Amidst a lot of light, we tend to lose faith in our own brightness; we think nothing more of ourselves than as a burning flame on a candle stick during the light of day; yet put us in sheer darkness, and we learn to trust ourselves enough to illuminate even the blackest of nights. We are brighter than we can ever imagine.

-          Trace

TTS: Interludes of Life

Saturday, 20 April 2013, 22:36PM

I’m in the process of nursing a broken heart. 

I’ve just ended a whirlwind romance with an inanimately distinguished figure that means a lot to me. While the affair was rather short-lived – half of a week, it was unforgettable to say the least, everything I could expect and more. 

During our time together, we shared a seemingly interesting, volatile and fragile relationship, and the more I sunk deeper into it, the more I became completely immersed into another world. Needless to say, the experience has changed my life forever. 

Although I’m fairly good at letting go, I’m simply hopeless at partings, usually an emotional wreck, but I handled myself fairly well this time. Desperately holding back tears, I hesitantly turned the very last page of the 630-paged book to put the past three and a half days behind me; looking forward to new and great beginnings, inspired and motivated, grateful to have come across this determining point in my life.
You’ve got to love a great book. 

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson -- an incredibly well-written bio, is one that will eternally hold a dear place in my heart. 

Here’s to all passionate rebels! 

- Trace 

TTS: Project NEXT: Photo Shoot

10:01 a.m., Wednesday, 8 July 2015

I thought I wasn't going to make this a blog for pictures -- like I did with my Tumblr blog, but sometimes, I just can't help it.

I had a shoot taken in May for Project NEXT, courtesy of my good friend and talented writer, academic, photographer-extraordinaire, Nyembezi 'Bezi' Phiri. I felt a little out of place being in front of, and not behind the camera, but it was great fun (put aside the bone-chilling weather). Bezi has a fantastic eye for detail, and she did an incredible job on all the shots (three cheers and a bottle of champagne for her!). We used three locations, but I'll give you a sneak peak of a few from the first one -- you'll have to wait a little longer to see the others. :)

Photographer: Nyembezi 'Bezi' Phiri
Location: Newton, Johannesburg
And this, friends, is the money shot. :) 

Photographer: Nyembezi 'Bezi' Phiri
Location: Newton, Johannesburg
Quite a few people have asked me about this top and where I got it; honestly, I inherited it from my aunt years ago, and I doubt she remembers.

Photographer: Nyembezi 'Bezi' Phiri
Location: Newton, Johannesburg
I'm always smiling in pictures, so I find this picture -- along with the beautiful use of colour and location -- refreshingly different. 

Photographer: Nyembezi 'Bezi' Phiri

Location: Newton, Johannesburg

I like how my shadow complements me in this one.

Photographer: Nyembezi 'Bezi' Phiri

Location: Newton, Johannesburg

Photographer: Nyembezi 'Bezi' Phiri
Location: Newton, Johannesburg
Yes... I do have a belly-button ring...

Photographer: Nyembezi 'Bezi' Phiri
Location: Newton, Johannesburg
The sun came out perfectly just as we took this shot. It had been playing hide-and-seek all morning, but finally graced us with its presence long enough to get the perfect one.

Photographer: Nyembezi 'Bezi' Phiri
Location: Newton, Johannesburg

Distinctly one of my favourites.

Compliments and a huge word of thanks to my photographer, Bezi. 

Photo Credit: Nyembezi Phiri
(saved from Whatsapp)

Who needs picture-perfect, when you have the perfect picture?
-- Tracy Wilbon