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.
Waking up around 11 a.m. from a deep sleep. Elvis is
sprawled out by my side.
Oatmeal. Tea.
Jamil drops by to help me check on the Camry – it’s been
overheating.
At the Rec exercising and shooting basketball.
Eggs. Spinach. English Muffins. Coffee.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Mr. Shawarma’s for dinner.
I drive Wes and I out to Ringo’s using the tour bus – needed
to warm up the ride before the weekend. Ladada band practice with the boys. We
talk about doing some out of town shows then jam on songs.
At the Rec shooting the basketball around and working the
arms.
Banana.
At the studio for a second delivering the phone. While
delivering some copies of the lease next door at the dry cleaners I get into
talking with the cigarette lady that works there. She tells me all this stuff
with death in her family and how she’s having hard time – she was just talking
to her sister over the phone in the car. It’s just interesting cause in the all
years I’ve seen her around I never once talked to her.
Teaching a lesson at the studio. Working on things. Rebecca
and I catch up about stuff coming up this month. We both need groceries and,
since I walked to work today, she drives us to Kroger.
Later on, at the warehouse with Nigel and Edwin. We end up
working late into the night – unloading trailer and such. While Ed dives deep
into the Midas rack and all the lines – essentially starting from scratch –
Nigel and I rearrange gear in the garage area – labeling and color coding. A
few times Nigel’s impatience really gets to me. We calm down later but
sometimes he gets a short fuse and makes us feel like we’re in a hurry. Regardless,
we accomplish a lot!
Meeting with a girl named Stormy to buy this wood vanity
I’ve been trying to sell.
PB&J. Coffee.
At Music Makers watching the front desk – also meeting with
a retired acting coach about renting the space for private acting sessions and
such. The thermostat went blank yesterday – troubleshooting and discovering a
safety switch in the attic – now it’s working again.
I’ve got two renters using the 104 space today, a three
piece band, and Luke, the recording guy. It’s been busy around the studio
today!
Running errands.
Homemade Ramen for dinner with Garlic Bread.
Watching Dumb Money
(2023).
Walking a lot back and forth to the studio. Cleaning up the
space for dance class tomorrow.
Waking up at 11 a.m. I can’t believe how warm the
temperature is right now. I’ve got the window open while Elvis sleeps in the
computer chair.
Oatmeal. Tea.
Business.
At the Rec playing basketball.
Eggs. Kale. English Muffin. Vegan Breakfast Sausage. Coffee.
Running errands – dealing with stuff at Music Makers – at
the warehouse showing a potential renter.
Chores.
Later on, Rebecca and I grab some dinner at Craft Burgers
out off Shore Drive. It’s been a while since we caught up on things. It’s nice to
link up again non-work related.
...
While sipping on green tea – playing with her cats and
whatnot.
At the warehouse having a much anticipated business meeting
with Nigel, Kevin, and Ron. Mostly filling in Kevin on the new financial plan
to help get everyone their back pay. It gets stressful at times discussing
everything but we do come to some conclusions and good plans.
Running errands.
Eggs. Spinach. Tempeh Bacon. English Muffins. Avocado.
Chips. Coffee.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Afterwards, hanging a little with Modern Day Warrior –
talking with Garrett and Rebecca some.
Dinner: Salmon, Quinoa, Salad, Edamame, and Garlic Bread.
At the Rec working out then playing 2v2 basketball.
Eggs. Spinach. Vegan Sausage. Bagel. Coffee.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Afterwards, I drive the bus over to the warehouse (giving it
a test ride after it’s been sitting in the street for so long). Here, I work on
some more labeling and meeting with a potential renter. Meanwhile, Rebecca is
here doing merch.
...
We talk for a while – catching up cause we haven’t really
hung out in forever.
Cleaning up with the 104 space after Rebecca’s dance classes
are over. Her and I catch up a little before this guy Luke comes in to rent the
room.
Errands.
Eggs. Vegan Sausage. Spinach. English Muffins. Coffee.
Watching True
Detective (2014).
Later on, I visit with Mike at his place – he gives me the
Phantom guitar he finished repairing for Josiah. I also show him these rifles
and guns I inherited from my family – trying to sell these things at some
point. But you can’t just post things like these online like it’s a couch lol.
At the warehouse alone labeling some cables. It takes a good
amount of time.
Black Beans, Baby Broccoli, Carrots, Quinoa, Tuna, and
Garlic Bread.
Watching more True
Detective. I don’t know how I missed out on this show when it came out.
Linking up with Thomas and Anna at Music Makers – loading
gear into cars. Carpooling with them to Norfolk for the Modern Day Warrior
show.
At Chicho’s Backstage off Granby Street. Loading everything
in – parking the cars a few blocks away braving the harsh cold winter air.
The band gets going at 7 p.m. The house is packed. I believe
100+ tickets sold. They always bring all their friends and family. Watching
them perform - the crowd is literally jumping up and down during all the hype
songs. Proud of them as always.
At some point back at the studio loading everything back in
and unpacking. I clean up the 104 space for dance tomorrow.
Running errands – getting groceries – doing some stuff at
the studio.
Eggs. Spinach. Vegan Sausage. English Muffin. Coffee.
Watching True
Detective (2014).
Over at the warehouse. Replacing a tire on the trailer.
Meanwhile, Edwin helps Nigel fix some things on the live room PA system.
Pasta with Salad and Garlic Bread.
Wes and I ride out to Ringo’s for Ladada practice with
Josiah and Bobby. But we don’t play any music – rather we have a serious in
depth discussion about the band and how we can fix some ways that we interact
with each other.
At Music Makers meeting with Sawyer, a friend of the music
community, and potentially going to be a new guitar instructor. We have a long
discussion about his teaching experience and learning about tricks of the
trade. Feeling good about him and bringing him on the team.
Afterwards, Clarence helps me move the family piano from the
storage unit across the street to here. It’s crazy cause now the unit is absolutely
clear of mom’s stuff. One less thing I have to pay every month.
...
Protein Shake.
Then, driving the trailer to Nigel’s house to pick up this
heavy duty tool box. Bringing it to the warehouse.
At some point I’m finally home after midnight.
Making Pasta with Salad and Garlic Bread for dinner.
At the warehouse tweaking some things then attaching the
trailer to my truck.
Helping Rebecca move this red couch from Brittany’s
apartment. It’s big and it’s a whole thing.
Then, I take advantage of the trailer and move some bigger
pieces out of the storage unit. All that’s left now is the family piano.
Eggs. Spinach. Bagel. Chips. Chocolate. Coffee.
Teaching a couple lessons.
Then, at the warehouse for ELO rehearsal to run set two –
training Sophie, the new sound girl. And also Aniela is here to be Rebecca’s
understudy. Meanwhile, Kevin has a sudden episode and just ups and leaves. He
may have been drinking but the real issues come out as he points fingers to
Nigel regarding money. We still continue to rehears in his absence. Afterwards,
with Edwin, Nigel, and Sophie discussing some of the issues – staying late to
tweak with things.
Salmon with Brown Rice, Black Beans, Kale, and Garlic Bread.
At the warehouse with Nigel, Kevin, Edwin, and Sophie
helping get our tech rehearsal set up for ELO. There’s a lot to do and
organize. Eventually other people arrive and we make sure everything is
functioning.
Back home. Making Pasta with Salad and Garlic Bread for
dinner.
At Music Makers watching the front desk and teaching a
lesson.
Then, loading gear into my car. Heading to Temple Emanuel.
Edwin meets me here with his stuff. Setting up a PA and getting everything
ready for the concert tonight. An Israeli pop singer is performing a special
event, Neshama Carlebach. Ed and I are essentially the sound company the temple
hired, all kind of last minute, but we take care of things.
After sound check we hang out in the sanctuary where the
host, Jason, brought the band sushi. Sitting at this round table sharing really
good food. Talking with the family – it’s interesting getting to know them. It’s
the singer, Neshama and her teenage boys that play as the backup band. All of
them are super talented and funny.
Show start at 6:45. Somebody comes up to do what they call
Havdalah, a ritual Jews perform every Saturday involving a wax candle, grape juice,
and spices. The guy sings some traditional songs a capella.
...
Then, Neshama gets up to perform. Ed stays glued to the iPad
mixing the set while I just stand by. I’m reminded of being back in church as
the music feels worshipful and interactive. Her voice when she speaks in
between songs has such a soothing quality – makes me feel totally relaxed and
comforted.
...
Afterwards, they were absolutely thrilled with what Ed and I
did, like through the roof thrilled. I don’t understand it but I guess when
people put a little extra care into what they do it shines.
Packing up and loading out. Sophia, a potential audio
engineer for ELO, arrived in town. With Ed and her at Las Palmas enjoying some
margaritas with Chips n Guac.
Transporting the drum kit and guitar amps over to Temple
Emanuel. They’re renting a back line from Music Makers for a special concert
event this weekend. Some Israeli singer, Neshama Carlebach. Setting up everything
in their performance hall. Zakary, a former janitor turned sound man, helps me.
He’s got a carefree and fun attitude – shows me around the temple. This place
has some history.
Eggs. Spinach. Tempeh Bacon. English Muffin. Coffee.
Avocado.
Catching up on business.
At the Rec working out and shooting some basketball.
Meanwhile, there’s an enormous swim meet going on.
The wind and rain pick up outside. Stopping by the store and
cleaning up.
Later on, I find out from Jason, one of the guys in charge
at the temple, says they need an audio engineer for tomorrow. I scramble via
text and land Edwin to help me out. Also, turns out their PA isn’t really
suitable so now I’m back at the temple assessing the room and seeing what we’ll
need for tomorrow. Meanwhile, a service is just finishing up – Jewish
congregation is leaving. I meet Jason and find out there’s some drama with the
artist and who was supposed to do sound. That’s why I’m here.
Back home. Pasta, Salad, and Garlic Bread for dinner.
Meeting with a guy named Tim to buy this wooden rocking
chair that belonged to my mom. He’s a pretty interesting guy – real nice –
surfboard on top of his car.
At the rec shooting some ball around.
Eggs. Tempeh Bacon. Kale. English Muffin. Coffee.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Meeting with a couple to buy this wooden kitchen cabinet.
Really trying to sell all of this furniture in the storage unit.
I help Modern Day Warrior out with a practice – filling in
on drums and helping with the vocals.
Pasta with Salad and Garlic Bread.
Watching The Hunger
Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014).
At the warehouse helping this guy Danny and his band set up
for their rehearsal rental. Meanwhile, Mike is here trying to repair an amp
rack. I stick around for a while organizing the front area.
Home. Doing some chores.
Peas, Carrots, Celery, Onions, Bok Choy, Kippers, Brown
Rice, and Garlic Bread.
At Music Makers watching the front desk. While Jake teaches
his afternoon students I follow up on some potential new students and clean up
the 104 space.
Protein Shake.
It’s been raining hard all day. I play a Japanese House
cover of “Super Trouper” that really resonates for some reason while I’m
driving.
Driving out to Strawbridge. Stopping by the DAV Thrift
Store. Then, meeting Jimmy Napier and his wife, Thuy, for late lunch at Back
Bay Gourmet. Or maybe it’s dinner? Who knows. I haven’t seen them in a few
years and had a few picture albums to share from the 70’s with Dana and some
memories from that time. It’s cool connecting with him even though he’s only my
sister’s dad, not mine. Hearing a few stories I never heard before, like how my
mom totaled a T-Bird one time and was magically okay afterwards. We talk a lot
about Vietnam too, where Thuy is from. He knows the language pretty well.
Back home. Catching up on things. Playing with Elvis.
Coffee.
Today, like every Friday, is entitled a day off for me.
Oatmeal. Tea.
Catching up on emails, phone calls, and planning.
At Music Makers for a bit – helping Shaunna with some
scheduling ideas.
Grilled PB&J Bagel. Chips. Coffee.
Running errands – at Chartway trying to open up a new
business account – at the storage unit snapping photos of furniture to post for
sale online – groceries.
Not going to the gym today cause too much work to do at the
computer and emails.
Running errands.
Eggs. Tempeh Bacon. Spinach. Bagel. Coffee.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Afterwards, Rebecca and I meet with Caitlyn, our newly hired
voice teacher. She has the perfect energy for the job – taking on voice
students that Rebecca can’t take on.
Back home.
Black Beans, Tuna, Kale, Carrots, Rice, and Garlic Bread.
Waking up around 11 or a little before. Had really intense
dreams for the second night in a row. In it Ana and I are reconciling – for
some reason we’re in my childhood bedroom sharing tears and apologizing, not
necessarily getting back together but just understanding. Later on in the dream
I’m on tour and can’t enter the venue cause my tour laminate is broken –
security won’t let me in. I explore a tourist beach surrounding the building –
almost falling off a sand cliff.
Oatmeal. Tea.
At the Rec working on legs and shoulders then playing pickup
basketball.
Dealing with ELO band related things over the phone while
driving.
Eggs. Tempeh Bacon. Bagel. Spinach. Coffee.
Teaching lessons.
Then, I drive out to Nigel’s house to meet with him and Ron
– solidifying band business things. We gather around in his garage to avoid the
kids. Productive I would say. We’re really getting to a place where getting
people paid back is feasible.
At the Rec working upper body then shooting hoops.
Pineapple.
Eggs. English Muffin. Tempeh Bacon. Spinach. Coffee.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Meeting Danny and his band mates at the warehouse to show him
the room again and talk about potential renting. Later on, Mike and I work on
some stuff and I clean out the office room – organizing more.
Black Beans, Kale, Carrots, Rice, Tuna, and Garlic Bread.