Saturday February 29 2020

 

Waking up at 11:04 a.m. Happy Leap Year Day!

 

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

 

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

 

Egg Sandwich with Tomato. Corn Tortilla Chips with Guac. Coffee.

Watching Altered Carbon.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Running errands. Shopping at H&M for some new pants and underwear. I probably frequent this place maybe once a year if barely that.

 

Leftover Spaghetti Noodles with Broccoli and Naan Bread.

 

Doing the accounting – writing checks – tapping the calculator.

 

After Ana gets off work I show off some of the things I got at H&M. Hilarity ensues after I place a small pillow in my new pants to make it look like I have a big butt.

 

At the studio practicing drums.

 

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Friday February 28 2020

 

Waking up at 11:07 a.m. Got a sore throat.

 

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

 

Basketball at the Rec.

 

On the drive back from the gym I get lost in thought about my mom and death. On top of that, Jeff Hewitt, an important figure in our local arts/music scene, died yesterday in a moped accident. Everything is just hitting hard today.

...

Stopped at the light on Bells and Oceana I gaze over at the overgrowth on the corner. A small tree with white flowers sways in the wind. Anything beautiful reminds me of mom. Even though life is moving on I pause often and reminisce.

 

Back home. Leftover Lentil Soup with Mixed Veggies and Sourdough Bread. Green Tea.

Watching season 2 of Altered Carbon.

 

Power napping.

 

Catching up on chores and business.

 

After Ana gets off work we fling on our leather jackets, something I hardly ever wear, and hit the town. For dinner checking out Tiki’s off Holland Road, what used to be called Auntie’s. Enjoying a Crab Cake and Rice Dish while she eats a Tofu poke bowl. Gelato afterwards of course – running some night errands.

 

 

Back home. I show Ana how to play Unreal.

 

 

Sleep 3 a.m.

Thursday February 27 2020

Waking up at 11:07 a.m.

 

Ana and I meet up at Rashie’s salon for haircuts. I get mine trimmed and thinned out a little.

 

Running all kinds of errands today!

 

Scrambled Eggs. Biscuits with Butter and Jam. Tomato Soup. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home. Making a nice dinner for Ana and I. Tuna Tacos with Cabbage, Guac, Asparagus, and Corn Tortilla Chips. She doesn’t get home from band practice till later so I make sure to have her dinner plate ready and waiting at the table when she arrives.

“Who’s so spoiled?” I ask.

“Me,” she says with an embarrassing smile.

 

It’s another night of cleaning. I vacuum my room and Anthony’s room. He officially moved out. Something happened with the vacuum head so I take it apart and clip out all the tangled hairs inside.

 

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Wednesday February 26 2020

Waking up at 11 a.m.

 

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

 

With Ana at the Rec. I play adult basketball sporting my new sneakers – they feel great!

 

Scrambled Eggs. Blueberry Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Popped Chips. Avocado. Coffee.

Watching Skin (2018).

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. I only have 4 lessons spread out so I watch the front desk during my break times.

 

Apple.

 

Back home. Ana got dinner started. I help finish up cooking the Vegan Burgers. She roasted Sweet Potatoes and made a nice Cabbage Salad. We live it up at the table while Elvis attempts to fit in a thin cardboard box that’s too small for him.

 

We both get cleaning bugs! While Ana vacuums and cleans her room I clean the hallway bathroom along with other chores.

 

Running midnight errands together – dropping off recycle – shopping for things at Wal-Mart.

 

Fig Bar. Chamomile Tea.

 

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Tuesday February 25 2020

Waking up at 11 a.m.

 

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

 

Dealing with Music Makers business – cancelling – rescheduling – emails.

 

Cleaning the downstairs bathroom (mom’s old bathroom).  Her toiletries and things were still in there. I’ve been slowly picking away at her belongings around the house.

 

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

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home. Ana gets off work about the same time. We slave away in the kitchen together making dinner: Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti Noodles with homemade Tomato Sauce and Broccoli.

 

Green Tea.

 

While I put on the dish gloves and clean up the kitchen Ana preps the ginger/turmeric for us to make the magic tincture.

 

Laundry.

 

At the studio practicing drums.

 

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Monday February 24 2020

Waking up at 11:07 a.m.

 

Bowl of Cereal with Blueberries and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Basketball at the Rec.

 

Grilled PB&J. Lentil Chips. Coffee. Raspberries.

Watching Dark Waters (2019).

Getting very upset at the story behind this movie based on the DuPont Teflon case where a small town in West Virginia was essentially poisoned from a chemical they were creating causing all kinds of disease and cancers.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Off work. Don’t have much time to cook so I drop into Five Guys for a Burger and Fries.

 

Meeting up at the ELO rehearsal spot for band practice. We’ve got a few Florida gigs next week.

 

Back home. Talking with Ana about all our frustrations of the day.

 

 

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Sunday February 23 2020

Waking up at 11:07 a.m.

 

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

 

Coaching MMLIVE band sessions all afternoon.

Lunch break in between: Scrambled Eggs. Plain Bagel with Butter and Jam. Coffee.

 

Another band rehearsal. Sometimes these kid bands are a handful but I love their youthful energy.

 

Back home. Warming up leftovers for dinner: Lentil Soup with Mixed Vegetables and Sourdough Bread.

Watching Dark Waters (2019).

 

Starting the daunting task of taxes.

 

Chores.

 

At the studio playing piano and thinking about my mom.

 

 

Unreal.

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Saturday February 22 2020

 

Waking up officially around noon.

 

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

 

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

 

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

Watching Honey Boy (2019).

 

It’s a nice feeling to know I’ve got no shows or plans tonight. I run a few errands – Target for cleaning supplies – Alpha Music for another speaker monitor, cables, and a new guitar pedal (Nano Pog for octave effects).

 

At the studio reorganizing my pedal board and doing various things.

 

Back home.

Warming up some leftovers for dinner.

 

Ana and I do some music at the studio – no pressure.

 

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Friday February 21 2020

 

Waking up at 11:17 a.m.

 

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

 

Ana and I head to the Rec for exercise. I play basketball with hardly any breaks between games.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Coffee. Spinach.

 

Teaching all my in-home lessons.

 

Back home. Ana made a nutritious dinner: Lentil Soup with all kinds of Vegetables and Quinoa. Also, a homemade bread loaf.

 

Catching up on business and cleaning.

 

 

At the studio practicing drums.

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Thursday February 20 2020

Waking up at 11:18 a.m.

 

Bowl of Cereal with Granola, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Taking care of business and general chores around the house.

 

Grilled PB&J. Plantain Chips. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

The slushy rain threatens icy snow later tonight. This of course causes many scheduling issues and cancelations. Between Kay and I we figure it out.

 

Afterwards, Ana and I hit up Aloha Snacks. I order the Chicken Sammy with Fries and our favorite Malasada donuts. Chatting with Jesse, the owner, about the local growth in Virginia Beach and doing a summer concert series out in the parking lot.

 

Then, we’re off to Norfolk driving on the rainy icy interstate. Stopping by The Taphouse to drop off Ronnie’s clothes I borrowed from last Halloween finally. He’s emceeing karaoke. We run into Shannon and friends and listen to a few people sing a few familiar songs.

 

Back home.

 

While cleaning some things up in my room I come across a small Christmas card my mom wrote me from 2018, right around the time she was going through the cancer thing…

 

 

 

Chilling with Ana in my room. I play a few rounds of Unreal before joining her in bed. We make fire till 4 a.m.

Wednesday February 19 2020

Waking up at 11:07 a.m.

 

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

 

Ana and I go to the Rec. Running up and down the courts playing basketball. Only 3 teams today so we get to run a lot.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Spinach. Coffee.

Watching The Coldest Game (2019).

Why can’t America just get along with Russia? Will we ever? It seems like an endless feud in history.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home. Making a quick dinner: Dal Tadka with a Salad.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Chocolate Chip Cookies.

 

Chilling with Ana in the bedroom sharing videos and old pictures.

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

 

Tuesday February 18 2020

Waking up at 11:20 a.m.

 

After doing it for a little bit both Ana and I feel a little sickly. During the early morning I came down with an achiness.

 

Bowl of Cereal with Granola, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Taking care of business – running errands. Getting the piano tuned at Music Makers by Kyle Becker.

 

Egg Sandwich with Tomato, Spinach, and Creamy Tomato Soup. Green Tea.

 

Teaching lessons.

 

Ordering Bangkok Garden for dinner: Chicken and Broccoli with Rice and Vegetable Soup.

 

Hanging out around the house. We all meet with Roland, a potential new roommate. He used to hang around here back in the Show N Tell days. It’s better to have someone we know move in rather than a stranger.

 

Popped Chips. Chamomile Tea.

 

 

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Monday February 17 2020

Waking up at 11 a.m.

 

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

 

Basketball at the Rec.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Kale. Coffee.

Finishing season 4 of Better Call Saul.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Cooking dinner for Ana and I: Japanese Style Fried Rice with Smoked Salmon, Broccoli, Mushrooms, and Onions.

 

Catching up on all kinds of business. Shoe shopping.

 

 

Chatting with Ana about things.

 

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Sunday February 16 2020

Waking up at 11 a.m.

 

Leftover Waffles and Tea for breakfast.

 

MMLIVE rehearsals all afternoon.

 

Lunch break back at home: Tempeh Bacon with leftover slice of Pizza, Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese, and Coffee.

 

Finishing up another band rehearsal. Having fun with these kids! It’s never about playing the songs with perfection but rather with passion and energy.

 

Back home. Warming up some leftovers for dinner. Eating all kinds of leftovers today!

Watching Better Call Saul.

 

Catching up on business. Chores.

 

Organizing stuff at the studio. Practicing drums.

 

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Saturday February 15 2020

 

Waking up at 11:07 a.m. Feeling much better today. Not 100% but no achiness.

 

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

 

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Beet Greens. Potato Chips. Green Tea.

Watching Better Call Saul and catching up on business.

 

Packing up the cars and heading to Pizza Chapel for the Musicplayer gig tonight. Ana and I set up in our little corner at the end of the bar. Dave, one of the managers who books us, always knows we need all the space we can use. I take my time organizing the music gear and instruments. We do our usual three hour set with breaks in between. Tristan, Kenny, Erica, and other friends are here. We get Kenny to play drums on “Rebel Rebel” and “Psycho Killer”. Any time we can add someone on the drums we do it. Overall we performed well and had the crowd going at climatic moments.

 

 

A Cookie Proposal...

 

Here and there I noticed Ana experiencing brain farts. Later on I find out it’s because she was distracted about when to propose to me! Yes, that’s right, I got proposed to. And with cookies rather than words. She baked these special cookies with the words, “Marry me” and “Please”. At first I thought it was just a silly joke but then I realized this is serious. I pick out a cookie that says “Yes” and hold it up in response. She opens up a circular tin with a cross on it that has two rings she picked up at second hand shop. She slides a ring with a purple stone on my finger and there’s that!

 

Everybody helps load out the gear after the show.

 

Friday February 14 2020

Getting out of bed around 12:30 p.m. still feeling a major stomach ache and body chills.

 

Ana made waffles but I barely have an appetite. I eat an Orange and a cup of Turmeric Ginger. I nibble on a quarter of a waflle.

 

Hanging out around the house, mostly in the bedroom catching up on business in between naps. Just trying to rest and ween off whatever this thing is.

 

Eating Beet Soup and Toast. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Chores.

 

Later on, Ana and I order thai food for dinner and watch Doctor Sleep (2019), The Shining sequel. I’ve been eagerly waiting to watch this since we saw it a few weeks ago. Meanwhile, we cuddle with Elvis on the couch.

 

Feeling a little bit better we head to the studio to practice a few tunes for the gig tomorrow.

 

 

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Thursday February 13 2020

Waking up at 11:07 a.m.

 

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

 

Catching up on business – emails – communications – calling dad – thinking about mom.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Spinach. Chips with Avocado.

Watching Better Call Saul.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home. Ana got dinner started. I help cook.

Black Bean Pasta with Mushrooms, Onions, and a Baguette. Meanwhile, Elvis sits atop the bench by the table watching us eat. Afterwards, we clean up the dishes and kitchen together.

 

Ladada band practice with the boys.

 

Back home. Ana and I make our turmeric ginger honey mix. Lately, we’ve been discovering how amazing it is for our bodies to take every day. And I especially need it now. While cleaning and doing the cat things in her bathroom we get mad at each other over something frivolous. Talking and praying about it.

 

 

Something doesn’t sit right in my stomach. Feeling achy.

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Wednesday February 12 2020

Waking up at 11:07 a.m.

 

Bowl of Cereal with Strawberries and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Basketball at the Rec. Running up and down the courts.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Kale. Coffee.

Watching Better Call Saul.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

We got Rebecca handling the front desk now on Wednesdays.

 

Back home.

Leftover Beans with Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, and Quinoa.

 

After Ana gets off work we practice tunes at the studio.

 

Raspberries. Orange.

 

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Tuesday February 11 2020

 

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

 

Granola Bar. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Errands. Rain, rain, rain.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Spinach. Sourdough Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Coffee.

Watching season 4 of Better Call Saul.

 

Teaching a few lessons at Music Makers.

 

I got off work early so Ana and I can go to The Veer Music Awards at The Vanguard in Hampton. Ladada got nominated for like four different categories along with other bands/friends of ours. We didn’t win anything but that’s not the point. Seeing all the music community in all its diversity gathered in one place for one night out of the year is pretty cool and unifying. Tonight is special cause scattered throughout the award announcements are one-off performances of Queen songs by a variety of acts including DEJA & Friends, which I do piano with. “Bohemian Rhapsody” is a hit. Very proud of our performance.

 

 

 

Back home. Sharing Chocolate Crème Cookies with Ana while Elvis begs for treats.

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Monday February 10 2020

Waking up at 11:09 a.m.

 

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

 

Basketball at the Rec. No breaks between games, just run, run, run!

 

Scrambled Eggs. Kale. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Coffee.

Watching Zombieland: Double Tap (2019).

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home.

Enjoying a big bowl of Jacob’s Cattle Beans with Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, Onions, and Quinoa.

 

Running late night errands. Scouring out a place to drop off recycle. Ever since they took down the recycling center down the street I’ve had nowhere to recycle. I find a dumpster behind Total Wine. Discovering Kroger brought back those Chocolate Crème Cookies Ana and I like so much.

 

Chores and chilling with Ana and the cat.

 

Gelato Cookies n Crème.

 

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Sunday February 9 2020

Waking up at 11:27 a.m.

 

Bowl of Cereal with Blueberries and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

MMLIVE band rehearsals all afternoon.

 

Tempeh Bacon. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese and Jam. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Coffee.

 

Organizing things at the studio.

 

Ordering Chinese food: Fried Tofu with Mixed Vegetables and Rice.

Watching Zombieland: Double Tap (2019).

 

Green Tea.

 

Chores around the house. Practicing drums later.

 

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Saturday February 8 2020

 

Waking up at 11 a.m.

 

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

 

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makes.

 

Back home for a hot second. Ana brought me Sweet Potato Biscuit Sliders and Coffee from Three Ships. I make some eggs to go with.

 

I already loaded up the truck for the gig tonight. We drive out to Smartmouth Brewing in Norfolk for the Musicplayer show. They really spruced this warehouse room up since last time we were here. The stage has installed carpet – there’s pretty lights in the ceiling. A big group celebrating someone’s birthday has filled out the room. We do our music – some great moments and some mediocre ones but mostly fun ones. One lady thanked us for doing “You Are My Sunshine” because it was one of her grandmother’s favorite songs and they were celebrating her this past week. Tristan stands by in support and helps us load out the gear. 

 

 

Back home after transporting all the gear back to Music Makers. Ana and I sift through the video footage we got from the show and talk.

 

 

Sleep at 4 a.m.

Friday February 7 2020

 

Waking up at 11:37 a.m.

 

Bowl of Cereal with Strawberries and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Catching up on my to-do list and running all kinds of errands – installing a fire extinguisher at Music Makers.

 

While at Whole Foods I run into “mohawk” Rich. We stand there at the end of the last register chatting up about staying healthy, doctors, and how the female to male ratio in Richmond is so high.

 

Tempeh Bacon. Everything Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Spinach. Coffee.

Watching 21 Bridges (2019).

 

Taking care of myself and doing chores. I decided to cancel my in-home lessons today.

 

At Alpha buying a speaker monitor and running into Anne (Drew).

 

Chicken Sandwich from Aloha Snacks with Fries and Sprouts for dinner.

 

Driving out to Taphouse in Norfolk to see Ana’s band, Community Witch, their second time back since they added Rashi to the lineup. They get tighter as a band every time I see them. The venue is crammed! So many people everywhere. Hangin’ with friends and sipping on a white beer. Pain in the Yeahs headlines with fun raucous synth pop sounds.

 

 

 

Ana and I lie down together before 4 a.m.

Thursday February 6 2020

 

Waking up at 11:07 a.m.

 

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

 

Taking care of myself and catching up on business.

 

Running errands.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Potato Chips with Avocado.

Watching The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017).

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Meanwhile, it’s a rain/wind storm out there.

 

 

Salmon Poke Bowl from Aloha Snacks for dinner.

 

Ladada practice with Jonnie, Josiah, and Bobby. We continue writing new songs.

 

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Wednesday February 5 2020

 

Waking up at 11:07 a.m.

 

Date and Almond Bar. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Ana and I go to the Rec. I run up and down the basketball courts while Ana works out.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Corn Tortilla Chips with Guac. Coffee.

Watching off and on this week, Room 237 (2012), a documentary walking you through all the theories and conspiracies surrounding Kubrick’s The Shining.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Eating leftovers for dinner.

 

Setting up things for Ana and I to practice as soon as she gets off work at midnight. I brought a variety of snacks and tea for her cause that’s what she really wants after work. Without it we won’t have a very productive practice. We go over all the hits and then some.

 

Back home. Both our heads are done for the day – so tired. We pass out together in my bed around 3:45 a.m.

 

Tuesday February 4 2020

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

 

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

 

Dealing with all kinds of Music Makers business, mainly scheduling.

 

No errands today, just up in my room catching up on business and things.

 

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

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Off work and back home. Cooking dinner for Ana and I: Peas, Celery, Onions, Snow Peas, Carrots, and this Chickpea/Lentil Rice we’ve never tried. Turns out surprisingly well.

 

Later on, practicing music at the studio.

 

 

Chamomile Tea.

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Monday February 3 2020

Waking up at 11:07 a.m.

 

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

 

Basketball at the Rec. Got on a decent team. Making steals, getting rebounds, and knocking down 3’s.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Kale. Tomatoes. Coffee.

Watching Bad Boys II (2003).

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Dinner: Chicken Sandwich with Fries from Aloha Snacks.

 

Final Bohemian Rhapsody rehearsal before next week’s Veer Awards.

 

After Ana gets off work we enjoy cups of Green Tea together and reflect on the day.

 

Then off to the studio to practice tunes.

 

 

Sleep 4 a.m.