Tuesday October 31 2023

[Note: original blog entry was lost in a hard drive crash. Guaranteed nothing out of the ordinary happened besides dealing with the computer things.]

 

But here’s a month in the life of video…

 

Monday October 30 2023

[Note: original blog entry was lost in a hard drive crash. But guaranteed nothing out of the ordinary happens on this day besides dealing with the computer issues.]

Sunday October 29 2023

Waking up reluctantly at 11:15 a.m.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

MMLIVE rehearsals all afternoon.

 

PB&J Bagel. Kale. Coffee.

 

Catching up on chores and things back home.

 

Pasta for dinner.

 

More work at the computer.

 

Finally I get to sleep!

Saturday October 28 2023

 

[Note: original blog entry was lost in a hard drive crash. What you’re about to read was written weeks after the day occurred.]

 

Running off absolutely zero sleep from my flight. Aaron gratefully picks me up from the airport around 10 in the morning. I have just enough time to get home, shower up, eat, and pack up gear.

 

Now heading out to Norfolk for the highly anticipated LAVA Halloween Extravaganza! My role today isn’t performing actually but rather being a referee (stage manager). I arrive early on while the sound crew is still setting up the stage. I get the dressing room tent set up and acquire my position by the stage.

 

 

My main job is making sure everything runs smoothly and helping the bands get set up as quickly as possible on the stage. Meanwhile, it’s unexpectedly hot out...until the sun goes down. All the bands are amazing. So much work goes into each act – I love watching all the magic happen on the stage.

 

Working hard all the way through till the last note of Bruce Springsteen.

 

Friday October 27 2023

Awakening in the back of the bus on the newly designed futon. Mike ended up next to me. We both complain how you can’t ever really get a full hour’s sleep at a time.

 

Snacking down on a PB&J and Coffee for breakfast.

 

Then, suddenly we’re at The Honeywell Center in Wabash, Indiana. I must remind myself though it was a 15 hour drive in total to get here.

 

I do my duties of backing the trailer into the loading dock. Getting all the gear onto the stage – even though this is a one-off show it feels like we’ve done this a million times before. Matt, the new crew guy is a big help and has a lot of energy to learn.

...

Running around like usual getting everything in order on the stage – sound check – then an amazing dinner of Encrusted Tilapia, (the best) Potatoes, Green Beans, and Pies.

...

We get up there and do our two sets – mostly flawless.

 

Packing up and loading up the bus/trailer. I get dropped off at Fort Wayne Airport….

 

Sitting at a table catching up on work at the computer. I’ve seriously got all the time in the world till my flight leaves at 6 a.m.

 

Thursday October 26 2023

Waking up bright and early at 10:45 a.m.

 

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

 

I have a video meet with Josh and a few of the Lava crew people to get an overview of what’s going to happen Saturday.

 

Catching up on emails and business.

 

Packing up things and doing some prep work in the kitchen.

 

Eggs. Kale. English Muffin. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Then, linking up with the ELO crew at the warehouse. Packing up the tour bus and hitching up the trailer. We all pile into the big building with wheels. Nigel hired a quiet preacher to be the official driver. And we have this new guy Matt on crew. Every row is taken so it’s a full house!

 

Howard takes us through the first two gas stops. Meanwhile, I catch up on work at the computer – mostly Lava prep.

 

Somewhere in the middle of the night I take over the wheel getting us through the most dangerous part of the mountainous terrain. Alarming red signs warning us of “dangerous mountain pass” ahead and tractor trailer run offs.

 

Eventually, I crawl to the back of the bus and attempt to sleep the rest of the way.

Wednesday October 25 2023

Waking up around noon.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

Catching up on emails and business.

 

Aluan gives me a lift to retrieve bus from shop – just got two new tires installed.

 

Cleaning stuff up and organizing the bus.

 

Eggs. Chard. Bagel. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Then, over at the warehouse packing up the trailer with the help of Matt, one of the renters – he’s gonna join us for the one off show on Friday as crew. Nigel and Carson are here also – Nigel is in full form definitely drunk and full of jokes.

 

Pasta and Salad for dinner.

 

Back home. Catching up on chores.

 

Green Tea and Chocolate.

 

At the studio organizing some things.

Tuesday October 24 2023

Waking up around 11:30 a.m.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

Catching up on business and emails – Lava Halloween stuff and ELO stuff.

 

Dropping off the bus to the Truck Fleet stop. Mike helps give me a ride back home. Meanwhile, he vents to me about ELO band problems.

 

Eggs. Spinach. English Muffin. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Running errands.

 

Pasta and Salad for dinner.

 

Later on, having a roommate meeting with Aluan and Michael. The two of them had a few arguments some time ago. I basically play Judge Judy and try to mediate the situation. I think the real issue is Michael, with his history of brain problems and paranoia, has trouble trusting people and that creates some problems in the house. I guess it ends on a good note.

 

Chores.

 

Green Tea and Chocolate.

Monday October 23 2023

Waking up around 11:30 a.m.

 

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

 

Emails and business at the computer – mostly related to Lava Halloween.

 

Eggs. Spinach. English Muffin. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Ramen and Garlic Bread.

 

At the studio putting together this popup tent – draping some sheets together to build a dressing room of sorts for this Saturday.

 

Pineapple.

Sunday October 22 2023

Waking up at 11 a.m.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

At Music Makers all afternoon coaching MMLIVE band rehearsals with the help of Jake and Rebecca.

 

Lunch break somewhere in there.

 

Sometimes it gets to be a lot dealing with all the noise and at the same time trying to direct.

 

Cleaning up things and organizing.

 

Home. Bangkok Garden for dinner.

Watching The Fall of the House of Usher (2023).

 

Catching up on emails and such.

Saturday October 21 2023

Waking up.

 

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

 

At Music Makers for a little bit while Jake teaches lessons.

 

Then, attaching the trailer to my truck. Over off Pleasure House Road a neighbor of Lou’s is giving away a piano – I recruited Chase Davidson and his dad to help move it and gift him with it. We came prepared cause we have to get it down a set of steps and such.

PB&J. Coffee.

Then, helping them move it into their house – I’m really proud of him and happy he’s able to have a real acoustic piano to practice on.

 

Running errands – stopping at Dick’s Sporting Goods for a referee shirt – hardware store.

 

Fixing a few things on the bus.

 

Eggs. Black Beans. Rice. Spinach. English Muffin.

 

Over at Ringo’s (storage unit) for Bamm Bamm practice. It turns out to only be Josiah and I cause Josh went off grid (he does that sometimes). So him and I jam but also organize some things.

 

Afterwards, we get invited to Public House for a get together for Anthony’s birthday. James Graves, Allyson, Rusty, and friends are all there. I sip on some brews and entertain ourselves with pool.

 

Back home. Settling in.

Friday October 20 2023

Waking up after noon.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

PB&J Bagel. Coffee.

 

Running errands! Stopping by Three Ships. Perusing Harbor Freight mainly for a tire gauge adapter for the air compressor (so we can start putting air in the bus tires correctly). Stopping by the warehouse – Nigel has Carson and Carlos helping him pack away the van with Right On gear. Meanwhile, Mike and I work on the tires and organize things. Then, the reggae band comes in for rehearsal.

...

Target. Kroger.

 

Mr. Shawarma’s for dinner.

Watching The Fall of the House of Usher (2023).

 

Chores.

 

I walk over to Rebecca’s to catch up on things – she’s been dreadfully sick the past few weeks – her voice barely there.

Thursday October 19 2024

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

 

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

 

Driving to Norfolk to meet with Addy and this guy Ryan at First Lutheran Church. We’re checking out the sanctuary and the piano with hopes to use it for a recital coming up. Ryan is also a talented organist and shows us the majestic pipe organ in action.

 

Then, I meet up at Josh Coplon’s apartment to discuss Lava Halloween things and retrieve some tickets. Meanwhile, his puppy chomps at the bit with his toys. Josh is stoked on this new building he’s been working on as a new venue for shows.

 

Then, at the warehouse helping Nigel and Carson park the trailer and organize some things.

 

Eggs. Bagel. Chard. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Modern Day Warrior practice.

 

Beans, Tuna, Spinach Salad, and Garlic Bread.

Watching The Fall of the House of Usher (2023).

Wednesday October 18 2023

Waking up at noon.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Running errands – groceries at Whole Foods and stuff at Target.

 

Eggs. Chard. English Muffin. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Staying late after work to transfer the Music Makers phone to a new (old) phone.

 

Healthy Ramen for dinner.

Watching The Fall of the House of Usher (2023).

 

Ice Cream.

 

Chores.

Tuesday October 17 2023

Waking up around noon.

 

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

 

Catching up on business and scheduling.

 

Cleaning the bathroom.

 

Eggs. Kale. Bagel. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Hanging with Billy, Thomas, and Anna for Modern Day Warrior practice. We work on the Over the Hills song and jam a little.

 

Back home. Pasta and Salad for dinner.

 

Working on stuff at the computer.

 

Fruit.

Monday October 16 2023

Waking up around noon.

 

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

 

Doing my personal taxes all afternoon!

 

Eggs. English Muffin. Kale. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Protein Shake.

 

Finishing up my personal taxes – I swear it seems more complicated every year. This particular time my income looks pathetic considering I’m still owed so much money from ELO for 2022.

 

Black Beans, Rice, Salad, Tuna, and Garlic Bread.

 

Strawberry Ice Cream.

 

Catching up on business and chores – taking care of Elvis.

Sunday October 15 2023

Waking up at 11 a.m.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

At Music Makers coaching 3 band rehearsals with lunch in between. No Rebecca today but Jake still lends a hand on the drumming side of things.

 

Lunch somewhere in between.

 

Chores.

 

Pasta and Salad for dinner.

Watching The Burial (2023).

 

Finally getting around to finishing the business taxes – I filed for a deadline back in the Spring.

Saturday October 14 2023

Today is all encompassed with the Modern Day Warrior show at Smartmouth in Norfolk.

 

I drove the tour bus with Anna, Billy, and Thomas in tow along with all the gear.

 

The set up gets a bit stressful cause I have to improvise with some cables. But after they go on the band just naturally rocks the stage like pros – everything is performed with ease and amazement. The cavernous room makes everything seem loud. New t-shirts and merch are a big hit.

 

Loading up and packing up.

 

Back at the studio unloading and getting help from Anna and Thomas. I stick around getting everything back in place for tomorrow’s rehearsals.

 

At home finally. Relaxing and catching up on things and chores.

 

Friday October 13 2023

Waking up around 12:30 p.m.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Organizing some things at Music Makers – the renter guys come in to use 104.

 

Eggs. English Muffin. Kale. Coffee.

 

Driving the bus to the warehouse to attempt to check the tire pressure and do other various things.

 

Then, at Music Makers packing and organizing all the gear in preparation for the Modern Day Warrior show tomorrow. Meanwhile, Megan helps me organize their new shirts. Thomas, Anna, and Billy practice a few songs and goof off.

 

Pasta and Salad for dinner.

Watching 1922 (2017).

 

Chilling.

Thursday October 12 2023

 

Waking up a little before noon.

 

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

 

Catching up on business.

 

Eggs. Veggies. Bagel. Coffee. Chips.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Out in Norfolk for the Ladada show. We’re playing with Superfang and Timothy Eerie. It’s a fun show with a good amount of people here. Drew, Ana’s guy, is here actually running sound. But we’re cool – and he’s a fan of the band.

Afterwards, we all migrate over to Taphouse for Karaoke Night and it’s a wild one for sure. It’s packed. Ronnie Talman is deejaying. Seeing lots of friends and mingling. Everybody sings all the hits including Killing in the Name, which gets interrupted with a gay man mooning the crowd and twerking. But it’s a good time. I get up to do Mr. Brightside.

 

Back home, the Timothy Eerie band is crashing in the living room. So I get them situated.

 

Wednesday October 11 2023

Waking up around noon.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

Catching up on computer business.

 

Running errands.

 

Eggs. Spinach. English Muffin. Chips. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Hearty Ramen for dinner with Garlic Bread.

 

Wes and I ride out to Ladada practice – we’ve got a show tomorrow so we run through a set that we’re all very pleased with. Bobby is fresh off the boat from last show and killing it on the kit.

 

Popcorn.

 

Chores.

Tuesday October 10 2023

Waking up around 11:45 a.m.

 

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

 

Staying home to get some tax work done at the computer and chores.

 

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

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Modern Day Warrior band practice – I try to keep these kids productive.

 

Then, immediately after hanging with Josiah and Wes for a low key Ladada practice in the 104 space. Bobby couldn’t make it out cause his dad went into the ER. But we chow down on pizza and beer – running through the set and chatting about life.

 

Back home. Feeling exhausted. Taking care of Elvis and watching movies.

Monday October 9 2023

Waking up around 11:45 a.m.

 

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

 

At the Rec working out.

Banana.

 

Eggs. Vegan Breakfast Sausage. Spinach. Bagel. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Grabbing some Mr. Shawarma’s with Mike.

 

Then, at the warehouse Nigel is trying get these new renters set up in the live room. Meanwhile, Mike and I mess with this air compressor along with organizing little things here and there.

 

Catching up on business back home.

 

Ice Cream. Green Tea. Popcorn.

Sunday October 8 2023

Waking up around 11 a.m.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

At Music Makers coaching MMLIVE bands all afternoon alongside Rebecca and Jake.

 

Eating a PB&J with a Coffee somewhere in there.

 

Cleaning up the studio.

 

Black Beans, Kale, Carrots, Eggs, Quinoa, and English Muffins.

Watching BlacKkKlansman (2018).

 

Ice Cream.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Popcorn. Chores.

Saturday October 7 2023

 

Waking up like normal. Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Opening up Music Makers – handling a few front desk things.

 

Then, off to Norfolk. At Hunter House Victorian Museum. Brittany recruited Rebecca and I to help be narrators along with a group of others. We’re supposed to lead tours through different rooms in the house reciting Edgar Allan Poe stories and poems. It’s a kind of unique gig for me – requires a lot of voice acting and reading with really good diction. Each scene has people acting out the stories too so it becomes an immersive experience for the guided tour groups.

 

 

It’s an all day and night thing as we take turns as narrators. In between snacking in the kitchen and talking. The last scene is always the coolest with The Cask of Amontillado. They do the whole thing with the brick wall – for some reason it gets a few good laughs.

 

 

We all chip in to clean up and organize all the props and things. Then, having a good time at Cogan’s Pizza.

 

Friday October 6 2023

 

Waking up around noon.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Packing up the truck with all the music gear.

 

At Smartmouth at the beach setting up by the garage door getting ready for the solo gig as myself, but it’s essentially Musicplayer with a few special guests. I had Megan and Chase sing and play a few songs with me to give it some variety.

 

 

A lot of work in packing everything up as it always is – then unloading back to the studio and organizing it all.

 

Back home. Relaxing with Elvis – eating a Salad and a Pizza. My body is gonna be sore tomorrow but it was still a fulfilling night.

Thursday October 5 2023

Waking up around 11:45 a.m. feeling well rested.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

Doing a few chores and errands. Picking up my car from getting an oil change. Cleaning some vents at Music Makers.

 

Eggs. Kale. Bagel. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Afterwards, rehearsing some songs with Megan – she’s really stepped up on the bass.

 

Home. Taking care of Elvis things.

 

Dinner: Ramen with all the fixings and Garlic Bread.

Watching Atlanta.

 

Practicing songs at the studio then packing up all the gear.

 

Corn Chips.

 

Playing with Elvis.

Wednesday October 4 2023

Waking up bright and early at 8 a.m.

 

Elvis has a vet visit today (not his favorite thing to do) – he’s been urinating red in the litter box. The vet there, Jenny, keeps me at ease cause honestly I’ve been very worried.

...

I grab some Oatmeal and Tea from home while I wait.

...

Turns out Elvis has two bladder stones – fingers crossed they’re the kind that can go away with a prescription diet. But we’ll see.

 

Talking with Mike for a bit outside about the tour bus.

 

Running errands via bike – getting groceries – dropping off my car.

 

Eggs. Kale. Carrots. English Muffin. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Afterwards, Megan and I rehearse some of my solo songs – she’s gonna be guest starring at the gig Friday on bass and voice. Rebecca steps in too for a few tunes.

 

 

Back home. Pasta for dinner.

Watching Atlanta.