Wednesday May 31 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m. Been dealing with a major headache.

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

Catching up on business.

Toasted PB&J. White Nectarine. Potato Chips. Black Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Cooking dinner: Lentils, Chard, Carrots, Sprouted Brown Rice, and Lavash Bread.

Cupcake.

At the studio doing the payroll/accounting for the month. Then, recording a piano tune for a student and practicing drums.

Having troublesome talks with Ana about her money issues. Anytime we talk about money it’s stressful. She hates dealing with it. I try to be cool headed and come up with solutions.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.

Tuesday May 30 2017

Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Ana helps me drop off my car at Tidewater Auto Electrical to finally get that fuse blowing problem fixed. We stop at the thrift stores nearby. I score a nice office chair and an acoustic guitar that I’ll fix up and resell later.

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

Watching xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

Back home. Black Beans, Quinoa, Broccoli, and Carrots.

Watching Logan (2017).

Ice Cream.

At the studio pricing some new guitars.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Monday May 29 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m. A little lovemaking with the gf.

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

Chores.

Errands.

Salmon Bacon. Sourdough Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Potato Chips with Avocado. Green Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

At Chicho’s for Ana’s first solo gig. Mike Gombas goes on first. Then Ana gets up on her Epiphone crooning softly and sweetly. I hop on the mini drum kit and back her up the rest of the way. Mom, Cynthia, Amelia, Anthony, and other friends are here in support. I’m very proud of her. I want her to see how capable she is of doing her own paying gigs like this.

Later on, enjoying Chicho’s Pizza and Salads at the house.

We get invited to chill at Anthony’s new house off Lynnhaven. Him, Richie, and his girlfriend just moved in. They’re right next to a lake. Kevin, Cynthia, and Stacy are here too. It’s nice to just hang out with friends with no real agenda.

I tell Anthony, “I can’t wait till 40 years from now. What are we all gonna be doing?”

He says, “Probably the same thing we’re doing now.”

Back home. Ana keeps whining about not being able to have chocolate or something.

Navel Orange.

Sleep 3 a.m.

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[i] Images by me.

Sunday May 28 2017

[i]

Waking up later than usual at 11:20 a.m. I don’t have any reason to wake up for the next four Sundays.

Ana makes us homemade Blueberry Pancakes. I brew some Coffee to go with.

Chilling out with no real agenda in mind.

Ana and I take to the rainy streets. Dumping the recycle off. Getting some things at Target. Saying hi to Joe McMurray and mom at Java Surf. Joe had a solo gig.

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

At 7^th Street for the DEJA gig with my mom. We set up underneath those funky stage umbrellas. The rain has officially subsided and we’re ready for action. We only take one break between 6 and 10. As usual the back patios of Chix and Mahi’s are packed with people sipping on margaritas and beers.

Back home. Black Beans, Kale, Carrots, and Jasmine Rice.

Watching Get Me Roger Stone (2017).

After Ana gets home from work we practice our set at the studio.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.

Saturday May 27 2017

Waking up at 10:32 a.m.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

Back home.

Salmon Bacon. Leftover Pizza. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato. Green Tea.

Watching War Machine (2017).

Catching up on stuff.

Power napping.

Got a DEJA gig at the 24^th stage tonight. We’re all set up and ready for action even with a storm and rain brewing in the air. After the first two songs the city shuts down all the Beach Street stages cause of lightning. Fortunately, we still get paid. But really it’s not the actual playing of music that we get paid for (that’s the fun part) it’s the loading up and breaking down the gear. 

Dinner: Potatoes, Carrots, and Peas.

Business. Emails.

Ana and I discover clipping her nails triggers the cat to make these cute chirping meows.

At the studio with Ana practicing songs.

Sleep at 3 a.m.

Friday May 26 2017

[i]

☼▬

Stuck inside a big water tank like something you’d find at a marine museum or zoo. Inside there are things you can stand on – stepping stones and lily pads and moving platforms. Beneath lives a fierce water dragon with a head the size of a car. I’m faced with the beast. He’s wearing a mask that resembles the Day of the Dead, kind of like a skull. I think he thinks it will conceal who he truly is but it doesn’t fool me. He snaps and dodges at me and whoever else is stuck inside here. We swim and jump to avoid the bite of the dragon.

▬☼

Waking up at 11:20 a.m.

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

At the Great Neck Rec exercising with Ana – basketball and such.

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

Watching War Machine (2017).

Teaching all my in-home lessons. Stopping by the Salvation Army thrift store in between for some shirts.

Fuji Apple.

At Amy Brown’s house to teach her son Jack. Because it’s such a nice day we decide to set up the digital piano in the backyard and do the lesson outside – along with some basketball fun.

Back home. Making dinner: Chili Lime Chicken Wraps with Slaw and Cornbread.

Organizing photos from the last rock school show.

Practicing songs at the studio with Ana.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Images by me.

Thursday May 25 2017

Waking up at 10:50 a.m.

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

Teaching a lesson.

Getting groceries.

Toasted PB&J. Fuji Apple. Potato Chips. Green Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Making dinner: Baked Cod Filets (lightly breaded with Corn Meal), Asparagus, Zucchini, Carrots, Onions, and Sweet Potatoes.

Watching the Celtics and Cavs playoffs game.

Ice Cream.

Ladada rehearsal with Bobby, Josiah, and Jon. Just playing songs and getting our feet wet with a cover of “Rebel Rebel”. Sipping on Sapporo’s. After Jon leaves, the three of us get caught in deep talks about the future of the band, how to succeed in a band, and how life keeps pushing you further along.

Back home.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Wednesday May 24 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

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

At the Rec with Ana. I run up and down the basketball courts while she runs on the treadmill.

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

Watching The Institute (2017).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Making dinner: Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti Noodles with Arrabiata Sauce, Onions, and a Salad.

Watching Sand Castle (2017).

Ice Cream.

Moving out the heaviest couch in the world, the one that folded out into a bed for the couch surfers over the years. Setting up in its place a twin mattress for my mom to which she is ever grateful.

At the studio practicing songs with Ana.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.

Tuesday May 23 2017

Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Business – Tuesdays are my email days. Spending time sorting correspondences out and keeping on track with what I want to accomplish for the month.

Salmon Bacon. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Potato Chips. Cucumber. Black Tea.

Teaching at Music Makers.

Back home. Mom cooks dinner: Vegetable Fried Rice with Kale and Green Beans.

Teaching an online lesson.

Practicing with Ana at the studio – preparing for her Chicho gig next Monday.

Chamomile Tea and Cookies.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Monday May 22 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:34 a.m.

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

At the Rec with Ana. Playing basketball while she runs on the treadmill.

Watermelon.

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

Watching The Great Wall (2016).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Ana made us dinner: Tempeh with Brown Rice, Brussel Sprouts, Zucchini, and Carrots.

At Soul Haven Studios with Nigel recording stuff for ELO with an upright piano.

Back home.

Sweet Potato Biscuit and Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 2:30 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.

Sunday May 21 2017

[i]

Anxiety dreams of the rock school show happening at another Eagle’s Nest somewhere far away – it’s raining – and there’s extra bands playing that weren’t at the rehearsals making it a long-winded event – I’m running around trying to figure it out.

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

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

And so begins the hectic day of the Rock School Show. 50% time spent loading gear from cars to the stage. The other 50% of the time spent performing with the kids. I’m so proud of everyone. It’s not about perfection when they’re on stage. It’s about the experience and listening. You can see their hearts and voices shine in the performance.

Back home after dumping all the gear to the rehearsal spot. Settling down with leftover Cabbage and Potatoes.

Going through the video footage and understanding the workings of the new video camera I got a few months back. The Sony FDR-AX33 4k.

At Whole Foods grabbing a few things.

Pizza from Brother’s and a Salad.

Ice Cream.

Chores.

Chatting with Will about China Wok problems and insights into the mind of the Chinese family.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep  3 a.m.

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[i] Images by Joe Justice.

Saturday May 20 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

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

It’s the final rock school rehearsals today.

PB&J. Potato Chips.

The rehearsals continue. Afterwards, feeling the weight of everything. Relieved it’s almost over and excited for everyone involved.

Packing up everything.

Back home.

Vegetable Fried Rice with Kale, Carrots, and Salmon Bacon.

Watching Magic Mike (2012).

Catching up on business.

Discovering an English pianist named James Rhodes who looks exactly, and I mean, exactly like me in 10 years or even now.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 2:30 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.

Friday May 19 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11:10 a.m.

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

Catching up on business and bills.

Chores.

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

Watching Gold (2016).

Teaching all my in-home lessons.

Cabbage and Potato Skillet.

Mom tags along with me to the DEJA gig at Wing King in Centerville. Sipping on Stella’s and enjoying the atmosphere. It’s somewhat of a rough beginning in the first set but we get our bearings eventually.

Back home after a long night.

Talenti Ice Cream.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Images by me.

Thursday May 18 2017

Waking up at 10:45 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Black Tea.

Teaching an early afternoon lesson – meeting with Sean, a potential new teacher.

Tuna Salad Sandwich with Lettuce and Tomato. Potato Chips with Avocado. Green Tea. Fuji Apple.

Watching Gold (2016).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Cooking dinner.

Pappardelle Noodles with Peas, Onions, and Mushrooms with a Salad using this new Sesame Oil based vinaigrette. All bellies are satisfied.

Spending 10 minutes trying to unclog Ana’s toilet. She watches as the dirty brown water sloshes around the bowl while I use the plunger with all my might. It’s always a comical scene when you show your true love by unclogging your lover’s toilet.

Kroger run for various things along with Talenti Ice Cream.

Practicing piano.

Sleep 3 a.m.

Wednesday May 17 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:34 a.m.

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

At the Rec with Ana. I play basketball while she runs on the treadmill.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Getting groceries with Ana at Trader Joe’s.

Dinner: Tempeh with Onions, Mushrooms, Kale, Carrots, and Quinoa.

With mom and Ana at the dining booth enjoying our meal together. Shortly after, we break bread over a homemade French Baguette Ana baked from scratch. Then, practicing that “Friends...” song on piano. I’ve got both of them singing backup.

At the studio with Ana practicing more songs.

“Music is life!” I say as we roll up back to the house after 1 a.m.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.

Tuesday May 16 2017

Waking up at 10:48 a.m.

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

Business.

Practicing piano.

Tuna Salad Sandwich with Lettuce and Tomato. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato. Honey Green Tea.

Watching Small Crimes (2016).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Fuji Apple.

Back home after a long day of lessons.

Japanese Style Rice with Edamame and Broccoli.

Watching Sleepless (2016).

Cinnamon Rolls.

Playing with Ana and Elvis – messing around on the synthesizer in Ana’s room while the cat turns wild eyed.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:20 a.m.

Monday May 15 2017

[i]

☼▬

Running. Running. Across the road – cars speeding by. Hop onto the ledge above the sidewalk. Mexican man driving a mower cutting the grass just below. For some reason every time I go to jump down from the ledge he’s there, as if on purpose. Then it’s obvious he’s after me. I stay on top and run across the ledge. He’s managed to drive his mower on top right behind me. I run as fast as I can. Across the road – cars speeding by. Into a building – maybe it’s a hospital of some kind. I dart into an elevator with a few other people. The man after me doesn’t seem to notice which elevator I’m in. The door shuts and we’re taken up and down – the 32^nd floor – then the 21^st floor – then to the basement – then back to the main floor. I run out hoping the man isn’t there anymore. Instead there’s some kind of police asking me questions.

▬☼

Waking up at 10:35 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Raisins, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Guayusa Tea.

To the Rec with Ana. She runs on the treadmill while I play basketball.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Quick trip to Trader Joe’s with Ana.

More lessons.

Back home. Enjoying dinner with my women (mom and Ana). Hefty Salad with Cabbage, Spring Mix, Onions, Tomatoes, and a Poppy Seed Mustard Vinaigrette. Lavash Bread.

Ana’s been preparing Vegan Cinnamon Rolls since last night – the dough had to rise a few times. We’re all very excited to get our hands on these gooey things.

“On a scale of 1 to 10 I give these a 9.9,” I tell her. “I change my mind. They’re a 10.”

Catching up on rock school homework – printing flyers – sending emails – organizing.

Chamomile Tea.

Playing with Ana and Elvis.

Sleep 2:30 a.m.

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[i] Images by me.

Sunday May 14 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:35 a.m.

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

Rock school sessions all day until 6:30 p.m.

In between sessions enjoying a PB&J with Potato Chips and an Apple out on the picnic bench.

Back home. My head hurts from everything. Power napping.

Ana lovingly made dinner for the three of us. Lentils, Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, and Brown Rice.

White Chocolate.

At Soul Haven Studios recording new ELO stuff with Nigel.

Navel Orange.

Playing with Ana and Elvis before bedtime at 2 a.m.

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[i] Images by me.

Saturday May 13 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

Teaching lessons all afternoon at Music Makers.

PB&J. Potato Chips. Fuji Apple. Honey Green Tea.

Catching up on business.

Power napping.

Performing with DEJA at Mugzy’s (The Warehouse) in Hampton tonight. It’s sort of another dusting off the cobwebs kind of show considering we haven’t played for a month. And it sure wasn’t without its interesting moments. There was a 30 minute delay in starting the show because of overwhelming buzz/hum coming through the sound system. And Eric got his passenger window busted into. Whoever it was looked in the glove box but took nothing.

Enjoying dinner leftovers in between sets.

On the drive back to Virginia Beach. Chatting with Ana on the phone.

“I’m killing two birds with one stone,” I tell her. “I’m driving home and talking with you so that way when I get home I can just go to bed!”

Back home finally.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Images by me.

Friday May 12 2017

Waking up at 10:13 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Coffee.

Meeting with Red Chalk to finalize a logo and new signage – also discussing the next steps.

Getting groceries at Whole Foods with Ana. The rain puts a damper on our overall mood.

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

Watching Moonlight (2016).

Teaching all my in-home lessons.

Fuji Apple.

Back home.

Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti with Onions, Broccoli, and Carrots.

Ice Cream.

Catching up on stuff.

Practicing piano.

Visiting with Ana in her room. She’s heavy with complaints about her job, her life, and hearing issues. She sits in her computer chair, knees up, with her teal bath towel wrapped around her hair and cries. It’s a real struggle for her to pretend to be a different person, which can sometimes be required at work. The social stimulation with the customers can be overwhelming, something I do understand.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Thursday May 11 2017

Waking up at 10:35 a.m.

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

Teaching a few afternoon lessons.

Tempeh Bacon. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Mango. Cucumber. Honey Green Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Black Beans, Kale, and Quinoa.

Homemade Oatmeal Raisin Cookies by Ana.

Ladada rehearsal with Bobby, Josiah, and Jon. Working on new songs and regretting (kind of) not attending the free Weezer show at Waterside. Living through it by looking up video tags on Instagram.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3 a.m.

Wednesday May 10 2017

Waking up at 10:35 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec. They screw up the rotation of teams causing a revolt. I barely get two games in.

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

Watching Halt And Catch Fire (2016).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

In between picking up my car from the 17^th Street shop. They couldn’t find a solution for the weird electrical problem that’s causing a 10 amp fuse to blow. I figured out a trick to temporarily avoid it. But I’ll need to find an auto electrician to solve the problem permanently.

Vegetable Fried Rice with Peas, Asparagus, and Quinoa. Chocolate Chip Cookies.

DEJA rehearsal.

Practicing drums at the studio.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3 a.m.

Tuesday May 9 2017

Waking up at 10:35 a.m.

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

Business.

Prepping for dinner tonight.

Salmon Bacon. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Potato Chips. Mango. Cucumber. Honey Green Tea.

Watching Halt And Catch Fire (2016).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home.

Dinner: Black Beans with Onions, Cabbage, Bok Choy, and Jasmine Rice.

Teaching an online lesson.

Ice Cream.

At the studio practicing DEJA tunes. Then, Ana arrives for us to practice our tunes.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.