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.
Working out at the gym – or rather running on the treadmill
while juggling two phones dealing with scheduling.
Orange Dew Melon.
Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Jam and Butter. Spinach. Coffee.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers. I have a long break in
between so I get some grocery shopping done.
...
Meeting with a potential guitar/piano instructor, Peter, at
the studio.
After a few more lessons picking up Pizza from Ynot for the
second B-52’s practice tonight. We all meet up at Music Makers this time –
running through “Rock Lobster”, “Give Me Back My Man”, and “Private Idaho”.
This is a fun group.
Catching up on business. Green Tea.
Peanut Butter and Crackers.
Ana comes in my room and starts hitting me hard with an
investigation into why our relationship makes her unhappy. It’s very stressful
cause it feels like most nights after 3 in the morning she hits these dark
places in her mind and it’s impossible to stop.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Scottish
Breakfast Tea.
Working out at the gym.
Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Salt n Vinegar
Chips. Coffee.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Japanese Style Fried Rice with Baby Broccoli and Sardines.
ELO rehearsal.
Back home talking with Ana about the recent passing of Derek
Moore, a local musician – he died in a fatal car accident off 264 – the details
are only known to the family. But this hits pretty close to home even though we
don’t know him on a personal level. He was a fellow musician – Ana and I have
even performed at some of the same places he has.
Later on, Ana and I practice some B-52’s songs with some
Yamaha synthesizers.
Ana and I grab Commune for brunch after seeing First Watch
was super packed.
Waffles, Eggs, and Coffee.
Catching up on business.
Putting all the music gear away and organizing at the
studio.
Stopping by the Broadway auditions at the ELO space. A small
group is here reading through the script while Carol, Haley, and Rebecca take
notes and make decisions on who should do what part. Reid is here helping –
he’ll be officially working the rehearsals at some point.
Driving out to Williamsburg for the evening. My dad and
Patty are staying the weekend here – they were at the show yesterday. My
stepsister, Jennifer, and her 4 year old boy are here along with some other
family. We all have a good time enjoying dinner. Tilapia with Spanish Rice,
Salad, and Breadfruit. Doing the uncle thing with the kids – showing them
tricks they can do with their bodies and playing games with them.
Loading up the truck and station wagon (2 car loads) with
music gear. Ana and I have a gig today at Commonwealth Brewing, our first time
performing there but also first time performing in a year as Musicplayer.
...
I always like to arrive 3 hours early cause that gives me
plenty of time to tweak and set up the way we want. They’ve got us in the plant
corner – some of the leaves hang over the drum set and PA speaker. It’s so hot
that I have to stick up blankets over the windows to shade the gear.
...
Enjoying some wood fired Pizza from the brewery.
Ana and I perform almost 3 hours worth of material. The
sound is washed out and boomy in this room but we put on an energetic show
including a diverse library of songs. My dad and his wife Patty are here along
with my step-sister and her family. I say a few special words in the mic about
my dad serving in the Air Force and in general being thankful for him. He
requested “All I Have to Do is Dream”. Afterwards, he grabs a hug from the
stage – an endearing moment.
Later on, towards the end of the show we invite Billy, my
longtime student at Music Makers, on the stage to play guitar on the last three
songs including Bohemian Rhapsody. Also, at random we invite a 5-year old girl,
Cindy, to play drums on “Satisfaction”. She does quite well at staying on the
beat the whole time. You can tell how thrilled and happy she is after. The
crowd goes wild. I love the unpredictable closeout moments at shows like these.
Then, some military dudes start up karaoke hour while Billy, Ana, and I hold it
down on the instruments.
...
Talking with a lot of people afterwards, parents and brewery
patrons. Billy’s brothers and friends help load all the gear to the cars.
Ana and I stop by the Blue Cow to try some Ice Cream there.
Back home – catching up on the night.
Later on, I take some chairs to the ELO space and get the
place organized and clean for some dance/Broadway activities.
Cereal with Banana, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Scottish
Tea.
Taking care of business at the computer.
At the studio helping the delivery guys get this new hefty
printer installed. We’re going to start leasing a printer. The benefit being we
never have to worry about ink. We have a print limit but in the end it’s worth
the expense.
Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Chips. Melon.
Coffee.
Doing chores – watering the plants – catching up on
business.
Organizing gear at the studio.
Ana and I go out to Baladi’s for dinner enjoying our
favorite Mezze Platter and hefty plates of goodness.
Organizing more gear at the studio and troubleshooting
monitors – practicing some songs.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, and Almond Milk.
Scottish Breakfast Tea.
Working out at the gym.
Melon. Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Salt n
Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Coffee.
Watching Nobody
(2021).
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Cooking dinner for Ana and I: BBQ Lentils (Sloppy Lenny’s as
we call it) with Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, and Onions.
At the studio Ana and I practice Musicplayer tunes – Billy
practices with us for a few tunes early on – we’re gonna have him guest play at
our show this weekend.
Back home. Slurping on a Mango Smoothie and catching up on
business.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, and Almond Milk.
Scottish Breakfast Tea.
Working out at the gym.
Scrambled Eggs. Biscuit with Butter and Jam. Spinach.
Coffee.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Afterwards, Ana and I grab some dinner at The Pink Dinghy
using a gift card we had. It’s absolutely lovely.
Meanwhile, the Modern Day Warrior boys are practicing at the
studio. We stop in at the last leg of their practice – they were writing an
original song that sounded pretty good actually.
After they all leave, Ana and I practice our Musicplayer
tunes.
Cereal with Blueberries, Banana, and Almond Milk. Tea.
At the computer handling a bunch of scheduling and Music
Makers business.
Chores.
PB&J. Beet Crackers. Peach. Coffee.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
I get off early enough that I can play adult basketball at
the Rec. The games are up and down – I focus more on lay-ups and jump shots.
Back home.
Five Guys Burger and Fries with Spinach.
Watching Nobody
(2021).
I decide to take an Epsom salt bath – my body thanks me as I
listen to my new favorite artist Perfume Genius.
Talking with Ana for a bit after she gets off work. She
starts tapping into some uncomfortable topics about how she feels like she
doesn’t want to be a part of my life anymore.
Later on, I’m at the studio messing around with some
keyboard stuff. She drives over to continue our conversation but I don’t want
to. We try to get on some level ground.
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)