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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Waking up around 10 a.m. bright and early in the Melbourne,
Florida AirBnB.
We all hop in the bus/trailer and drive an hour or so down
south to Fort Pierce.
After loading into the Sunrise Theatre, we all walk down the
block to find food. Sitting at the Sunrise City Café enjoying some well
deserved lunch with Brittany, Rebecca, and Jimmy. Discussing in depth some
issues in communication while being on tour – some of it gets personal but it’s
constructive I think. It’s nice to have non-biased perspectives in the mix. At
some point though Rebecca walks out frustrated. One thing I’ve been struggling
with is being nice/gentle to people when communicating on stage or in “high
octane” environments, which tends to happen often on tour.
Getting the stage set up and doing sound check at some point
– it goes mostly well. Without our own light guy it can be challenging and not
as involved of a light show like normal.
For dinner, I take a solo jaunt around the block. Taco Dive
suits my fancy (Ahi Tuna Tacos with Beans, Rice, and Chips n’ Salsa).
Afterwards, I walk closer to the water and find a guy on acoustic guitar
wailing on the song “Stand By Me”. His voice is great and worthy of being on a
big stage but here he is singing to like three people at a bistro in Fort Pierce.
I throw in a few bucks and compliment him on the song. This kind of music
reminds me of what truly matters mixed in with a bit of nostalgia. Enjoying a
small cup of Gelato from a place called Uncle Carlos’s.
On with the show – it’s a full looking house. First set
actually goes really well. But then something happened with Kevin at
intermission – a mix of alcohol and being overworked. The second set is sloppy
in many spots – at some point he skips Showdown and the encore. Sometimes I’m
not sure if the audience notices all the drama we experience on stage. Phil,
our sound guy, was pretty embarrassed. But in the end I know the crowd had a
good time.
Packing up and loading out.
I drive the bus/trailer back to the AirBnB.
Some of us stay up really late hanging out by the pool
drinking and having deep talks about anything and everything.
Hitting the road towards Ft Lauderdale. Chris drives the bus
while the rest of us catch up on things in the back.
Stop at Love’s.
Eggs. Banana. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Cookie.
We arrive a little later than we wanted to the Amaturo
Theater but there are plenty of stage hands to help. Getting the stage set up
as quickly as we can.
We run into issues at sound check unfortunately. The snake
we need to go with our new mixing board had to be rented causing us to halt
sound check.
...
So instead we enjoy the dinner, which is amazing.
Then, on with sound check. We still have issues – crackling
ghost sounds in channels. We end up home running a bunch of xlr’s that solves
the problems.
We have a full house
tonight with plenty of fan energy – everyone sings and claps along.
Afterwards, packing up and loading out. It’s a little extra
strenuous cause we’re missing Carlos, Chris is leaving the tour, and Jimmy
broke his ankle. So I’m picking up a lot of slack packing up the trailer.
Then, I end up driving the 2.5 hour drive back to the
AirBnB. I’m totally exhausted.
Packing up and driving up the street. Our first gig of the
weekend is at Citrus Hills Country Club in the community center. It’s a small
place with limited help and stage hands. But we manage with the cramped stage
and figure out the best layout.
Cramming a PB&J and Chips for lunch.
After sound check I borrow Ron’s rental car and grab some
amazing Iced Coffees and pastries from a local coffee shop up the street.
Showering up at the hotel. Then, we hit the stage for our
first show, no intermission really but similar to what we did in Savannah where
we shortened the sets.
In between shows I chow down on Tilapia with Pasta, a Salad,
and a Cinnamon Roll.
For some reason the second show felt tighter and better, not
sure why – I guess we’re all warmed up.
Packing up and loading out. Earlier, Jimmy had a terrible
fall on a skateboard before the show and now he’s on crutches unfortunately. So
we all have to pitch in and help do the things he would do. I manage getting
all the cases packed into the trailer, something Carlos would normally do if he
were here.
Then, we hit the road – Wawa stop beforehand – a few hours
to the AirBnB.
Arriving at the AirBnB in Melbourne, Florida. It’s a new
constructed gated community – super nice and spacious – we all get settled in –
a little pool time – then finally lying down in a proper bed.
Waking up a few times here and there on the top bunk in the
tour bus. At some point it’s my turn to drive the last few hours.
It’s bright and sunny in Florida, as expected to be.
After 12 hours of driving we discover a cool hole in the
wall place called The Orange Shop, a little rinky dink place that sells fresh
squeezed orange juice and bags of oranges along with old school trinkets. We
also find a gang of cats hanging around by the orange crates outside – we
attempt to feed them fast food.
We finally receive info on the hotels we’re staying at
tonight – checking into a Quality Inn in Hernando, Florida. Napping and
showering up.
Then, with Rebecca, Brittany, and Jimmy – we take a walk
down the street to an Italian restaurant for dinner. Our waiter is a smooth
jovial gay man with slicked back hair – he takes care of us real well – we add
his name to the guest list for tomorrow’s show. Enjoying some Spaghetti and
Garlic Knots.
Later on, down by the pool we have a t-shirt burrito
training session for Brittany to teach her how to fold the merch shirts
properly – we make a fun diddy out of it too. Nearby the pool is heated up by
the only front desk guy in the hotel. It’s steamy. I lie down on a chair while
Jimmy, Rebecca, and Brittany discuss the woes of being asked to hold women’s
babies.
I head back to my room to catch up on work at the computer.
Rebecca was in the extra room earlier today. Later on, I head over there to
discuss something weird that happened when we arrived at the hotel. She still
had virtual lessons to teach and I had suggested she do it in the lobby or in
one of the extra rooms so I could take a nap. I guess she took it the wrong way
and thought I was being selfish for asking. We both felt misunderstand. I was
exhausted from driving all day – so was she from being in the bus. So we hash
things out and try to come to an understanding.