Wednesday July 31 2013

Pool at The Office (July 31 2013)[i]

At around 9:30 a.m. I wake up with an infuriating itching sensation on my scalp. After basketball yesterday I purposefully didn't take a shower for whatever reason. Bad idea. I have no choice but to hop in the shower now. After that, back to sleep.


Waking up again closer to 2 p.m.


Plain Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Orange Juice.


My turn to clean the bathrooms. Scrubbing off all the mildew with a wire grill brush, the only possible way of getting that mold off. About an hour later I'm done.


Pizza Roma-Greco. Honey Oolong Tea.


I grab Anthony and we play a few 2-on-2 games with some of the dudes I played with yesterday. It's a good challenge for us but nothing we can't handle. I focus on good defense tactics today.


Afterwards, everyone corrals over at The Office, a hole-in-the-wall bar off the boulevard. It was meant in honor for Darren because he's moving out of the house on Friday. With James, Anthony, Josh, AJ, Laron, Kevin, and Ana. Darren hasn't even left work yet. You can't beat $2 PBR drafts. But Ana forgot her ID and the bar tender will not allow her to be here. So her and I head back to the house.

...

Cooking up some homemade Lo Mein Noodles with Mixed Vegetables. Upstairs in Darren's room – he's back from China Wok recanting a few stories and reflections on his job (our job). Kevin steps in. We've been trying to convince him to quit his Chanello's jobs and work at China Wok where he'd be making more money.




Witch of the East (July 31 2013)


Eventually the whole gang is back and it turns into a chaotic run-around-jump-around-wrestle-and-act-like-monkeys kind of evening. James is unusually (or maybe usually?) drunk and being rather destructive and rambunctious. Oh, all these aimless drifters and drunken hipsters.


1435 Shenanigans (2)(July 31 2013)

1435 Shenanigans (1)(July 31 2013)


Ana and I leave to the storage unit to rehearse some Vaginasaurs songs. She'll be the new guitarist even though she's not really proficient in the guitar. But she's a fast learner and I think in no time she'll transform into the rocker we want her to be.  


Back home. Eating a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch while Ana cleans some of the dishes in the sink.


She falls asleep. I play a few rounds of Unreal Tournament then join her in bed.


[i] Images by me.

Tuesday July 30 2013

Woman Or Penis Sweat Stain (July 30 2013)[i]

Waking up just after 1:30 p.m.


Watermelon and a Peach.


Errands.


Pizza Greco-Roman. Edamame with Hummus. Honey Oolong Tea.

Watching Happy People: A Year in the Taiga (2010).


Lifting the dumbbells and stretching out.


On the basketball courts. I join a band of five other guys for a few games of 3-on-3. They're proficient enough to be a challenge, diverse enough, some little, some tall and husky. When practicing by myself I can make awkward shots and swish most any outside spot, but under pressure it's a different ball game. This is the kind of practice I need though. They're respectable though, not assholes like some street ballers can be.


Sweat saturates my whole body. I lie down on my back for a minute and take deep breaths. When I rise I discover the sweat stained the ground and formed a shape...

  
Back home.

Mungo Beans with a hefty Salad and Rye Bread. Honey Oolong Tea.

Watching the documentary on the Taiga.


At the storage unit playing music – practicing a new song – learning a few new covers.


Cereal: Honey Bunches of Oats.


Sleep 5 a.m.


[i] Image by me.

Monday July 29 2013


Our Time has Come. Erik Bulatov.[i]

☼ ○ ▬

When walking at night in this particular neighborhood that's understood to be Chanticleer it never crossed my mind that it might be dangerous. By the dumpsters I meet a few neighborhood friends. Some of them are wearing chest wraps with chain-links attached. It's meant to protect them from getting robbed or shot. Later I discover a Russian border wormhole, some kind of gateway that doesn't require flying thousands of miles across the Atlantic but instead you can just hop through this mysterious gateway. A Russian woman inspects all of us. I use what little I know of the language to chat with a girl in line next to me.

▬ ○ ☼


Waking up at 11:05 a.m.


Watermelon.


All day shift at China Wok.


Slow. Slow. Slow.


On the way to deliver my first order of the day I come across one of those armored money trucks completely flipped over on Laskin Road, no sign of how it happened. The cops have the roads blocked up to Birdneck.


Over-turned Armored Truck on Laskin Road (July 29 2013)[ii]


Peanut Butter Bagel. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Honey Oolong Tea.


Talking with Ling, my boss, about the Chinese language. He teaches me some simple sounds and symbols so I can learn how to write orders in Chinese.


The little girls show up with Cecily. Chasing them around out in the parking lot.


Reading this article in Veer, a local magazine, by Tom Robotham about Sex and the Single Soul. It's quite profound in regards to sexuality in our modern day society.

"The river of hookups in our society, in other words, leaves spiritual and emotional carnage in its wake. Which only adds more fuel to the urge to just hook up. Thanks to 'social' networking, suburban isolation, and a whole raft of other cultural influences, we've lost much of our ability to truly connect with one another. And then when we try, we often get hurt. A fair number of people I know have, as a result, closed off their hearts to real intimacy. Like drivers on the freeway—to borrow an analogy from Bret Easton Ellis—they're afraid to merge, for fear of being crushed. But sometimes fear causes more accidents then boldness."

I actually have to deal with overly cautious drivers all the time on the road and feel the same way in that they can be more dangerous than the bold, more egotistical drivers (like me). Then again, there's danger in both schools of thought. I love how much you can read into someone according to their behavior on the road.


Vegetable Fried Rice with Egg.


Off work.




Cereal: Honey Bunches of Oats with Milk.


Watching The Ice Harvest (2005).


Sleep 4 a.m.


[i] Our Time has Come. Erik Bulatov.


[ii] Accident on Laskin Road.

Sunday July 28 2013

Gunar Binde (1933).[i]

My alarm goes off a thousand times. Finally arising from my slumber at 11:35 a.m.


Cinnamon Raisin Bagel with Cream Cheese. Orange Juice.


All day shift at China Wok.


A busy sort of afternoon.


Josh informs me Sasha, our potential new roommate who already came and signed a mini-contract I made up, has found a place in Norfolk and will not be moving in. Figures. This puts us in a bind. It's three days before August 1st and we'll be one roommate short. It's nothing we can't handle I suppose. Laron might continue living here and that will contribute to the overall finances of the house. But it just bugs me. Flaky people, there are no absolutes with them. Everything is up in the air.


Mungo Bean Wrap with Hummus, Tomatoes, and Spinach. Goldfish Crackers. Honey Oolong Tea.


Coincidentally I deliver two orders with very similar street names: Cadbury Circle and Canberry Court. Cadbury makes me think of chocolate Cadbury Eggs and in return make me think of Kinder Chocolate and how long it's been since I've had some. A simple stop at the 7-11 will do.


Darren comes in for the dinner shift.

Him: "Dude, my life is made of stress."

Me: "Yeah. Tell me about it. On second thought, don't. I've already heard it."

...

He's excited to be leaving the house and move to Radford with Devon, but at the same time he feels drawn to stay at the house, to continue "doing nothing with his life", as he would say.

Me: "Apathy and laziness is like a monster you've been battling for a long time. You need a new environment to help you with it." 


Sasha calls and apologizes for the lack of communication. We make a mends.


Tofu with Broccoli, Onions, Carrots, and Rice in Garlic Sauce.


Off work and back home. It's about 10:30 p.m. I sit down in my computer chair and experience an overwhelming feeling of tiredness. I rest my head on the edge of the desk for a few minutes but eventually crawl over to the bed and nap for a long time.


Waking up at 1 a.m. to the sound of a door slam in the hallway.


Clobbering some Ice Cream Bon Bons and watching a TED video on how to detect lying.


Cleaning up the kitchen and cutting up some watermelon for tomorrow.


Unreal Tournament.


Sleep at 5 a.m.


[i] Gunar Binde (1933).

Saturday July 27 2013

Photo by Don Taylor.[i]

First alarm goes off at 7:15 a.m. Ana leaves for work.


☼ ○ ▬

Multiple dream scenarios involving an Alien-esque story line except the alien monster is supposed to be a T-Rex.

▬ ○ ☼


Second alarm goes off at 11:05 a.m. Time to hit the China Wok grind.


Orange Juice. Greek Mango Yogurt.


All day shift.


I receive reflection texts from Ana, as expected the day after spending time with her. Yesterday I bought Ana a chocolate coconut water to try...

Her: "Thank you for the chocolate coconut water. It was refreshing! I'm hooked! ^_^ Actually.. Thank you for everything you do! Whether it's for me or other people! I've never met anyone so helpful! I'M lucky!"

Me: "I've never met anyone so supportive and understanding, as well as beautiful."

Her: "I try my best to be supportive and understanding to anyone (especially you!!! eheheh) because everyone obviously has a back story to their thoughts and intentions. I like to believe that there's something good in everyone! (You've gotalotofthat!) You have this innocent light around you. I guess that's your aura!!)" 


It's just a typical weekend afternoon: Hot, hot sun shining on my driver's arm/shoulder and a few stiffs here and there.


Five Guys French Fries with Ketchup. Honey Green Tea.


The day continues slowly. For some reason the nighttime deliveries are bare.


Not a very fruitful day whatsoever.


Back home.

Chowing down on Vegetable Moo Shu and watching Panic (2000).


Ana and Leah stop by, but only for one minute, literally. Ana just needed to retrieve some stuff she left in my fridge as well as give me a container of some mungo beans her mom made.

Me: "Yeah it was just a stressful day. Well, not stressful. Disappointing is a better word."


Sipping on a beer.


Unreal Tournament.


Sleep 4:30 a.m.


[i] Don Taylor.

Friday July 26 2013

Monday Diary by Little Girl (Stuk in Fansee World)(July 26 2013)[i]

☼ ○ ▬

Ana and I signed up for a youth camp of some kind. The weeklong camp wasn't what I expected. The age group is teens. I'm old enough to be a volunteer. During a service gathering Ana tries to kiss and make out with me in the seats. I feel like we're being inappropriate. I scold her in harsh whispers, "Ana! We're in church. We can't do this right now. Later." I know some of the counselors already saw us and of course the teens behind us witnessed it. We move on.

Later everybody's migrating to the tabernacle, which is about a mile trek there. I remember this campground from when I was a kid. Every summer I used to come here to Roanoke, Virginia. I know it like the back of my hand. But I start to see some new structures. Down by the hill is a duplex trailer I don't remember seeing before where some crazy ladies live. We pass through an open corridor with interesting artifacts from historical Roanoke. One of them is this antique concertina piano built in the early 1800's. Somehow an electric on/off switch was installed onto it. Ana walks right underneath it with intent on playing it. Obviously it's not permitted to touch it. I scold her again. She flips the switch on anyway and starts banging on the keys. I look at all the elders and random people walking by feeling embarrassed.

▬ ○ ☼


Waking up around 1:45 p.m.


After telling her about the comical dream I had with her Ana says that her arm was around me a lot throughout the night so that could explain her presence in my dreams.


Sharing bowls of cereal: Honey Bunches of Oats with Milk.


While I tend to photo notifications from Show N Tell, Ana combs her long flowing black hair. She jokes, "I'm gonna put it all in the trash can so you don't have to vacuum." This is a reference to me discovering her strands of hair that get entangled in my toes when walking around. She's a shedder...like a cat.


Little do we know we've got a big day ahead of us. Thrift Store browsing. Getting groceries at Trader Joe's. At Payless she buys a new pair of black shoes that originally had a price tag of $14.99 but after ringing it up at the register we find out the price went up three dollars. Paying more at Payless seems trite.


Back home. I crank up the 90's dance music in the living room and we dance, exercise, and move our bodies about in a careless excited attitude. Laron sits off to the side on his computer unaffected.




Sharing lunch: Egg Wrap with Vegenaise. A hefty Salad with Edamame and Chic Peas.


Spending a good portion of the evening adjusting things on her new Lotus bicycle. We just pumped air into the tires of both our bikes. As we're walking out the door we hear a PSSSSS sound. Her back tire goes flat. We run to Bike Beat to see if they have a replacement tube but to no avail they don't. It will have to be special ordered. So we settle for a patch-up kit for now. I locate the hole and fiddle with the glue and patch. But it doesn't do the job. Even though I wasn't able to solve the problem today in the end I learned a lot about bicycles.


We head to the basketball courts. Ana's shown an interest in playing lately. There's already a group of guys knee deep in a game in the court next to us. They lose a few players and I ask to join. Immediately I score two brisk shots. Throughout the game I'm starting to get recognized for my quickness. I didn't even realize I had this flash ability. I guess it just comes with practice. My team doesn't win though. Final score: 12-9. But it's not about winning; it's about the love of the game.

...

Talking with Ana in the car: "That's what I love about basketball. It's so universal. I might never see those guys again."


More physical activities planned. It's Rec Day I suppose. Meeting up at Elliott's with him and Taylor. Elliott lets Ana borrow a beach cruiser so we can ride the strip/boardwalk. We bring along a kickball and chalk. Setting up a Four Square game on 16th Street. Every now and then strangers pass by to join the ongoing game. Fun. Fun. Fun.


I (we) missed dinner earlier so my body is craving something, anything. Ana and I depart from the beach in hopes to find peace and rest at the house. That's not exactly what we find, as there happens to be some kind of small gathering, nothing out of the norm. I scramble ingredients for dinner. Ana helps me cut the vegetables, her favorite pastime. After realizing the big range I'm cooking on isn't heating up like it's supposed to (as we usually have a problem with) it kind of sets me off on this little rant about how all these little nuisances add up and cause stress in my life. I use heat pads in attempt to wiggle the connection to the stove. I complain to Ana, "Man! My life is just tweaking, always tweaking!" And it really is sometimes. She listens supportively. Eventually, dinner is done and we enjoy Brown Rice Spaghetti with Garlic Tomato Sauce, Onions, and Green Peppers.


Decompressing in my room. I can hear the faint (or rather blatant) sounds of Anthony, Josh, Richie, Mike Fry, and whomever hooting and hollering like a bunch of monkeys. I try to push it out of mind. Gathering my thoughts and playing a few rounds of Unreal Tournament.


Around 5 a.m. I slip into the bed next to Ana. She immediately clamors onto me with a loving warmth that can't be described, caressing my bare back and kissing my neck. I'm grateful.


[i] Thrift store find. Image by me. Diary entry by unknown girl.

Thursday July 25 2013

Ø A SHOW N TELL SUMMER Ø[i]

☼ ○ ▬

I'm traveling in a tour bus. A stop is made in the middle of nowhere next to some farm. An opposing troupe killed off our driver and all my friends. I feel obligated to take the wheel and escape. I've never driven a bus before so it's proving difficult. And I'm noticing it's out of gas. But I manage to pull into a nearby farm and ask to borrow some diesel fuel. Meanwhile the people chasing me show up. The tides turn when I decide to shake hands with my enemies. One of them is a skinny female, whom I kiss multiple times as a sign of truce.

▬ ○ ☼


Waking up around 1:45 p.m.


Peaches.


My bedroom door's open. Anthony asks from afar, "Is Robert still in there?"

Tristan: "Of course Robert's still in here. This is his headquarters. This is where he goes to recharge."

...

Anthony: "Laron? You gettin' ready for tonight, dude? Orgy. Hipster orgy."


Grilled Cheese on a Bagel with Hummus and Tomatoes. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Honey Green Tea.


Tristan lets me drive his Chevy Malibu rental to run a few errands with him. I notice a receipt from Krispy Kreme stashed in the door.

Me: "You had donuts this morning."

Tristan: "Yeah. I had to take Josh to work this morning. He missed the bus like Kriss Kross did in the 90's."




When pulling into the neighborhood down Reynard Drive a huge Dodge 4x4 hauls ass without noticing us almost causing a collision. Close call.


Exercising in my room before Show N Tell starts. It's after 9 p.m. and the local ruffians pile in. I put on Maximum Overdrive (1986) as pre-show entertainment.

...

Dinner: Vegetable Pad Thai with Carrots and Scallions.

...

About 50 people in and out show up. The mic is open and the performance list is full to the max. Spoken word. Rap. Song. Story. Ana and I perform for the first time together. I'm proud of her voice. Anything is welcome and people show their reverence. Nothing really gets out of hand at this Show N Tell. It was successful and adequate.


Ø A SHOW N TELL SUMMER Ø

Ø A SHOW N TELL SUMMER Ø

Ø A SHOW N TELL SUMMER Ø

Ø A SHOW N TELL SUMMER Ø

Ø A SHOW N TELL SUMMER Ø

Ø A SHOW N TELL SUMMER Ø

Ø A SHOW N TELL SUMMER Ø

Ø A SHOW N TELL SUMMER Ø

Ø A SHOW N TELL SUMMER Ø


Later, at Rick's Café with Laron, Ana, Leah, Will, and Ken. The Pixar Theory is discussed, the theory that states all Pixar films exist in the same narrative universe. Laron gets overly excited trying to explain it to Will. Sharing French Toast with Ana.

...

James and Anthony march in after walking to the beach and back. Anthony's his hype man, using whimsical behavior to back up any and all jokes emitted from James. You can tell they developed a closer thread after returning from the road trip.


Back home. Decompressing.


Sleep at some late ungodly hour.


[i] All images by me.

Wednesday July 24 2013

Progressive Drawing by Kofi.[i]

Waking up just before 1 p.m.


Peaches and Coffee with Honey.


Carlos interviews me by the antique pump organ. He's been filming all his couch surfing hosts asking them questions about their couch surfing experiences and such. I touch on topics about building a community and some personal subject matter.


I take him with me to Kroger for some groceries.


Peanut Butter Bagel. Goldfish Crackers. Lemon Water.


The washing machine crapped out on us yesterday. Today I'm determined to figure it out. In the end I discover the reason for the troubles: a sleeping bag was put into the wash and the pillow stuffing was ripped out and clogged the water pump. It was as simple as taking a pair of pliers and pulling out the ball of cotton stuffing. I reset the machine and voilà! Everything's in working order. It's so rewarding to know that I was perfectly capable of problem solving a washing machine, or anything for that matter. Carlos shares the same sentiment and we celebrate.


Some exercising and basketball.


Barbecue Garlic Salmon with Japanese Style Rice, Mushrooms, Onions, and Carrots.


At the storage unit with Ana practicing the few songs we've been rehearsing on and off. We're gonna perform tomorrow at Show N Tell. Touching on some beautiful music moments. Taking a break from the practicing and lounging on the futon couch. She informs me about this black and white one-piece she's wearing underneath all her clothes. I'm already turned on. I encourage her to reveal it but she's concerned as she's on her period. A sexscapade is instigated. I wrap up in a red strawberry condom, which of course matches the period blood. After finishing I stay still in the position on my knees behind her. I lean over and whisper, "You're so beautiful from back here." She smiles. I add, "But that doesn't mean you're not beautiful from up there."


Back home.

Sharing bowls of cereal: Honey Bunches of Oats with Milk. Reading Beatrix Potter books I found under the table.


I poke fun at her mouse-like behavior whenever she just barely turns the faucet on to run the water.


Settling down in the bed watching a few 90's dance videos.


[i] Drawing by Kofi.

Tuesday July 23 2013

T-West Tuesdays (3)(July 23 2013)[i]

Waking up at 1 p.m.


Cinnamon Raisin Toast. Orange Juice.


Spending most of my time trouble shooting the washing machine. It decided to stop draining and spinning. I don't have any expertise in repairing these kinds of things but it's just a matter of pulling it apart and tweaking.


Selling my little black cargo trailer that I used for a few tours back in the day. It's just been sitting out there in the street for years. A guy from Chesapeake who deejays for a living came out today and bought it on the spot.


Egg Sandwich with Vegenaise and Tomato. Blueberry Scones. Honey Green Tea.


Lots of things on the agenda tonight. James, Ken, and Carlos (Spanish couch surfer journalist) all pile into my car with a full size mattress and box spring strapped to the roof. We drive to Norfolk all the way out by the Naval Station. The guy who's buying the mattress lives in military housing. Transaction a success.

...

Then, meeting up at Ana's place. Carlos surprises us with his electric Blues guitar skills. Then, onward to Tortilla West, the hippest place by the harbor where you can purchase tacos for a mere 75 cents. You can't beat that. There're pool tables. $2 Modelo's. And expect to run into faces you haven't seen in a while. We all squeeze into a round booth, Ana, her two friends Leah and Ashley, Ken, James, Carlos, this guy Nate who plays in Over the Ocean and a friend of his, and I. And of course throw in other random appearances of friends of friends. Ordering three Black Bean Tacos and Chips & Salsa. Sipping on beers. Laughs and good conversation.


T-West Tuesdays (2)(July 23 2013)

T-West Tuesdays (4)(July 23 2013)


Afterwards, migrating to Ana's for jamming and an impromptu dance party in her bedroom.

Me: "Err-body in the Khrizzia club!"


Taking a walk with our gang to the 7-11. I've got the basketball in hand – furiously bouncing and handling it the whole way. Carlos persistently chews on sunflower seeds (he's a sunflower seed junkie). He says it keeps him away from cigarettes.


The camaraderie ends at some point and I'm back home.

A bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats.


I don't know how but I get lost in a wave of 90's dance music nostalgia and download as many songs as I can, stuff by 2 Unlimited, Culture Beat, Corona, etc.


Sleep at a late hour.


[i] All images by me.

Monday July 22 2013

Cowboy in Bar. Source unknown.[i]

Waking up late at 11:31 a.m. I'm supposed to be at work. But it's okay.


Cinnamon Raisin Toast. Orange Juice.


All day shift at China Wok.


Cantaloupe.


Another hot and sticky day!


Half of a Peanut Butter Bagel. Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Salsa. Honey Green Tea.


It's a slow but steady shift.


Delivering an order to the Ocean Palms Motel on 29th and Arctic. An old friend of my parents lives in one of the apartments. We reconnect. He introduces me to some cowboy looking dude wearing a Hawaiian shirt who's got a raspy drunken kind of voice, a character straight out of a movie. I love this hole-in-the-wall place.


Tofu with Broccoli, Onions, Carrots, and Rice in Garlic Sauce.


Leslie visits The Wok. She entertains the daughters with new crayons and coloring book pages of Hello Kitty. Riding around with me on a few deliveries.


At home.

A couch surfer from Spain arrived at the house early this evening. He's a freelance journalist. While cleaning up the kitchen I discuss my blog project and other points of interest with him.


A bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats with Milk.


Sleep 4ish a.m.


[i] Cowboy in Bar. Source unknown.

Sunday July 21 2013

Four Angels (July 21 2013)[i]

☼ ○ ▬

Hanging out in Heaven & Earth, a Christian bookstore I remember as a child. Phil Gray brought a videotape to play on the TV near the register. It shows an infomercial done by a Baptist church to spread their doctrine. The scenarios are ridiculously cheesy and laughable. Later, Phil and I grab a cup of coffee around the corner at a café.

▬ ○ ☼


Waking up just after 11:30 a.m.


Cantaloupe for breakfast.


All day shift at China Wok.


The boss's daughters are here again. I'm assuming this will be the case most of the summer. They're smiling and bright as usual.


Slow business for the first few hours but after that it picks up dramatically. Non-stop delivering with hardly a moment to spare.


Snacking on Goldfish Crackers.


Eventually I manage to squeeze in a stop at the house. Skipp came by again and dropped off a ton of more food goodies. I snag a Chicken Salad Croissant.


It's the season of sticky skin and sweltering hot environments. 96 degrees today. Yay, summer.


Hot Pink Cruiser (July 21 2013)


Frustrated with the day's relentless supply of two-dollar tips. $2 is not good compared to all the driving I'm doing and especially considering that almost every customer is choosing to reward me with this cursed number.

In the car I cry out, "I guess today's magic number is 2!!!"


Darren comes in to help with the dinner shift. After he leaves Ling, my boss, asks if I'll be able to handle everything on my own as the only driver. I reply, "Of course. I'm Superman!" Both the chef and him laugh.

...

Four orders come up. I make a bet that I can deliver all four of them in under 25 minutes. I come back in 23. 

Me: "See? Four deliveries in 23 minutes. I'm Superman!"


It's after 10 p.m. and not an order in sight. Behind the counter I finish up the snapping of the snow peas while Ling continues on about globalization and how the value of Japanese money is down making all their cars dramatically cheap here in America. He tends to repeat the same words a lot because he just isn't proficient in the English language. I mean I can't imagine if he was how much he would have to say. He's a smart and well-cultured guy.


Back home.

Immediately before I settle down I decide to clean up the dishes and mess made by Kevin and his friends. Last night I powdered down the living room with diatomaceous earth to destroy any remaining fleas. I finish the process by vacuuming up every nook and cranny in the couches and carpet. Hard work.


Upstairs in my room enjoying Vegetable Moo Shu and a Belgian Ale while watching Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002).


Milk. Milk. Milk.


Sleep 4:30 a.m.


[i] All images by me.

Saturday July 20 2013

China Wok Sidekicks (5)(July 20 2013)[i]

Waking up at 11:08 a.m.


Cinnamon Raisin Bagel with Cream Cheese. Orange Juice.


All day shift at China Wok.


My boss's daughters are here at the restaurant drawing animal pictures and eating grapes. They're my sidekicks today. It's summer so they're off from grade school in New York and left to fight their boredom here.


China Wok Sidekicks (1)(July 20 2013)

China Wok Sidekicks (2)(July 20 2013)

China Wok Sidekicks (7)(July 20 2013)


They're the absolute cutest and brighten up the day more than the sun could.


Apricots.


It's a busy day for deliveries. Not much time to idle.


Five Guys French Fries with Ketchup. Honey Green Tea.


Mildly stunned by an African hottie at Essex Court. She doesn't tip. But even her entitlement mentality doesn't affect me. I really don't care. Those legs protruding through those short shorts – I just want to bite them. God...and that face...obviously full of herself but so charming.


Two careless teenagers in a mini-van accidentally scrape the side of my car attempting to back out of a parking spot. I watch it happen inside the restaurant through the glass. I can tell they've never been in any kind of accident before, both of them shocked and very apologetic. I've got to run and deliver something. When I get back I notice the parents have arrived and they're scolding the irresponsible teenager. They apologize more. I assure them that it's only cosmetic damage and the insurance companies will handle it. I feel bad for the girl. But hey, you live and learn.


Delivering an order to 1451 Reynard, in Chanticleer. A beautiful black girl answers the door. A dog with a bow tied in her fur starts barking. A little girl introduces me to the dog, "This is Ginger Belle!"

Me: "Oh! Ginger Belle, hi."

The older girl writes in a $10 tip and awkwardly says thank you.

Me: "No problem. Do you need the receipt?"

She smiles with an all encompassing charm and my heart freezes a little bit.

Her: "Uh...yeah."

I mutter out nervously, "Have a good night. Bye..."

These are the kinds of interactions that keep the morality up on my job. Beauty, in whatever form, never fails to mesmerize and I will forever be affected by these fleeting moments.


A very profitable day at work.


Back home.

Josh, Laron, and Darren are hanging out near the kitchen. Josh and AJ just retrieved some furniture dumpster finds including a clothes rack and a wooden chest.

Describing my day to everyone – mostly the attractive customers I delivered to. Embellishing the experience with extreme sarcasm but a hint of longing, "My goodness. Her cheeks. Those legs. I just wanna...take the filling from an Oreo and...spread it all over her legs...and then lick it off."


Hot and Sour Soup with Broccoli and Rice. Josef Blonde Ale.

Watching Pusher (2012).


Throwing down diatomaceous earth all over the living room. The couches, the pillows, every corner is dusted with this powdery flour-like flea-killing secret weapon.

Josh: "Those fleas are fucked."

I yell at the unsuspecting pests, "Alright! Party's over, guys! Everybody out!"


Apple Pie and Milk.


Sleep 4:30 a.m.


[i] Images by me.

Friday July 19 2013

The Village still frame.[i]

Waking up around 1:30 p.m.


A bowl of Maple Pecan Clusters with Milk.


Vacuuming and cleaning downstairs. Chores.


Our food fairy, Skipp, drops by with plenty of grocery goodies.


Errands.


Egg Sandwich with Tomato and Vegenaise. Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Salsa. Lemon Water.


The heat is killing me.


Lifting weights – exercising.


Basketball.


Watching The Village (2004).


Leftover Salmon with Onions and a hefty Salad.


There's a lot of commotion in the kitchen. Kevin acts like he's never seen me in boxers and muscle shirt before. Darren keeps repeating, "You're fucked!" in regards to some of the fleas we've spotted on the couch.


Apple Pie with Milk.


Unreal.


Sleep at 4ish a.m.


[i] The Village still frame.

Thursday July 18 2013

Iced Ankles (July 18 2013)[i]

Waking up at 12:57 p.m.


Cinnamon Raisin Bagel with Cream Cheese. Orange Juice.


Caylin, the Canadian couch surfer that was here a few weeks ago left a membership card for me with four classes of hot yoga left on it. So Ana and I join the 2 o'clock session. An hour of yoga sequences and sweating. Afterwards, we feel revitalized.


At the house. Still sweaty. I'm eager for love. I can't resist her salty body. We enjoy sex for a little while. Then, a shower. Then, feeding ourselves with Lentil Veggie Wraps. She talks about her former friends and how to examine whether or not people have that "inner glow".


Not feeling any sort of motivation I recline on the bed and take a power nap while Ana reads this Helen Keller book on optimism.


Later, I'm up. We get motivated and head to Trader Joe's for groceries; as well she had a craving for Mochi Ice Cream. She's wowed by all the wondrous variety of things in this store.


At the basketball courts with Ana. We brought a blue beanbag for her to recline in and read while I shoot around. A strange moment occurs when I approach her just past the 3-point line she looks up at me then I do a backhand shot without looking and make it – both of us impressed.

Me: "I don't even know how I did that! Seriously!"

This happens at least two more times.

...

Later, she gets up and joins me on the court. Even without basketball experience she's not bad and it's thoroughly entertaining. When she goes to retrieve the ball she miscalculates her step into a small dip in the grass underneath the rim and sprains her ankle. It doesn't make her immovable but it still hurts nonetheless.


In regards to spending the whole day with her I say, "I declare today a national holiday. It's national Khrizzia day!"


We order a large Cheese Pizza from Chanello's and watch Jeff, Who Lives at Home (2011), a heart warming comedy.


I help wrap up her ankle in a makeshift ice tourniquet.


While she drifts off to sleep I conduct some tedious research.


Sleep around 5 a.m.


[i] Image by me.

Wednesday July 17 2013

Leif Podhajsky.[i]

Waking up just before 2 p.m. from dreams littered with Xenomorphs from the Alien films I've been watching lately.


Cinnamon Raisin Bagel with Cream Cheese. Orange Juice.


Picking up some food goodies from Josh where he works.


Errands.


Egg Sandwich with Vegenaise and Tomato. Tortilla Chips with Salsa. Honey Green Tea.

Watching Alien: Resurrection (1997).


Lifting weights – exercising.


Basketball.


Barbecue Garlic Salmon with Onions, Couscous, and a hefty Salad.

Finishing the Alien movie.


Chocolate Ice Cream.


My friendship with Anthony has been in dire need of a revival of some kind. Over the past year the closeness and openness has deteriorated, or maybe a pause is more accurate to say. We grab two basketballs and walk into the night. On the Friend's School basketball courts where we've juggled question marks many times before. He's got changes and revelations on his mind – talks of moving to New York, leaving this place, seeking a community elsewhere. Thoughts on the rarity of true love. Another year has gone by, and another before that one. Where are we now? Where has our individual journeys led us? What holds me back from accomplishing dreams? Eliminating distractions. I'm environmentally sensitive. The impressive amount of care and attention this kind of life living in this kind of house requires. I feel responsible to continue cultivating a community here...in Virginia Beach. I've proudly, yet also reluctantly, taken on the role of a father to people. It's taken its toll. Is it time for a change in lifestyle? ……………………………… All the while Anthony and I continue running around the cement littered with pine needles and pinecones shooting the ball with precision and deep thought.

"This is our sex," I announce to him.

...

On the walk back to the house we pass by our neighbor friends on the sidewalk steps at the entrance of Maison Court. A black dude with long hair compliments Anthony's hair. And then we realize its The Candyman, a steampunk kid we remember from the last Show N Tell party we had at the house. You can't forget a charismatic personality like that.

Candyman: "You wanna know how you can get anything you want on this planet?

Us: "What's that?"

Candyman: "Act like you belong."


Researching.


Sleep 4:30 a.m.


[i] Leif Podhajsky.

Tuesday July 16 2013

Fart by the James (July 16 2013)[i]

Waking up around 2 p.m.


Watermelon.


I committed to bringing a few groceries over to the old ladies that live in Cape Henry Towers off Shore Drive, Arlene and Bertha Miller. They usually call China Wok looking for me to deliver food and cigarettes. So I get out there in the hot, hot sun, stop at Food Lion and deliver the goods along with a few of the chocolate chip oatmeal cookies I baked last night. They're grateful.


Running a few other errands.


Lentil Wrap with Onions, Tomatoes, and Hummus. Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Salsa. Honey Green Tea.

Finishing Leaving Las Vegas (1995).


Pumping some weights and exercising in my bedroom.


Shooting some hoops on the basketball courts – wearing myself out.


James meets up with me at the house and we go to Rick's Café. As usual every so often we make sure to do a one-on-one like this to stay in tune with each other's personal lives and dreams. While sipping on Coffee I talk about how lately, as I've been posting last year's blog entries, some of it's come back to bite me in the butt, so to speak. Judgments have been made over my actions, which when read about bit by bit can be looked at out of context. I talk about my struggles with having to defend myself from dramatic reactions from past lovers.

James: "It's amazing to see how much people want to hide and keep secret. You know, like, don't wanna think about or don't wanna talk about or don't wanna deal with."

...

Him and the others just got back from their road trip across America a few days ago. I'm ready to hear some of the wild stories and revelations.

James: "So this Leprechaun sits down next to me..."

He starts out in New Orleans and ends in West Virginia, giving me the rundown of all the interesting events and things that were said…

James recounting something he said in Orleans, "I don't wanna have sex with a prostitute. I wanna have sex with a wholesome girl who wants to have sex with me!"

...

While on the road he did come to a decision that it's time to move, that it's time to try a new city with new beginnings. He says something about minimizing his life so as to avoid distractions that hold him back from the greater aspirations. It strikes a chord for me.


Back home.

Japanese Style Fried Rice with Edamame and Baby Broccoli. Killian's.

Watching Alien³ (1992).


Sleep 5:30 a.m.


[i] Image by me.

Monday July 15 2013

Sink. Process Recess. James Jean.[i]

Waking up at 11:04 a.m.


Watermelon. Blueberries.


All day shift at China Wok.


Goldfish Crackers.


Terribly slow at work this afternoon but I'm not complaining, at least today.


Power napping in the hot car.


Only four orders in five hours. Not good business today.


Toasted Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich. Honey Green Tea.


Delivering an order on Bay Island near Shore Drive, the five-mile secluded island with only one entrance/exit. A funny older man answers the door, "Watchu want?"

I play along with a smile, "Some money?"

[Ha-ha-ha]

His order is $15 and some change. He hands me a twenty and asks, "Will that make you a happy camper?"

Me: "Sure."

He notices a doorknob advertisement from Mosquito Joe, a service that sprays repellant in your backyard, and asks, "What's that?"

I hand him the brochure. He reads it out loud, "Stop smacking yourself in the face."

As I'm walking away he slips the brochure in my hand and says, "Don't smack yourself in the face!"

Me: "Thanks!"


All day it's been just me, Ling, and Ming running the restaurant, except for Cliff, the other driver, helping out at dinnertime. Just before 10 o'clock Cecily walks in with their two little girls with huge smiles on their faces. It's giggles non-stop as they run around hiding behind the counter. I take two cups and draw eyes on them – leaning them over the counter. When the little ones see it they explode with laughter and screams. The whole China Wok family is here. I feel grateful to be a part.


Fried Shrimp in Garlic Sauce with Broccoli, Onions, Carrots, and Rice.


Off work and home.


Ana comes over for some quality time. Sharing the last of the Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies we made last week.

...

Singing and practicing songs together.

...

I hit play on my hearted Hype Machine playlist and let the music soothe and serenade the mood. We migrate to the bed – cuddling and touching lightly over the pores of each other's skin. I wasn't even thinking about sex earlier but somehow the fire lights up and all of a sudden we're living in ecstasy. We keep going and going. With her turned over on her stomach I finish. Before I clean up my mess I analyze how everything looks to see if an image was formed.

She protests, "What're you doing?"

Me: "I'm looking at my painting."

Her: "And what do you see?"

Me: "Life...struggling to survive."


Sleep around 5 a.m.


[i] Sink. Process Recess. James Jean.

Sunday July 14 2013

Oceanfront View (July 14 2013)[i]

☼ ○ ▬

Locked in a wide room with a very high ceiling. My buddies and I sense danger looming. Something's wrong. These little white pieces of Styrofoam start floating around us with hostile intentions. They're attracted to any exposed skin. I'm barefoot so they are exceptionally attracted to me. I levitate myself upward away from any of the malicious bastards. Some just barely brush underneath my feet. I can feel an uncomfortable buzzing sensation when this happens.

▬ ○ ☼


Waking up around 11:30 a.m.


Blueberry Bagel with Cream Cheese. Orange Juice.


All day shift at China Wok.


As soon as I walk in the restaurant it's one order after another. I have no time to do my usual chores nor do I barely have any time to grab lunch.


Lentil Wrap with Hummus, Onions, and Tomatoes. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Honey Green Tea.


Delivering an order to Emerald Point. The guy opens the door and surrounding him in his apartment are countless balloons. They're everywhere.

I chuckle and ask, "Did you just have a party or something?"

He smiles and says, "No. We just got bored last night."

I mean you can't even see any patch of floor, just giant yellow, green, and blue balloons everywhere. A cat creeps over the coffee table with big eyes.

Me: "He looks freaked out."


Cantaloupe.


The orders just keep coming and coming. But I'm not complaining. The tips are decent.


While delivering over in Maximus Sq I notice a parked car with flashlights taped into where a headlight should be, a redneck headlight if I've ever seen one!


Redneck Headlight (July 14 2013)


Egg Vegetable Fried Rice.


Finally off work and at a decent hour.


Sipping on a Killian's beer and watching Aliens (1986).


A bowl of Frosted Mini-Wheats with Milk.


Sleep 4 a.m.


[i] All images by me.

Saturday July 13 2013

AliensSigourney_gallery_primary[i]

Alarm goes off at 10:55 a.m. Time to the hit the China Wok grind, I grumble to myself in my mind.


Peaches. Goldfish Crackers.


All day shift at China Wok.


Five Guys French Fries with Ketchup. Honey Oolong Tea.


It's busy – nonstop cruising in the hot, hot sun – delivery here, delivery there.


Nothing eventful to speak of besides the typical delivery driver woes.


Back home. Sipping on a Killian beer and talking with Skippy about how car insurance companies either screw you over or you get rewarded overtime.


Vegetable Moo Shu.

I've decided to brush up on the Alien quadrilogy and start with Alien (1979). Ever since watching the prequel, Prometheus, I'm fascinated how all these stories tie together.


Sleep at some late hour.


[i] Sigourney Weaver.

Friday July 12 2013

The PUNK ROCK SHOW (July 12 2013)[i]

Waking up at 2:22 p.m.


Peaches and Cantaloupe.


Every now and then I get hit with negative energy, sometimes the source being another person or sometimes myself. I've never understood how someone can hold such harsh judgments towards another. Why am I on the spotlight?

It was said to me: "you are not person you seem. just a boy who can say nice words to a women, that's it! all you have is beautiful words."

I put my life out there on the internet for anybody to see and this is the caliber of critique I should expect I guess.


Lentil Wrap with Tomatoes, Onions, and Hummus. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Honey Oolong Tea.


At the storage unit rehearsing Bamm Bamm songs with Josiah and Josh. Kofi sits on the futon couch as a bystander.


Then to Thai Pan off Holland Road for the Punk Rock Show. In between the thrashing street punk bands I perform with Bamm Bamm. Even though our style isn't exactly punk, the rock n roll garage sound is still well received. With Ana, Bianca (Josiah's girlfriend), Kofi, Laron, and William Clark. A few bands from Pennsylvania go on next. A mosh pit opens up – bodies get thrown around – there's slam dancing – and a general acrobatic mayhem. I stay on the sidelines pushing anybody that gets thrown my way. The lead man with green dyed liberty spikes yells and spits into the microphone. Punk's not dead, at least here in this Thai restaurant. You could say these kids are just mimicking a scene that already happened but I prefer to call them revivalists. There's nothing wrong with identifying with a decade that you missed out on. I remember this kind of angst when I was in my early years of high school. I went to a lot of punk rock shows. I followed the same image for a while. It was something to latch onto when your identity is in crisis. And now I'm witnessing it again. It's hard to believe punk rock has survived this long, even if it's not original.


Back home.

A bowl of Frosted Mini-Wheats with Milk.

Watching Leaving Las Vegas (1995).


Sleep 5 a.m.


[i] Image by me.