I LOVE: August 2017

Thursday August 31 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

Teaching a few afternoon lessons.

Tuna Salad Sandwich with Tomato. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Mango Hibiscus Green Tea.

Watching The Mummy (2017).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Fuji Apple.

Vegetable Fried Rice with Kale.

Ladada rehearsal with Josiah, Bobby, and Jonathan. Our goal right now is to finalize the structure to all the new songs we’ve been writing so we can get recording.

Chamomile Tea.

Later on, talking with Ana about how rushed I feel ALL THE TIME – when I’m teaching – at home – the clock just keeps ticking and ticking and before I know it the sun is already coming up again.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Wednesday August 30 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m. from intense dreams involving a chaotic death match type real life game trying to stay away from hostiles and saving President Trump from potentially drowning in a river.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Earl Grey Tea.

Basketball at the Rec.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Mango Hibiscus Green Tea.

Watching All Eyez On Me (2017).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Immediately after I have to make a DEJA gig on 31^st Street from 6 to 10pm. We’ve got our second fill-in bass player, David Mills. Equipped with a 5-string he manages real well considering we only had one rehearsal.

Snacking on a Banana with Dried Peas and Corn.

[ii]

Back home. Eating leftover Soup and Naan Bread for dinner.

So tired...

Dropping off some stuff at the studio.

Pineapple Juice.

Sleep 3 a.m. next to Ana.

[i] Images by me.

[ii] By Sharon Dunne.

Tuesday August 29 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:15 a.m.

Bowl of Honey Crunch n Oats with Banana, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Meeting at Red Chalk Studios to finalize website and a slew of other things related to Music Makers.

Tuna Salad Sandwich with Tomato. Potatoes with Avocado. Hibiscus Green Mango Tea.

Watching All Eyez On Me (2017).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Ana made us dinner: Chic Pea Curry with Cauliflower, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, and Rice.

Teaching an online lesson.

Catching up on emails.

Gelato.

At the studio with mom – brainstorming and planning what to do in the lesson rooms we haven’t finished redesigning.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Monday August 28 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:17 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Earl Grey Tea.

Basketball at the Rec.

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

Watching Unlocked (2017).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home for a quick dinner: Japanese Style Fried Rice with Cabbage, Kale, Peas, and Mixed Veggies.

DEJA rehearsal. We have a different fill-in bass player for Wednesday’s gig, Dave. We spend a good couple hours going over tunes.

Back home. Ana’s been emotional. We talk it out in her bedroom – about looking after each other’s happiness, the pros and cons of living together, and letting love guide us.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Sunday August 27 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:45 a.m.

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

Setting up and getting things ready for the Percussion Workshop from 2 to 4. We have Nick Galante, a rhythm and percussion expert, coming in to lead the group. It’s the first of many more to come. Even with six paying participants we have a lot of fun banging on black buckets and learning basic rhythm techniques.

PB&J and snacks during snack break.

Afterwards, taking the saw out and cutting up the cubicle panels to fit against the wall in the guitar room.

Getting groceries.

Mom makes a hearty soup with Vegetables and Pasta for dinner.

Watching Unlocked (2017).

Back at the studio – cleaning up the mess I made earlier and organizing.

“I knew it!” I exclaim as I walk in through the front door.

Ana’s sitting there at the table with a fresh batch of cookies.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Saturday August 26 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m. in a new mood – no headache – ready for a day of lessons and another show.

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

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

Scrambled Eggs. Bread with Goat Cream Cheese. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Hibiscus Tea.

Watching a Vice documentary.

Playing a DEJA gig at the oceanfront on the 7^th Street stage. Mom tags along. Jimmy, our usual bass player, isn’t available for the show so we have a fill-in bassist. Without any kind of rehearsal he does quite well.

Fish Tacos in between sets.

Back home.

Gelato.

Lately, Alex’s cat, Mace, has been warming up to everyone in the house. Him and I are definitely socialized by now as you can see in this picture.

Sleep 3 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Friday August 25 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11:08 a.m.

Bowl of Honey Crunch n Oats with Strawberries, Banana, and Almond Milk. Earl Grey Tea.

Catching up on emails and business.

Pretzel Peanut Butter Snacks. Tempeh Bacon. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Potatoes. Hibiscus Tea.

Watching The Ottoman Lieutenant (2017).

Teaching in-home lessons.

Vegetable Fried Rice with Peas and Naan Bread.

Gelato.

Taking Will and my mom to Commune in Norfolk for the rock show. First, we’re introduced to the psychedelic rock of Snake Mountain Revival. Then, Ladada does a headlining set. Free show for 21 and up people. It feels great on the stage – we’re tight – the energy of the crowd is palpable – sipping on Young Veteran Lagers – all our friends are present.

Back home. I’m alcohold’ up for sure. Major headache.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Thursday August 24 2017

Waking up at 10:40 a.m. with Ana. Making love.

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

Running errands.

Salad with Chic Peas and Bread. Hibiscus Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Leftovers for dinner: Lentils, Kale, and Quinoa.

Watching The Ottoman Lieutenant (2017).

Gelato.

Ladada rehearsal with Bobby, Jonathan, and Josiah.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Wednesday August 23 2017

Waking up at 10:17 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec.

Watermelon.

Scrambled Eggs. Bread with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Hibiscus Tea.

Finishing What Happened to Monday (2017).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

Back home. Cooking dinner: Honey Lemon Seared Halibut with Couscous, Peas, Baby Broccoli, and Slaw.

Watching The Wall (2017).

At the studio brainstorming and measuring cubicle boards to put up in the guitar lesson room.

Back home.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Tuesday August 22 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Bowl of Honey Crunch n Oats with Banana, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Guayusa Tea.

Getting an oil change on my car.

Business.

Tuna Salad Sandwich with Lettuce and Tomato. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Hibiscus Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Watermelon.

Back home.

Ana made the three of us dinner: Curry Lentils with Cauliflower, Carrots, Onions, and Brown Rice.

Gelato.

Catching up on emails.

I’ve been getting lots of negative heavy energy from Ana today. We talk it out on the bed. Lots of thoughts to sort through – mostly dealing with concerns about health in body and mind.

Practicing piano.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Monday August 21 2017

Waking up at 10:17 a.m.

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

At the Rec with Ana. Adult basketball. Meanwhile crowds of families fill up the lines at the public library next door for the solar eclipse event hoping to get special glasses for viewing the sun with.

Later on, after 2 p.m. or so the sky gets a bit darker. You can sense the partial eclipse nearby. Unfortunately, we can’t see totality in Hampton Roads. The closest place to see it is in Charleston, South Carolina. Even so, we’re able to watch a live stream via NASA.

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

Watching What Happened to Monday (2017).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Brown Rice Spaghetti Noodles with Broccoli, Carrots, Onions, and Marinara. Naan Bread.

Business.

Gelato.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Sunday August 20 2017

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

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

Running some errands with Ana. Checking out Green Leaf & Pebble Tea Spa. Target.

Scrambled Eggs. Bread with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Green Tea.

Catching up business and planning. Lots of emails and brainstorming and organizing.

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

Finishing Colossal (2017).

More computer work. Managing.

I explain to Ana, “I don’t even remember what I’ve been doing all day but I’ve been productive.”

Pineapple Juice.

Having difficult talks with Ana for a while. Something hit a nerve in our conversation. I always get impatient when prying further into what the problem is cause she doesn’t open up so quickly. It takes a few tears and lots of silence.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Saturday August 19 2017

[i]

Waking up around 11 a.m.

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

Loading up the wagon and setting up for the gig at Trader Joe’s from 2 to 5pm. It’s their 50 year anniversary. It’s a rare thing to see a music performance inside a TJ’s store. And here we are, Ana, Mike Gombas, and I pumping out music. We each take turns doing a solo set. Ana and I do our usual tunes. Later in the afternoon we do a three piece where I’m playing drums, and we even do “Bohemian Rhapsody”.

Over at Wasserhund with Ana and mom. We enjoy a Pizza pie with Brews and watch Mike and Kelly (Two Hand Touch) perform.

Back home. Settling down.

As I scoop a big serving of Gelato into a bowl I justify to Ana, “I deserve this!”

Ana massages my feet and back. When she drifts off to sleep I edit the video footage from today into a bite size clip.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Friday August 18 2017

Waking up at 11:17 a.m.

Oat and Wheat Flakes with Banana, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Guayusa Tea.

Catching up on emails, business, and chores.

Grilled PB&J. Popped Corn Chips. Green Tea.

Teaching all my in-home lessons.

Homemade Fried Rice with Cabbage, Onions, Mushrooms, Vegan Sausage, and Kale.

Watching Colossal (2016).

Gelato.

Catching up on business.

After Ana gets off work we practice songs at the studio in preparation for our gig at Trader Joe’s tomorrow.

Orange. Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 4 a.m.

Thursday August 17 2017

Waking up at 10:27 a.m.

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

Teaching afternoon lessons.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers until 8 p.m.

Banana snack somewhere in between.

Back home. Black Beans, Broccoli, and Brown Rice.

Watching Desierto (2015).

Gelato.

Ladada rehearsal with Josiah and Bobby. Jonathan couldn’t make it. Before we even start making sounds the three of us get deep in conversation about the recordings we’re working on and the future of the band.

Orange.

Organizing a set list for Saturday.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Wednesday August 16 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec.

Watermelon. Banana.

Scrambled Eggs. Bread with Butter and Fig Spread. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Green Tea.

Watching The Dinner (2017).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Pappardelle Noodles with Peas, Onions, Kale, Brussel Sprouts, and Bread.

Meeting up with Mike Gombas and Ana at the studio to rehearse some songs we want to do on Saturday.

Peaches. Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Tuesday August 15 2017

Waking up at 11:08 a.m.

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

Emails. Business. Errands.

Tempeh Bacon, Toast with Goat Cream Cheese, Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato, and Green Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home.

Lentils, Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts, Onions, and Basmati Rice.

Teaching an online lesson.

At the studio with Ana practicing songs. Both our heads are aching and we’ve lost our patience with each other. But the pressure is on cause we have a gig this weekend.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Monday August 14 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:07 a.m.

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

Playing basketball at the Rec.

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

Watching King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

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

Gelato.

At the studio nailing in acoustic foam in the drum room then practicing a little bit.

Peach.

Sleep 4 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Sunday August 13 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Big Music Makers rock school show today at Eagle’s Nest.

Smoked Salmon. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Green Tea.

Back to work. Unloading all the gear that belongs to Drew at the rehearsal space. Then at the studio with mom continuing our drum room renovations. We finally got a good plan to fill up every inch of wall with a quilt fabric. I help where I can and work on designing the acoustic foam to go in particular spots in the room.

Dinner: Fried Rice with Onions, Green Peppers, Mushrooms, Peas, Snow Peas, and Carrots.

Checking out Drew’s new side band, Mr. Sister, at South Beach Grille. Jimmy and Steve, a guy from the old DEJA days, are in it too. Their set lists are pretty much all the songs we would normally do in rock school, nothing DEJA complicated and epic about it, just fun tunes that people know.

Back at the studio finishing up the drum room.

Home. Sleep next to Ana.

[i] Rock School images by Rachel Jenkins.

Saturday August 12 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

Today is the final rehearsal for our three rock school bands. There’s a lot of stress on the students but in the end the practices are fun and productive.

PB&J break with Potato Chips and Green Tea.

Tia’s mom brought a dozen Duck Donuts for the kid’s band.

Loading out the music gear into the car.

At the studio with mom planning out how we’re going to drape the drum room walls with a particular multi-colored quilt she found at Walmart.

Taking mom out to Baladi’s for her birthday. She got a coupon for a free entrée. We sip on ice cold Hibiscus Teas imported from Palestine and enjoy the catches of the day, Grouper and Red Snapper.

Back at the studio continuing our renovations at the studio.

Back home. Chamomile Tea. Making flyers to hand out at the show tomorrow.

Sleep 4 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Friday August 11 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Making Blueberry Pancakes and Coffee – breakfast with Ana.

Catching up on business. Getting groceries with Ana. She’s super peppy today cause she’s off work.

Egg. Potatoes. Bread. Green Tea.

Teaching a couple in-home lessons.

Picking up a few things from the thrift store.

Back home.

Making dinner: Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti Noodles with Marinara Sauce, Onions, Mushrooms, and Green Peppers. Homemade Thyme Bread.

Ana’s been busy making bread from scratch the past week. We’re learning a lot about the right methods it takes to bake the best possible bread.

Chores.

At the studio clearing out the drum room once again. Then, Ana shows up to sing songs together.

Galia Melon.

Sleep 3 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Thursday August 10 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Teaching a few early afternoon lessons.

Running through a few DEJA tunes

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Figs.

Leftover Vegetable Fried Rice with Kale.

Driving way out to Big Woody’s in Chesapeake Square Mall for a DEJA gig. It’s our first time performing here. Everything feels natural in our set – even without any rehearsals we sound tight.

Back home. Snacking on some hot dog buns and Chamomile Tea. Catching up on the day with Ana.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Wednesday August 9 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec. I prove myself worthy this afternoon – I’m a scoring machine.

Tuna Salad Sandwich with Lettuce and Tomato. Potatoes. Green Tea.

Watching Chuck (2016).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Ana makes dinner tonight: Tofu with Kale, Carrots, and Quinoa.

At Lowe’s and Walmart looking for material to seal the doors at the studio.

I beg Ana to make Chocolate Chip Cookies and she does.

Back at the studio to tweak the issue with sound seeping through the lesson room doors, especially the drum room. I really need to go over some DEJA tunes before tomorrow night but time just ticks away while I troubleshoot.

Thankfully sleeping at 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Tuesday August 8 2017

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Honey Crunch n Oats and Flakes with Strawberries and Almond Milk.

Emails. Researching. Staring at a computer screen all afternoon.

Chores.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Basmati Fried Rice with Edamame, Carrots, Mushrooms, Onions, and Chard.

Watching Chuck (2016).

Gelato.

Researching.

At the studio with Ana practicing old songs that we plan on doing at our gig for Trader Joe’s. Afterwards, I mention how crazy it is we have so many songs to perform and choose from. We can easily do this duo thing as a nice side job. Just doing a once a month gig would be cool.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Monday August 7 2017

Waking up at 11 a.m. Usually I wake up early to make adult basketball at the Rec but I decided to catch an extra hour of sleep this Monday.

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

At the Great Neck Rec shooting the basketball around.

Banana.

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

Watching Shot Caller (2017).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Groceries.

Vegetable Fried Rice with Quinoa, Celery, Onions, Carrots, Peas, and Sugar Snap Peas.

Gelato.

Researching.

Trimming the cat’s front claws, which is always usually an ordeal but this time wasn’t so bad. After a few minutes of growling we’re done.

Food prep.

Sleep 4 a.m.

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