I LOVE: September 2017

Saturday September 30 2017

Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Potatoes. Green Tea.

Taking a much needed nap.

Running errands – bank, Ollie’s, groceries at Trader Joe’s.

Making dinner: Tempeh with Broccoli, Carrots, Onions, Celery, Peppers, and Jasmine Rice.

Watching Baby Driver (2017).

Doing the accounting at the studio.

Setting up for MMLIVE at the rehearsal space.

Back home.

Chamomile Tea and Cookies.

Sleep 4 a.m.

Friday September 29 2017

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Waking up at 10:45 a.m.

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

Catching up on business.

Salmon Bacon. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Potatoes with Avocado. Green Tea.

Watching Burn After Reading (2008).

Teaching in-home lessons.

At the studio fiddling with my new rotary pedal.

Leftover Pizza and a Salad.

Got a DEJA gig at Hoss’s Deli in Newport News, the local biker bar. Sometimes I like to call it the mom and pop version of Hooters. We do our three band tribute set: Led Zeppelin, Rush, Pink Floyd.

Back home. Ana made Cookies just for me – how sweet.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 4 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Thursday September 28 2017

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Waking up at 10:37 a.m.

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

Teaching a lesson.

Errands.

Found a vintage pachinko machine just sitting by the Mattress Firm dumpster.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Potatoes. Green Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Fuji Apple.

Back home. Ana made dinner. I help finish it up.

Veggie Burgers with Beets, Onions, Lettuce, Tomato, and Hummus. Roasted Romanesco and Carrots.

Ladada rehearsal with Josiah, Bobby, and Jonathan.

Back home. Chilling with Ana and the cat. When lying in her bed you just sink into it making me more tired. I decide to sleep here tonight as opposed to usually sleeping in my bed with her. Making love after the room goes dark at 3 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Wednesday September 27 2017

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec.

Tempeh Bacon. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Green Tea.

Watching a documentary on Lady Gaga.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

Back home.

Mom makes dinner: Vegetable Fried Rice with Quinoa and Kale.

DEJA rehearsal – going through the entire Wink Floyd set.

Gelato.

Settling down. Catching up on business. Chores.

Sleeping next to Ana at 3:30 a.m.

Tuesday September 26 2017

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Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

Meeting with a few potential new strings instructors at the studio.

Running errands – picking up new Music Makers bumper stickers and restocking on honey and tea.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Ana cooked us a hearty dinner: Peas, Lentils, Quinoa, Beet Greens, Golden Beet Soup, and Naan Bread.

At the studio tweaking keyboard patches for DEJA’s “Wink Floyd” set as we’re calling it – almost an hour and a half of Pink Floyd’s best.

Hibiscus Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 4 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Monday September 25 2017

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec.

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

Watching The Bad Batch (2016).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

Back home. Cooking dinner with Ana: Fried Tofu with Kale, Carrots, Onions, Celery, and Quinoa.

Chilling with Ana, mom, and the cat.

Gelato.

At the studio restringing a classical guitar a customer brought in and doing a few other things.

Moon Drop Grapes.

Sleep 3 a.m.

Sunday September 24 2017

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Waking up at 10:20 a.m.

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

MMLIVE sessions all afternoon.

PB&J and Incan Corn on the lunch break.

Immediately after the last band we’ve got to set up for a DEJA rehearsal. My head is spinning and my ears are over stimulated but I’ll be okay. Pizza from Brothers for dinner.

Taking the recycle and getting some late night groceries at Kroger.

Finally back home – settling in with Gelato.

Sleep 3 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Saturday September 23 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

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

Watching Rock the Kasbah (2015).

Mom and I check out Hobby Lobby for a picture frame and other various things related to Music Makers.

DEJA’s got a gig at the 7^th Street Stage (the space between Chix and Mahi’s). We do our Rush, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd triple tribute set with a few song requests in between.

Enjoying a Mahi Filet Sandwich with Coleslaw on the break.

At the rehearsal space setting up for MMLIVE band sessions tomorrow.

Back home. Will is unusually drunk tonight talking some nonsense about giving back the task chair I let him borrow and looking for a new job. Meanwhile, I snack on Applesauce, Cantaloupe, and PB Pretzels.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Friday September 22 2017

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Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Catching up on business homework. Emails, website tweaking, MMLIVE preparation.

PB&J. Plantain Chips. Hibiscus Black Tea.

Teaching all my in-home lessons.

Apple.

Back home after 8:30. Mom and I make dinner: Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti with Mushrooms, Green Peppers, Onions, and Marinara Sauce. Salad.

Watching Detour (2016).

At the studio working on keyboard patches and brushing up on DEJA tunes.

Cantaloupe. Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Thursday September 21 2017

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

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

Teaching a voice lesson.

Getting groceries with the babe.

Tempeh Bacon. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato. Hibiscus Black Tea.

Watching Bordertown (2006).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. I get overwhelmed at some point keeping track of notes during the lesson and the in-between times. Every student requires a different kind of attention.

Back home.

Salmon, Black Beans, Celery, Onions, Broccoli, Carrots, and Jasmine Rice.

Ladada rehearsal finally after two weeks of no rehearsal with Jonathan, Josiah, and Bobby. We continue fine tuning new tunes. Even though I’m tired cause it’s always so late when we practice I thoroughly enjoy playing music with these dudes.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Wednesday September 20 2017

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Waking up at 10:45 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Cabbage. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Hibiscus Black Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Apple.

Back home. The kitchen is occupied with roommates cooking so I decided to order from La Vera Pizza.

Gelato.

DEJA rehearsal.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Tuesday September 19 2017

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Waking up at 11:07 a.m.

Small bowl of Honey Crunch n Oats with Strawberries and Almond Milk.

Catching up business and emails.

Running errands.

Tuna Salad Sandwich with Slaw. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Grapes. Hibiscus Black Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Honeycrisp Apple.

Back home. Ana made dinner: Lentils with Cauliflower, Carrots, and Brown Rice.

Chores.

Sharing homemade Brownies.

Upstairs, we spend a good amount of time deciding which movie to watch together. Band Aid (2017) it is, a comedy/drama about a couple struggling to be happy and find direction in their lives. The subtle similarities between us and the story in the movie make for comical and mixed emotions.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Monday September 18 2017

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec.

Scrambled Eggs. Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado.

Watching The Hero (2017).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Honeycrisp Apple.

Hanging up the new picture canvas on the studio walls.

Back home.

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

Gelato.

At the studio organizing my keyboard patches for DEJA.

Sleep 3:45 a.m.

Sunday September 17 2017

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Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

The debut of Music Makers Live fall session starts today.

It’s a full 4-band schedule with Joe and Drew helping out with the coaching.

PB&J. Corn Quinoa Puffed Chips.

Back home after a long afternoon of sessions.

Vegan Burgers with Potatoes and slaw.

Watching It Comes At Night (2017).

Researching. Making final decisions on the songs for the bands.

Peach.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Saturday September 16 2017

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Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

White Nectarine.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Green Tea.

DEJA rehearsal.

Setting up the rehearsal room for tomorrow’s MMLIVE band sessions.

Vegetable Fried Rice with Peas.

Watching It Comes At Night (2017).

Gelato.

Will and I go on a mission to knock off all the Trump signs somebody just nailed into a bunch of light poles around Hilltop. I’m pretty sure putting up those signs was illegal to begin with. They’re just slabs of wood with red and white paint that spell out the president’s name. One of them is right in front of Music Makers – that’s what sparked this endeavor. While we’re out and about it feels like we’re being followed by cops everywhere. We joke about the Trump police hunting us down.

At the rehearsal spot again arranging everything and color coding all the mic cables.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Friday September 15 2017

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Waking up at 10:45 a.m.

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

Catching up on business. Chores.

PB&J. Applesauce. Green Tea. Pinwheel Cookies.

Teaching all my in-home lessons.

Getting a few groceries.

Back home. Making Pizza with Garlic Bread and Kale. Enjoying our dinner with mom, Ana, and Will.

Time to get out of the house and face the oceanfront night on my bike. I’m out a little earlier than usual for me while people and cars are still sprinkled throughout Atlantic Ave and the boardwalk. Exercising at the fitness park they built on the sand – crossing the tightrope successfully three times. Later on, when approaching the end on 40^th Street I catch a whiff of cedar wood or something of the like from the brush. It hits me with a nostalgic abundance. The power of smell and memory amazes – nothing in particular on my mind, just positive and loving energy. The Cavalier property is still under construction with houses sprouted up everywhere. I stare at the old hotel – another wave of nostalgia and wonder.

Back home. Peaches and Pluots. Chamomile Tea.

Tinkering on the piano.

Sleep 3 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Thursday September 14 2017

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

Teaching a few lessons.

Errands.

Scrambled Eggs. Bagel with Fig Butter. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato. Green Tea.

Watching Wonder Woman (2017).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Apple.

I’m exhausted from teaching.

Back home. Vegan Sausages on Potato Rolls with Cabbage, Potatoes, and Kale.

Pinwheel Cookies.

Hanging out with Ana and the cat.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Wednesday September 13 2017

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec.

PB&J Bagel. Puffed Corn Quinoa Chips. Green Tea.

Watching Wonder Woman (2017).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Family style dinner made by mom and I. Ana joins us at the table for Beer Battered Cod Filets with Cabbage, Potatoes, and Carrots.

Catching up on business and practicing piano.

Sleeping next to Ana at 3:30 a.m.

Tuesday September 12 2017

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Waking up at 11 a.m. to the booming sound of the jets just outside the window. It sounds like they could be inches away from our house.

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

Organizing. Chores. Emails.

Scrambled Eggs. Everything Bagel. Potatoes. Green Tea.

Watching Death Note (2017).

Teaching lessons all day at Music Makers.

Back home. Ana made dinner: Tempeh, Broccoli, Carrot, and Onion Stir-fry with Jasmine Rice.

Teaching an online lesson to Katelyn.

Gelato.

Constructing info emails to the Music Makers LIVE students. It’s a tedious task when you’re double (sometimes triple) checking to make sure you get the dates and times correct.

Peach. Grapes.

Chilling with Ana and Elvis for a little bit.

Sleep 3:45 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Monday September 11 2017

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Fuji Apple.

Back home. Peas, Fried Rice, Zucchini, and Mixed Veggies.

Catching up on emails.

Getting some groceries at Kroger.

Gelato.

Ana, AJ, and Will converse in the dining room. Meanwhile, I work hard in the kitchen food prepping (parboiling potatoes, cutting vegetables, and brewing tea).

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Sunday September 10 2017

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Waking up at 10:07 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Honey, and Kefir. Coffee.

Time to set up the big block party and re-launch at Music Makers.

Enjoying a Crab Cake Sandwich from the Capt‘n Crabby food truck.

I’ll let Lou, a friend of the Music Makers family, describe the happenings, “I attended the Music Makers Block Party and Re-Launch this afternoon. A nice crowd was on hand to watch all the bands from the summer session of Rock School perform our songs. Several students also performed individually and received much applause. A delightful jam session broke out after all the scheduled performances had concluded and some interesting music was produced. The weather was sunny, cool and nice, although a tad breezy. Face-painting was done for children, and some adults, too; pavement chalk art was created; and a food truck was on the premises to supply good eats. The Music Makers storefront and interior looks great and it's apparent that James Robert Smith and mom Karen have put in a lot of effort towards that end. I'm looking forward to next Sunday and the start of the fall session of Music Makers Live!”

With mom and Ana treating ourselves to a nice dinner at Bangkok Garden. Chicken Pad Thai, Vegetable Soup, and Spring Rolls.

Back at the studio – planning and organizing – troubleshooting.

Cookies. Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Saturday September 9 2017

Waking up at 11:30 a.m. much later than I wanted cause I gotta be at the studio by noon.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

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

DEJA practice.

Japanese Style Fried Rice with Cabbage, and Edamame.

Watching Gangs of New York (2002).

At the studio organizing and prepping for tomorrow’s block party.

Banana. Watermelon. Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 2:45 a.m.

Friday September 8 2017

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Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Teaching a one-off lesson at Music Makers. Taking care of business. Running errands.

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

Teaching all my in-home lessons. After teaching Jillian, her and her mom tell me about a 2 week old bunny rabbit that appeared in the bushes after some landscaping...

Back home. Leftovers for dinner: Black Beans, Kale, Carrots, and Brown Rice.

Watching Gangs of New York (2002).

At the studio. My mom finished quilting my lesson room and now all the lesson rooms have been renovated and themed.

Sleep 3:45 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Thursday September 7 2017

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Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Catching up on emails. Ordering canvas prints for the studio walls.

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

Watching Unacknowledged (2017).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Making Naan Pizzas with Slaw.

More business homework.

Pinwheel Cookies.

Riding my bike down at the oceanfront – the night air is cool enough to wear a thin long sleeve hoodie. I made a special playlist on my iPod to fit my mood. Wolf Alice. Wand. Wavves. Wing Dam. W bands were not planned.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:40 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Wednesday September 6 2017

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Waking up at 10:45 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec.

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

Watching Message From the King (2017).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

They installed the new window and wall graphics at the studio. One step at a time this place is getting a makeover.

Back home.

Chic Peas with Broccoli, Carrots, and Quinoa.

Catching up on emails and my studio to-do list.

Chamomile Tea. Pinwheel Cookies.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Tuesday September 5 2017

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Waking up at 11:17 a.m.

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

Marking off things on my to-do list. Business.

Scrambled Eggs. Rosemary Bread with Goat Cheese Spread. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Mom and I make Vegan Sausages with Potatoes, Onions, and Slaw.

Teaching an online lesson to Katelyn.

Eating these new Pinwheel Cookies from Trader Joe’s.

Emailing. Business.

Nightly recap of the day with Ana in her room while the cat lies around leisurely.

Chamomile Tea. Orange.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Monday September 4 2017

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Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

It’s Labor Day. Most people would welcome the extra weekend day. But I’m not one of those people. I’m trying to get things done. Can’t go to the gym – closed. Can’t call Verizon to take care of this discrepancy on my bill – closed. Can’t teach lessons like normal – some lessons cancelled. I just want to be productive on a Monday. Is that too difficult to ask for?

On a spontaneous note Ana and I head over to Stacy and Kevin’s apartment in Bayhead. Hanging out on the tennis courts and trying our best at volleying the ball back and forth.

Apriums. Watermelon.

Prepping in the kitchen.

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

Napping.

Teaching a couple late evening lessons.

Cleaning up and organizing at the studio.

Black Beans, Kale, Carrots, and Quinoa.

Watching First Kill (2017).

Gelato.

Tweaking Music Makers online presence – updating current information.

Out on the town at 2 a.m. riding my bike up and down Atlantic Ave and the boardwalk.

Applesauce.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Sunday September 3 2017

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Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

At the rehearsal space practicing with DEJA – we’re preparing for a unique Pink Floyd tribute show in the Dominican Republic. The girls, Caitlin and Kim, are here. And we got Eric Vetterick helping out on extra guitars and keys.

PB&J Bagel. Green Tea.

Watching The Osiris Child (2016).

Errands. Organizing. Groceries.

Chores.

Making dinner: Egg Noodles with Kale, Eggplant, Onions, Peas, and Rosemary Bread.

More business.

Gelato.

At the studio working on a few things – practicing drums.

Our lesson room doors got painted...

Back home.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

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