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.
Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato.
Watching Race (2016).
Teaching more lessons at Music Makers.
Ana made a savory dinner: Tempeh with Snow Peas, Onions, and Quinoa.
After crunching some numbers in my bedroom Ana and I run the recycle out and grab some ice cream from Kroger. Back home while we gorge on Fudge Brownie Ice Cream there’s a discussion on the mystery and history of free masons.
At the studio after midnight building a shelf and continuing to organize all the stuff in the back room.
Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Raisins, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Guayusa Tea.
Teaching lessons all day at Music Makers.
Toasted PB&J. Potato Lentil Curls. Honey Green Tea.
I was invited to Olivia’s (one of my students) birthday party at the Adventure Park. I stop in to say hi and watch all the kids climb the trees and slide down the zip lines.
Back home. Ana and mom made dinner: Lentil Sloppy Joe’s with Kale, Onions, and Potatoes.
Mango Smoothie.
On to the grind of moving out of the music space (RIP). I finish lugging every last drop of stuff into the Music Makers store. It’s cramped in this back room but I’ll just have to spend time downsizing and consolidating.
Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Figs, and Kefir. Guayusa Tea.
Teaching lessons all afternoon.
Banana. Two Hard Boiled Eggs. Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea.
More lessons.
Back home.
Enjoying leftovers for dinner: Tofu Quinoa Scramble with Cod Filet, Broccoli, and Carrots.
Watching Race (2016).
Mango Smoothie.
Continuing the move from the music space on Donna Drive over to the store. I'm lucky to only be moving a block away. It still takes time to plan and consolidate the new music room.
Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Peaches, and Kefir. Yerba Mate Tea.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Banana. Figs.
Band jam session with the Meddows brothers.
Back home. Organizing. Business.
At the music space disassembling the big wood shelf. It's super heavy duty.
Ana drives us out to Norfolk for the rock show at Charlie's American Café. It's Bon_Ski and Mas Y Mas on the bill tonight. We order a delicious Pizza – I sip on Beers while Ana sips on lemon water. It's a powerhouse performance by both bands. Most of Ladada is here so it feels like a Ladada show but it's not. Bobby's drummin' for Bon_Ski while Josiah's bassin' with Vinny and Ross. I get nostalgic whenever I see Mas Y Mas – reminds me of youthful times. While mingling out front with the boys we come up with an idea to print trading cards for local band members.
Back home. Chilling in Ana's room with her and the cat.
I've been locked in an apartment against my will. The whole situation is similar to the storyline in the Korean movie, Old Boy, except people come into my room to hang out.
Referring to the idea of locking people in apartments I ask one of the dudes, "Did you guys ever consider the moral implications behind this project?"
As he explains it was just something he and his college buddies always wanted to do. None of them care about the people. They're just doing it because they can. In the meantime I'm struggling. I hate being trapped. Day by day random people connected to the project come in. We cook. I cook. We eat. Kevin Moore is here for some reason eating all my bread.
While everyone's on the couch I tell one of the dudes, "Look, this isn't working! This is what being locked in this place does to people. I can't relate. I'm angry. I'm not a better person because of it."
I continue trying to convince them they're scarring everyone. But nothing changes...
▬ ○ ☼
Waking up at 11:30 a.m. next to Ana. She rubs my head in a nurturing way.
Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Raisins, and Kefir. Coffee.
Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Peaches, and Kefir. Oolong Tea.
Errands.
Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Salsa.
Watching Midnight Special (2016).
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Hitting up the Rec for Thursday night adult basketball. I don't get to play in the evenings cause I usually have lessons booked. But tonight I wanted to grab the opportunity to play with the night breed of players. It feels different – more aggressive. I end up knocking my right middle finger into the ball when reaching for it. It's the same spot I normally get mallet finger at. It's not that bad but it puts me in a foul mood.
Back home I explain to Ana how guys get periods too and tonight is one of those nights.
Leftover Pizza and Salad.
At the music space packing up stuff in preparation to move out. I really liked this spot for music – it's gonna be missed.
Ana comes in my room for a minute.
"The only thing I care about is having my bangs out of the way," she says. "And peanut butter...and tea and chocolate," she adds.
Lying down on Ana's bed while she plays the Amelie soundtrack on her computer. Elvis lies down on the corner of the dresser staring into my eyes.
Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Blueberries, and Kefir. Coffee with Honey.
Teaching a lesson.
Meeting with Drew and his attorney about how to approach the business deal and what kind of bill of sale to draw up. There's a lot of options and questions.
Toasted PB&J. Potato Lentil Curls. Honey Green Tea.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Mom and I stop by Rachel's dad's viewing at the funeral home. Her dad just recently passed. She's been a student of mine for over a year now.
When leaving the parking lot at the store I accidentally run over the praying mantis who's been hanging out by the back door for some time.
My mom texts me later, "I picked up the praying mantis with a piece of paper so as not to hurt him and I put him on one of the bushes. I think he's going to make it. I know it kind of sounds silly but I said a little prayer for him."
"Sometimes praying mantises need help praying," I reply.
Back home. Ana cooked us dinner: Tofu Cauliflower Scramble with Kale, Carrots, and Quinoa.
Cupcake.
DEJA rehearsal at the music space. Working on learning this "Fooling Yourself" song by STYX. It's our last rehearsal in this place cause after next week we'll have to be all moved out. It's kind of sad but that's the way things go. After practicing we get into a heavy conversation about everyone's feelings, mostly Drew's. He's been overwhelmed with all the stuff he's managing in his life including the band.
Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Blueberries, and Kefir. Yerba Mate.
At the gym shooting around the basketball.
I got the email from Drew and DeeGee accepting my offer for the Music Makers business. I was nervous about the outcome but now it's closer to a done deal. After stopping by the bank I discover a few more hurdles in regards to the loan but I hope to work through them. If it's meant to be it's meant to be.
Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Tortilla Chips with Hummus and Salsa. Honey Green Tea.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Back home. Picking up a Pizza from Whole Foods for Ana and I's dinner.
Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Blueberries, and Kefir. Coffee with Honey and Milk.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers with mom.
On the break times enjoying a light lunch: Cashews. Potato Lentil Curls. Honey Green Tea. Granola Bar.
Lessons all day until 8:30.
Back home. Ana cooked us a delicious dinner: Balsamic Tofu with Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, Onions, and Rice.
Frozen Mango and Pineapple Juice.
Catching up on business related things. Composing an email to Drew and DeeGee about buying the Music Makers business from them. I'm not the official owner until I give them money for it. Everything is up in the air because of the price they're asking for. I simply can't afford it and I think it's too much to ask for this business. So I'm relaying all my thoughts about everything and making them an offer with my fingers crossed.
Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Blueberries, and Kefir. Oolong Tea.
Hosting the fourth and final songwriting session at Music Makers. This time I have an omni-microphone set up and record everyone's songs on the computer. It's all real inspiring and motivating for us all. We're definitely planning on doing more workshops like these.
Back home. Tuna Salad Sandwich with Lettuce and Tomato, Potato Chips, and Honey Green Tea.
Watching No Country For Old Men (2007).
Buying a few things from Michael's and Target.
ELO rehearsal.
At the store organizing things and replacing light bulbs.
Back home. Mom helps me cook dinner: Tempeh with Onions, Kale, Carrots, and Brown Rice.
Catching up on my to-do list.
In Ana's bedroom with plans to just say goodnight but she had sexual things in mind.
Ana makes us Waffles straight up. I brew some Coffee to go with.
Teaching a piano lesson and coaching a jam session with the Meddows brothers.
Getting groceries with Ana at Trader Joe's.
Tiger Figs. Peach. Toasted PB&J. Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea.
Watching Kids (1995).
Running errands. Putting in a small white desk I got for Ana's room. Taking the cat tower from my room and putting it into Ana's room as well. I just had a bunch of stuff cramped up in the tower and obviously now that we have a cat it makes sense for Elvis to make use of it. Rearranging other things in my room.
Dinner: Sautéed Scallops, Zucchini, Red Peppers, Mushrooms, Onions, and Couscous.
Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Blueberries, and Kefir. Guayusa Tea.
Adult basketball at the Rec.
Pouring down rain!
Tuna Salad Sandwich with Lettuce. Ghost Pepper Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea.
Teaching in-home lessons.
Fuji Apple.
Middle of the day texting with Ana.
"I love you so much, I wish I could show it more to you," she sends.
"it shows every time you look into my eyes," I reply.
Before leaving Kristy's house where I teach three of her kids they give me a hot off the griddle Pancake to go.
Straight to the third session of the songwriting workshop. Everyone's getting more and more comfortable and songs are getting written and shared. I keep encouraging them to stay open and push the self-judgment to the side.
Beets and Chicken Pizza from mom.
Then, on to Charlie's Café in Norfolk for the Ladada show with Gold Connections from Charlottesville and Slag Nites (featuring Sunny of Sunny & Gabe). I order a few brews from the bar. It's our first show featuring us as a four piece with Jon Reynolds on second guitar, which really fills in the sound.
Back home. Enjoying this new treat we've been doing lately using frozen Mango and Pineapple Juice. It's like a sorbet.
Hosting the second session for the songwriting workshop. It's a beautiful thing hearing all these musical ideas bounce off one another. Everyone is much more comfortable with each other now so it's a lot easier.
Back home. Eating leftovers: Lentils, Onions, Kale, Carrots, and Quinoa.
At the Tidewater storage unit for Ladada practice with Bobby, Josiah, and Jon.
Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Blueberries, and Kefir. Guayusa Tea.
Teaching a lesson at Music Makers.
Meeting with Skye Zentz over the phone to talk about her possibly joining the Music Makers team and coaching a ukulele troupe/teaching private lessons.
Back at the store teaching lessons.
Fuji Apple.
The first session for the songwriting workshop happens tonight. I'm kind of nervous cause I'm not used to teaching to a group. But my mom and Ana are here to help facilitate everything. It goes smoothly. We draw out a list of qualities that make a great song and take the discussion from there. I didn't want it to feel like a lecture but more like a dialogue.
Back home. Tofu with Cauliflower Rice, Onions, Asparagus, and Beets.
Talking with my mom about the lesson schedule and reflecting on the workshop. My head hurts from all this.
Mango Sorbet.
Going for a bike ride to the oceanfront in hopes to clear my mind and let the fresh ocean air rejuvenate me.
Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Blueberries, and Kefir. Guayusa Tea.
Cutting my hair. Chores. Being a kitchen witch.
Watermelon.
At the Music Makers store rearranging things and cleaning/restringing an acoustic guitar.
Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Dill Potato Chips with Avocado. Peach.
Watching The Railway Man (2013).
Driving out to Norfolk again, this time for the You're Jovian show at Toast. They set up under the garage door with the evening sun blaring through. Another band called Tender Age from Portland opens up first. I set up an old Casio keyboard from my childhood and perform on two songs.
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The sunflowers are in abundance and taller than us.
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I had a towel around my neck to block the sun out. At the bar Rachel asks, "Where'd your towel go?"
"I had to throw it in," I quickly respond.
A cheap pun on cue is always entertaining and rewarding.
Back home. Enjoying a hearty bowl of Lentils, Kale, Carrots, and Madagascar Rice.
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At the store finishing setting up this acoustic guitar.
Lying down in the bed with my lover. Earlier she informed me, "Aunt Flow has left my temple. My temple fruit is ripe and ready." After she gets off her period it always feels like it's been forever.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Raisins, and Kefir. Guayusa Tea.
Teaching a lesson at Music Makers. Talking with mom afterwards about our plan to reel people into rock school.
Toasted PB&J. Potato Lentil Curls. Honey Green Tea. Watermelon.
Ana and I doing our weekly grocery run to Trader Joe's.
Playing through a few tunes while I wait for Ana to mellow out of this funky mood she's got into. After some encouraging we hit the road to Norfolk on a date to The Naro to watch Woody Allen's new film Café Society (2016). Beforehand sipping on a few iced Coffee drinks at Fairgrounds.
At The Naro we find a seat next to Zach Gehring, whom I haven't seen a long while and did not expect to see. The movie is everything you'd expect a Woody Allen movie to be: an older man with a younger woman – love triangles – up and down relationships – comedy.
Afterwards, we planned on going to Field Guide for dinner. I invited Doug, Emily Hill, and her boyfriend to join us. Even though that wasn't part of our plan I figured it would be okay. Ana's feathers get a bit ruffled about it cause she just gets tired of always seeing/running into people when she goes out. It's a complex reaction because she has to maintain a high energy all day when she's working at Trader Joe's. Then, on her days off she gets socially exhausted easily, which I completely understand. At first, we have a difficult time just walking to the restaurant. I try to combat her bad mood with humor and pushy affection. It does work eventually.
...
Inside with our company we order Rice Bowls and alcoholic Slushies. Talking about movies, podcasts, and sharing interesting stories.
After that, we head to Elliott's and Michelle's new house in Little Creek. Elliott gives me the tour of his humble two-bedroom home along with the two detached garages. He fixed up one of them to be his art compound where he makes all his show flyers and other creations. Meanwhile, Corona, his dog, wags her tail like a whip on our legs.
"Brain fog is real! Brain fog is real," Ana explains while driving back to Virginia Beach.
...
When reflecting on her bad attitude episode she says, "I don't know why I get moody and wanna kill everything and hate everything except for animals and desserts."
"It's okay," I explain. "At least you have the ability to look back and reflect – and to reflect and accept responsibility for your actions. Some people have a really hard time with that."
Enjoying some homemade Yellow Cake with Chocolate Icing that my mom made.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Raisins, and Kefir. Guayusa Tea.
At the Rec for lunchtime adult basketball. It's a good workout. I needed to burn some calories.
Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Ghost Pepper Potato Chips with Avocado. Honey Green Tea.
Picking up my RD-700 from KBD Systems – had the E flat key fixed.
Buying a food dehydrator, a mini fridge (for the store), and a guitar (that I plan on fixing and re-selling to a student).
Teaching in-home lessons to Kristy and her kids.
Back home.
Making dinner: Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti Noodles with Tomato Sauce, Baby Broccoli, and Garlic Naan Bread.
Riding my bike over to Shaka's for the JACKMOVE reunion show. Elijah, one of my piano students, gave me a ticket to the show cause his dad is a member of the band. I catch the Buddha Council's boppin' reggae set – I'm teaching the lead singer/keyboard player's kid guitar currently as well. It's a packed house with nostalgic vibes from the "old scene" as we call it. Sipping on a few Beers. Running into familiar faces from around town. Staying through the first half of JACKMOVE's set.
Back home. We finally cut open that storybook size of a watermelon.
Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Peaches, and Kefir. Coffee with Honey.
Teaching a round of lessons at Music Makers from 12:30 till 3:30.
Then, I'm off to Richmond for our second ELO gig. No matter which route I take traffic is an obstacle. Scarfing down lunch on the way there: Tuna Salad Sandwich with Tomato, Ghost Pepper Potato Chips with Avocado, and Honey Green Tea.
I arrive right on time. It's an auto auction place where people (mostly dealers) buy cars. Tonight they're celebrating some kind of anniversary for the place. There's banquet tables, a barbecue, beer, and wine. We go on first pretty much as soon as I get line checked with my instruments. Compared to last night it's a much better tighter set. I enjoy some Barbecue Chicken and Cole Slaw for dinner.
Then, the Right On band goes on, the best 70's show band around. I can appreciate this style of music like I do all styles of music but it's still not my cup of tea, as far as performing goes. But Nigel straps on his stilettos and the whole band struts a sequins wardrobe. And together they produce a high quality show.
Afterwards, I drive into downtown Richmond and pick up a half dozen Cookies from Red Eye and a cup of Milk.
Before I drive back home I'm able to read an apology letter Ana wrote me in regards to her feelings from last night. In it she states that my mom and I have souls of gold.
