Sunday December 31 2023

Waking up at 11 a.m.

 

Oatmeal. Tea.

 

At the warehouse meeting with Stephen about potentially renting this room. Then, cleaning up a bunch of stuff.

 

Eggs. English Muffin. Spinach. Tempeh Bacon. Coffee.

Watching Rebel Moon (2023).

 

Chores. Cleaning up.

 

Driving out to Norfolk for the highly anticipated New Year Nu Metal shindig at Smartmouth. My friends in Berries are doing their reunited System of a Down set along with other acts like Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, and Deftones. I set up a camera in the back to film all the sets of course. It’s an absolute packed house of course – mingling back and forth – hanging with friends – sipping on beers and champagne. All the bands sound really good. For System I take my spot in the mosh pit right up front singing all the words and thrashing myself around. What a perfect way to ring in the “nu” year!

 

 

 

Saturday December 30 2023

Waking up. Protein Shake. Tea.

 

At Music Makers watching the front desk and doing various things while Jake teaches lessons.

 

Meeting up with Bobby Alderman at his workshop to brainstorm a way to cut these steel hair pin piano legs. He’s got a real good head on his shoulders for this kind of thing. Him and I are kind of alike in some ways.

 

Eggs. Chard. Bagel. Chips. Coffee.

 

Working on stuff at the computer. Chatting with Nancy over the phone about ELO band stuff.

 

Peas, Carrots, Onions, Sardines, Kale, Rice, and Garlic Bread.

Watching Rebel Moon (2023).

 

More work at the computer and chores.

 

Friday December 29 2023

Waking up like usual.

 

Oatmeal. Tea.

 

Working at the computer.

 

Protein Shake.

 

Dropping off some pants at the tailor. I walk in at a moment when Eun Young is having tea with her aunt. I haven’t been here in a long while. The sun is shining through beautifully.

 

Then, at the warehouse. Nigel and Carson are moving all kinds of gear around and cleaning up. Meanwhile, Mike and I take a look at my piano shell – scheming how we can install these hair pin legs on.

 

Back home. Having a late lunch: Grilled PB&J Bagel with Potato Salad and Coffee.

 

Working on some spreadsheets for ELO – working at it for a long time.

 

Dinner: Pasta with Salad and Garlic Bread.

Watching Talk To Me (2022).

 

Working on more stuff.

 

Playing DOOM.

Thursday December 28 2023

Waking up around 11 a.m.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

At the Rec working out – I run into Matthew Griffin, an old church friend from childhood. He’s really managed to body build himself over the years. Then, playing some pickup basketball.

 

Eggs. Chard. Bagel. Tempeh Bacon. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Catching up on work.

 

Dinner: Peas, Carrots, Celery, Onions, Quinoa, Sardines, and Garlic Bread.

Watching Talk To Me (2022).

 

Chores. More work.

Wednesday December 27 2023

Waking up around 11 a.m.

 

Oatmeal. Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

At the Rec working out. Then playing full court pickup basketball – unexpected cause they never let us do this during the day. But I grind it out on the courts providing a few imperative jump shots and lots of assists.

 

Eggs. English Muffin. Chard. Potato Salad. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Picking up groceries.

 

Pasta and Salad for dinner. Garlic Bread.

Watching Gran Turismo (2023).

 

Chores. Research.

 

Playing DOOM.

Tuesday December 26 2023

Waking up at 10:50 a.m. – really trying to take advantage of the early rising schedule that happened in North Carolina.

 

Oatmeal. Tea.

 

At the Rec working out and shooting the basketball around.

Pineapple.

 

Getting groceries.

 

Eggs. Tempeh Bacon. Bagel. Spinach. Chips. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Over at the warehouse meeting with this guy Lee about renting the spot for drum practice. Then, organizing some things.

 

Black Beans, Quinoa, Salad, and Garlic Bread.

Watching The Creator (2023).

 

Pie.

 

At the studio – putting together this shelf on the wall.

Monday December 25 2023

Waking up semi early at dad’s house.

Oatmeal Bar. Tea.

 

We all drive separately over to Vicki’s house, about an hour away.

 

Not everyone in our family was able to make it but we got Aunt Pansy, Peter, my dad, Patty (and her neighbor friend Monica), Vicky and Jeff, and some of their friends.

 

We’ve got a simple spread of Ham, Collard Greens, Pea Salad, Potato Salad, Cranberry Sauce, Biscuits, Salad, and all kinds of Pies.

 

Sharing good eats and old photos.

 

 

Meanwhile, Vicky’s cats roam around. It’s such a beautiful day once again. We take a group photo outside. We don’t really stay too long.

 

I grab a coffee and hit the road back to Virginia Beach, about a 2.5 hour drive.

 

Settling in at home – unpacking.

 

Leftovers for dinner.

 

Play with Elvis – playing DOOM.

 

Sunday December 24 2023

 

Waking up pretty early but feeling rested in my childhood bed at dad’s house.

 

Having some breakfast: Hard Boiled Eggs with a Peanut Butter English Muffin and Tea.

 

Dad drives us to the cemeteries where my grandma and granddaddy Smith are buried. Pansy and Peter link up with us there. We replace the flowers and share memories, good and bad.

 

 

A visit to Carolina is not complete without a visit to a Piggly Wiggly.

 

It’s such a beautiful day – definitely doesn’t feel like Christmas Eve. We strap on good shoes and, with basketball in tote take, a walk, dad, Patty, and I, on the Reedy Branch Greenway. This is a nice 3 mile paved trail right behind Wayne Community College and the hospital. Encountering friendly dogs and a babbling brook at the end.

 

 

Back at the house. Dad fires up the grill while Patty and I fix up the potatoes and asparagus.

...

I jam on the guitar out on the porch while Patty FaceTimes her family in Honduras. Singing Feliz Navidad and other household favorites. Dad and I work a number on a couple bottles of wine. I like seeing him have a good time though – I’m really enjoying this time spent with him.

 

Sitting at the table enjoying the fire cooked steaks with asparagus, potatoes, and more wine. We get into it about the family past and it seems whenever wine gets in my dad’s system he really opens up with his emotions about the lack of a father figure in his life growing up and how much he misses his mother. Once again, I’m seeing him cry. I always make sure that he knows how good of a father he was and is to me.

 

Cleaning up and chilling in the living room. Of course movies like Elf and Christmas Vacation run endlessly on the TV.

 

Saturday December 23 2023

Waking up around 11 a.m.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Getting ready and driving down to Goldsboro, North Carolina. Chatting with Mike over the phone about band stuff and guns.

 

It’s a pleasant 3 hour trip – no traffic. Pulling up to dad’s driveway he’s lounging in a chair sipping on wine.

 

Later on, Patty arrives with Chicken Tamales, ones that her hair stylist made. Enjoying a few with leftover Quinoa and Lentils.

 

We all just hang out – at some point venturing next door to visit with Rex, the neighbor, along with Tasha and Jimmy.

 

My dad knows how to drink some wine – he gets very chatty when he’s drunk but it’s charming. And he doesn’t do it all the time.

 

Patty drives us into downtown – grabbing some pizza slices from Brooklyn Pizzeria – this place is packed like crazy.

...

Driving in search of neighborhood Christmas lights. Sometimes the two of them get into arguments about directions on the road.

 

Back at the house – I open up the big box of old pictures I found and share.

 

Doing some serious reflecting late at night after everyone goes to bed – watching a few old Christmas videos from 2019 where mom was in the hospital (about two weeks she would’ve passed) and Ana and I were having a good time together.

 

Friday December 22 2023

Waking up around noon.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

At the Rec exercising – shooting some basketball.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Bagel. Coffee.

 

At Music Makers doing various things – watching the front desk for some of Willy’s lessons – showing the 104 space to some potential renters who seem very cool, young jazz musicians.

 

Running errands.

When leaving Whole Foods I witness three horse cops clopping right out front – one of them drops a big pile of crap for all to see lol – a gift that keeps on giving.

Dropping by Mike’s place to fix a little thing on an acoustic guitar.

 

Tuna with Black Beans, Quinoa/Rice, Salad, and Garlic Bread.

 

Packing and organizing.

 

Popcorn.

Thursday December 21 2023

Waking up around noon.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Running errands and catching up on business.

 

Eggs. Spinach. English Muffin. Coffee. Tempeh Bacon.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

I stop by Mike’s place to drop off some guitars for him to work on. We chat in the living room about ELO and music things.

 

Later on, I visit with Rebecca at her place – her cats are always wanting to play.

 

Back home. Doing chores.

 

Playing DOOM.

Wednesday December 20 2023

Waking up around noon.

 

Oatmeal. Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Running mid day errands – Hilltop Holiday Traffic is ridiculous.

 

Eggs. Tempeh Bacon. Spinach. Chips. Bagel. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Napping.

 

Tuna with Black Beans, Broccoli, Carrots, Rice, and Garlic Bread.

Watching Florida Man (2023).

 

I drive over to the storage unit (Ringo’s). Installing these shelves and organizing the wall where all the bands keep their amps and guitars. Tweaking and vacuuming.

Tuesday December 19 2023

Waking up around noon.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

At the rec playing pickup basketball – getting the ultimate cardio in.

 

Eggs. Spinach. English Muffin. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Pasta and Broccoli for dinner.

Watching Florida Man (2023).

 

Organizing stuff in the storage room – really discovering amazing old finds.

 

Running some late night errands – taking recycle and trash out – printing shipping label and dropping package off.

Monday December 18 2023

Waking up around noon.

 

Oatmeal. Tea.

 

At the Rec playing basketball.

Banana.

 

Eggs. Tempeh Bacon. Spinach. Bagel. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Running errands.

 

Leftover Rice and Beans with Broccoli, Carrots, and Garlic Bread.

Watching Florida Man (2023).

 

Organizing stuff in the storage room.

 

Chores.

Sunday December 17 2023

Waking up as late as I want.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Organizing boxes in the storage room.

 

Eggs. Kale. English Muffin. Avocado. Chips. Coffee.

 

It’s pouring rain like all day...

 

Running errands – groceries – Wal-Mart.

 

More organizing.

 

Pasta, Salad, and Garlic Bread for dinner.

Watching Florida Man (2023).

 

Chores.

Saturday December 16 2023

Waking up at 11:50 a.m.

 

Oatmeal. Tea.

 

At Music Makers watching the front desk while Jake teaches drum lessons. I have some meaningful talks with Jacqueline’s Taiwanese mother and American father about motivation within music lessons.

 

Eggs. Spinach. English Muffin. Coffee.

 

Organizing boxes in the storage room.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Running errands.

 

Bean Chili with Kale, Rice, and Garlic Bread.

 

Bamm Bamm practice at Ringo’s with Josiah and Josh. We barely work on actual songs but rather have fun jamming and enjoying hang time – going late into the night.

 

Friday December 15 2023

Waking up around noon thirty.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

At the Rec exercising and shooting the basketball around.

 

PB&J English Muffin. Coffee.

 

Over at Nigel’s house with him and Ron having a business meeting about ELO things. We’re really clamping down a solid game plan moving forward in the new year with regards to money. We go head to head debating the best strategies but eventually get on the same page. There’s definitely more hope now.

 

At the studio organizing the band photos and talking with Allyson.

 

Home. Making dinner: Pasta with Kale and Garlic Bread.

Watching Killers of the Flower Moon (2023).

Green Tea.

 

Later on, organizing old boxes and photos in the storage room of the house.

 

Ice Cream. Popcorn.

Thursday December 14 2023

Waking up around noon.

 

Oatmeal. Tea.

 

Catching up on business. Running errands – dropping off a return package – grabbing some boxes from the storage unit – groceries.

 

Eggs. Salad. Tempeh Bacon. Bagel. Chips with Avocado. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Working on stuff at the studio.

 

Black Beans with Rice, Bok Choy, Carrots, Onions, Spinach, and Garlic Bread.

Watching Squid Game: The Challenge (2023).

Ice Cream.

 

Organizing stuff in the storage room.

Wednesday December 13 2023

 

Waking up.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

At the rec exercising and shooting the basketball around.

 

Eggs. Tempeh Bacon. English Muffin. Kale. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Running some night errands – grabbing some boxes from the storage unit – getting some groceries.

 

Leftovers for dinner.

 

We have a Ladada practice at Music Makers. Working on an original song.

...

Afterwards we take a late night field trip to the beach to catch the meteor shower. Bobby drives us in his Flex all the way to 80^th Street. No light pollution out here – it’s super dark. We hide out in the dunes where the wind from the ocean can’t beat us down – sipping on mugs of Chianti wine and keeping our eyes peeled up at the starry sky. Every 5 seconds someone spots a shooting star and howls.

 

Tuesday December 12 2023

Waking up around 11:50 a.m.

 

Oatmeal. Tea.

 

Catching up on business and running errands.

 

Eggs. Tempeh Bacon. Spinach. Bagel. Coffee. Chips.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Afterwards, dad and Patty come over to the house – playing with Elvis and looking at some old photo albums.

 

Peas, Carrots, Celery, Onions, Quinoa, Tuna, and Garlic Bread for dinner.

Watching Squid Game: The Challenge (2023).

 

More organizing in the storage room.

Monday December 11 2023

Waking up around 11:30 a.m.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

At the bank talking with Linda Stephens about this issue Music Makers is having with Zelle – seems like it would be a simple fix but things like these are usually more involved than you want them to be.

 

Doing some business at the computer.

 

Eggs. Spinach. English Muffin. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Afterwards, I link up with my dad and Patty – they’re in town for a few days. We get Mr. Shawarma’s for dinner.

 

Visiting Rebecca at her place cause her kitty Eowyn has been super sick and dehydrated.

 

At home, I continue rummaging through old boxes of pictures and things my mom had packed away.

 

Popcorn.

Finishing Squid Game (2017).

Sunday December 10 2023

A rain storm continues all day long and night.

 

I stay home working on stuff at the computer – chores – and working through some of the old boxes in the storage room. Finally getting around to doing that, or at least starting the process.

 

I definitely didn’t even step foot outside the house.

Saturday December 9 2023

Waking up around 11:30 a.m.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

At Music Makers watching the front desk and doing stuff at the computer. Organizing a few things.

 

It’s a beautiful day out!

 

Eggs. Spinach. English Muffin. Coffee.

 

Catching up on business and chores.

 

Cleaning some of the bathrooms.

 

Rebecca and I grab some drinks and pizza from Wasserhund down the street. One of the employees there compliments on how sophisticated we look.

...

Later on, checking on her cats – they’ve been sick from a bad batch of canned food.

...

Then, finally watching Barbie (2023). Afterwards, discussing some of the messages it was trying to convey about male/female equality. One of the issues she has is Ken not actually apologizing at the end of the movie. She kind of takes it seriously but I can understand her reaction. The messages in this movie really resonate with our current progressive culture in regards to male/female/they equality. But at the same time it was also a comedy.

Friday December 8 2023

Waking up to a complete day off!

 

I do various things – chores – errands – cleaning.

Thursday December 7 2023

Waking up.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Eggs. English Muffin. Spinach. Coffee.

Watching Squid Game (2021).

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Sticking around at the studio for a while helping Modern Day Warrior.

 

Later on, Brittany Mahig and I grab some dinner. I’ve been meaning to get her perspective on some things going on with Rebecca and I (since she is a good friend of hers and mine), but also we enjoy each other’s company. Sitting at the bar at Tikki’s – it’s a total Hawaiian vibe complete with an acoustic guy jamming while we sip on cocktails and eat Shrimp and Musabi.

...

At her apartment we find Jimmy sleeping on the couch. He doesn’t hang around for long but we continue debates into personal things and whatever inspires the conversation in the moment.

 

Back home. Taking care of chores and Elvis.

 

Playing DOOM.

Wednesday December 6 2023

Waking up.

 

Oatmeal. Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Chores.

 

Eggs. Spinach. English Muffin. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Having a phone call with a potential new voice teacher, Caitlyn Joyce.

 

Black Beans, Salmon, Quinoa, Kale, Carrots, and Garlic Bread.

 

Ladada practice at Ringo’s with Wes, Josiah, and Bobby. We work hard on a new song.

 

Popcorn. Pineapple.

 

Playing DOOM.

Tuesday December 5 2023

Waking up at 11:50 a.m.

 

Oatmeal. Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Running errands. At the post office warehouse pickup place. It’s kind of funny cause as I sit here in this weird plain holding room you can sense the man in front of me is getting frustrated waiting and waiting. One by one another person walks in and it feels like nothing is happening. Eventually, I get my envelope and jet.

 

Eggs. Spinach. English Muffin. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Helping Modern Day Warrior with their band practice.

 

Making Pasta with Salad and Garlic Bread.

Watching Oppenheimer (2023).

 

Chores. Cleaning.

Monday December 4 2023

Waking up around 11:45 a.m.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

At the Rec exercising and playing basketball.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Bagel. Chips. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Catching up on work at the studio computer – meanwhile, chatting with Rebecca.

 

Black Beans, Salmon, Kale, Carrots, Quinoa, and Garlic Bread.

Watching Oppenheimer (2023).

 

Doing accounting.

 

Ice Cream.

Sunday December 3 2023

Waking up whenever I feel like it!

 

Oatmeal. Tea.

 

The Music Makers Holiday Carolers are doing some outreach performances – first over at the Discovery Commons living home off Old Donation. The dining hall is filled with really grateful seniors singing along and just happy to be hearing all the Christmas voices.

...

Then, over at The Painted Tree they do their whole set in front of customers passing by. This place is like a flea market for fancy crafts and gifts. Rebecca did a great job with them. They all sound well rehearsed.

 

Eggs. Tempeh. Spinach. English Muffin. Coffee.

 

Catching up on business and stuff at the computer.

 

Running errands.

 

Chores.

 

Pasta, Salad, and Garlic Bread.

 

At the studio – organizing things – building this new black garage shelf for the 104 space. I’m hammering this mallet strategically until it’s done.

 

Saturday December 2 2023

 

Today is the big day. Music Makers Holiday Recital. This time we’re debuting at First Lutheran Church in Norfolk. Ryan, the musical director, has been really hospitable to us and accommodating. And this church has a beautiful sanctuary complete with colorful stained glass and fully functioning pipe organ.

 

I arrive early on site – setting up everything in the sanctuary – we’re using their in-house PA system with my own mini mixer. Even though it’s much easier this way it still requires my full attention. Meanwhile, students and families trickle in.

 

We do two separate performances cause there’s always so many students that want to perform. I’m proud of everyone as I sit at the board going back and forth from the stage/piano adjusting things.

 

Afterwards, Shaunna, Rebecca, and I grab some dinner at Torch’s Bistro up the street. We recap over the most amazing burgers.

 

At the studio putting everything away.

 

Back home. Relaxing and watching Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021).

 

Friday December 1 2023

Waking up around 12:30 p.m.

 

Oatmeal. Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Driving out to Norfolk to meet with Ryan at the Lutheran church off Colley. We’re doing a recital here tomorrow so him and I tweak with the sound system and make sure things are in order.

 

I absolutely hate driving on Fridays – so much traffic everywhere you go.

...

Stopping by Home Depot to buy a shelf.

 

At Music Makers printing programs with Allyson. Meanwhile, Rebecca is directing the final caroling rehearsal in 104.

 

Back home. Making dinner: Chicken Sausages with Rice, Veggies, and Garlic Bread.

 

At the studio packing up things for tomorrow – printing stuff – running late night errands.