This is an open and unfiltered diary-style journal
on the life of James Robert Smith.
This blog will contain sometimes graphic experiences (both beautiful and ugly),
sometimes stark insight, and all honest and factual documentation of dreams, diet, activity, and thoughts.
I drive over to The Doctor’s In to get some blood work done.
I’m due for my annual. I’m able to get an immunity test for the virus also. So
we’ll see.
Eating Cereal and Tea with Ana.
Then, we run some errands – at Target – surprised to find
they actually have toilet paper, tissues, and paper towels. Wow!
Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Salt n Vinegar
Chips. Coffee.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Off work and shooting the basketball around at the Rudee
Loop. Out of nowhere Adam Rangel, Bobby’s brother, pulls up with plans to surf
a bit. We get caught up in conversation about how he’s learning video editing
and trying to put together a piece on music theory. His life story is quite
something and there’s definitely a reason we keep seeing each other.
Nawab Indian food for dinner: Butter Chicken with Broccoli,
Kale, Basmati Rice, and Naan Bread.
Running errands. I’ve noticed there’s been a lot more
traffic than usual in Hilltop.
Scrambled Eggs. Three Ships Biscuits with Butter and Jam.
Spinach. Coffee.
Watching Sherlock
(2010).
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Shooting some basketball by the elementary school courts. I
get called into a full court pickup game with some young players. One of the
dudes, Arman, asks for a ride home after the games. He lives over in Friendship
Square.
Back home. Ana made dinner for us: Vegan Burgers with Corn
on the Cob, Potatoes, and Kale. Enjoying our meals at the table.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, and Almond Milk.
Breakfast Tea.
Having our first MMLIVE band rehearsals for the summer
session! We had to skip last session cause of the virus but here we are,
everyone sporting face masks and rocking out.
Tuna Salad Sandwich with Tomato Soup from Panera Bread.
Then, on to Broadway rehearsals at my old church. This is
the debut of this program. We’ve got about 15 performers of all ages. Rebecca
is directing the whole thing along with Lisa, Addy, and Jordan.
Back home. Relaxing and power napping.
Eating leftover Spaghetti with Zucchini and French Baguette.
Catching up on business and chores. I’ve noticed Ana, as a
gesture of love, has been folding my laundry sometimes. It reminds me of all the
times my mom would do just that.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, and Almond Milk.
Breakfast Tea.
Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.
Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Salt n Vinegar
Chips.
There’s an outside parking lot show happening at LeGrand
Kitchen in Norfolk. Ana’s band Community Witch is performing alongside Norfolk
Nightmares and Song of Praise. The whole thing is a bit surreal since nobody’s
really been organizing concerts in a while. It’s nice to see all our friends –
most are wearing masks and maintaining their distance but it’s definitely hard
to remember as we mumble behind cloths and avoid handshakes.
Afterwards, we hit up Toast and enjoy some late night dinner
in the patio. Sitting around a table with Ana, Jordan, Erica, Amelia, and
others.
Ana and I link up with her mom at First Watch for brunch.
Enjoying some French Toast and Coffee. We notice our neighbors are eating
across the room. We order them a Morning Mediation drink just because.
Running some errands with Ana.
Back home. Doing some cleaning and catching up on business.
Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Spinach. Tea.
Doing more chores – vacuuming – stretching.
Doing a Zoom meeting with my financial advisor.
Tristan shows up and we ride our bikes to the oceanfront.
Linking up with Ana and Roland at the Rudee Loop. Shooting some basketball with
a few strangers and hanging out. There’s a problem once we discover all the
restaurants are closing and it’s too late for us to order.
After getting back home we decide to order some Black Bean
Burgers and Crab Cake Sandwiches from Barrel 17. Erica joins us. Her and Ana
jam out at Music Makers while I transport all the gear over to the rehearsal
spot – I’m there color coding all the mic cables and figuring out where
everything’s gonna go for MMLIVE on Sunday.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, and Almond Milk.
Breakfast Tea.
Doing chores.
Running errands with Ana.
Scrambled Eggs. Beet Greens. Popped Chips. Toast with Butter
and Jam. Coffee.
Watching Sherlock
(2010).
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Afterwards, Rebecca, Jordan, and I check out the rehearsal
spot at the church to go over any details and figure out the sound system.
Then, we grab some Chinese food. Jordan discovers an appropriate fortune
cookie, “Don’t spend your time stringing and tuning your instrument. Start
making music now!”
Meeting with Diana and Pastor Rick at the church to figure
out the logistics of using the fellowship hall for Broadway rehearsal.
Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Spinach. Coffee.
Watching Sherlock
(2010).
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Off somewhat early, I gear up and shoot some basketball down
the street by Linkhorn Elementary. At some point I challenge myself to shoot 10
free throws in a row. I commit to only shooting from the free throw line and
disappoint myself every time the ball bounces far off the court for me to
retrieve. But I keep at it. The wind creates an obstacle. I’m not leaving till
this happens. And at some point before the sun goes down I achieve it.
Cooking dinner: Japanese Style Fried Rice with Peas, Onions,
Kale, and Carrots.
Later on, at the studio tuning this new drum kit set up in
the waiting room. Ana skateboards here to hang.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, and Almond Milk.
Breakfast Tea.
At Soul Haven Studios working with Nigel and John tweaking a
track for Sweet Talkin’ Woman.
Scrambled Eggs. Three Ships Biscuits with Jam and Butter.
Iced Coffee.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Warming up leftovers for dinner.
ELO band practice.
Back home. Catching up on kitchen stuff.
Chillin’ with Ana over a bowl of Popcorn – talking about the
day and stuff going on in our lives.
While Ana lies in her bed I enter her room – she was upset
about something and I go on a long speech about how we need to be easy on each
other and be more patient.
“You know what you can do next time to stop my long-winded
tirades?” I ask her.
Patty made dad and I Omelets with Toast and Coffee.
Running to the grocery stores in Goldsboro – Carlie C’s and
Piggly Wiggly.
It’s incredibly hot out. Dad and I take a trip to naval
base. Remembering all the times I used to spend summers here as a boy going to
the little theater and hanging out in the mail room.
...
We shoot the basketball around on some outside courts.
Having a virtual chat with Charlotte, my half-sister who
lives in England.
Time to grill out for Father’s Day. It’s just the three of
us, Patty, dad, and myself. Even though I don’t eat red meat I give an
exception whenever I see my dad cause it brings back memories when I was
younger and he’d always grill steaks.
...
We sit around on the back patio enjoying our juicy Steaks,
Corn on the Cob, Zucchini, and Asparagus. Dad already downed that two buck
Chuck red wine I got him. He doesn’t drink all the time from what I understand
anymore but he still knows how to gulp some wine. We get into some great
discussions about the family, uncle JW’s farm, his past, my mom, his mom, and
Patty’s past. During a moment when talking about Grandma Smith (my dad’s mom)
his face caves in and the tears can’t be held back. I can’t even remember the
last time I’ve seen my dad cry but it’s riveting. He was real close to his mom.
We talk about how his father not being around and the rough times he went
through really carried over into his relationships as an adult (not having
confidence and being trusting of others). Even Patty gets into some angry
recollections about where she comes from. She’s very grateful to have my dad to
be there for her. Honestly, she’s got a good heart for this family – and my dad
in return for hers.
Unfortunately, I have to hit the road back to Virginia
Beach.
...
It’s pitch black on these two lane roads. It’s a quick 3
hour drive – listening to ABBA and nostalgic 90’s dance tunes – sipping on cold
Coffee and snacking on Kinder Bueno Bars and Plantain Chips.
Back home finally at 1435. Ana welcomes me with all kinds of
treat options. We regale each other on events from the weekend.
Having a time keeping asleep in the guest room of my dad’s
house in Goldsboro, North Carolina. The sunlight comes through moving me to
wake up.
Egg. Raspberries. Coffee.
Outside Patty and dad give me a tour of the garden and yard.
They’ve got blueberry bushes and a variety of plants and decorations. Dad
describes a recent encounter with a snake and woodpeckers in this tree. He got
out a gun and shot the snake dead. Sometimes I am reminded how southern my dad
really is. He’s not any kind of redneck whatsoever but the southern ways
definitely run through his veins.
Later on, we hit the road. Dad takes us on a 2-hour drive to
Columbia, North Carolina. This is where he grew up and spent most of his
childhood and teenage years. Just cruising down the street we run into an old
buddy of his, Chris. Meanwhile, Chris’s grandkids stomp around in a nearby
puddle.
Dad shows us a few houses where there are good and bad
memories alike. One of the places is inhabited by an old man, Raymond. He lets
us in and enjoys the company. He also remembers my dad. It’s all so surreal I’m
sure for him to be here revisiting his past like this.
Columbia is a super small town but when my dad was around it
was hopping and jiving. Down the street (on Main Street) he shows me a blue
building where my grandfather has a renowned jewelry business – the local movie
theater where he remembers there being a separate entrance for “colored people”
during the time of segregation. The two of us sit down in two chairs where a gas
station used to be. He recounts all the times when he was a teenager and
everyone hung out in this exact spot.
We find a local Mexican restaurant open for a late lunch. I
order Shrimp Tacos with Beans and Rice – very impressed with the food.
Later on, visiting one of his cousins, Joey, over by the
Albemarle Sound, a body of water that leads to the Outer Banks. It’s absolutely
peaceful and beautiful out here. Joey is a funny character with a lot of
stories to tell.
Back at the Goldsboro house, the three of us go for a walk.
I bounce the basketball around. Chillin’ out in the driveway for a while.
Ana and I have to take Elvis to the vet. It’s been 3 years
at least. We butter him up and spray Feliway, a pheromone spray to help calm
him down. At the Hilltop Vet. They’re super nice and calm here but
unfortunately, they could not do anything even with the cat whisperer doctor.
So we schedule a future visit where they can sedate him. Poor bobo.
It’s a beautiful sunny day. Running around in the truck with
Ana picking up a few things at Trader Joe’s and getting lunch at Aloha Snacks
(Salmon Poke).
Packing up and getting organized.
I say goodbye to Ana. Erica and Ally are here – they’re
about to go brave a skate park with Ana.
Hitting the road towards Goldsboro, North Carolina to visit
my dad. Father’s Day is on Sunday and I thought I’d spend the weekend there.
...
The drive is short and sweet. Sipping on a cold brew Coffee.
I busy myself with nostalgic tunes on the stereo till I arrive.
In the living room having long talks with dad and Patty
about all the stuff going on in the world (the virus, police brutality, racism,
the protests, the changes).
Ana’s mom and brother Jeremy come over for brunch. We enjoy
Ana’s homemade waffles and serious talks about staying close to family – some
serious talks about the past and money but its all light hearted towards the
end.
Catching up on business.
Sardines. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Orange Honeydew.
Coffee.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers. In between cleaning and
putting together a drum set from a customer.
Shooting some after hours basketball just because.
Back home. Cooking dinner for Ana and I: Vegan Burgers with
Potatoes, Onions, and Kale. Watching an episode of Twin Peaks. It never seems to end.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, and Almond Milk.
Breakfast Tea.
Catching up on business.
The sun is shining today after a long stream of rainy windy
days. Ana and I take advantage and shoot the basketball outside for a bit.
Scrambled Eggs. Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Salt n
Vinegar Chips. Coffee.
Watching Da 5 Bloods
(2020).
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Back home. I ordered Bangkok Garden for dinner: Chicken Pad
Thai.
Watching Sherlock
(2012).
Finally getting around to sending out official emails for
the upcoming MMLIVE sessions. It takes time to compose and make sure you’ve
covered all bases.
Chores.
Working out and stretching with Ana in the living room.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, and Almond Milk.
Breakfast Tea.
Major discussions with Ana about money and the future – she
gets stressed when talking about her debts and money stuff. I try to take on
the financial responsibility in the relationship cause that’s been something
I’ve learned to be good at.
Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Spinach. Salt n
Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Coffee.
Watching Sherlock
(2010).
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
It’s a rainy windy day.
Spaghetti Noodles with Peppers, Onions, Tomato Sauce, Baby
Broccoli, and Garlic Bread.
ELO rehearsal.
Playing DOOM.
Cleaning the bathroom downstairs and other things.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, and Almond Milk.
Breakfast Tea.
Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.
Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Spinach. Sweet
Potato Tortilla Chips with Salsa. Coffee.
Watching Sherlock
(2010).
Taking care of stuff around the house and catching up on
business.
Driving the truck over to 24th Street then riding
my bike to the Rudee Loop to shoot some basketball. Playing games of 2v2 and 21
with a few of people. One kid is wearing flip-flops and his big toes start
popping out of his socks.
Linking up with Ana at home. Cooking dinner using some
leftovers.
Butter Chicken with Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, Basmati Rice,
and Naan Bread.
Watching an episode of Twin
Peaks.
Up in my room we get into deep discussions about money,
trust issues, and searching for catharsis.
Waking up around noon or so. Elvis vies for affection in the
bed and so does Ana (making fire).
Cereal. Breakfast Tea.
Catching up on business and house chores.
Ana and I run errands around Hilltop.
We take Elvis for a ride in the truck. We’re acclimating him
to rides.
Sharing Aloha Snacks for lunch out on the patio.
Mushroom Tempura Burger with Fries.
Riding our bikes down to the oceanfront. It’s kind of a
perfect day out cause the sun hides behind the clouds. Tristan links up with us
at the Rudee Loop. Then, we ride over to 67th Street where Elliott
is celebrating his birthday with Michelle and Kenny. On the beach we let off
some steam and act ridiculous. I brought this flying ring. At some point Kenny
accidentally throws it in the ocean. Elliott tries his best to retrieve but
it’s lost at sea. Lol.
We chill out at his parent’s house on 16th
sharing Fish Tacos from Gringo’s. Talks about space and enjoying everyone’s
company.
Settling down back at home. Catching up on writing and editing
the footage.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, and Almond Milk.
Breakfast Tea.
While dropping my car off to the shop Ana and I decide to
take Elvis for a car ride. We’re trying to acclimate him to taking rides so
that when we take him to the vet he doesn’t freak out.
Zoom meeting with my financial advisor for my retirement
fund. Meanwhile, Ana has a virtual meeting with her therapist.
Scrambled Eggs. Spinach. Toast with Butter and Jam. Potato
Chips. Coffee.
Watching Sherlock
(2010).
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Back home. Eating leftovers for dinner.
Chilling’ with Ana. Fixing up her bike – replacing the
tires.
Going for a lone night bike ride to the oceanfront.
