the beach!

T-Tips

• bring a glare proof photo capable device
• stay in populated areas
• hats/sunscreen 
• find da wifi