I LOVE: April 2017

Sunday April 30 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

Rock school sessions.

PB&J. Potato Chips. Fuji Apple.

More rock school sessions.

Back home.

Vegetable Fried Rice with Peas, Broccoli, and Flatbread.

Watching Halt And Catch Fire (2014).

Ice Cream.

Anthony has officially moved out. Cleaning up the room – trying to affix the bedroom door back on the hinges and scrape off profane words that were written in permanent black marker from years ago when the house was less sacred.

Later on at the studio doing the books and accounting.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Saturday April 29 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

Oat Bran with Strawberries, Kefir, Maple Syrup, and Cinnamon. Guayusa Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

One of my students mentions he’s getting a haircut right after his lesson.

“But your hair looks short already,” I say.

“Yeah, but my mom likes everything to be perfect,” he says.

“What happens when things aren’t perfect?”

“She yells,” he says straight up.

Salmon Bacon, Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese, Potato Chips with Avocado. Oolong Tea.

Watching Halt And Catch Fire (2014).

Getting my car back with a repaired A/C.

Fuji Apple.

Power napping.

Running errands.

Mung Beans, Collards, Chard, Kale, and Quinoa.

At Charlie’s Café in Norfolk for the Clay Garden Benefit Show featuring hip-hop artists, The Lazy Dangers, and Ladada. It’s not a huge turnout but a fun evening with friends. Sipping on beers and mingling.

Back home. Ice Cream.

Sleep next to Ana at 3 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Friday April 28 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:20 a.m.

Honey Crunch n Oats with Banana and Strawberries. Black Tea.

Meeting at Red Chalk Studios. They’ve finally come up with a collection of new Music Makers logos and brand foundation. We talk for about an hour and a half and bounce around ideas and critiques.

Navel Orange.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Potato Chips with Avocado. Oolong Tea.

Watching The American Side (2016).

Teaching all my in-home lessons.

Fuji Apple. Coffee Cashews.

Back home. Pizza and Slaw. Ice Cream.

Watching Halt And Catch Fire.

Ladada rehearsal with Josiah and Bobby. Brushing up on a set for tomorrow’s show.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Thursday April 27 2017

Waking up at 10:45 a.m.

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

Business – figuring out some nonsense with our Verizon bill.

The heating coil in our oven recently caught flame. Maintenance finally replaces our old stove with a new used one. We are grateful.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Fuji Apple.

Watching Oklahoma City (2017), about the OKC bombings in 1995.

Tempeh with Onions, Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, and Brown Rice.

Late night grocery shopping with Ana at Kroger.

Ice Cream.

Organizing audio files.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Wednesday April 26 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:34 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec.

Toasted PB&J. Fuji Apple. Oolong Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

Getting groceries at Trader Joe’s with Ana.

Back home. Making Jackfruit and Shrimp BBQ Wraps with Cole Slaw and Fried Potatoes.

Catching up on business.

Converting 8 tracks.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Tuesday April 25 2017

[i]

☼▬

It’s understood something catastrophic just happened nearby in the downtown of whatever city this is. I’ve got an aerial view high up an old church building. I watch as who’s understood to be Jesus and a few angels corral people in a march. It feels like they’re searching for me and my friends but not for good reasons. I stay on top of this building out of sight and keep a close watch on the direction of their march. I try to warn the rest of my friends down below. Through a window and down an intricate construction of stairwells. Elevator after elevator. There’s a rock school band rehearsal that’s supposed to happen in the foyer on the 12^th floor. I’m constantly worried about running into the Jesus march.

▬☼

Waking up at 11 a.m.

A bowl of Honey Crunch n Oats with Strawberries, Banana, and Almond Milk.

Finally starting the conversion of all these old 8 track tapes from my granddad’s band from the 60’s and 70’s.

Cleaning.

Salmon Bacon, Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese, Potato Chips, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Navel Orange, and Oolong Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Enjoying dinner at the table with mom and Ana. Linguini Noodles with Cabbage, Onions, Kale, and Butter Sauce. Naan Bread. Meanwhile, Will stays glued to his phone while updating his OS.

Teaching an online piano lesson to Katelyn in San Diego.

At the studio with Ana practicing songs – we’re preparing for her to kind of do her own set at Chicho’s coming up. Making love after.

Back home. Chamomile Tea.

I found an 8 track with my mom at 15 years old singing with him at the piano. Showing my mom and listening together. It’s like time travel.

Sleep 3 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Monday April 24 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

Steel Cut Oatmeal with Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Black Tea.

Basketball at the Rec.

Tempeh Bacon. Tomatoes and Cucumber. Potato Chips with Avocado. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Oolong Tea.

Watching Changeling (2008).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Fuji Apple.

Back home.

Vegetable Fried Rice with Egg and Broccoli.

Ice Cream.

Organizing digital things.

Ana keeps giving me a hard time about how she thinks I’m gay because we’ve had less sex than usual or something to do with affection. Obviously, I’m not gay – I’m attracted to women and especially to Ana – but I have noticed a lack of desire on my end. We always have a good time together but I’m losing my drive and knowhow in regards to physical sex.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Sunday April 23 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

Rock school sessions.

PB&J. Potato Chips. Banana.

More rock school sessions.

Back home.

Melon.

Power napping.

Catching up on business.

The dining room is full tonight. Anthony. Will. Richie. Kevin. Stacey.

Black Beans, Kale, Carrots, Quinoa, and Brown Rice.

Watching Split (2016).

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep next to Ana at 2 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Saturday April 22 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:08 a.m.

Honey Crunch n Oats with Strawberries and Almond Milk. Guayusa Tea.

Full day of teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

Banana. Coffee Cashews.

Back home.

Tempeh Bacon. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Potato Chips. Oolong Tea.

Watching Kitchen Nightmares.

Catching up on business.

Power napping.

Talking with dad on the phone about his trip to Honduras and summer plans.

Getting groceries at Trader Joe’s.

Salmon, Turnips, Green Cauliflower, and Carrots.

Watching Split (2016).

Richie is back in town with his girlfriend and two cute little dogs. In a week he’ll be moving into a new place with Anthony.

Practicing drums.

Sleep 3 a.m.

[i] Image by Ana.

Friday April 21 2017

Waking up at 10:45 a.m. to Anthony and company singing their country hearts out in his bedroom.

Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Black Tea.

Basketball at the Rec – meanwhile Ana works out on the treadmill.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Potato Chips with Avocado. Navel Orange. Oolong Tea.

Teaching all my in-home lessons.

Forbidden Rice Ramen Noodles with Miso Soup, Peas, Beets, Beet Greens, and Naan Bread.

Watching Bill Nye.

Ice Cream.

Catching up on business.

Sleep next to Ana early on at 2 a.m.

Thursday April 20 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Guayusa Tea.

Afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

Toasted PB&J. Potato Chips. Oolong Tea.

Watching Good Kill (2014).

Teaching more lessons at Music Makers.

Practicing songs with Ana at the studio.

Black Beans, Onions, Broccoli, Carrots, and Quinoa.

Ice Cream.

Ladada rehearsal with Bobby and Josiah. No Jon tonight. But we stay productive and create a rough draft for a new song.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Wednesday April 19 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

Honey Crunch n Oats with Banana and Strawberries. Black Tea.

Basketball at the Rec.

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

Watching The Founder (2016).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Picking up Ana from work. Enjoying frozen Pizzas from Trader Joe’s and Broccoli Slaw for dinner.

Ice Cream.

DEJA rehearsal – dusting off the cobwebs.

Grapes. Chamomile Tea.

Chill time with Ana and Elvis.

Sleep 3 a.m.

[i] From The Founder (2016).

Tuesday April 18 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Errands with Ana – getting new glasses adjusted – groceries at Whole Foods – running into Eric of DEJA.

Salmon Bacon, Tempeh Bacon, Sourdough Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese, Potato Chips with Avocado, and Oolong Tea.

Watching Milk (2008).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Apple.

Back home. Black Beans with Kale, Carrots, and Quinoa.

At the studio with Ana working on a few songs with her doing lead vocals and me backing her up on the tom/hi-hat/snare.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Monday April 17 2017

[i]

☼▬

In Goldsboro, North Carolina. It’s Easter weekend. Across the street from my dad’s old house I discover Trey and Andy, my childhood friends. In waking life I’ve been wanting to meet up with them. It’s been many years. We all walk down the street happy to see one another – catching up on things. Andy and I have big grins on our faces.

“You’ve got kids now and a family and all that? That’s crazy!” I tell Andy.

Later on, we’re waiting in line to be extras in a movie that Emily Hill is in. She’s directing the crowd and asking what their favorite art is. Somebody shouts, “Omni!” which doesn’t make sense cause that’s a band.

▬☼

Waking up officially at 10:30 a.m. I went to sleep earlier than usual and woke up prematurely an hour ago.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Guayusa Tea.

Basketball at the Rec. No skills today.

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

Watching Milk (2008).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. Very happy about getting the A/C repaired. We need to recharge it with refrigerant.

Back home. Cabbage, Potatoes, Carrots, Tempeh, and Salmon Bacon.

At the studio with Ana. While she practices drums I set up and restring an electric guitar.

Back home. Relaxing in my bed with Ana. She gives my feet and legs a rubdown. She’s feeling frisky too – nuzzling her face into mine while I shyly stay turned over. Eventually, sex.

Sleep 3:40 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Sunday April 16 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:20 a.m. to Ana knocking on the door. She made Waffles for our Easter morning breakfast. I brew some Coffee to go with.

Rock School sessions all afternoon from 12 to 6:30. Lunch break in between: PB&J, Potato Chips, and an Apple.

My head hurts after dealing with multiple band rehearsals. I know these kids are having a great time but they don’t know the stress a teacher goes through on days like these.

Back home for a quick dinner my mom cooked up using leftovers: Brown Rice Quinoa Noodles with Broccoli, Carrots, Onions, and Soy Chorizo.

At Clay Garden Studio with Josiah, Jon, and Bobby recording drums for three new songs.

Finally back home after midnight catching up on a few chores and relaxing with Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 2 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Saturday April 15 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Guayusa Tea.

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Potato Chips with Avocado. Cucumber and Tomato Salad. Oolong Tea.

Watching Nocturnal Animals (2016).

Organizing audio files.

Getting rid of all the wood pallets and other junk that’s accumulated on the back patio. Spring cleaning!

Me: “Mom, why do you always look afraid when I surprise you with the camera?”

Getting groceries with Ana at Trader Joe’s.

Dinner: Mung Beans with Kale and Quinoa.

Will and I carpool to Charlie’s in Norfolk to check out the Suburban Living and You’re Jovian show. Seeing friends and supporting friend’s bands. Sipping on a Wheat Beer.

On the drive back home Will recants a time when he took a jungle tour in Puerto Rico.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Friday April 14 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11:18 a.m.

Honey Crunch n Oats with Banana, Strawberries, and Almond Milk.

Meeting with Alex, another potential roommate. Between Ana, Will, and I we all feel good vibes from her.

Ana and I drive out on a day date to run some errands and go thrifting.

...

Dropping off recycle.

“Do you even know where we’re going today?” I ask her.

“Nope! I’m just going with Robert’s flow,” she answers.

...

At Surplus Recycling turning in some copper mom’s been holding onto for a while. It’s like a whole other world here in this giant warehouse center. Scrap metal sits in countless piles everywhere the eye can see. The black guy in charge of weighing our goods uses humor to explain how it’s his first day on the job. While waiting in line to collect the money we can see him through the sliding windows take a puff from a pipe discreetly. The guy in front of us laughs, “That’s awesome!”

...

Thrifting!

...

Finally visiting Costco with Ana. She has a membership and keeps talking about how we can get all the organic stuff in bulk here like syrup and coconut oil.

Back home. Ana’s off to a You’re Jovian practice. Meanwhile, I powernap then catch up on business.

Ana and I get dinner at Cocomo Joe’s near the oceanfront. Mike Gombas and Chris Kendrick are performing a gig there with Kelly Huntsberry as Two Hand Touch. They perform lots of familiar tunes, including some we’re working on in rock school.

Later on, Ana and I spend time at the studio. While she practices guitar in one room I work on piano songs in another.

Sleep next to each other at 3:40 a.m. after watching a little standup from Trevor Noah.

[i] Images by me.

Thursday April 13 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

Teaching a few afternoon lessons.

Helping mom get carpet cleaner to clean our new guitar rug – meeting with Bill, an A/C repairman.

Tuna Salad Sandwich with Tomato. Potato Chips with Avocado. Oolong Tea. Apple.

Watching Silicon Cowboys (2016).

Teaching more lessons.

After learning how to sing the Ramones song, “Blitzkrieg Bop”, Maggie, one of my vocal students, exclaims, “This is so weird! And I love it! I’m so weird!”

Back home.

Power napping.

Dinner: Mung Beans, Broccoli, Carrots, and Brown Rice.

Ice Cream.

Ladada practice with Josiah, Bobby, and Jon – prepping ourselves for recording in the studio this coming Sunday.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Wednesday April 12 2017

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

Honey Crunch n Oats with Strawberries and Banana. Black Tea.

At the Rec with Ana. While I take to the basketball courts she works out.

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

Watching The Bronx Bull (2016).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Errands with mom – getting a few things from Target and the thrift store – picking up my car from the shop.

Dinner: Tempeh, Japanese Style Rice, Riced Cauliflower, Kale, and Carrots.

Watching The Midnight Meat Train (2008).

Ice Cream.

Teacher homework.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Tuesday April 11 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Raisins, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Coffee.

A few potential roommates drop by to see the room and meet us. Jessie seems promising cause she’s around our age group and appears reliable.

Toasted PB&J. Potato Chips. Oolong Tea.

Watching Pet (2016).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Grapefruit.

More lessons.

Getting groceries at Trader Joe’s.

Dinner: Flounder, Cabbage, Soy Chorizo, Carrots, and Quinoa/Rice Mix.

At the studio reorganizing shelves and cabinets – practicing drums.

Fuji Apple.

Dropping off my car to the shop on 17^th Street then riding my bike back home.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

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