Saturday August 31 2019

 

Waking up at 11 a.m.

 

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

 

Mom joins me at Music Makers for our small shift of lessons. It’s her first time back here in a month at least. A detective cop drops in telling us about a bank robbery that just went down across the street at Fulton bank. He asks if we’ve seen anyone and shows me a picture of a dude with sunglasses and a camo hat. He found a suspicious gym bag in our dumpster. I didn’t think bank robberies were still a thing.

 

Loading up the truck with all the music gear.

 

Ana and I have a Musicplayer gig at O’Connor’s Brewing in Norfolk. We only played here that one time they did a carnival and all the bands played on the loading dock. Today they put us on the inside stage rather than burn up to a crisp in the beer garden. This place is huge – so many places you can go and sit - it’s kind of ridiculous but awesome too. It’s a great crowd but everyone’s spread out. We garner the attention of a few people that stay for the whole show. Afterwards, one of them says I’m a great showman. I definitely felt in my element and I think Ana did also. Our shows never go without a few hiccups here and there but the genuineness of how we perform and the choice of songs is what makes the show unique.

 

Loading out and heading back to Virginia Beach...

 

Earlier, we tried to enjoy plates of Jerk style Shrimp and Chicken from a food truck but it was so incredibly salty. So Ana gets supplies for mom to make us smoothies, something we all desperately needed.

 

 

Sleep around 3:30 a.m.

Friday August 30 2019

Waking up at 11:17 a.m.

 

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

 

Ana and I enjoy a workout at the Rec – shooting around the basketball.

 

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

 

Teaching a few in-home lessons to Jolin and Edwin. They always say in their kiddie Chinese accent, “Goodbye miss-ter Ro-bet!”

 

Picking up some groceries.

 

Doing some car maintenance.

 

Feeling really tired. Taking a power nap.

 

Leftover Cabbage and Bean Soup for dinner.

Watching Men In Black 3 (2012).

 

At the studio practicing songs. Ana joins me later on. Packing up.

 

Cookies n’ Cream Ice Cream. Popcorn.

 

 

Sleep early at 3 a.m.

Thursday August 29 2019

 

Waking up at 11 a.m.

 

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

 

Catching up on business.

 

Grilled PB&J Bagel. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home. Ana made a big pot of Cabbage and Bean Soup.

 

At Ladada practice with Bobby and Josiah. No Jonnie tonight – he’s been going through a funk of some kind. But we still have a good time playing a few jams – the beginning of jungle psych.

 

 

Chillin’ with Ana and Elvis.

 

Sleep 4:30 a.m.

Wednesday August 28 2019

 

 

Waking up at later than I wanted at 11:30 a.m.

 

Date and Almond Bar. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Working on the Music Makers schedule/calendar answering emails and sending texts.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Poppy Seed Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

Watching John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019).

 

At the studio teaching lessons.

 

Back home. I picked up a Rotisserie Chicken from Fresh Market. Mom roasted Broccoli and Zucchini to go with. The three of us enjoy a meal together.

 

Ana and I hole up at the studio practicing songs and having a great time!

 

 

Popcorn. Watching YouTube videos.

 

Sleep at a decent hour at 3 a.m.

Tuesday August 27 2019

Waking up a little before 11 a.m. Ana lies beside me caressing my back and legs leading to fire.

 

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

 

At the Rec with Ana playing basketball and getting the blood flowing.

 

Errands.

 

Melon. Scrambled Eggs. Bagel with Butter and Jam. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

Watching John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019).

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. It’s a perfectly busy day with Rachel manning the front desk and me running back and forth making sure things go smoothly.

 

Salmon, Corn on the Cob, Kale, Carrots for dinner. Sharing the meal with mom.

 

Cookie.

 

Later on, at the studio with Ana practicing songs. Then, changing the strings on my acoustic guitar.

 

 

Popcorn.

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Monday August 26 2019

Waking up at 11:07 a.m.

 

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

 

Catching up on business. Running errands.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Poppy Seed Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Salt n Vinegar Chips. White Hibiscus Tea.

 

At Music Makers teaching lessons.

 

Back home. Ana bought Pizza and Garlic Knots for dinner.

 

At ELO rehearsal. It’s been a while and we need to stay fresh on the tunes for an upcoming gig.

 

Back home. Chilling with Ana and the cat.

Cookies n’ Cream Ice Cream.

 

 

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

Sunday August 25 2019

☼▬

It’s understood there are vicious dogs roaming around the mall terrorizing people. I witness a few encounters from these hostile bulldog-like creatures on others. It’s almost like a conspiracy cause I know they killed people but nobody knows about it. I keep running around the building trying to get away from these things but also looking for clues. Later on, it’s understood that this guy named Miguel originally owned these dogs but he’s now in prison so nobody can find out anything. For some reason I make it my mission to get to Miguel. My way of thinking is if I can just tell him what’s going on maybe he’ll have some sort of control over the dogs.

...

I’m stuck in a room with bunk beds while these monster dogs dart around trying to rip my arms/legs off. They don’t climb but can jump really high so I stay on high ground as much as possible. Making my way through other buildings. One yard in particular is becoming a challenge to get through. Somehow I’ve teamed up with others who want to help. After a few awakenings I make it. Inside the prison I handle getting past the guards and the front entrance pretty easily. I’m wearing my smiley face boxers and pretend I’m just there to retrieve keys I left or whatever.

One of the officers suspects something and yells out, “Hey! Come back here.”

I continue quickly down a series of stairs and cages. They’ve got Miguel holed up on an island across a man-made lake. He’s a high profile prisoner with some supposed connections to money. So the security is top notch. I jump down a ledge and run across a patch of big rocks. I dive right in the water and start swimming over to the island. Meanwhile, all of the guards are trying to stop me. I crawl up the shoreline to meet Miguel. He’s got his whole family and some bodyguards living here. Finally telling him the whole crazy dog situation. I accomplished my mission.

▬☼

 

Waking up at almost noon. I let Elvis into the bedroom where Ana and I are still trying to get up. He vies for morning cuddles.

 

With mom and Ana enjoying some Biscuits, Pastries, and Coffee at Three Ships. Outside on the patio mom enjoys the therapy of two German Shepherds, one of them is almost as big as a horse!

 

 

Before Ana goes to work we practice a few tunes at the studio.

 

Catching up on business. Running errands. Picking up loose leaf tea at The Heritage – searching for picture frame things at Michael’s – curtains and blankets at Wal-Mart – a new pair of shoes at WRV.

 

Mom warms up dinner for the two of us: Black Beans, Celery, Onions, Baby Broccoli, Carrots, and Quinoa.

 

Later on, at the studio fixing up this new curtain in the orange lesson room. After a Cookies n’ Cream Ice Cream break Ana joins me to practice some more songs.

 

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Saturday August 24 2019

 

☼▬

On Nimmo Parkway waiting at the stoplight about to cross where it intersects General Booth. Suddenly I hear sirens from a fire truck headed in the same direction. Everyone around me and myself drive carefully behind. Up ahead somewhere in the shopping plaza we hear gunshots. I’m out of my car now carrying the brown stool used at Music Makers for some reason. The gunshots continue and seem to get closer. I see people running frantically up the sidewalk in my direction. I follow suit. A man driving a customized tractor sort of vehicle moves quickly towards us. He’s got golden shotguns and shoots randomly at the crowd. I manage to get around the corner but he’s right there behind me. I throw my hands up in fear and walk slowly by. Then I notice it’s someone I know.

“Wyatt! Wyatt Clark!” I shout at him.

He recognizes me. I get closer and we connect for a bit talking about how long it’s been since we’ve seen each other. He assures me he’s not gonna shoot me cause I’m “locked”, understood to mean protected. My knee accidentally hits the gold guns. They’re hot from so much firing.

I try to talk some sense into him, “You know how this is gonna end right? It won’t be good. You could get yourself killed.”

I tread lightly cause I’m not certain how clear of a state his head is in. There’s a line of people behind him watching and listening to our conversation. Because I know him I feel obligated to resolve the situation. There are no cops around yet which is strange. But I continue my attempt to safely end this.

▬☼

 

Waking up at 11:30 a.m. to the sweet smells of Ana making Blueberry Waffles for breakfast.

 

At Music Makers for a few afternoon lessons.

 

Egg Sandwich with Tomato. Melon. Kale.

 

Ana, mom, and I drive over to Lisa and Zack’s wedding at Lisa’s parents house, which is beautiful and perfectly fit for a wedding. I was invited but also hired to bring a PA system and deejay the evening. The place fills up fast. They have the ceremony right in the sunlit foyer. One of our students at Music Makers, Skylar, sings a few songs for the bride/groom dance – a very touching moment. Rachel and her friend Bryn shoot photography throughout the night. Later on, opening up the dance floor with 80’s hits and the wedding party standards.  

 

 

Back home. Settling down with some Green Tea and Chips.

 

At the studio organizing things.

 

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Friday August 23 2019

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

 

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

 

At the Rec playing a few rounds of 4-on-4 basketball.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese and Poppy Seeds. Sweet delicious Melon. Coffee.

Watching Alita Battle Angel (2019).

 

Out teaching my in-home lessons to Jolin/Edwin. One of their little sisters roams around happily and every now and then stops to rub her hand on the hair on my arm. In the past she used to be afraid of the bearded white man every time I showed up but now she’s warmed up to me.  

...

And then surprisingly teaching the Kuzniewski’s. I haven’t seen them in a couple months really. They were busy going out of town as well as I. It rains and thunders outside as Anna eagerly shows me a song she’s written on the piano. I’m so proud of her and all the creativity flowing.

 

Back home. Mom and I make dinner: warming up some leftover Tuna, Asparagus, Black Beans, and Quinoa. But the real star of the meal is the Fried Okra. Mom shows me the process of how she’s always fried it before when I was little. At the table she regales a story to me when her and my sister let me go into the grocery store on my own to buy a watermelon – I was only 6 years old at the time. It was just a fond memory she had and probably the beginnings of my expertise on picking out the right fruit.

 

Later on, I hang out at the studio working on a bunch of things – trying to fix the blinds in one of the teaching rooms – gluing foam to Ana’s pedal board case – writing out an order for items.

 

Melon. Chamomile Tea.

 

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Thursday August 22 2019

 

 

Waking up at 11:20 a.m.

 

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

 

Catching up on business and running errands.

 

 

Leftover Spaghetti with Garlic Bread and Fruit.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Meeting with Jordan, a potential new guitar instructor. Enjoying our conversation on music and the philosophy of teaching. He’s got the right perspective.

...

Then, meeting with Rebecca, who starts teaching a few students today. She’s one of Ana’s co-workers at Trader Joe’s. She also has the right perspective on teaching – she’s got a great energy and positive spirit about her, a perfect fit for the studio. We talk about her history getting her degree in Bristol and how she ended up in Virginia Beach.

 

Back home. Making Black Bean Tacos for dinner.

 

When Ana gets off work we go on a late night trip to Wal-Mart for cat supplies. Then, practicing a few tunes at the studio.

 

At home. I always hate hearing the low moans coming from the living room where mom is. She still experiences pain from post-surgery healing. She sits up in her chair in tears and begs, “I just want the pain to stop!” I comfort her as best I can. It’s always better when she moves around and converses with Ana and I.

 

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Wednesday August 21 2019

 

☼▬

Back at the Sonic on Nimmo Parkway working. It’s weird cause I haven’t worked here since the mid 2000’s. Everything feels realistic. All the details I remember about the place look basically the same except there’s random graffiti in the back on the walk-in fridge doors. I run around doing random tasks but not really assigned to any particular spot. The manager expedites the food into the bags. I mention to him how I used to work here a long time ago as if I’m just a ghost in the room.

...

Later in another dream I’m taking a late night stroll through a neighborhood of townhomes. It’s understood I’m passing by Megan’s house (one of my students). Further on in a small field I’m carefully walking near trees. I see in the distance in a patch what appears to be movement. No figure in sight but the blades of grass shift like the wind. It’s understood to be some sort of hostile ghost. It starts to breeze over my way very quickly. I manage to whack it with a big stick. As soon as I make contact the figure appears in a crazy skeleton form. And then another one. Once again – WHACK – down goes another ghost.

▬☼

 

Waking up at 11 a.m.

 

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

 

Ana and I head to the Rec for a quick workout. I shoot the ball around. On the way home we get into a debate about which is the most direct route from the Rec to the house. In the end it doesn’t matter who’s right cause Ana is driving and she’s got the final say in her journey. I mention how it’s hard for us to debate intelligently without emotionally being affected.

 

 

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Popped Chips. Coffee. Discovering I need to stop drinking hot liquids in the middle of a hot day cause it just makes me sweat.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. Rachel’s got the front desk but I still handle some of the scheduling and signing up new students. There’s always much to do.

 

Back home. I bought some awesome fresh Tuna Loins to cook for dinner. Mom and I share the meal in the dining room with Asparagus, Rice, Carrots, and Kale.

 

Afterwards, we decide to give the kitchen counters a good cleaning. When mom pulls up the drying mat under the dish rack little roaches scurry around causing alarm. She shouts, “Get them, Robert!” She’s got a real disgust for those little guys.

 

Cookies n’ Cream Gelato.

 

At the computer doing website maintenance and other business related things.

 

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Tuesday August 20 2019

 Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

 

Date and Almond Breakfast Bar. Irish Breakfast Tea.

 

Pretty much sitting at my computer handling the business phone and finagling the studio schedule all afternoon.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Popped Chips. Coffee.

 

At Music Makers teaching lessons.

 

Back home. Chilling with mom over dinner: Peas, leftover Chicken/Broccoli, Celery, Onions, Carrots, and Rice.

 

Gelato and Cookies.

 

At the studio with Ana practicing new songs.

 

Afterwards, enjoying a little lovemaking by the candle light.

 

 

Sleep a little bit earlier than usual at 3:10 a.m.

Monday August 19 2019

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

 

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

 

Catching up on business.

 

Ana and I go to the Rec.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Plain Bagel with Butter and Jam. Coffee. Melon.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Before my lessons start I meet with Rebecca, a potential new vocal instructor. She’s one of Ana’s co-workers at Trader Joe’s. The stars seemed to align with this situation cause Stacie informed me just yesterday that she’d be moving to Colorado. And I had already kind of met Rebecca a week ago. She’s got a fitting personality for this job.

 

Back home. Ana and mom are making dinner: Vegan Burgers with homemade French Fries and Pickled Cucumbers.

 

Later, Ana and I practice some new songs. We get stressed out in a few moments but overall it’s a productive practice.

 

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Sunday August 18 2019

 

 

Waking up somewhere between 11:30 and noon.

 

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

 

Today is my official day off. Time to get shit done!

 

Catching up on business and uploading video footage from last weekend.

 

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

Watching Stockholm (2019).

 

It’s melon season – enjoying all kinds of ripe and delicious melons at the house.

 

Mom and I run grocery errands – hitting up the trinity of stores: Kroger, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s.

 

Continuing to scratch off things on my to-do list – chores – things on the computer.

 

Cooking dinner: Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti Noodles with Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Peppers, Onions, and Broccoli. Garlic French Baguette.

 

Drilling some holes and installing handles in Ana’s new DIY pedal board.

 

Going for a late night bike ride to the oceanfront.

 

Melon.

 

 

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Saturday August 17 2019

 

☼▬

I’m on tour with the Ladada boys. Lying down in the back of the van while Josiah drives us to Omaha, or somewhere in the Midwest. It feels like it’s been four hours or something like that. It’s lightly raining and of course it’s leaking through the back window right onto my amp. I awkwardly kneel on the backseat where Jonnie is napping and try to cover everything but the garbage bag I have has holes. Meanwhile, we’re driving through an interesting part of our route where the main road has turned into grassy terrain and we’re right in the middle of a carnival. We’re looking for a place to eat but all we have is carnival food. We park somewhere behind a building. The side door window cracked and there’s a gaping jagged hole in it. I open the door carefully and make conversation with a lady asking her where we can get some decent food – she says we’re about 50 minutes out.    

▬☼

 

Waking up at 11 a.m.

 

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

 

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

Figs and Orange Honeydew Melon that tastes like a Dreamscicle.

 

Grilled PB&J Blueberry Bagel. Plantain Chips. Coffee.

Watching a documentary about The Family (2019).

 

Ana and I head to Norfolk. There’s a bunch of shows happening all in one night – it’s like our own mini SXSW. First up is Ladada, Suburban Living, and The Evening Attraction at Smartmouth Brewing. Elliott brought Wesley’s band in his big van. Linking up with friends and drinking beers. Each band is supposed to play like an hour. It’s a fun show. A lot of the regulars recognize me from Musicplayer and such. Eating some Brisket, French Fries, and Coleslaw from the food truck. After the show the load out is always a good time. Josiah and Alec sit in the front seat of the van and mention how the best part of playing a show is the load out camaraderie. Elliott pulls out his hand constructed bodgieboard, something we used to ride down hills back in the day. I joke with him he should build more and start offering rides to people at the beach.

 

 

 

Will and I ride over to Taphouse down the street for another show featuring all 3-piece bands including Ana’s band (Community Witch), The Swell Fellas (a show-offy talented rock band), Towards Space (a frenetic melodic punk band from Richmond), and veterans, Snake Mountain Revival. Ana is nervous cause it’s kind of like their first genuine show at a venue besides houses and Utopia Feni. They do well and she’s got a fierce energy. I’m proud of her. I know this project really means a lot to her. Off and on chilling in the back room with Josiah and Aaron.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back home after real late. Sleeping next to Ana.

 

Friday August 16 2019

 

 

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

 

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

 

At the Rec playing a few rounds of pickup 4-on-4 basketball. It’s a good match up with all these young bucks. At some point in the third game I start knocking down a bunch of 3-point shots.

“It’s like he’s got a magnet on the ball!” one of the guys exclaims.

 

Picking up some produce goodies from the B&L stand off First Colonial.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Cantaloupe. Poppy Seed Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Sparkling Water.

 

Teaching some lessons to Edwin and Jolin. Afterwards, I’m requested to give Jolin a ride to the family’s Chinese food restaurant up the street. I put on a Grouplove song on the stereo. Pointing out some crazy driver on the road.

“That man’s crazy!” she says.

“Everybody’s crazy. The world is crazy. Are you crazy?”

“Yeah!”

“You crazy?”

“Yesssss!” she says with conviction.

“We’re all a little bit crazy don’t you think?” I ask.

“Ha-ha-ha-ha!”

 

Stopping by a thrift store.

 

Back home. Snacking on a Chocolate Chips Cookie and Coffee.

 

Picking up some groceries at Trader Joe’s.

 

Cooking some quick dinner with mom: Salmon, Lentil Soup (donated from a Music Makers parent), Brussel Sprouts, and Quinoa.

 

 

Later on after Ana gets off work, we head to Wal-Mart after midnight to pick up some Velcro tape. Then, at the studio I help her put together her new pedal board and restring her guitar.

 

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Thursday August 15 2019

Waking up around 11:30 a.m.

 

Fruit. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Chores.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Bagel with Butter and Jam. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Spending a little time with mom when I get home. Brought some Bangkok Garden for dinner. She’s been in a lot of post-surgery pain from her nerves kicking back in. It’s a tough time but she’s still recovering well.

 

At Ladada rehearsal with the boys.

 

Grapes and Popcorn.

 

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Wednesday August 14 2019

Waking up at 10:50 a.m.

 

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

 

The Music Makers phone magically doesn’t ring or anything like it did the other day so I take the opportunity to get to the gym and get the blood flowing in my legs again.

 

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

 

Teaching lessons at the studio. Lou is here helping run the front for the second day in a row.

 

Back home. Cooking up some leftovers and other things: Pasta Noodles with Kale, Carrots, and Onions.

 

Later on, at the studio practicing songs. Ana joins me. We work on our rendition of “Float On” and chat about her music.

 

 

Sleep around 4 a.m.

Tuesday August 13 2019

 

 

Waking up at 11:27 a.m.

 

Date and Almond Breakfast Bar. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Dealing with all kinds of Music Makers business, communications with parents, and schedule changes.

 

Talking with mom downstairs. She’s all set up in her recliner dealing with business of her own – talking with doctors, setting up appointments, etc.

 

PB&J Sweet Potato Biscuits. Potato Chips. Coffee.

 

At Music Makers teaching lessons. Lou is here taking care of the front desk and answering the phone. He’s very thorough and writes everything down.

 

Off work. Picking up some groceries at Whole Foods and some necessities at Target.

 

It’s after 9 and I’m just now getting dinner started. Mom helps as much as she can in the kitchen but she gets a bit dizzy from standing too long. Her recovery is going well but it’s still gonna be a process before she can do everything she’s used to doing. I get dinner right on time before Ana comes home. We all share the nutritious meal of Chicken Sausage, Onions, Okra, Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, and Quinoa in the living room (mom’s den) and watch a Street Food episode about a humble old man in the Philippines that cooks a famous reef eel soup.

 

I’m exhausted. I have a lot more burdens to carry since mom’s been home. Between taking care of all the Music Makers stuff she normally takes care of and general chores at the house it’s tasking for me. I barely have time for myself.

 

 

Sleep 3:20 a.m.

Monday August 12 2019

 

Waking up shortly after 11 a.m.

 

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

 

We just heard good news that mom is coming home from the hospital! It’s the best gift for her birthday.

 

Cleaning the upstairs bathroom attempting to scrub off the mildew on the shower walls – it always builds up so quickly and this cheap wall they installed years ago makes it more difficult to maintain. I just want my mom to have a clean bathroom.

 

Running errands. Grabbing some cleaning supplies from Taylor’s – depositing money at the bank – picking up necessities at The Heritage. While there I discover they’ve got the whole left side entrance blocked off for construction. Things are a little bit in disarray and only one working register is open. The girl checking me out seems new there and we run into a problem with their credit machine. We keep trying my card but the system is frozen or something.

I joke with her, “It’s like we’re stuck in a time loop we can’t get out.”

It takes quite a while till we get it figured out. Eventually, I pay with cash.

“We did it!” I declare.

She laughs. There was something about her that inspired me to make an effort to be more personable with strangers. Sometimes, in situations of inconvenience it’s easy to get impatient but if you keep it light and humorous the inconvenience becomes an opportunity to brighten someone’s day.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Juice.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. Rachel’s running the front desk with Lou by her side training. He’s gonna come in the next couple days to fill in while she’s gone.

 

Back home. Mom’s here with friends visiting. I cook her a big nutritious dinner: Tempeh with Celery, Onions, Carrots, Cabbage, Shishito Peppers, and Quinoa.

 

After Ana gets home we all hang out and listen to mom tell beautiful stories when she was at the hospital. While there recovering she felt like she had a purpose each day with various people.

 

 

Feeling a little stressed cause there’s much business homework I need to do.

 

 

Sleep 4:30 a.m.

Sunday August 11 2019

 [i]

 

Waking up at 10:20 a.m.

 

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

 

Today is the big day. Music Makers LIVE Summer Showcase at The Bunker Brewpub. It’s our first time doing this show here. It’s a struggle loading in and then dealing with beach parking but luckily all of 21^st and 22^nd Street is free until 8 p.m.

 

Mom’s still in the hospital but we FaceTime her in so she can see the show. I delegated Rachel to handle the door and collect the $5 cover. Devon helps me keep the stage in order. And Lisa handles some of the students. We mix in two of the MMLIVE bands with the vocal camp singers and a good variety of solo/duet performances. While passing through the green room/back stage area where a bunch of students are waiting I exclaim, “There’s so much talent under this roof I can’t take it!” And it’s so true. At some point I play drums with the adult band. I always enjoy the challenge to get behind the drum kit.

 

At some point I enjoy some Fish Tacos with Waffles Fries.

 

After it’s all over it’s time to break down all the gear and load it into the cars. Rachel stays behind with me, Devon, Ana, and Jeremy to help.

 

Afterwards, I take Ana, Jeremy, and Rachel to Ynot Pizza off Great Neck for a much deserved dinner.

 

At home I try to clean up and end up dozing off in my computer chair for a hot minute. I can’t seem to stay awake. I still need to organize all the gear at the studio and put everything back.

 

 

 

---

[i] Photography by Will Clarke.

Saturday August 10 2019

Waking up around 11:45 a.m. with Elvis cuddling by my side.

 

Ana made us Waffles with Coffee.

 

Coaching two MMLIVE bands from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. It’s their final rehearsal before the show tomorrow. Everything goes pretty smooth. The set lists are tight. We know the songs from beginning to end.

 

 

Cashews and Plantain Chips somewhere in there.

 

 

Egg Sandwich with Tomato and Spinach. Potato Chips.

 

Visiting mom again at the Norfolk Sentara hospital. They moved her from the ICU to a normal room where she’s not connected to any monitors. She’s recovering so well. I brought her some more of that soup from yesterday and some more fruit. Pastor Rick happens to stop by and prays for her. Mom’s spirits are super lifted now.

 

Back at the studio loading some gear and dropping it off at The Bunker down at the oceanfront, just to save trips in the morning.

 

Back home. Warming up some leftovers for dinner and watching Aquaman (2018).

 

At the studio packing up the drums and organizing more stuff in preparation for tomorrow.

 

 

Sleep 3:45 a.m.

Friday August 9 2019

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

 

Date and Almond Breakfast Bar. English Breakfast Tea.

 

At Music Makers. Not usually here on a Friday but I have some business to take care of. Meanwhile, Lisa is coaching the vocal camp kids in the waiting room and Stacie teaches three vocal lessons after noon. There’s so much for me to take care it’s hard to stay on task.

Running around doing errands.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Honeydew Melon. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Coffee. Popped Chips. Cucumbers and Tomatoes.

 

Power napping.

 

Grabbing some things to bring mom and driving all the way over to the Norfolk Sentara hospital to visit with her. Of course the food they serve there is not on par with what she really needs to eat so I brought Lentil Soup from Nawab, our favorite Indian spot, along with the sweetest honeydew melon and some tea.

 

I hang out with her talking about all the things they’ve done. She’s moving around pretty well but still in pain around her neck and such. We’ll all be so happy when this is all over and she can live life normally!

 

Back home. Cooking dinner: Salmon with Basmati Rice, Baby Broccoli, Carrots, and Baby Cauliflower.

Watching Aquaman (2018).

 

Cookies.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Practicing drums.

 

 

Chilling with Ana and the cat.