Thursday March 31 2016

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Strawberries, and Kefir. Yerba Mate Tea.

The yellow pollen dusts all of our cars.

Organizing – helping Ana pack for the tour she's going on with You're Jovian. Elliott rolls up in his big blue tour van wearing a straw hat and a full red beard. Ana and I kiss and hug goodbye.

"I want booty pics now!" I tell her.

Chic Pea Falafel Sandwich with Lettuce, Mustard, and Tomato. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato. Oolong Tea.

Anthony shows up at the house. He's gonna be here for the next couple days. Kevin arrives back from a strenuous bike ride. The smell of wood fire and beer fills the air in his bedroom. While Anthony sings in the shower Kevin reclines on his couch to edit photos...

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Adult basketball at the Rec. Wearing out my legs and knees.

Tempeh with Roasted Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts, Onions, and Brown Rice.

It's weird knowing Ana's not coming home for dinner.

I text her, "Dinner was lonely without you."

Ladada rehearsal at the Tidewater storage unit with Josiah and Bobby.

Back home.

Sipping on Pomegranate White Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

---

[i] Image by me.

Wednesday March 30 2016

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Honey, Raisins, and Kefir. Yerba Mate Tea.

Working out at the Rec.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato. Vega Protein Drink.

Watching Mojave (2015).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Dried Mango. Oolong Tea.

Getting groceries at Trader Joe's. "Mr. Ana!" they call me cause I'm Ana's boyfriend.

More lessons.

Dinner: Black Bean Rotini and Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti with Green Peppers, Onions, and a Salad.

The Shreveport boys are in town and Skippy's throwing a bonfire over at his parent's place. I grab a bottle of White Wine and join in on the reunion. James Graves, Richie Howard, Skippy Shoals, Anthony the hype man, Allyson Keck, Kevin Moore, and so on. James's two sisters, Angel and Lindsey, show up later. Oh, Rachel Rephan and Jerome! After Ana gets off work she rolls over. We tend the fire and blare the tunes, deejayed consistently by Anthony. It's good to see these kids all in one place.

On the drive back home Kevin tags along in the passenger seat. He's pretty drunk. He keeps reiterating how much he loves me like a brother and how he's aware of how irresponsible he is in regards to finances and chores, that it's all unintentional.

"If you're ever in a bind I got your back," he keeps saying.

"I appreciate that. That's what friends are for."

Back home. Rinsing my body off from all the fiery fumes.

Sleep next to Ana at 2:30 a.m. 

---

[i] Images by Kevin Moore.

Tuesday March 29 2016

Waking up in Ana's bright sun-lit room. I try for the next hour to sleep but I can't.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Raisins, and Kefir. Yerba Mate Tea.

Chores. Errands.

Leftover Pizza, Roasted Potatoes, and an Arugula Sprout Salad. Applesauce. Orange. Oolong Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

At the Rec doing some cardio then playing basketball.

Back home. Warming up leftovers for Ana and I: Beans, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Eggplant, Carrots, Salmon, and Brown Rice.

Defrosting the mini fridge and cleaning it out.

Playing Metroid.

Sleep 3 a.m.

Monday March 28 2016

[i]

Waking up at 10 a.m.

Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Strawberries, and Kefir. Yerba Mate Tea.

Working out at the Rec.

Grilled PB&J. Fuji Apple. Lentil Potato Curls. Oolong Tea.

Watching One And Two (2015).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Dried Mango. Banana.

More lessons at Music Makers.

As soon as I get off work I run home and light up candles on a beet muffin Ana baked last night. I surprise Ana in her room and start singing happy birthday. I catch her naked sitting on the toilet looking up restaurants on her laptop.

Me: "This is classic."

We decide to dine at Nawab Indian Cuisine. It's kind of classy. Everything we eat is absolutely delicious. Whatever Eggplant dish we ordered tickles my palate in an awesome way. I send compliments back to the chef. The eggplant kind of melts in your mouth.

"My stomach's crying," she says.

"What's it crying about?" I ask.

We determine that she's just hungry.

Back home. Ana and I indulge in her Beet Muffins.

Me: "You're smack dab in the middle of your 20's. How do you feel about that?"

Ana: "I feel like my mind is on drugs!"

Sipping on Ginger Turmeric Tea.

Cuddling and laughing with Ana in her bed while listening to a Ferrante and Teicher record.

There were rumors that the Shreveport boys were in town. After 2 a.m. we hear the familiar sounds of Richie and Skippy outside the window in the backyard. Later on, I peek into Kevin's bedroom where they're all chilling and say what's up.

---

[i] Images by me.

Sunday March 27 2016

[i]

Waking up at 10:52 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Raisins, and Kefir. Yerba Mate Tea.

Quickie sex with Ana in her bedroom before she goes off to Trader Joe's for last minute groceries.

Then, we head out to Portsmouth to visit with my mom, Uncle Kenny, and Myra. On the drive there the overcast skies and rain inspire me to play some Eisley, a band I used to listen to a long time ago. The haunting and wispy melodies cause Ana to cry.

"Can't even play an Eisley album without people crying!" I say. "But that's the beauty of music – it represents the ebb and flow of life, happiness and sadness."

There, at the old Markham house. I brought a big crock-pot of Beans and a Tupperware of Kale to go with the Chicken and Quinoa that my mom is cooking. Her and Kenny's face light up when we arrive. At the old wooden table adorned with a white lace cover we enjoy our Easter dinner. Fresh Strawberries dipped in melted Chocolate to finish off the meals.

Helping my mom update and fix things on her computer and iPhone.

Then, it's time for music. I pull out the guitar. Sipping on Ginger Turmeric Tea. Ana and I sing through whatever song we feel like singing. At one point we get Kenny to sing "Can't Help Falling in Love" solo. It brings a tear to his and my mom's eye as he croons in his deep and beautiful voice.

Back home in Virginia Beach. I put together a little late dinner for Ana and I: Grilled Cheeses with Basil, Arugula, Tomato, and Roasted Potatoes and Onions.

Catching up on things.

Sleep 2:30 a.m.

---

[i] Images by me.

Saturday March 26 2016

[i]

☼ ○ ▬

I've turned into a fugitive on the run. I'm not even sure I remember what I did in the first place. At any rate, I've got the government and the police searching for me. My purple car is parked at my old church. If I was smart I wouldn't even go near it cause I'm sure they're scouting this area. But for some reason I hang around my car. Elliott is nearby – I pretend that him and I are just looking at the car because we heard about the situation through the news. It's understood that nobody really knows what I look like so it's easy to be stealth by hiding in plain sight. Later on, I'm hiding in my three-story house with Abby, one of my piano/vocal students, and another friend of hers. I really shouldn't be here at all but I need some of my stuff. Somehow they know I'm here and I'm scrambling for a way out. I jump off the balcony and fly high into the sky.

▬ ○ ☼

Waking up at noon.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Raisins, and Kefir. Yerba Mate Tea.

Teaching an hour lesson to Maria at Music Makers.

Then, off to the Rec for a good workout and pick-up basketball games. I play consecutive 4-on-4 matches.

"Larry Bird over here!" one of my teammates blurts out after knocking in a few 3-point shots.

"Yeah I'm old school," I confess.

Daryl, a regular here at the gym, tells me, "You played good today, Larry."

Me: "It was a good day."

Back home.

Vega Protein Drink.

Grilled PB&J. Fuji Apple. Oolong Tea.

Watching Finding Vivian Maier (2013).

Chores in the kitchen. Cleaning mung bean sprouts. Making granola bars.

After Ana arrives home we make dinner together: Black Bean Rotini with Tomatoes, Portobello Mushrooms, Onions, and a Salad.

We had planned on watching a movie tonight but instead I pull up the Nintendo emulator on my computer and so...video games instead. Ana really really really wants to play Tetris. While she strategically drops down block after block I play the Tetris theme on the pump organ.

Ana's tries her hand at making meringues but unfortunately she replaced the sugar with maple syrup and they come out all melted in the oven.

Diane, my mom's friend who's been staying with us temporarily, has been getting along with everyone. With some of the silly things that Ana says it becomes unbearably funny for Diane.

While Ana sleeps in my bed I finally beat Super Mario Bros 3.

Sleep at 3 something a.m.

---

[i] Image by me.

Friday March 25 2016

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Raisins, and Kefir. Yerba Mate Tea.

Chores. Chores. Chores. Prepping food – soaking quinoa – prepping and soaking potatoes – organizing and cleaning baskets of free groceries from Skipp.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato. Oolong Tea.

Teaching my in-home lessons.

Grapes.

It's a spring cleaning session this evening. While Will completes his house duties of cleaning the kitchen I take the task of replacing the stereo system in the living room with bigger speakers as well as organizing all the VHS tapes and DVD's.

After Ana gets home we share a makeshift dinner at the table. Enjoying Thai Chicken Pasta Salad and Chocolate.

Playing piano.

Research.

Playing Super Mario Bros 3.

Sleep 4 a.m.

Thursday March 24 2016

[i]

☼ ○ ▬

It's understood I have a son. He's about 7 years old and looks exactly like I did at that age. I've even named him Robert. As we're walking through the street in route to home we admire the sunset on the horizon. The vibrant orange and pink hues light up the sky. You can see the sun peaking behind a parking garage. Robert, my son, comments on how it looks like a moon for some reason.

"Yes it's like another planet," I tell him. "Can you see those twinkling lights?"

He seems to be interested in anything space related. All of a sudden a car full of hostile guys pulls up. I immediately shoot and kill all of them before they have the chance to pull out their guns. It's like I have a super ability to predict people's intentions. We continue walking on. A seemingly harmless old lady walks by us but then suddenly pricks Robert's left shoulder with something that I can only assume is meant to harm him. Nobody noticed it except for me. I march up to the lady and demand she explain herself.

"I saw what you did! Who told you to do that to my son?"

When I throw my hands towards her body she pricks my left middle finger suddenly with the same poisonous stuff. Somehow we make it back home. I explain to our friends or roommates what happened. It feels like I'm going to pass out but I never do.

▬ ○ ☼

Waking up at 11 a.m.

I complain to Ana about how whenever I sleep in her bed I dream so deeply and it's hard to wake up at a decent hour.

"My bed is like a cloud," she says. "When you lay down you fall asleep. I've cursed it with sleeping properties."

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Raisins, and Kefir. Yerba Mate Tea.

Chores.

Playing piano.

Grilled PB&J. Fuji Apple. Oolong Tea.

Watching The Hateful Eight (2015).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Getting my basketball on for Thursday nights at the Rec.

Maple Mustard Garlic Salmon with Broccoli, Carrots, Onions, and Brown Rice.

Ladada practice at the Tidewater storage unit with Josiah and Bobby. Working out a few new jams.

Playing Super Mario 3.

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] Katie Mackowick.

Wednesday March 23 2016

[i]

Waking up at 10:20 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Strawberries, and Kefir. Yerba Mate Tea.

Working out at the Rec.

Tuna Salad Sandwich with Lettuce, Tomato, and Sprouts. Potato Chips. Oolong Tea.

Watching Theory of Obscurity: a film about The Residents (2015).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Eating four slices of Spinach Bianco Pizza from Whole Foods with a Salad. Chocolate.

Anthony texts me...

At the music space for DEJA rehearsal. They've got a guy here tweaking the new in-ear monitor system while we sort through vocal parts for the Roundabout song.

Navel Orange.

Sleep next to Ana in her bed.

---

[i] Image by me.

Tuesday March 22 2016

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Raisins, and Kefir. Yerba Mate Tea.

Getting groceries at Trader Joe's with Ana.

Food prepping. Chores.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Sprouts. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato. Oolong Tea. Grapes.

Watching The Benefactor (2015).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Banana and Chocolate.

Back home. Grilled Tempeh with Roasted Asparagus, Onions, Carrots, and Quinoa.

My mom's friend, Diane, has arrived to stay with us for about a month until she can find a place of her own. Meanwhile, Ana bakes Oatmeal Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookies. Even though I just stuffed my face with Grapes I can't resist a few.

Playing music.

Playing Super Mario Bros 3.

Sleep 2:40 a.m.

Monday March 21 2016

[i]

☼ ○ ▬

I'm manifested into a heavyset lady of Hawaiian descent. It's understood she has mental and emotional issues. In the house I'm taken care of by a group of people. We're all sitting at the breakfast table. I start incessantly drawing meticulous images on a black dry erase board. I don't know how I'm doing it cause I'm not even holding a pen or a marker. It's just magically coming out of my hand when I scribble using the tips of my fingers. It's understood by everyone that I'm gifted in this way. I talk in simple phrases as I draw to describe what it means.

"I hate!" I yell out as I point to a particular image of an owl.

I keep going from right to left. Eventually I draw a cross with the top plank a little too long. I get upset about it and try to erase the mistake but it's difficult. Then I stamp little skulls everywhere representing stars in the night.

"This is my night!" I tell everyone and continue saying this over and over again while the skulls fill up the board. Later on, I recall pulling out a loose tooth.

▬ ○ ☼

Waking up at 9:40 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Raisins, and Kefir. Yerba Mate Tea.

Working out at the Rec.

Vega Protein Drink.

Grilled PB&J. Fuji Apple.

Watching Concussion (2015).

Got a big day of lessons from 2:30 all the way to 8. My Mondays keep stacking up with kids. It's a little overwhelming by the end.

By the time I get home I'm starving. Making Coconut Battered Cod Filets and Portobello Mushrooms with Roasted Potatoes and Onions.

Watching Concussion (2015).

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3 a.m.

---

[i] Charles Burns.

Sunday March 20 2016

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

I take it upon myself to make breakfast for Ana and our couch surfers, Alicia and Marta: Steel Cut Oat Blueberry Pancakes with Yerba Mate.

While enjoying the hearty pancakes we talk about the difference between German yogurt and American yogurt, and how divided our country is politically.

Ladada has a recording session scheduled with Ross at the New Jersey house in Norfolk. Josiah has old Bamm Bamm recordings of two songs that he wanted to re-record the drum and bass tracks for. Downstairs in the kitchen I enjoy a serving of Vegetarian Lasagna and Fruit. It turns into an all day thing but we accomplish something great.

Back home. We have new couch surfers tonight, three girls from Atlanta. Kevin seems to have been entertaining them before I got here with wine and his violin.

Eating leftover Lentils, Kale, and Brown Rice.

Chamomile Tea.

Playing Super Mario Bros 3.

Sleep 1:40 a.m.

---

[i] Images by me.

Saturday March 19 2016

[i]

Waking up officially at 12:40 p.m. I needed some extra sleep.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Raisins, and Kefir. Yerba Mate Tea.

Watching Glory Road (2006).

Teaching an hour lesson at Music Makers.

Chic Pea Falafel Sandwich with Lettuce, Mustard, Hummus, and Tomato. Olive Oil Potato Chips. Oolong Tea.

Business. Chores.

Two couch surfers from Germany arrive, Alicia and Marta.

I corral Ana, Will, and the surfers in the car and we head to Norfolk for a rock show at Charlie's Café featuring Spirit Plots and Bon_ski_ (Bobby from Ladada plays in this band and his drumming skills really shine here). Ana sips on a Pinot Noir while I sip on an O'Conner's. Matt, one of my piano students just happens to be here with his girlfriend. Meanwhile, Will keeps Alicia and Marta company.

As Ana explains, "Boneski live is awesome though. It's like listening to a dark dream."

Back home. We all share Peanut Butter Cacao Cookie Dough and Tea in the kitchen.

Sleep 3:20 a.m.

---

[i] Images by me.

Friday March 18 2016

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Strawberries, Blueberries, and Kefir. Yerba Mate Tea.

Teaching a lesson at Music Makers.

Tuna Salad Sandwich with Lettuce and Tomato. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Salsa. Oolong Tea.

Finishing Beasts of No Nation (2015).

Teaching my in-home piano lessons today...

Banana.

At the Rec working out.

Back home. Ana made us a hearty dinner: Sprouted Black Lentils with Onions, Red Peppers, Kale, Brown Rice and Quinoa.

Meanwhile, everyone else in the house is downstairs cooking dinner and doing various things in the kitchen.

Catching up on business.

Chamomile Tea.

Playing Super Mario Bros 3.

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] Images by me.

Thursday March 17 2016

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Blueberries, and Kefir. Yerba Mate Tea.

Cleaning. Chores.

Playing piano.

Grilled PB&J. Fuji Apple. Oolong Tea.

Watching Beasts of No Nation (2015).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

One of my five-year-old students, Chase, has a sudden realization as we go through a song early in the book. After holding out a half note for two beats he says, "I can hear it. It makes sense." I don't think he just means the half note. He can really hear how important rhythm is to music.

Black Bean Quinoa Burgers with Beets, Tomato, Mustard, Zucchini, Carrots, and Potato Chips.

I scoop up Mike Gombas to enjoy an evening of poker with a bunch of dudes. A few years ago I attended their Thursday night gambling. I wanted to do something different tonight. And I've been itching to get my poker on. Unfortunately, I walk away losing $35, part of it from Cee-lo. It's still fun.

Back home.

Banana. Applesauce.

Filing my taxes. Clicking through mundane question after mundane question on my tax software. Tapping vigorously at my calculator. Crunching numbers. Organizing records.

Sleep 3 a.m.

---

[i] From Beasts of No Nation.

Wednesday March 16 2016

Waking up at 10:20 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Raisins, and Kefir. Yerba Mate Tea.

Working out at the Rec.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato. Oolong Tea.

Watching Beasts of No Nation (2015).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Getting groceries at Trader Joe's.

Chicken-less Tenders, Kale Sprouts, Sweet Potatoes, and Onions. Orange Juice.

Organizing. Chores.

Ana bakes delicious Chocolate Chip Cookies. I enjoy three.

Reading. Researching.

Sleep 3 a.m.

Tuesday March 15 2016

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Raisins, and Kefir. Yerba Mate Tea.

Watching Cooked (2016).

Organizing. Business.

Grilled PB&J. Fuji Apple. Oolong Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Dried Mango.

More teaching.

Back home. Making dinner: Leftover Fish Taco with Beans, Kale, Purple Cauliflower, and Red Quinoa.

Tonight is a special night. Between Kevin, Will, and I the house is getting cleaned, whether we like it or not. I slave away at the mold on the shower walls in the upstairs bathroom, and also getting the downstairs bathroom. Meanwhile, Will gets annoyed at Kevin's "quarter-ass job" (not half-ass) of cleaning the kitchen. We joke about how much of a frat boy Kevin acts like. We have to hound him to do anything particular.

...

Me: "Kevin, 75% of everything you say is false."

Kevin: "Ha! You can't prove that! Prove it, Robert!"

Me: "I don't need to."

Orange Juice.

Playing Super Mario Bros 3.

Sleep 2:40 a.m.

---

[i] Image by me.

Monday March 14 2016

Waking up at 10:42 a.m.

Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Strawberries, and Kefir. Yerba Mate Tea.

Working out at the Rec.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Corn Chips with Salsa and Avocado. Oolong Tea. Plum.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti with Purple Cauliflower, Onions, and Tomato Sauce. Salad.

Watching Running Scared (2006).

Sifting through all the photos Kevin took from the rock school show.

Grapes.

Will knocks on my door and tells me two guys are here to see me. I was not expecting anyone. It's Jordan and Charlie, people I know through Jessa Potter, both of which I haven't seen in years.

Spending quality time with Ana in my room laughing our heads off over silly things on the Internet.

Anthony Voicemail (March 15 2016 2.40 am)

Sleep 3 a.m.

Sunday March 13 2016

[i]

Waking up at 10 a.m. but it's really 9 a.m. Daylight Savings and all.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Raisins, and Kefir. Yerba Mate Tea.

The big Rock School show is today at Eagle's Nest. For me it's a lot of running around, setting gear up on stage, answering all the student's questions, and prepping them for their performance.

I am so very proud of everyone. To be a part of the musical development in their lives and to see all that hard work paying off makes me feel accomplished as a music coach/teacher.

After breaking down everything I finally reside back in my bedroom. I take a long needed 20-minute power nap.

Awake and energized. Doing chores. Watching the video footage from the show. Cooking.

Leftover Soy Sausage, Peppers, Onions, Beet Greens, and Brown Rice.

Later on, Ana arrives home from work. I show her videos from the show. It sparks an emotional response to an existential crisis she's been having lately in regards to music. A box of tissues on my desk becomes useful.

...

I poke fun at her afterwards, "Your attitude stinks."

Ana: "And you're the only one that smells it."

Sleep 3 a.m.

---

[i] Images by Kevin Moore.