Friday March 31 2023

Waking up bright and early at 8 a.m.

 

Linking up at the warehouse with everyone – piling into the bus and trailer. We don’t leave on time as planned cause some people are late and then we’re last minute trying to coordinate picking up Nigel’s phone he left at home.

...

I take first driving shift. Protein Shake. Tea.

 

A few hours in we switch drivers. Eating a toasted PB&J English Muffin with some Coffee.

 

Climbing atop the bunk and sleeping for a few hours.

 

Later on, Jimmy takes the wheel and as a collective we get lost trying to avoid parkways in New York. Nigel wanted us to eat at his friend Anthony’s restaurant in Long Island – little did we know how much of an adventure we’d go on. This whole endeavor added 2-3 hours to our trip. But eventually, we arrive at Chicken Tonight and Anthony gives us all fully fried meals of fish and chicken – the fries are something to speak of though.

 

 

Back on the road enduring bump after bump after bump. We thought South Carolina had terrible roadway but Jersey and Long Island are even worse. It’s after 11 p.m. and we make it to Hotel Indigo in Riverhead.

 

I take to the fitness room and run/lift. Enjoying some Green Tea and Pineapple.

 

Sitting in the lobby on the computer catching up on things.

 

Thursday March 30 2023

Waking up around 11:30 a.m.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea. Blueberries.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Running errands.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Bagel. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Protein Shake.

 

Mike gives me a ride to pick up bus. Then, at the warehouse with Rebecca. The goal tonight is to hitch up the trailer to bus and load everything up. I hate dealing with all that junk early in the morning so we handle it now.

 

Back home. Making Pasta for dinner and packing up.

Watching Nope (2023).

 

More packing and adding these cup holders to bus.

 

Wednesday March 29 2023

Waking up around 11:30 a.m.

 

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

 

Catching up on business.

 

Over at the RV shop meeting with Midori, the lady locksmith, to get some bus keys made. Meanwhile, installing these cup holders.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Toast. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons.

 

Tofu Pad Thai for dinner.

 

Meeting at the warehouse with Jimmy, Nigel, and Ian – we’re trying to train Ian on bass and Jimmy on guitar. Meanwhile, Rebecca is working on merch.

 

I stick around tweaking things on my piano shell.

 

Back home. Settling down with Green Tea and Chocolate – watching news on YouTube.

 

Tuesday March 28 2023

Waking up around 11 a.m.

 

Blueberries. Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Catching up on business and emails. Driving over to the RV shop to touch base with the mechanics there looking at the bus. Eli, the young dude goes over stuff with me – brief talk with the wife of the owner about how cool Savannah, Georgia is. The people here seem interested in the fact we’re in a band and tour on this bus.

 

PB&J English Muffin. Chips. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Protein Shake.

 

Catching up on emails and work.

 

Dinner: Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti with Kale, Carrots, and Garlic Bread.

Watching The Consultant (2023).

 

Chores and work at the computer.

 

Monday March 27 2023

Waking up around 11:08 a.m.

 

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

 

Catching up on business and life – making phone calls.

 

Eggs. Spinach. English Muffin. Coffee. Salt n Vinegar Chips.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Protein Shake.

 

Linking up with Mike at the warehouse - he helps me drill this mic flange into my piano shell. Meanwhile, Rebecca is restocking merch. Mike helps me drop off the bus then gives me a ride home.

 

Washing dishes and cooking dinner: Black Beans, Mackerel, Salad, Bread.

Watching The Consultant (2023).

 

Doing work at the computer.

 

Sunday March 26 2023

Waking up bright and early at 9 a.m. at the hotel in Myrtle Beach.

 

Spending some time with dad and the family over breakfast in the lobby. I give them a tour of the bus and say our goodbyes.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Rick drives us onward to home!

 

Napping here and there.

 

We stop at a gas station with a local hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant. Some of us order. I resort to a PB&J English Muffin with Coffee and an Orange.

 

Catching up on computer things.

 

Later, I pop open some Perrier’s with a squeeze of lemon for Rick and I – we both share travel stories. I love his perspective and attitude on life – overall a very good mannered and pleasant addition to our crew.

 

We arrive to the warehouse – unhitching and unloading the trailer. Everybody departs and says our goodbyes...until next time.

 

It’s only 6 p.m. so there’s still plenty of day left to get things done. Unpacking back at home. I’m grateful to see Elvis and so is he. Cleaning things up and enjoying some Fried Rice for dinner.

 

Catching up on chores and things.

 

Later on, we have a house meeting with Taha, Aluan, Michael, and myself to address some issues and misunderstandings.

 

Saturday March 25 2023

 

Waking up in Augusta, Georgia in a hotel room. We took more of a glorified nap than a real night’s sleep.

 

Hopping in the bus – Rick drives us the 3.5 hours to Myrtle Beach.

 

Arriving at The Alabama Theatre. Getting loaded in and setting up the stage.

 

PB&J English Muffin. Egg. Tea.

 

Setting up more things and doing sound check.

My dad, his wife, my aunt, and her husband arrive during a song check. We’re able to hang out in the green room over dinner.

 

 

Getting dressed up then hopping on the stage to a mostly full house. This place is roaring with energy from the crowd. The show goes really well. Kevin is singing strong and we’re all on point musically.

 

 

Doing a meet n greet at the merch booth – all the fans want to take photos of us and give us thousands of compliments.

 

Back at the hotel, after Rick and I park the bus/trailer I congregate with the family in the lobby over snacks. Pansy got me a big gift bag full of things from the boutique she works at. It’s good to see them and get the chance to connect for a bit.

 

Settling down in the room.

 

Friday March 24 2023

Waking up bright and early at the hotel room in Macon, Georgia. It’s 8:30 a.m. I run a few miles on the treadmill to get the blood flowing.

 

Breakfast Bar. Banana. Tea.

 

Then, we all pile in the bus and van. Rick drives us, the bus crew, all the way to Oxford, Alabama. I attempt to sleep on the top bunk but the ride proves to be bumpy and the A/C stops working. Perils of the road.

 

Arriving much earlier than expected at the Performing Arts Center in downtown Oxford. We account for the time zone change so we’re ahead of schedule, which is a plus. Getting loaded in. Enjoying the generous hospitality downstairs.

PB&J. Egg. Coffee.

 

 

Setting up the stage.

 

Discovering a coffee joint behind the building across the street called Southern Girl Coffee Co., a smaller trailer with literally a couple southern girls running it. I settle down to get some work down on the laptop enjoying the outside small town vibes.

 

 

Sound check.

 

Dinner is served: Salmon, Veggies, Mashed Potatoes, and Rolls.

 

One of the staff guys shows Mike, Ron, and I the old jail cell they’ve kept in good condition from long ago.

 

We do our two set show to an absolute full house tonight – no intermission. Just song after song. Everybody is so thrilled to see this music – we spend a long time at meet n greet getting photos with fans and signing autographs.

 

 

Packing up and loading out. Sometimes it’s stressful but we always have plenty of help.

 

Rick drives us the 3 hour night drive to the hotel. Sleeping on and off.

 

Thursday March 23 2023

Waking up at a decent hour 10 a.m. in Macon, Georgia. I head down to the fitness room where I find Ron burning some calories on the elliptical. Him and I chat for a bit about the latest band drama. Meanwhile, I try to get some runs in.

 

Oat Bar. Tea.

 

Driving into downtown to the venue: Grand Opera House, a really rich historic theatre that looks straight out of a Disney movie. One of the venue guys shows us where some of Houdini’s carpenters built this trap door below the stage – pretty cool. There’s also a gargantuan 3^rd balcony what they call the Peanut Gallery – back in the day when they had segregated crowds and the “colored” folks had to cram up above in the nosebleed section. Now it’s just the light booth and spot light area.

 

 

Setting up the stage and enjoying the fact that I can set up my new piano shell – it looks so much cleaner and more professional.

 

 

PB&J English Muffin and an Egg. I brought a toaster this time around. Picking up some Iced Coffee from down the block at a local shop.

...

Sound check goes unusually long today for some reason – a lot of variables at play with Ed running sound and having a new rack system and strings system.

 

For dinner we link up at a subpar pizza joint called Fatty’s Pizza – most of us were disappointed but whatever, our bellies are filled.

 

The show goes really well – it’s nice having the new crew guys, Dan and Rick. They’ve been a big help on this tour.

 

 

Packing up and breaking everything down. I do my Tetris thing leading the trailer pack.

 

Back at the hotel we all congregate in each other’s rooms – Nigel and Ron are watching one of the March Madness college basketball games.

 

I can finally catch up on life at the computer.

 

Wednesday March 22 2023

Waking up at the couple of Love’s truck stops. At some point getting really deep sleep...

 

☼▬

Dreaming we make a stop at an oversized mall-like truck stop. There’s some kind of pandemic of people turning into three types of zombies, one normal flesh eating kind, another angelic possessed kind, and one evil kind. Don’t ask me – I don’t make the dream rules. After dealing with all of that I make it to the bathroom where Nigel and I have discovered we can attach these Amazon boxes to our feet. I run around the place realizing I can do the moonwalk and suddenly the ability to fly. People start pulling out their phones and shooting video. I’m worried I won’t make it to the bus in time.

▬☼

 

Waking up officially at the second Love’s stop. Downing a protein shake and making tea. Rick, our newly recruited driver has been at the wheel this whole time – he’s a nice mild mannered guy Nigel found from New York. This seems to be working out really well.

 

Most of the day has gone by pretty quickly. We make it to Macon, Georgia – staying at a decent 3 star Best Western close by to most restaurants and things.

 

Getting freshened up then we all go out to Shogun Japanese Steakhouse up the street. With Rebecca, Jimmy, Brittany, Dan, Rick, Kevin, Edwin, and Casey. We all enjoy sake and plates of sushi, rice, and tempura things.

 

Back at the hotel getting all settled in. Rebecca and I watch that I Tonya movie. She has a history of ice skating and familiarity with Tonya Harding. It’s nice to have enough time to relax with a movie.

 

Getting some well deserved sleep.

 

Tuesday March 21 2023

Waking up around 11:30 a.m.

 

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

 

Today is just a big day of preparation.

At the warehouse with some of the guys packing up gear and prepping the trailer.

Picking up the bus from the new RV repair shop.

Meanwhile, Nigel has some guy hauling him around helping install a new storage shelf with TV’s in the bus.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Bagel. Chips. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Protein Shake.

 

At the warehouse with Rebecca – she helps me load up the trailer and finish a few things.

 

Back home. Packing up! And also cleaning out the bus – vacuuming – drilling.

 

Salmon. Black Beans. Salad. Kale.

 

Linking up at the warehouse with the whole ELO crew. Then, hitting the road towards Macon, Georgia.

 

Settling down in the back to sleep on the futon.

Monday March 20 2023

☼▬

More dreams where Ana and I are reconnecting as friends – mixed in with visiting my old workplace at China Wok.

▬☼

 

Waking up at 11:08 a.m.

 

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

 

Meeting up at the warehouse to help Mike park the trailer and do some more brainstorming on how to transport this new piano shell of mine without a proper case.

 

Eggs. Kale. Bagel. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Running a few errands.

 

Spaghetti with Salad.

 

At the warehouse for an actual ELO tech rehearsal. Ian, the new bass player is here. We spend a lot of time figuring out all the gains and monitors but eventually run the show.

...

I stay pretty busy there packing up things and tweaking whatever.

Sunday March 19 2023

Waking up around 11:00 a.m.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

All day from noon till 8 p.m. coaching MMLIVE band rehearsals. So much noise and headaches but we get through it. PB&J Bagel with Coffee somewhere in there.

 

Rebecca and I pick up a Pizza from Pizza Chapel afterwards and drive straight to the warehouse. Kevin and Edwin are here getting the Midas rack all hooked up and such. Meanwhile, I’m playing “arts & crafts” as Mike calls it cutting up colored gaff tape on all the wires. On the other side of the room Rebecca is restocking the merch rack. I continue doing some organizing and whatever else needs to be done.

 

Finally back home after a long, long day.

Eating Popcorn and sipping on Green Tea.

 

Saturday March 18 2023

Waking up at 11 a.m.

 

Protein Shake. Tea.

 

At Music Makers coaching two MMLIVE bands with Rebecca – the kids give us both headaches.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Chips. English Muffin. Coffee.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Napping.

 

At the warehouse working on the piano shell. Mike and Brad were here earlier drilling and installing the input plate. It’s really coming together. I tweak with all the cabling and clean up things.

 

Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti Noodles with Sauce, Kale, Carrots, and Garlic Bread.

Watching Luther: The Fallen Sun (2023).

 

At Music Makers organizing some things. Then, practicing some drums.

 

Friday March 17 2023

☼▬

I’ve somehow gone back in time when Ana and I were still together. I have the knowledge that we’re going to break up and hit rough roads. I try to use this to help better the relationship. A scene where we’re going on a log flume ride at an amusement park. Then, standing there at the entrance to some mall with her family – we’re all about to get dinner somewhere nearby.

...

Later on, in my living room but its different – sand all around and it’s sort of open. Characters in my life that I haven’t seen in a while some in and out.

▬☼

 

Waking up around noon. Sometimes my dreams really hit me hard, especially the ones with Ana.

 

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

 

Getting a haircut at Sage next door to Music Makers. Come to find out one of the hair stylists there is the girlfriend of Jake, the bass teacher I might hire and met the other day.

 

Showering then running errands. Picking up my pants from the tailor. Picking up the Snake Eyes bass amp from Alpha – while I’m here Eric helps me build this input plate for my piano shell.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Bagel. Chips. Coffee.

 

Coaching Alexa’s band rehearsal. They always give me a headache but I will say they learn quick.

 

Taking a mental break at home.

 

Back at the studio working on recording some harmonies for Ladada songs.

 

Then, after midnight, I stop by the warehouse to help Rebecca with some merch things but I’m also doing other things related to the piano shell.

 

Thursday March 16 2023

Waking up around 11:30 a.m.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Stuck at the computer answering emails and making phone calls. There’s so much advancing and communication to do.

 

Eggs. Spinach. English Muffin. Chips. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Protein Shake.

 

Linking up with Mike and Bobby Alderman at the warehouse to look at case options for the piano shell. We discuss everything and even take a visit to Bobby’s warehouse down the street at Stage Right.

 

Pasta with Baby Broccoli and Garlic Naan Bread.

Watching MH370: The Plane That Disappeared (2023).

 

Chilling out.

 

On the living room couch watching more of the documentary and hanging with Elvis.

 

Wednesday March 15 2023

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

 

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

 

Catching up on business at the computer.

 

Dealing with phone calls and running errands.

 

Eggs. Salad. Bagel. Chips. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Black Beans, Salmon, Brown Rice, Baby Broccoli, and Garlic Bread.

Watching M3GAN (2022).

 

Back at the studio practicing with Ladada working on new songs and hanging out.

 

Back home. Green Tea, Pineapple, Chocolate, and Popcorn.

Catching up on emails and such.

 

Tuesday March 14 2023

Waking up usual time.

 

Today is a pretty normal weekday. Eat. Work. Relax. Sleep.

Monday March 13 2023

Waking up around 11 a.m.

 

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

 

At the Rec doing some exercise.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Protein Bagel. Chips. Coffee.

 

At Music Makers teaching lessons.

 

Protein Shake.

 

Meeting up at the warehouse mainly to meet with Mike and Brad – the piano shell is painted now and almost show ready – still many steps to take to. Meanwhile, Nigel and Rebecca meet about travel logistics. The boys and I stay pretty late figuring this thing out.

 

Making a late dinner for myself back home.

Black Beans, Salad, Salmon, Brown Rice, and Naan Bread.

 

Working on some tweaks of the stage plot for ELO and catching up on some other business.

 

Sunday March 12 2023

Waking up at 11 a.m.

 

Protein Shake.

 

At Music Makers we have 4 bands on the schedule for rehearsals today from noon all the way till 8:00. Enjoying a PB&J Bagel with Coffee somewhere in there. Losing my patience at times cause it seems like these kids pretend they don’t know their parts and we have to teach them all over again. But we get through it.

 

Back home.

Making homemade Ramen with Veggies, Eggs, and Naan Bread.

Watching The Last of Us.

 

Catching up on computer stuff.

Chocolate. Green Tea.

 

At Music Makers with plans to record some harmonies but I get caught up in other work at the computer.

 

Saturday March 11 2023

Waking up around 11 a.m.

 

Protein Shake.

 

We’ve got two MMLIVE band rehearsals today. It’s a beautiful afternoon too. The adult band goes swimmingly but the teen band we struggle with. It’s like all of them have no enthusiasm whatsoever haha.

 

Eggs. Spinach. English Muffin. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

 

Today is cleaning day! I clean the downstairs bathroom and upstairs bathroom as thoroughly as I can, then vacuuming everywhere.

 

Running errands.

 

Japanese Style Fried Rice with Vegan Sausage, and Kale.

 

Rebecca comes over for a visit – we watch some Vsauce videos on YouTube and just relax.

 

After she leaves I really planned on recording some harmony tracks for Ladada but it’s getting too late and we’re losing an hour for daylight savings.

Watching Jackass Forever (2022).

 

Sleeping on the couch for a change with Elvis snuggled next to me.

 

Friday March 10 2023

Waking up around 11:20 a.m.

 

Breakfast Drink.

 

Driving the tour bus to this new place off London Bridge Road called RV Farm. Meeting with the guy and his son to discuss all the issues we need fixing. This shop is technically not open yet but they took me in anyway. I’m hoping this can be our go-to place for upkeep and maintenance.

 

Rebecca was able to give me a ride from here. I offer to treat us to brunch at First Watch. Having a free afternoon is rare. Enjoying an Egg Sandwich with Pancakes and Coffee.

 

Then, I run my errands. Dropping off the Snake Eyes bass amp again to Alpha cause we still haven’t fully fixed the problem. Stopping by the tailor to get some pants hemmed.

 

Taking a break at home.

 

Coaching a band practice with Rebecca for Olivia’s band.

 

Getting groceries. I was going to attend the Yes Fest out in Norfolk but I fear I’ll miss most of the bands I wanna see by the time I arrive. So I stay home instead and catch up on stuff.

...

Lately, I’ve been feeling like I’m missing out on my local music community and local friends. I never get the chance to participate anymore. Also, I still think about Ana. It’s been almost a year now since we broke up. But I still feel regret and sadness about everything. I’m trying to move on from it but it’s hard.

 

Japanese Style Fried Rice with Sardines, Kale, and Naan Bread.

Watching Beast (2022).

 

Green Tea. Chocolate.

 

Catching up on business.

Thursday March 9 2023

Waking up at 11:41 a.m.

 

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

 

Doing stuff at the computer – mainly working on the ELO stage plot and rider.

 

Eggs. Spinach. English Muffin. Pecans. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Leftover Pad Thai Tofu with Salad and Naan Bread.

 

Working on more stage plot stuff.

 

Household chores – laundry – recycle – Dishes – cleaning all the water containers.

 

3 a.m. errands.

Wednesday March 8 2023

Waking up around 11 a.m.

 

Protein Shake. Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Doing a light workout at the gym.

 

Eggs. Salad. Bagel. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Dinner: Black Beans, Salmon, Quinoa, Kale, Carrots, and Naan Bread.

Watching Emily the Criminal (2022).

 

Practicing with the Ladada boys at Music Makers – it’s been a minute since we played. We write a couple new songs.

 

Popcorn. Green Tea.

 

Tuesday March 7 2023

Waking up around 11:40 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Raisins, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

I was going to go to the gym but there’s too much work to do.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Coffee. Bagel. Cheese Danish.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Protein Shake.

 

Meeting Brad and Mike at the warehouse to continue our work on the piano shell – Brad’s been cutting wood and helping us fulfill this vision.

Then, immediately after meeting with Nigel, Rebecca, and Kevin to discuss the next ELO tour and other pertinent band details.

Slurping down some Tofu Pad Thai.

 

Back home. Cleaning up the kitchen.

 

Monday March 6 2023

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Raisins, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Catching up on business and making phone calls.

 

Eggs. English Muffin. Spinach. Coffee. Salt n Vinegar Chips.

 

At Music Makers teaching lessons.

 

Grabbing groceries at Kroger – Rebecca happens to be here – I help her locate a broth that happens to not have onions in it. Then, to Whole Foods. It feels good to be able to buy my own groceries and eat my own food.

 

Protein Shake.

 

Doing chores.

 

Dinner: Salmon, Lentils, Quinoa, Bok Choy, Carrots, and Onions.

Watching The Last of Us.

 

Chocolate and Green Tea.

Catching up on business.

 

Relaxing.

Sunday March 5 2023

 

Waking up bright and early at 9:30 a.m.

 

We gotta leave the AirBnB by 10 a.m. Packing up and cramming into the bus. And thus begins our long trek home to Virginia Beach. A total of about 12 hours.

 

One Love’s Truck Stop after the other. Off and on trying to sleep in the back.

 

A stop at Florida Citrus World.

 

 

At some point we stop at a Culver’s, which turns out to be underwhelming for most people.

 

 

While other people drive I stay busy at the computer getting all kinds of stuff done.

 

 

Then, it’s my turn to drive the last three hours. Rebecca rides shotgun – we discuss in depth our different personalities after taking one of those tests. I’m an “advocate” while she’s a “defender”. I’ve always thought it was funny how similar and yet different her and I are.

 

The tour bus rolls in at 2 in the morning to the warehouse – parking, unhitching, and unloading.

 

At some point I’m finally at home in my own bed feeling relieved.