This is an open and unfiltered diary-style journal
on the life of James Robert Smith.
This blog will contain sometimes graphic experiences (both beautiful and ugly),
sometimes stark insight, and all honest and factual documentation of dreams, diet, activity, and thoughts.
Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Black Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.
Working on blog stuff.
Grilled PB&J Toast with Bee Pollen. Olive Oil Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
It's a rainy day. I still don't have my car cause the shop is still waiting on the correct condenser to put into it. Ana is my chauffer today. She drives me to Lowe's for a couple things and then drops me off at the storage unit so I can finish deconstructing this old piano. I have to unscrew every single tuning pin that holds the strings. It's quite a production but in the end I know it will be worth it.
[ii]
Ana picks me up and brings me home. Warming up some leftovers for dinner: Yellow Eyed Beans with Quinoa, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots, and Onions. While I enjoy my meal I request Ana "sing me a song". Normally she would flat out say no cause of being embarrassed and all. But this time she surprises me by singing a couple songs in tagalong. I love listening to her sing. Her true heart comes out in her voice.
I borrow her car and trek out to the storage unit off Tidewater for a late night Ladada band rehearsal. My hands are sore from bass playing and everything really. Even though I had no China Wok today and only four lessons I feel overworked. It's mainly this piano and all the dismantling work I've put into it. I haven't even finished moving it from the old storage unit and I'm supposed to be completely moved out of there by tomorrow.
Back home. I have to make two batches of almond milk for Ana and I otherwise we won't be able to eat our usual breakfast in the morning.
Helping to hang up a Christmas tree in the foyer of the church I used to go to. It's also understood I'm living here in some kind of loft apartment. Margot, my ex-girlfriend, is here too for some reason. I'm starting to have difficulty with the tree; it feels like I’m responsible for it rather than just helping. I get frustrated and walk downstairs where all the classrooms are for a sip of water from the water fountain.
▬ ○ ☼
Waking up at noon.
Raw Cacao Protein Shake with Banana, Blueberries, and Almond Milk.
Ana takes us to the Great Neck Rec for exercising. Gobbling down a Navel Orange to sustain my energy at the gym. Shooting around the basketball and playing a couple pick-up games while Ana works on her dribbling drills on the side of the court.
Last minute shopping at Trader Joe's. It's a team effort to prepare dinner – she prepares the roasted Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots, and Onions. I take control of the pan seared Chicken and Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti Noodles with a homemade Tomato Sauce.
After we sit down to enjoy our labors Ana comments, "We eat too well."
Me: "You say that every time we eat dinner."
But it's true. We work hard to eat well.
Ana takes me to the old storage unit so I can finish deconstructing my grandma's old piano. It's quite a lengthy process. Every little knob, bolt, and string has to be removed in order for this cast iron harp to come out. I plan on saving all the interesting pieces like the tuning pins for a future art project.
As we're walking from the car to the house I point out to Ana at random, "You know, we're hitting that point in our relationship when things are going to be real challenging. It's gonna be difficult. You think you can handle it?"
Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Black Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.
General organizing and business.
Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese and Strawberry Jam. Sesame Blue Corn Tortilla Chips with Guacamole.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers. While going through some picture frames I had stored away in the house I found two pictures my mom gave me a long time ago, both of them music related, one of them quoting the popular lines, "We are the music makers..." How appropriate. I couldn't resist hanging them up in the studio room where I teach.
After lessons I'm at a fork in the road where I can either go to the gym or continue organizing the new music space. I take the latter.
Back home. Whipping up a tasty meal for Ana and I using the Yellow Eye Beans from yesterday with Cheesy Spinach, Mushroom, Peppers, Onions, and Rice.
There's a rock show at the Retro Café bar at the beach. Our friend, Ben Briggs, is playing drums in a band called An Animal and Josiah is filling in on bass with Mas Y Mas. Ana and I stroll over to check it out. There's a bunch of artists showing their work too. I purchase a wood burn piece and a couple prints. Josiah and Bianca are going crazy over this Chinese app where you can turn yourself into a 3D avatar.
While hanging out with Josiah at the bar I get asked by a girl if I am gay. After replying no she asks if I think she's gay.
"I don't assume anything is true," I reply.
She won't stop asking to take a selfie with us but she doesn't understand the avatar app we're using.
"You guys remind me of that show The Big Bang Theory!" she says.
Back home. Ana goes to bed. And I head to the music space to fix a couple things and play drums.
Waking up sometime before 9 a.m. to Ana caressing my back and legs with sexual intentions. It's been about 3 weeks since the last time. There shouldn't be so much time in between.
Waking up officially at noon.
Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Black Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.
Teaching Kristian a piano lesson out in Kempsville.
Grilled PB&J Toast. Plantain Chips. Navel Orange. Honey Green Tea.
Teaching three hours of piano/voice/bass lessons at Music Makers.
Banana.
At the Seatack Rec to get my cardio on the basketball courts. A middle schooler and I play a string of one-on-one games. He's actually pretty skilled. He wins the first one. I win the second one, to which he slammed the ball against the wall in defeat. I had to win one game just to prove to him he's not invincible. But we do a sudden death match and he gets the victory.
Making dinner for Ana and I: Mustard Garlic Salmon with Steuben Yellow Eye Beans, Basmati Rice, Broccoli, and Carrots.
Afterwards, Ana hangs out with some friends of hers at Wanna B's for karaoke.
Organizing stuff at the new music space. Then, working at deconstructing my grandma's old piano at the other storage unit. With every screw and bolt I loosen the detuned strings resonate a ghostly sound.
Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Black Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.
All day shift at China Wok.
Banana.
Enjoying the cool sweater weather along with a bright sun.
Grilled PB&J Toast. Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea.
After getting back to the restaurant we receive a prank call, which is a common occurrence at a Chinese restaurant; I don't know why. I guess people just see Chinese-speaking people as an easy victim to prank. This time it's a couple of teenage girls on the other line pretending to have British accents. She keeps asking if we deliver over seas. Upon the third call Cecily finally picks up and starts spouting Mandarin into the phone but of course they don't understand, and that's the point. Returning the favor on purpose.
Honey Crisp Apple.
The night deliveries continue.
I'm surprised to be getting off at a decent hour. I'm home by 10:40 p.m. enjoying dinner: Chic Peas, Tomatoes, Broccoli, and Rice.
Ana riles me up out of a hard sleep sometime before 11 a.m. She's whining about me wanting to sleep till noon and how she's gonna just eat the waffles all by herself.
Enjoying a nice breakfast together while Kevin raves on about the fajitas he's cooking. "Fajitas, dude! My fajitas are the bomb!"
Blueberry Oat Waffles with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese and Maple Syrup. Coffee with Cream and Honey.
I ask Ana if she wants honey in her coffee. She takes too long to decide.
"Too late!" I exclaim.
"It's okay. I have you," she says back.
Catching up on writing while Ana runs to the grocery store.
Then, to the Seatack Rec to throw the basketball around. I teach Ana a drill to learn how to dribble between the legs.
Ana: "Whenever I poop it's a lot! It'll be like four servings of poop."
Me: "I don't think they measure poop in servings. Cause it's not meant to be served."
Ana: "Okay then four results!"
:)
Sharing a quick lunch at the house: Lentil Toast with Tomatoes and Mustard. Black Bean Quinoa Tortilla Chips with homemade Guacamole. Cinnamon Kombucha Tea.
Elliott and Michelle pick us up in a big black 15-passenger van. Picking up Joel then we're headed to Fredericksburg for a You're Jovian show. It's being held at a church as a benefit show for an anti-sexual assault organization. Time flies in the van...
The first band is a local teenage rock band. Apparently they've only been together for a week now. They play a pretty rad Violent Femmes cover. The lead singer reminds me of myself being in a band as a teenager, shy, nervous, but with a potential spark at being something great. Janis, the guy who puts on all the Fredericksburg shows, does an interesting experimental electronic set to the backdrop of four people playing Super Smash Bros. Then, I get up there with Elliott and Joel for You're Jovian. It's a lot faster than we practiced but we still play with precision and zest. A semi-surprise visit from Phil and Cheongah – they just drove in from the farm since they're less than an hour away.
Afterwards, we stroll down the block in the rain to a pizza joint called Benny Vitali's where we gorge on the biggest pizza any one of us has ever laid eyes on, a 36-inch pie.
Sodium levels are high from the tasty slices and we all know how thirsty we're going to be. Stocking up on water before we drive back to Virginia Beach.
...
Elliott's driving while I deejay in the passenger seat. Everyone else naps in the back.
Home at last. Cleaning up stuff in the kitchen and making a pitcher of green tea for the week.
Raw Cacao Protein Shake with Banana, Blueberries, Strawberries, and Almond Milk.
I've got to attend court from that three-car accident back in November. Seriously, November. The first time I came to court the officer who issued me the "following too closely" asked for a continuance to bring in the other drivers. So the second court date comes around in February and had to be rescheduled cause of the snow. And now here I am in April for the third time. I already know the drill in General District Court. Sit down and wait till my name is called. Andre, a guy that used to come to Movie Monday's, just happens to be here too for his own court case. What a coincidence. Eventually, I get called up. And it's as simple as just explaining the accident to the judge and convincing him I was not at fault. "Dismissed." I win at court today.
Anytime I'm over in this part of Virginia Beach I check out the thrift stores here. I run into Nick and Victoria from Zeke's.
Back home. Organizing my purchases and doing various chores around the house.
Lentil Sandwich with Tomato and Mustard. Leftover Potatoes and Onions. Honey Oolong Tea.
At the Seatack Rec shooting the basketball around.
To the Tidewater storage unit for a brush-up Ladada rehearsal. My fingers are starting to get kind of sore from all the bass playing this week but I gotta be resilient. Then, to the arts district off Granby in Norfolk. We've got a show at The Parlor with Avers and Logan Vath. Grabbing a few Tuna and Tofu Pokebowls from Zeke's across the street – they just opened up a few weeks ago. People start to pile in for the rock show at The Parlor. It's free entry so we might hit capacity. I feel like every time I come here I end up seeing old friends that I haven't seen in a while – it's always like a little reunion. Then again, if I lived in Norfolk and came to events like this all the time then it wouldn't even be a thing.
Ana comes up to me with bright eyes and asks, "Can I be your bracelet tonight?" meaning can she be by my side. What an adorable thing to say. Staying psyched throughout the night...
I felt decent about our performance tonight. It had the pysch-rock and Motown energy that Josiah always pushes for. But I flubbed a lot of parts – Calum flubbed a lot of parts – Josiah flubbed a lot of parts. Just call us The Flubbers. But none of that matters cause people enjoyed the music.
Sticking around for the rest of the show. Sipping on Hard Ciders and thoroughly enjoying Avers performance.
Later on, I've made it back home. Brushing my teeth, putting on a clean shirt, then immediately hopping into bed with Ana. I'm terribly exhausted. We both are. Her touch is soothing.
Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Black Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.
Ana replied back with a bunch of little messages on Facebook. It's crazy how we have to "write" to each other despite living in the same house where it would be expected to just talk to each other in person. But we have two entirely different schedules during the week. It's not until late evening we can connect. We'll get it straight eventually and liven up the dance around the fire of our relationship.
General chores around the house – spray-painting a night stand for the storage unit – washing clothes.
Naval Orange.
Grilled PB&J. Potato Chips. Honey Oolong Tea.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers. In between a thirty-minute window I have to ride my bike down to 17th Street to retrieve my car. I spot Kevin on his bike in front of our neighborhood – he just happened to be starting out a ride of his own so we pair up.
Back home. Ana made us extra big salads to go: Spring Mix, Spinach, Carrots, Tomatoes, Beets, Hard-Boiled Eggs, and Quinoa. Elliott picks me up from here while Ana drives separately. We grab Joel and head to Norfolk for You're Jovian band practice at Ross's house in the basement. Beforehand Elliott treated us to Gelato treats from Strawberry Fields.
Back home. Lying down with Ana in her bed and chatting for a while.
Snacking on a Banana and Swiss Milk Chocolate with Hazelnuts.
At the new music space organizing. Playing on the drums, which I haven't done in quite a long time – it felt really good.
At the new music space – continuing the process of organizing all the stuff and designing the layout.
Then, to the old storage unit to continue deconstructing my grandma's old piano. I take apart every screw I can find, salvaging all the piano keys and pieces with the piano brand printed on it.
It's been a filling night. My brain is tired from all the thinking and moving. I still have to drop my car off at the shop on 17th Street and ride back home on my bike before I settle in.
Eventually, my wish comes true and the day is officially complete. Meanwhile, I'm deep in thought about my relationship with Ana as of late. I've been so busy with "things", just things all the time – moving out of the old storage unit – practicing in two different bands – teaching lessons – working at China Wok. It's all so overwhelming when I think about it and even more so living in it. I can sense Ana's dissatisfaction. We haven't been sexually intimate in a while. I know it takes two to tango but I wish she'd come onto me a little stronger and not worry about what I'm thinking or my prerogatives – just get what she wants, make her desires known. This week has just been abnormally hectic for me. I write out all my feelings to her in a Facebook message cause it's 4 a.m. and she's asleep.
Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Black Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.
Teaching my second lesson to one of my favorite students, Kristian. The more I learn about this kid the more he resembles me as a child – collecting everything imaginable, including fruit stickers, which I still collect now as an adult.
Transporting my first load of stuff from the storage unit into the new storage space.
Scrambled Eggs with homemade Salsa (by Ana). Blue Corn Sesame Chips. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese and Strawberry Jam. Pineapple with Greek Yogurt.
Teaching a lesson at Music Makers.
I was supposed to work a China Wok shift but as soon as I walk into the restaurant I see how slow it is. I request to go home and stay on call.
Back home. Ana is being a busy little bee today. It's her day off and she's got a list of things she's trying to accomplish like hand washing her car, errands, and re-potting a blueberry bush and other plants she got from the store. Meanwhile, I work on my own list of things to accomplish like building a piano footrest out of encyclopedia books for my students, storage unit stuff, and other various repairs.
I head back to the storage unit to transport a second load of stuff. Ana lends a hand at bringing everything into the new space.
Lentils with Carrots, Asparagus, and Quinoa.
Tearing my hair out trying to put together this old bookshelf from the Norfolk public library.
Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Black Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.
All day shift at China Wok.
Banana.
Mid-60's. Cloudy. My favorite weather condition as a delivery driver.
Grilled PB&J Toast. Plantain Chips. Honey Green Tea.
I've discovered the best way to enjoy a warm PB&J is to just eat it like toast because as a sandwich the peanut butter oozes out the bottom during every bite creating a very big mess. Now with toast I can lift the two separate pieces like slices of pizza without a drop of peanut butter falling on the plate.
When delivering to Queen Victoria in Emerald Point Apartments I observe a baby staring out the window with curious eyes. What is it about cats and babies hanging out by windows?
The rain starts to fall thankfully washing away all the yellow dust everywhere. I love that fresh earthy warm smell at the beginning of a rainfall.
Continuing on into the night with my windows fogging up because I haven't had the A/C repaired yet.
Raw Cacao Protein Shake with Banana, Strawberries, and Almond Milk.
All day shift at China Wok.
The yellow dust has settled on everyone's car – it's officially pollen season. Everything I see through my windshield has a yellow tint. With my finger I draw out an image on my rear window that says, "I AM THE POLLEN KING!"
Banana Almond Meal Muffin.
Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese and Strawberry Jam. Sweet Potato Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado.
Some thoughts and terms I've taken in while listening to various podcasts on the drives...
The news (the media) is an echo chamber.
Experienced world-weary person – I feel myself becoming.
Basically, we are all getting smarter because our beliefs are constantly being challenged via The Internet through argumentation theory.
Naked cynicism is a recurring problem along with contrarians.
"Reason allows people who have the right answer to find arguments to convince the others and allows those who have the wrong answer to accept these arguments and to see their strengths." – Hugo Mercier
After the dinner rush an older lady is placing an order at the counter. As of late the daughters, Janice and Eileen, have been helping out with answering the phones and handling the cash transactions with the pick-up customers. The lady hands Janice her credit card to pay for the food.
She turns to me and asks, "I don't know if it's true but is it illegal for the children to be handling credit cards?"
I never even considered this to be a concern until she asked.
"They're all family. It's okay," I assure her.
Off work and back home.
Tofu with Broccoli, Onions, Carrots, and Rice in Garlic Sauce.
Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Black Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.
All day shift at China Wok.
Banana.
"That is the gayest car I've ever seen," says a man on the sidewalk as I pull out into the road. The color purple gives off mixed feelings to the general public, especially to a masculine man walking with his wife and kids into a trailer park.
Grilled PB&J. Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea.
It's a busy dinner rush considering Art isn't here to help deliver. It's just me left to be a super delivery driver.
Honey Crisp Apple.
The deliveries go late into the night, even past 11 p.m. I get a little impatient with Ling when he hands off a chicken wing order without cashing me out first.
Me: "Really? You can't cash me out now? It's 11:10!"
He doesn't take this attitude from me very well.
"No free time!" he yells.
...
I storm off in the car heading to the Courtyard Marriott as fast as I can. Two obviously drunk guys move out of my way in the front parking lot. As soon as I get out one of them takes a liking to me. In my mind I already knew they were going to bother me (to test my patience).
"Hey! Is that Thai food? I think that's for us!" they keep pestering me but not in an obnoxious manner. One of them introduces himself to me as Frank and keeps trying to predict what room I'm going to deliver to. He pulls out his wallet and asks how much for the food.
Me: "No man. This isn't for you."
In general I'm a light hearted person when it comes to strangers – I guess you could say I have a high tolerance level because, well, I'm understanding. But here I am dealing with the drunk guy situation as best I can. He gets off the 11th floor and follows me. I make the exchange with the lady customer. She looks at him confusingly.
Then he immediately pretends to be a hotel supervisor, "Hi mam! I'm the supervisor here at the hotel. Just wanted to make sure you are enjoying your stay here."
I can't tell if she really believes him or not. Back in the elevator with Frank. He kind of shoots me this face as if to say, Can you even handle me right now?
"It's been a long day," I respond out loud.
We pound fists, he gets off on his floor, and I'm out.
Finally settling in my room at home. Appaloosa Beans with Broccoli and Rice.
At the Rec Center messing around on the courts. I catch wind of a game that's in the works on the other court. They need just one more player for a scrimmage against the 1992 USA Dream Team. Yes. That's right! The Dream Team from 1992 starring Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, etc. I'm in shock. What in the world are they doing here in Virginia Beach reuniting to play a scrimmage? It doesn't make any sense. Nonetheless, here I am about compete with NBA's top all-star players from the 90's. Before the game begins there's pre-game celebration and performance by a dance troupe. I walk outside of the gym to find a long line of people waiting to get inside. Larry Bird is standing near the front laughing with a buddy of his. He's much taller that I imagined, in an abnormal way, almost four feet taller. I approach him and request a picture with him on my phone.
▬ ○ ☼
Waking up shortly after noon.
Raw Cacao Protein Shake with Banana, Strawberries, and Almond Milk.
Seeing the chiropractor. Getting some tools and a floodlight from Lowe's. Getting groceries at Whole Foods.
Almonds. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese and Strawberry Jam. Honey Green Tea.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
With Ana at the Great Neck Rec for adult basketball. She makes use of the fitness room while I run hard on the basketball courts. There're just enough players to keep the games going back to back without any breaks. It's strenuous but satisfying. I start to lose my focus after the 5th match.
Back home. Preparing dinner for Ana and I: Chicken Thai Peanut Noodle Salad with Cucumbers, Red and Yellow Peppers, Tomatoes, and Carrots. Washing it down with Original Sin Hard Ciders.
"You are a great chef," Ana exclaims after the first couple bites.
Me: "This is delicious and refreshing. And it didn't even take that long to make."
Cuddling in her bed while talking about our high school identity crises.
Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Black Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.
Putting together a couple of shelves, a square display and a corner display, that I've had just collecting dust in the storage unit. A few years back I was commissioned to sell these for a friend but never had any luck. You can never have enough shelves in your home.
Grilled PB&J. Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea. Banana.
At Music Makers teaching piano lessons.
Papaya and Greek Yogurt.
At the Great Neck Rec with Ana. Having an invigorating basketball practice by myself and then a couple 1-on-1 games with another guy.
Back home. Making dinner for Ana and I: Fava Beans with Roasted Asparagus, Carrots, and Quinoa.
Kevin with a big smile plastered across his face marches down the stairs with a violin in hand.
Me: "I knew it!"
Kevin: "Bonjour, madame. Señor. I came here to serenade the both of you...while you enjoy..."
He catches my eyes rolling and reacts, "Okay! Fuck you, Robert! You should be happy that somebody that plays the violin is, like, trying to serenade both of you."
He starts stroking the strings with his bow to an Asian-style melody.
"I should be happy," I mutter to Ana.
After dinner Ana and I continue in our kitchen witch activities. She makes breakfast banana oat muffins while I make almond milk and brew a big batch of green tea.
Later on, I draw plans to build a stable footrest for my piano students who aren't big enough to reach their feet to the floor. You have to consider every little detail to make it kid-proof. I find a stack of old encyclopedia books, drill holes on the edges, tie it shut with twine, slap some Velcro tape to a wood slab, and voilà! I still need to go to the hardware store for some screws to keep it more secure.
Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Black Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.
Organizing.
Meeting with my financial advisor at Chartway – finalizing my Roth IRA account.
Cleaning up things at the storage unit.
Trader Joe's.
Meeting with Danny on Skype to talk about an on-going film project.
Grilled PB&J. Veggie Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea. Banana.
Watching Daredevil (TV series 2015).
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
At the Great Neck Rec for adult basketball. I didn't get a chance to warm up at all but after the first few games I'm killing shots right and left.
"MacBook's on fire tonight!"
Elliott scoops Ana and I up from the house for You're Jovian band practice in Norfolk. We gorge on Salad and Pizza for dinner. Ana's gonna guest sing on "Maybe". Elliott's a bit nervous and uncomfortable about the songs but it's only because it's been a while since the band has been truly active. We've got this show in Fredericksburg next weekend. Sharing a few Miller High Life's.
Ken posted a video of Tokyo's drum ensemble portion of a NorVa show back from 2006. It inspires me to dig up old videos from those years. I get lost in a sea of nostalgia and inspiration.
In Vegas for some kind of singing convention or maybe it's for a big Easter Sunday service. I'm with Ana. We have on ridiculous looking outfits where we've draped ourselves in colorful blankets. It's kind of a nuisance to keep them on as we walk around. We meet Lindsey and Preston (friends from my old church in waking life) in front of the main building. It seems they're having relational conflict. Lindsey is dissatisfied because all she wants is some private time with Preston and they've been so busy the past couple days. This could be representative of Ana and mine's busy lives and how we barely have time to spend together. Later on, Ana and I are in a club where ridiculous outfits seem to be the norm. She disappeared – I have no idea where she went. I'm left alone to mingle. A concert is about to begin. A couple female punk performers are organizing their gear and lugging it inside. Meanwhile, the venue crew secretly moves my belongings outside. I'm angry.
Me: "Hey! Where did my stuff go? You can't just move my stuff around!"
Before I even realize where my stuff is it appears strangers have taken my laptop bag and a random drunk guy is banging up my car. It's a highly stressful situation. This idiot is wallowing all over the hood of my car – he's got his arm reaching all the way through the dashboard and grabs me every time I try to get in the driver's seat. I get help from a security guard. I manage to push this persistent drunkard off my car. I almost run over him trying to get away. I make it back to the hotel where I assume Ana is. After some problems trying to get up the elevator I make it inside the room. Ana is lying facedown on the bed with the phone in her hand. I catch her moaning sexually as if she was having phone sex. She stops immediately when I walk in. I pretend I didn't hear or see anything and start scolding her for leaving me at the venue without telling me.
▬ ○ ☼
As soon as I open the bedroom door Pumpkin enters with eagerness to receive (and give) affection after waking up from such stress dreams.
Ana is acting mad. I know Aunt Flow is in town and she hasn't visited in a while so they're still acclimating to each other. I offer to make protein shakes for us but Ana would rather nibble on a frozen slice of bread.
Me: "You'll come around. The beautiful day will get to you eventually."
I got a new student through takelessons.com. 6 years old. His name is Kristian and he's an avid collector of all things interesting: rocks, coins, lizards, etc. He also has an interest in patterns, which will make learning piano easy for him. I drive out to Kempsville to give him the first lesson. Talking with his mom, Shamara, about the likelihood of piano being in his future.
Me: "Oh yeah! It's definitely there! He's got something. And this is what I love to do."
Grilled PB&J. Plantain Chips. Half a Grapefruit. Honey Green Tea.
To Music Makers to teach more lessons. Today one of my voice students, Maria, comes in with the first two lines of a silly song she wrote. I decide to help orchestrate and compose. We spend most of the lesson working on it. Sometimes it's important to stray away from the exercises and training, and just make music with the child.
Working three hours at China Wok – it's pretty slow but I make a good money considering.
Back home. Preparing dinner with Ana: Baked Salmon and a hefty Spring Mix Salad with Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Carrots, Quinoa, and a homemade Ginger Carrot Dressing (that Ana made).
I didn't get the chance to do much physical exercise today so I take advantage of the wonderfully cool night air to go on a bike ride. As I pedal down Atlantic Ave I take notice of buildings and corners I wouldn't normally get to examine when delivering in my car. It's nice to see some of the older establishments and older hotels still in business. The sight of new strip mall developments isn't very appealing to me.
Back home. Snacking on Strawberry Greek Yogurt Pretzels and Papaya.
Researching.
Just before 3 a.m. as I'm about to go to bed Ana wakes up from her room and knocks on the door.
Me: "I like how you do that. It reminds me of my mom when I lived with her. She would always wake up in the middle of the night and check on me – see what I was doing."
"I started my period today," Ana informs me as I'm making my breakfast.
"Congratulations!" I say.
Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Black Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.
All day shift at China Wok.
Banana.
It's a slow and mellow Sunday at the restaurant.
Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese and Strawberry Jam. Honey Green Tea.
Ming's been gone for a week now. Art won't be here tonight or tomorrow. So it's up to Ling, Cecily, myself, and Eileen to hold the fort down. Surprisingly, it never gets too overbearing. I step up in the kitchen maintaining the fryer and expediting the orders, then of course delivering them.
I get off work and back home at a decent hour. Ana warmed up some leftover beans for me.
Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Black Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.
All day shift at China Wok.
Half a Grapefruit.
On the other side of Virginia Beach Blvd I witness a guy driving carefully in the right side line with a long piece of plywood on the roof of his car. His hazards are on respectfully to warn other drivers of his slow speed. Another car comes zooming up behind him and honks or something. I arrive just in time to hear the plywood guy yell out in anger, "Fucking people!"
I just laugh to myself and empathize, "Yeah I know. I feel ya man."
Raw Cacao Protein Drink with Black Maca Powder, Banana, Blackberries, and Almond Milk.
All day shift at China Wok.
Navel Orange.
It's a hot one today but the winds always seem to howl and whoosh no matter the temperature.
Eileen has been taking phone orders for a while now but every now and then she makes a mistake. This time it involves the spelling of "suite #". Instead of this spelling she writes down "sweet #".
When cleaning out the fridge yesterday I threw out the last swig of Holiday Cheerwine that belonged to Whitney. I feel bad because her dad saved it for her and she just recently obtained it from him. She was a bit upset but we calmed the waters the night before. I discover that Fresh Market actually sells the original Cheerwine in glass bottles so I buy a few as a peace offering.
Salmon and Avocado Brown Rice Sushi. Black Bean Quinoa Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado. Honey Green Tea.
Later on, when Art comes in for the dinner shift, him, Cecily, and I talk about how Obamacare sucks – it's a billion times cheaper to simply pay the penalty for not having health insurance than to pay for health insurance.
I'm becoming frustrated because I'm only taking single deliveries at a time while Art handles 3 or 4 in one route. I just keep arriving back to the restaurant at the wrong times.
Navy Beans with Broccoli and Fried Rice.
Off work and back home.
Enjoying Fizzy Lizzy Tangerine Passion Fruit Soda.
Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Black Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.
Fulfilling my kitchen witch duties – prepping/cooking for dinner tonight.
Because of Spring Break my lessons at Music Makers got all switched around. So instead of teaching today DeeGee has me watching the store for a few hours while her and Drew are out of town in Philly. Don't got much to do here except hold down the fort while Jay, the guitar teacher, gets through his students for the day. The first two are a no-show. So we chat about the local music scene, his beginning as a guitar teacher in the 80's, and our frustrations with students who have bad attitudes.
Toasted PB&J. Potato Veggie Chips. Honey Green Tea.
At the store I finish up the last of my taxes and other miscellaneous business things. Jay gets his last lesson done around 7:30. Then, I ride over to the Great Neck Rec to run a couple miles on the treadmill and shoot the basketball around.
Lemon Garam Masala Chicken with Kale and Jasmine Rice. Chocolate Chips.
With Josiah and Calum at the storage unit off Tidewater to rehearse new Ladada songs. We've got a couple shows at the end of the month and plans to record in May.
Back home. Conversing with Ana at the Rick's table – catching up on our thoughts and ideas.
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