I LOVE: July 2017

Monday July 31 2017

Waking up at 10 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec.

Nectarine.

Vegetarian Frankfurter with Potatoes, Avocado, Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese and Green Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Shopping around for blinds, chairs, and a door knob for the studio.

Getting groceries.

Dinner: Japanese Style Fried Rice with Cabbage, Edamame, Celery, Onions, Baby Broccoli, and Carrots.

Watching The Drowning (2016).

Doing the accounting at the studio.

Grapes.

Sleep 3 a.m.

Sunday July 30 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

Rock school rehearsals all day.

Peach. Banana. PB&J. Puffed Quinoa Corn Crackers. Green Tea.

Sal finished the interior painting at the studio. It’s nice to see it all together. We still have phase two to complete (the lesson rooms).

Muffins.

Power napping.

Pappardelle noodles with Onions, Kale, Cauliflower, Peas, Carrots, and Naan Bread.

Finishing Lion (2016). I cried like a baby at the end.

At the studio putting all the furniture and instruments back in place and organizing. It takes some time.

Rewarding myself with some Talenti Gelato while chatting with Ana.

Sleep 3:45 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Saturday July 29 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. Meanwhile, Sal, one of our drum student’s dad, is painting the walls of the foyer, hallway, and waiting room new colors.

Back home.

Tempeh Bacon. Potatoes. Bread with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Green Tea.

Catching up on business.

Fruit.

Ana and I check out Plan B Comedy at The Zeider American Dream Theater. Cynthia is performing improv sketches with a group. We sit next to Anthony and enjoy the show. We laugh the kind of laughing that hurts your stomach and face after a while.

Back home. Warming up dinner: leftover Fried Rice, Quinoa, Corn, Peas, and Kale. Peanut Butter Gelato.

Practicing drums.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Friday July 28 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Honey Crunch n Oats with Blueberries and Almond Milk. Earl Grey Tea.

Errands.

Catching up on things. I decided to cancel all my in-home lessons today because I don’t want to cram everything in today. DEJA is doing a special show tonight and I need to brush up on some tunes that I don’t normally play with them on.

Quickie with Ana.

Tempeh Bacon. Fresh Bread made by Ana. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Green Tea.

Watching Lion (2016).

Food prepping.

Time for the DEJA show at Wing King. We decided last minute (and by that I mean last rehearsal) that we should do a 3 set show with all Led Zeppelin for one, Rush for another, and Pink Floyd for the last. Despite playing shelved songs it turns out wonderfully I thought.

Enjoying some surprisingly spicy Tuna Bites with a Salad I brought from home. Sipping on Stellas.

“Music opens a path into the realm of silence...”

Ice Cream when I get home.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Thursday July 27 2017

[i]

☼▬

I’ve entered a block-like apartment (one room only). It feels like I’m in a foreign country, maybe Japan or India, and its centuries in the past. I open up a wooden chest where a geisha has been waiting to come out. The girl lies on her stomach face out on a table in front of an Indian shrine with no expression. It doesn’t make sense how she could’ve survived being inside that chest without oxygen. She acts as if she’s been trained to do this thing. I feel bad for her and want help her heal from the pain of being a prisoner here. I notice a bruise on her left cheek.

▬☼

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

Teaching a few afternoon lessons.

Ana and I take care of some errands – picking up some calming meds for Elvis at the vet – getting groceries at Trader Joe’s.

Nectarine. Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Potatoes. Green Tea.

Watching Lion (2016).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

At Your Pie with Ana and mom enjoying a couple personal Pizzas together. Using a coupon to get one pizza free.

At the studio taking things down off the walls and preparing the foyer and waiting area for the big weekend of painting.

Ice Cream.

Ladada rehearsal.

Back home. Ana is making homemade bread in the oven.

“Smells like hamburger buns in here,” I say.

After watching Elvis go cat crazy over his new kicker toy Ana and I go to bed.

“I’m done,” I exclaim. “That’s all I can give the world.”

Sleep 3 a.m.

[i] Geisha on the Behance Network. Michael Paul Young.

Wednesday July 26 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Potatoes. Tomatoes. Green Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Brown Fried Rice, Quinoa, Peas, Onions, Vegan Frankfurters, and Kale.

DEJA rehearsal.

At the studio organizing and practicing drums.

Applesauce. Plum.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Tuesday July 25 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11:12 a.m.

Waffle. Coffee.

Catching up on things.

Veggie Burger with Tomato. Potatoes. Green Tea.

Watching Sleight (2016).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

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

Ana bakes us Chocolate Chip Cookies. After enjoying a few while watching cooking videos we decide to head out into the night on our bikes. Beach Middle School has a park sort of hidden past a lake – zipping down the sidewalk loop – sitting on the bleachers pretending we’re back in grade school acting like we’ve never kissed before. Later on, having a good time at the fitness park on the beach.

Back home.

Playing Mean Beans with Ana. 11 to 2 is the final score. Guess who won?

“Of course! Cause you’re so good at everything else!” she exclaims sarcastically.

And then reaches in for satisfying pinch – her teeth clinch up and she does that quick sigh. Gigil as she calls it in tagalog.

Sleep at 3 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Monday July 24 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec. Testing out my new rec specs (prescription goggles). It’s gonna take some getting used to. I feel somewhat blind on the peripheral.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Making dinner: Fried Tofu with Broccoli, Onions, Carrots, and Brown Rice.

Catching up on teacher homework.

Ice Cream.

Practicing drums.

Nectarine.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Sunday July 23 2017

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

Rock school rehearsals all afternoon.

PB&J break with Potato Chips, Watermelon, and Green Tea.

Back home.

Power napping.

Catching up on business.

Naan Pizza with Slaw.

Watching The Circle (2017).

Chores. Food prep.

Ice Cream.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Saturday July 22 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

Snacking on a Banana and Nectarine in between lessons.

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Corn Tortilla Chips with Hummus. Green Tea.

Finishing Ghost In The Shell (2017).

Catching up on business.

Time for another Lava MiniFest at Toast in Norfolk. Ana’s playing bass with You’re Jovian tonight alongside Suburban Living, Screaming Females, and other local bands/out of towners. With mom, Will, and Ana carpooling to the show.

5-Bean Hot Dog (without the dog) and Coleslaw. Sipping on Lionshead Pilsners throughout the night.

These Lava shows Josh Coplon puts on are never a letdown. Great bands, great atmosphere, great vibe.

On the drive back home discussing everyone’s level of happiness in life.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me or Will.

Friday July 21 2017

^[i]

Waking up at 10:45 a.m.

Sharing breakfast with Ana, Becca, and Chris. Kodiak Cakes (Flapjacks) with Blueberries and Syrup. Coffee.

Becca finally cuts my hair. I’m not getting it shorter, just trimmed and evened out. I don’t even remember the last time she cut my hair. Afterwards, Ana gets baby bangs.

Tuna Salad Sandwich with Tomato. Potatoes. Green Tea. Orange.

Teaching all my in-home lessons. I donate a First Act guitar to Jolin and her brother, the Chinese student. They’re both super excited.

In between lessons I stop by the thrift store. I can’t resist cool mugs and glasses...

Back home. Making dinner: Fried Rice with Peas, Onions, Carrots, Peppers, Vegan Frankfurters, and Kale.

We’re actually having a bunch of people over tonight, to show The Room (2003), the cult classic so-bad-its-good movie of our generation. Sharing Cookies, Popcorn, and Fizzy drinks.

Afterwards, we all get inspired to recreate some of the iconic scenes.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me or Will.

Thursday July 20 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11:18 a.m.

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

Chores.

Getting groceries.

Scrambled Eggs. Baguette with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Potatoes. Green Tea.

Watching Ghost In The Shell (2017).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Cooking dinner: Stir-Fry Tempeh with Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, Onions, and Brown Rice.

Ladada rehearsal with Bobby, Josiah, and Jon.

Back home. I find Ana, Becca, and Chris hanging out in Ana’s bedroom. Elvis anxiously runs around swatting at any string we toss at him.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Wednesday July 19 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10 a.m.

Oat Flakes with Banana, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee.

At the Rec for adult basketball. I’m on fire today with the 3-pointers.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Snacking on a Nectarine and Rice Snacks.

Right afterwards I’ve got a DEJA gig at the Neptune Park stage on 31^st Street. It’s a special show because it’s Drew’s birthday. Also, we have former members of DEJA make appearances on stage. Erick Vetterick plays the Genesis tunes on the keys and Mark Dunn wails on some Led Zeppelin songs. Mom is here. Joe is here. A couple of my students and their families are here. Joseph, a former resident of 1435, is here.

Mom and I make quick Naan Pizzas with Kale for dinner.

Settling down and relaxing.

Becca and her new boyfriend, Chris, are in town from Blacksburg. I hang out with them for a little while. They’re sleeping in Ana’s room for a few days.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Tuesday July 18 2017

Waking up at 10:50 a.m.

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

Catching up on business and my to-do list.

Watermelon.

Tuna Salad Sandwich with Tomato. Potatoes. Green Tea.

Watching Pilgrimage (2017).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

Back home. Making dinner: Black Beans, Onions, Butter Beans, Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, and Jasmine Rice.

Online lesson.

Ice Cream.

Practicing songs at the studio.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Monday July 17 2017

Waking up at 10 a.m.

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

At the Rec with Ana. Playing adult basketball.

Watermelon.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home.

Jasmine Fried Rice with Quinoa, Peas, Corn, Onions, Carrots, and Red Chard.

Watching Zero Dark Thirty (2012).

Catching up on things.

At the studio practicing DEJA tunes.

Getting watermelons and ice cream at Walmart.

Ice Cream.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Sunday July 16 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:18 a.m.

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

Rock school rehearsals all afternoon.

PB&J break. Quinoa Popcorn Chips. Green Tea.

Back home.

Power napping.

Getting groceries with Ana at Kroger.

Sharing Field Roast Vegan Frankfurters with Potatoes and Slaw with Ana for dinner while we watch Okja (2017) with mom in the living room.

Chores.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Saturday July 15 2017

Waking up at 10:50 a.m.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

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

Watching Zero Dark Thirty (2012).

Napping.

Watermelon.

Getting some stuff at Target.

Fixing up guitars at the studio.

Vegetable Fried Rice with Quinoa, Butter Beans, and Kale.

Chores.

Cookies.

At the studio with Ana. She plays drums and bass while I finish restringing a guitar.

Pineapple Juice.

Playing Mean Beans with Ana. She promises not to be a sore loser. And yet she wins quite a few.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Friday July 14 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11:20 a.m.

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

Chores. Organizing. Cleaning.

Veggies Burger with Tomato. Potatoes. Green Tea.

Watching Free Fire (2016).

Teaching all my in-home lessons.

Stopping by the thrift store in between.

Grouper with Black Beans, Baby Broccoli, Carrots, Portobello Mushrooms, Onions, and Quinoa.

Lightning in the sky...

Sharing a Cinnamon Bun and a Whoopie Pie that mom got from an Amish bakery.

At the studio late at night working on instruments and playing drums.

Back home.

Talking with Ana about our sex life and how to keep our relationship strong with healthy distance and clarifying our expectations of each other.

Sleep 4 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Thursday July 13 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11:13 a.m.

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

Teaching a few lessons.

Scrambled Eggs. Leftover Kale and Potatoes. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Nectarine. Green Tea.

Watching Tiger House (2016).

Teaching more lessons at Music Makers.

Dinner: Black Beans, Brown Rice, Broccoli, Carrots, and Onions.

Ladada rehearsal with Josiah, Bobby, and Jon.

Watermelon.

Ana locked her bedroom door – not sure why. She’s been tricky as of late. I complain about her not saying goodnight to me, something she highly values every night. She enters my room in the middle of me playing Mean Beans and demands to play against me.

She sleeps next to me at 4 a.m.

[i] Source unknown.

Wednesday July 12 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10 a.m.

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

Making it to basketball at the Rec on time. Gotta arrive at least an hour early if you want to make the team.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Dinner: Tuna Burger with Smashed Potatoes and Kale.

DEJA rehearsal. It’s time again to brush off the cobwebs – not performing DEJA tunes even for a month feels like forever and it’s easy for the chops to get rusty.

Stopping by Walmart to grab a few things. A dude comes up to me and asks if I’m dressed up as Shaggy from Scooby Doo. I didn’t even realize it until he asked. All day I’ve been impersonating Shaggy without knowing it.

Grapes.

Playing against Ana in Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine on a SEGA computer emulator.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Tuesday July 11 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:12 a.m.

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

At Music Makers with Ana and mom. Joe comes in to teach Ana and I guitar lessons for a trade.

Getting groceries at Trader Joe’s.

Tempeh Bacon, Pita with Hummus, Cashews, Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado, Tomatoes, and Green Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Making dinner: Cauliflower Pizza with Slaw.

Teaching an online lesson to Katelyn.

Playing Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine on a SEGA emulator.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Monday July 10 2017

Waking up at 10:08 a.m.

Honey Crunch n Oats with Strawberries and Almond Milk.

At the Rec with Ana. Even with arriving early I still get wait listed for basketball. I do what I can in the fitness room and shoot around until I’m able to play a few games.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Afterwards, spending some time restringing a bass and cleaning.

Fried Rice with Veggies, Peas, and Chicken.

Watching Get Out (2017).

Catching up on teacher homework.

Practicing drums.

Pineapple.

Sleep 4 a.m.

Sunday July 9 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:37 a.m.

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

Rock school sessions!

PB&J break with Potato Chips and Green Tea.

Back home.

Watermelon.

Power napping.

Making dinner: Tofu with Broccoli, Carrots, Onions, and Quinoa.

Later on, Leah Dimeck comes over. She’s in town for a few days. Her, Ana, Will, and I hang out with glasses of Red Wine and play a few rounds of Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine on Will’s computer. Ana keeps calling it Tetris.

...

After a warm buzz in our system and realizing its Will’s 30^th birthday we decide to venture to the oceanfront. Leah and Ana drive. Will takes his shortboard and I ride my bike. We tire ourselves out at the fitness park on the sand with pull up bars, rope climbing, and the tightrope.

Back home. Settling down. Ana jumps in my bed while I do stuff on the computer. Later on, I lie down next to her and she’s emanating with desire.

[i] Images by me.

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