I LOVE: May 2018

Thursday May 31 2018

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Teaching a couple vocal lessons.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese and Poppy Seeds. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

Riding my bike to 17^th Street to pick up my car. Had to get my radiator replaced along with some hoses.

Ana made dinner: Tempeh with Onions, Kale, Carrots, and Quinoa.

Ladada practice with the boys. It’s a fun socializing kind of practice – cracking ourselves up over silly British accents and poking fun at our musical blemishes.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Wednesday May 30 2018

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

At the Rec with Ana. Basketball.

Toasted PB&J. Orange. Coffee.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

Back home. Making dinner with mom: Brown Rice Spaghetti Noodles with Tomato Sauce, Mushrooms, Onions, Slaw, and Parm Bread.

Watching Red Sparrow (2018).

Catching up on business.

Smoothies.

Chilling with Ana and Elvis.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Tuesday May 29 2018

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Running errands with Ana – recycling – getting groceries at Trader Joe’s.

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Potato Chips. Coffee.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Orange. Banana.

Back home. Ana made us dinner: Lentils with Cauliflower, Carrots, Onions, and Jasmine Rice.

At the studio with Rob Moore and Ana. Rob’s gonna be filling in on drums for one of the MMLIVE bands this Saturday so we rehearse some drum parts and such.

Back home. Making a Smoothie and chilling with Ana.

Sorting through photos and footage from Sunday’s show.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Monday May 28 2018

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Breakfast Bar with Irish Breakfast Tea.

Catching up business, emails, and texts.

Random appearance from Cynthia and Anthony in my room. Anthony’s in need of some nice pants to wear so they can go eat somewhere semi-fancy.

Then, Austin, the new roommate who officially moved in at the beginning of the month, is here moving furniture into his room. Vacuuming the stairs and other forgotten corners of the house.

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Popped Chips. Coffee.

Watching Icarus (2017).

Teaching a few lessons at Music Makers but most people end up cancelling cause of Memorial Day.

Later on, meeting up with my dad, my aunt Pansy and her husband Peter, mom, and Ana at Brother’s Pizza. The Garlic Knots were unexpectedly stale but the Pizza pies were good.

Afterwards, we check out Aunt Pansy’s trailer over at the KOA campground. She’s got two new Pomeranian puppies that are just as cute as can be. We chat at the table while game 7 of the Warriors and Rockets plays on the TV. Meanwhile, the flood has arrived outside – it rains and rains and rains.

Back home. Settling in. Ana’s not in a great mood – seems to be annoyed by everything. We talk a little bit about it. I think the rain and lack of sunshine today affected our moods.

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

[i] Image by me.

Sunday May 27 2018

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Today is the big day: the Music Makers LIVE show at the venue formerly known as Eagles Nest, now called Beach House Live. “Live” is becoming a popular term.

Rob Moore and I handle setting up the stage and preparing the instruments/amps/drums – working with Kenny, the front of house sound guy, to get everything in working order.

All the bands performed amazingly. For every mistake there’s an awesome moment. I love my students. I love my bands. I’m more than proud of them!

T.M.V.:

The Imaginaries:

Prizm:

Sumpn’ Sumpn’:

I think I snacked on a Banana and Orange somewhere in there.

After packing up and lugging everything back to the studio mom and I finally hit the refresh button at the house. My dad is in town for a few days. The three of us grab some dinner at No Frill Grill down the street. It’s nice to spend time with the two of them together.

Later on, dad and I hang out some more at his hotel room on the Oceana base to watch game 7 of the Cavaliers and Celtics. It’s a good time to actually watch a full playoff game instead of the highlights.

At the studio organizing drums and gear.

Back home catching up on the day with Ana, Will, and the cat.

Sleep 3:45 a.m.

[i] Images by Joe Justice.

Saturday May 26 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

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

MMLIVE rehearsals all afternoon. It’s the final practice before the big show tomorrow. I’m so proud of every band. Their focus and awareness throughout the songs have improved dramatically since we first started eight weeks ago.

Vegan Burger with Lettuce and Tomato. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Iced Coffee. Banana.

Rob Moore has been helping out with the coaching. Between him, mom, and I we pack all the gear up and into my car. Lugging back to Music Makers then reloading my car with gear for the DEJA gig tonight at Tapped.

Quick refresh at home – shower – Pineapple Drink made by mom.

At the gig across the street. Even though I was overworked today it feels good on the keyboards – playing most of the notes and chords right – the band sounds together – got a perfect monitor mix – can’t really complain.

Enjoying a Mahi Filet with Jasmine Rice and Green Beans for dinner.

Back home after 1:30 a.m.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Friday May 25 2018

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

At the gym with Ana. Playing basketball. Fridays always seem to be my off days on the court – flubbing shots right and left.

Grilled PB&J. Honey Crisp Apple. Coffee.

Out and about teaching my in-home lessons.

Back home. Making dinner: Brown Rice Spaghetti with Tomato Basil Sauce, Onions, Tiger Peppers, Kale, and Garlic Parm Bread.

Watching Black Water (2018).

At the rehearsal spot setting up for MMLIVE tomorrow.

Smoothie.

Chores.

While I hang up my shirts Ana tries to draw Elvis lying on the floor. She’s been on a huge drawing kick, which I fully support. Making and creating things have been exciting her lately.

Sleep 4 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Thursday May 24 2018

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Teaching a few afternoon vocal lessons.

Getting some groceries with mom at Whole Foods.

Scrambled Eggs. Sesame Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Popped Chips. Green Tea.

Watching Dark Crimes (2016).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Orange and a Banana.

Making dinner: Salmon with Broccoli, Carrots, Onions, May Peas, and Jasmine Rice.

Ladada rehearsal with Josiah, Bobby, and Jonnie.

Hibiscus Tea. Apple Fritter Bread.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Wednesday May 23 2018

^[i]

Waking up at 10:35 a.m.

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

At the Rec with Ana. Playing basketball. The gym is ultra humid – no A/C for some reason. Everyone gets exhausted easily.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Orange.

Back home. Making Naan Pizzas with mom – throwing anything we can for toppings.

Doing some stuff at the studio.

Smoothie.

Chores.

Ana sits in my room at my bedside eating frozen blueberries and sipping on green tea while I sort basketball cards and strategically stick googly eyes on this music composers picture I obtained.

Sleep 3:45 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Tuesday May 22 2018

[i]

Waking up at 11:00 a.m.

Leftover Waffles. English Breakfast Tea.

Catching up on business and emails.

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

Watching 12 Strong (2018).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Orange and Banana.

Back home.

Ana and mom make dinner: Curry Tempeh with Onions, Mushrooms, Kale, Carrots, and Quinoa.

My mom and Ana are downstairs working the sewing machine. Mom looks up with her glasses and says, “Robert, you’re an incurable blogger,” as I film some video clips. Ana and I laugh.

At the studio working on some things – playing piano.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Monday May 21 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:45 a.m.

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

Shooting the basketball around and working out at the Great Neck Rec this time.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

...

“What is rhythm?” I ask of Charley, a longtime piano student of mine who just finished her first book.

“I don’t know. Jazz or something?” she replies sheepishly.

Oh boy. I mean she’s not wrong I suppose.

As soon as lessons are done Mom and I swing by the house to eat some quick dinner that Ana made: Pita Pockets with Beans, Red Peppers, Hummus, Quinoa, and Slaw. Then, we head straight over to the rehearsal spot for one of the MMLIVE bands to practice – making up for a missed rehearsal.

Back home. It’s been a long day. Catching up on emails and MMLIVE related business.

Rose Hip Hibiscus Tea.

Chilling with Ana and the cat.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Sunday May 20 2018

[i]

Waking up at 11:20 a.m.

Ana made Waffles from scratch. Having some with Coffee. Delicious breakfast!

Helping her practice MMLIVE songs on bass and guitar.

PB&J. Plantain Chips. English Breakfast Tea.

MMLIVE rehearsals start at 3:30 today – everything’s been shifted around to make sure we’re all at band rehearsals. It’s all filled with beautiful singing, dancing, a lot of heart, and mistakes. But we’re confident in these bands to sound amazing next weekend.

Apple.

Mom and I grab some Chinese food from the old China Wok joint.

Vegetable Lo Mein for me and a Kolsch Beer.

Catching up on business.

Pineapple.

Sleep 4 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Saturday May 19 2018

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

“If there’s anything that Robert hates it’s questions being asked in the morning,” Ana says to the camera.

Breakfast Bar. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

Tuna Salad Sandwich with Lettuce and Tomato. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato. Cucumber. Banana. Coffee.

Watching Beyond Skyline (2017).

Running errands. The rain is off and on – dark clouds hang overhead – Vitamin D withdrawal.

Shopping at H&M for underwear and shorts. The mall – an environment and culture I’ve long forgotten.

Hard Boiled Egg, Slaw, and Five Guys French Fries.

Dealing with business.

Chores.

Sleep next to Ana at 3 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Friday May 18 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

At the Rec with Ana. While watching me run the last basketball game she notes, “It’s always so intense on the last one.” The player’s competitiveness really heats up cause everyone wants to end on a victorious note.

Scrambled Eggs. Popped Chips. Toast with Butter and Jam. Coffee.

Watching Beyond Skyline (2017).

Teaching my in-home lessons.

Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti Noodles with Mushrooms, Onions, Sauce, and Naan Bread.

Catching up on research and business.

Chores.

Pineapple, Grapes, and Yogurt.

Sleep 4 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Thursday May 17 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:45 a.m.

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

The Chanticleer maintenance is here assessing the leak. By a process of elimination they discover it’s Ana’s shower causing the leaks, not the toilet like we thought. And even though it smelled like sewage it was only musty water. For now we have to enjoy a hole in our ceiling until next week.

Getting groceries with Ana at Trader Joe’s.

Scrambled Eggs. Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese, Poppy Seeds, and Sesame Seeds. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Coffee.

Torrential downpour.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Orange.

Back home. Mom prepares dinner: Vegetable Fried Rice with Peas, Broccoli, and Shishito Peppers.

Ladada rehearsal with Bobby, Jonnie, and Josiah. A lot of talk in the air about weekend summer shows and such. Spirits are high about the new recordings and the new chemistry with Jonnie in the band.

Apples, Blueberries, and Yogurt.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Wednesday May 16 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

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

Ana and I go to the Rec. Basketball games for me.

Grilled PB&J Bagel with Popped Chips and Coffee. Orange.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

Homemade Pizza for dinner.

Catching up on business.

Organizing basketball cards.

Downstairs in the dining room we discover a major leak coming from the ceiling apparently caused from Ana’s toilet cause the water smells like sewage. It splatters all over everything. Disgusting.

Muffins with Blueberries and Yogurt.

Sleep 4 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

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