I LOVE: January 2018

Wednesday January 31 2018

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec. Once again, I manage to come alive during one game and knock down five 3 pointers.

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

Watching A Futile and Stupid Gesture (2018).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

Afterwards, picking up some Chinese food from Jane’s House (also known as Asian Cousin, which Ana and I like to call it from where they misspelled the word cuisine.

Tofu with Mixed Vegetables, Rice, and Garlic Sauce. Enjoying dinner with Ana and mom.

Pinwheel Cookies.

At the studio doing the accounting for the month and practicing drums. Just outside the moon glows more brightly than usual with a blue hue that can be seen reflecting on all the car windows.

Back home. Just as I open the front door there’s a scuffle at the top of the stairs where Ana almost stepped on Elvis and fell awkwardly on her bum. She’s alright but she could’ve agitated her shoulder.

Sipping on a beer.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Tuesday January 30 2018

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

Bowl of Honey Crunch n Oats with Strawberries and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

A little bit of snowfall outside.

Running some errands with Ana.

We get into an unnecessary heated argument (mostly on her end) about how many syllables the word “orange” has. It has two but we normally pronounce it with one.

http://mentalfloss.com/article/53661/car-mel-or-car-mel-3-reasons-syllabically-ambiguous-words

Scrambled Eggs. Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Potatoes. Oolong Tea.

Watching A Futile and Stupid Gesture (2018).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Coffee and Banana.

Back home.

Making dinner: Japanese Style Fried Rice with Mixed Vegetables and Kale.

Pinwheel Cookies.

Practicing drums at the studio.

Sleep 3:45 a.m.

Monday January 29 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec. My 3-point shots are on point today.

Grilled PB&J. Popped Chips. Orange. Oolong Tea.

Watching Black Mirror.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Ana and I get dinner fixed up: Vegan Burgers with fixin’s, Broccoli, Carrots, and a Sweet Potato.

Catching up on business – organizing videos – research.

Kinder Egg.

Practicing songs on guitar.

Pineapple Juice.

Sleep 2:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Sunday January 28 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

MMLIVE rehearsals all afternoon.

PB&J break with Popped Chips, a Banana, and Oolong Tea.

Coaching the last band requires a lot of motivation but we manage to stay real productive even though it mostly turns into a drum lesson between me and the beginner drum student.

Grabbing some things from Whole Foods.

Ana cooked dinner: Tempeh with Onions, Cauliflower, Carrots, Broccoli Stalks, and Quinoa.

I brought home some mystery Shortbread Cookies from the store for us to share.

Catching up on business.

Hanging out with mom and Ana in the living room troubleshooting the Netflix app on mom’s TV and poking fun at the shows/movies it recommends to mom.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Saturday January 27 2018

[i]

Waking up at 11:20 a.m.

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

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

Immediately after lessons mom and I drive off to Norfolk. Eating one of those No B.S. bars with egg whites and dates and stuff. It’s an absolutely beautiful day – we can see Mount Trashmore is crowded with people eager to enjoy a premature spring day.

At Smartmouth Brewing Co. in the Chelsea part of Norfolk near the harbor. Ana and I have a gig to play from 4:30 to 7:30. Musicplayer and Community Witch (as Ana calls herself). It’s a diverse set of songs we have planned, everything from oldies, 90’s, 00’s, pop, classic rock, folk, etc. Ana does her own set in the middle with me supporting on drums. Joe McMurray, one of my teachers from Music Makers, hops on the drums during our Psycho Killer and Satisfaction covers. We end the evening with Bohemian Rhapsody, which is definitely a crowd pleaser. The whole place is singing every last word and guitar melody. After the last note they chant for an encore but we don’t have anything more.

Enjoying a Vegetarian Burrito from the food truck and a Pilsner.

Then comes the load out, the transporting of gear back to the studio, then setting up stuff at the rehearsal spot. I joke with people and tell them that being a gigging musician is 80% hard labor and 20% actually playing music.

Back home. Reflecting on the night with Ana over a Pecan Coffee Cake.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Drawing by Shannon. Other images by me.

Friday January 26 2018

^[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Catching up on things. At the studio pre-packing up gear for the weekend.

Sardines with Mustard. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Oolong Tea.

Watching a Foo Fighters documentary.

Teaching a couple in-home lessons then immediately driving out to Newport News for DEJA’s big gig at The Boathouse Live. It’s a special kind of night cause we’re doing our usual tribute songs but also a set of Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall. This place is cavernous and modern – reminds me of some of the venues I used to perform at with MAE back in the day on tour.

Eating a couple slices of okay pizza before we go on.

Then, we do our thing. First hour of tribute songs.

Sipping on a Beer – snacking on Fried Oysters, Southern Greens, and French Fries.

Then, Dark Side of the Moon (just a couple tunes from the album) and the entire Wall with the movie on the big screen (about two hours of music). Mom and Ana are here in support. John goes through the usual ritual of shaving his facial hair and head hair in conjunction with the scene in the movie when Pink shaves. Overall, we performed the heck out of the songs.

Back home after a long night of music. Excited to get some beauty rest before the next day of more music. It’s a giggin’ life for me.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 4 a.m.

[i] Images by Visionaries Photography or me.

Thursday January 25 2018

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Teaching a voice lesson then practicing some songs on guitar.

Grilled PB&J Bagel. Popped Potato Chips. Apple. Oolong Tea.

Watching Black Mirror: USS Callister (2017)

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Making leftovers for dinner: Black Beans with Rice, Kale, Carrots, and Beet Greens.

Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Practicing songs at the studio with Ana, our final rehearsal before the Smartmouth show on Saturday.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3 a.m.

[i] Screenshot from Black Mirror: USS Callister.

Wednesday January 24 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

At the Rec for adult basketball.

Scrambled Eggs. Poppy Seed Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Oolong Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Orange.

Back home after 8 p.m. Ana’s warming up dinner. Leftover Soup with Chinese Broccoli and Shitake Mushrooms, Vegan Burgers.

Getting some late night groceries with Ana at Kroger.

Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Ana takes a criticism I gave her about the cookies not having enough chocolate chips a little too seriously. I can’t do anything right for you she’ll say. But it’s really not a big deal.

“Everything feels like something it isn’t to you,” I explain. I compare this to the weather report reading a certain temperature but it feels like something colder or hotter.

“Do I look like a weather boy to you?” I ask in jest.

Later on, practicing songs together at the studio.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Tuesday January 23 2018

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Catching up on business – preparing for that wonderful time of year: taxes – running errands.

Sardines with Mustard. Sourdough Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato. Oolong Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

Back home. Ana made us dinner: Tempeh with Broccoli, Cauliflower, Onions, and Quinoa.

Watching November Criminals (2017).

At the studio practicing music with Ana.

Chamomile Tea and Grapes.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Monday January 22 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

At the Rec for adult basketball. I’m sticking with my formula of drinking coffee on basketball days. Last Friday I was on fire popping 3’s right and left. And so it goes today I probably played the best basketball I’ve ever played. We play by 1’s and 2’s – the last game I score 12 points even hitting a buzzer beater. Ana sits on the sidelines watching on. “It’s cause his wife is watching,” someone shouts out.

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

Watching Bullet Head (2017).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

As soon as 8 p.m. strikes I hightail it, with a Black Beans, Kale, and Rice dinner, to the rehearsal space for DEJA rehearsal. We go through Dark Side of the Moon songs and the entire Wall set in preparation for our show this Friday.

Back home. Chilling with Ana in her room. She vents to me about financial troubles and her new positive approach for the coming year.

Pinwheel Cookies. Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Sunday January 21 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

It’s Music Makers LIVE day. Things can get real hectic trying to manage all the happenings in the rehearsal room, even with the other coaches like Drew, Edwin, and Lisa helping. But in the end all the bands got two songs under their belt.

PB&J, Plantain Chips, and Apple break in between sessions.

Finally back home. My head is spinning and ready for a nap.

Ana made us all dinner: a wholesome Soup with Chinese Broccoli, Shitake Mushrooms, Carrots, Bean Sprouts, Rice, and Naan Bread.

Watching Bullet Head (2017).

Later on, Ana sits down on my bed spilling her thoughts about her work/shoulder situation. She’s been out of work cause of her shoulder healing from being dislocated weeks ago. On her way out she spots the prescription toothpaste sitting on my dresser.

“I definitely need it. My teeth are about to fall out...” she says with conviction “...like my soul,” she adds as the door is closing.

Enjoying Grapes and Cookies.

At the studio practicing my own songs on guitar. Even though my voice is tired from the day’s work it feels good to play this music.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Saturday January 20 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Tempeh Bacon, Cabbage & Potatoes, Naan Bread with Hummus, and Coffee.

Catching up on business.

Ana was taking a 30 minute nap. Her room is ultra warm and cozy. Nearby Elvis runs around with a wild hair. I instigate a lovemaking session.

Then, off to run errands – taking the recycle and getting groceries from Trader Joe’s.

Setting up the rehearsal spot for MMLIVE tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Ana and mom take care of dinner: Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti Noodles with Red Peppers, Onions, and Marinara Sauce with Slaw.

Ana drives Will and I out to Norfolk to celebrate Chris Remaley’s birthday party appropriately called “Cremaliday”. A fun bunch of friends with Ciders and snacks singing karaoke all night...

Back home after a long night of singing and making a ruckus.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:45 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Friday January 19 2018

[i]

☼▬

We’re all hiding inside a house – with mom, Ana, and others. We’re trying to be very still and only allow minimal movement by the windows. Just outside is a hostile military-like unit looking for us. Mom accidentally flicks something on the blinds. Now we’re discovered. I notice Elvis, the cat, is pawing and clawing just outside the back door. I assumed the hostiles wouldn’t bother with him so I don’t dare let him in. An uncle of some kind is understood to be skilled with swords and ancient ways. I run to his room and retrieve a special sword he has locked up on the wall. When I return something terrible happened and Elvis died. The uncle and another dude were fighting and a gun went off somehow decapitating the cat. I look down at the floor in shock to see Elvis’s head and no clue where his body is. The whole dream feels very traumatic and real. We all mourn his death.

▬☼

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

At the Rec playing adult basketball. Something magical happens with my shots and play today. My teammates keep complimenting me, “I want what you had for breakfast!”

“Oatmeal and coffee,” I tell them.

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Cara Cara Orange. Oolong Tea.

Watching The Open House (2018).

Teaching in-home lessons.

And my teaching game is on point. I don’t know what it is about caffeine but I’m reminded how important coffee could be in my life…just one cup a day.

Enjoying some leftover Tempeh Pad Thai with Mixed Veggies.

DEJA got offered to play a last minute gig at South Beach. Most of my housemates are present. We’re still working in Wade, our new bass player.

Back home after a long day’s work. Snacking on a bowl of Popcorn and Pineapple Juice.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Thursday January 18 2018

[i]

☼▬

The world is about to be overrun with menacing dinosaur-like monsters. It’s understood I am a superhero along with a few other fellow people with particular skills and powers. Most of us can use the bullwhip real well creating unique electrical reactions when used the right way. Most of the dream is spent traveling from city to city seeking out where the monsters will attack. Along the way I run into different problems – battling fellow anti-heroes – dealing with car issues.

I make it to the big city and meet up with a fellow super hero. We take this special elevator, which looks just like a bathroom inside. The people riding it with us seem to be drunk party goers. Nobody cares about using the wall-less stalls. A big-breasted girl takes a liking to me and keeps pressing her boobs against my face. This becomes a distraction to the bigger cause. We can feel the elevator move in awkward directions – not only does it go up and down but sideways too.

We make it to the top floor of a skyscraper where there happens to be a McDonald’s. My friend and I scour out the rooftop looking across the city for any sign of the monsters. I can see smoke billowing up in the sky where accidents have happened. It feels like a water park up here. There’s an intricate maze of stairs and balconies built around a fountain. Suddenly I spot a green dino-monster poke his head out of the water in the distance. He’s looking right at me. I run around looking for the best spot to face him. Meanwhile, more dinos start slithering out of the water through the staircases. They seem friendly the closer they get to me, almost like a brontosaurus. I caress my hand on top of one’s head. Running up the stairs I attempt to jump on top of one with intention of riding out to face the sinister dinos but I get caught up trying to put on vinyl gloves that won’t fit. In the moment it seems important to be wearing these gloves to help me grip the back of the dino. I lose my chance and I continue on without my new monster friends.

▬☼

Waking up at 10:50 a.m.

Bowl of Toasted O’s with Banana, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Teaching a lesson.

Catching up on business.

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato. Oolong Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

Back home after a full day.

Mom helps us make dinner: Veggie Burgers with Cabbage and Potatoes. The three of us enjoy our meals together while we chat about dreams and observations from the day.

Later on, I go to the rehearsal spot to practice some DEJA tunes and pack up my keyboard rig.

Then, Ana and I work on her songs.

Pineapple with Greek Yogurt. Chamomile Tea.

“Be patient with me.”

Sleep at 3:45 a.m.

[i] Cabazon, CA

Wednesday January 17 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:20 a.m.

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

At the Princess Anne Rec with Ana. I do my best at adult basketball – full court games one after the other.

Sardines with Mustard. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Oolong Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. It’s decided to snow again (1 – 2 inches) so that means people are cancelling their lessons right and left. It’s disappointing for the business but you can’t force things to happen.

I stick around after mom leaves and try to troubleshoot Ana’s old school Gretsch acoustic guitar. Also, practicing a little bit of music.

Back home. Ana made dinner: Chic Pea Curry with Brussel Sprouts and Rice.

Watching The Vault (2017).

At the studio with Ana practicing songs.

Grapefruit. ACV Drink.

Sleep at 3 a.m. all cozy’d up next to Ana.

[i] Images by me.

Tuesday January 16 2018

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

Catching up on business.

Running a few errands with Ana – filling up water jugs at Whole Foods – buying paper towels and gel highlighters from Target.

Galia Melon.

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

Watching Rebel in the Rye (2017).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Making dinner: Tempeh Pad Thai with Rice Noodles, Peanut Sauce, Broccoli, Red Peppers, Mushrooms, and Green Onions.

Teaching an online lesson.

Grapes.

Practicing songs at the studio. Ana joins me later after her Norfolk excursion is over.

Chamomile Tea.

Watching videos on music theory.

Sleep 3 a.m.

Monday January 15 2018

Waking up at 11 a.m. more or less. In light of Ana and I’s sex situation I ended up having a dream about her and I doing it in the bathroom.

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

It’s Martin Luther King Day and the gym is closed. So catching up on business.

Errands with Ana.

Sardines with Mustard. Toast with Butter and Jam. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Oolong Tea.

Watching Rebel in the Rye (2017).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

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

At the rehearsal spot with DEJA and an extra band mate practicing for our Wall/Dark Side of the Moon show in a couple weeks.

Enjoying some Meringues Ana made and some grapes. Chamomile Tea.

Major headache before sleep early at 2:30 a.m.

Sunday January 14 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:42 a.m.

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

Today’s the first day of MMLIVE winter sessions. Got four bands on the schedule. It’s a productive debut for 2018. I’ve got my old friend and fellow teacher, Edwin, helping coach the bands along with Drew and Lisa.

PB&J break on the break with Plantain Chips and an Apple.

Back home. Leftovers for dinner: Chicken with Chard, Cauliflower, and Rice.

Catching up on business.

At the studio practicing songs with Ana.

Chamomile Tea.

Meanwhile, Ana texts me her thoughts on the lack of sex in our relationship. A lot of it comes from my end. I get so wrapped up in my life, music responsibilities, etc. that I barely make room for romance. I need to sharpen my skills again.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Saturday January 13 2018

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato. Oolong Tea.

Watching Detroit (2017).

Ana and I dart out to Norfolk to check out Anthony and Allyson perform a Lazy Dangers acoustic gig at Smartmouth. We’ll be here a few weeks from now doing our own gig.

Back home. Leftovers for dinner: Black Beans with Mixed Vegetables and Quinoa.

At the rehearsal spot off Lynnhaven setting up amps and stuff for MMLIVE tomorrow.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Friday January 12 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

At the Rec with Ana. I duke it out on the basketball courts. The floors are extra slick and humid today. Temperatures outside in the 60’s, a complete contrast to the snow weekend. The gym is filled with the streaky sounds from everyone’s sneakers.

Grilled PB&J. Plantain Chips. Oolong Tea.

Teaching all my in-home lessons.

Back home. Mom made dinner: Chicken with Onions, Mushrooms, Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Jasmine Rice.

Watching Detroit (2017).

Gelato.

Catching up on business.

Practicing DEJA tunes.

Ana went out to a punk show at Charlie’s. When she gets back we hang out and chat about things. Meanwhile, the cat pounces around the room.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Thursday January 11 2018

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

Teaching a few afternoon lessons.

Catching up on business.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

Back home.

Black Beans with Chard, Carrots, and Quinoa.

Watching Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017).

Gelato.

Ladada rehearsal with Bobby, Jon, and Josiah. After playing through and polishing the usual tunes we get lost in a “Jam Stars” jam that almost becomes meditative.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3 a.m.

Wednesday January 10 2018

Waking up at 10:20 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec. The kids are still out of school so they’re restricting us to one court again. This time the team rotation is screwed up but I still get some good games in.

Grilled PB&J Bagel. Popped Potato Chips. Oolong Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Apple.

Back home. The kitchen’s a little crowded so Ana and I pick up some Chinese food from Jane House, the old China Wok location.

Fried Tofu with Mixed Vegetables, White Rice, and Garlic Sauce.

Practicing songs on the guitar with Ana at the studio – wearing our voices out.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Tuesday January 9 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10 a.m.

Making Blackberry Banana Buttermilk Pancakes and Coffee for Ana, mom, and I.

Catching up on business.

Running some errands with Ana – getting groceries at Whole Foods.

Tempeh Bacon. Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Popped Potato Chips. Oolong Tea.

Watching a food documentary about the honey industry.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Making dinner: Black Bean Burgers with Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, Onions, and leftover Pizza.

Watching Wind River (2017).

Sipping on a beer.

Teaching an online piano lesson.

Chocolate.

Ana and I take my car to drop off at the 17^th Street shop overnight for them to do some maintenance in the morning.

Practicing songs on the guitar at the studio.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

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