Sunday August 31 2014

China Wok Life (August 31 2014)[i]

Waking up at 11:15 a.m.


Bran Flakes and Raisins with Almond Milk.


All day shift at China Wok.


Ana visits the restaurant with the gift of homemade chocolate chips cookies made with almond meal and with love. She wrapped them in a condensed sized Trader Joe's bag. We stop by the house together to welcome 1435's new resident, Whitney. She just got in from Asheville. I met her a very long time ago through the Greensboro circuit when playing a show there. She'll taking over Josh's room.


Arugula Salad with Beets, Tomatoes, Onions, and an Egg. Everything Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Strawberry Kombucha Tea.


Delivering an order to a pool club at the end of Five Point Road. Its called Club Brittany – appears to have been built in the 70's. When I arrive there's a lot of commotion from all kinds of kids playing ping-pong and running around. It's kind of the perfect setup for a movie scene. "Father of Mine" by one of the great alternative bands of the 90's, Everclear, blaring on the stereo. A couple men in their late 50's sipping on beers and giggling quietly to themselves about something. The humid atmosphere of a swamp nearby. Two teenage lovers sitting on a picnic table looking out onto the lakeside wrapped in towels discussing teenage things. I walk back to my car and continue on.


Chocolate Chip Cookies.


Banana.


Off work and back home.

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


[i] Image by me.

Saturday August 30 2014

Peeking Sunset (August 30 2014)[i]

Waking up at 10:45 a.m.


All day shift at China Wok.


Kind of slow for deliveries in the afternoon. Helping Ling scrub the tile floors. Every now and then they put this special floor cleaner down and try to clean the floors thoroughly. It has a pleasantly distinct smell.


Peaches.


Beet Sandwich with Caramelized Onions, Tomatoes, and Hummus. Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea.


Researching on the down time.


Banana.


Chocolate Crème Cookies.


Off work and back home.

Mongolian Chicken with Mixed Vegetables and Rice.

Watching Narc (2002).


Chores and preparing food for tomorrow.


Sleep 4 a.m.


[i] Image by me.

Friday August 29 2014

Sophie in Josh's Suitcase (August 29 2014)[i]

Waking up at 10:45 a.m.


Honey Crunch n Oats with Almond Milk.


All day shift at China Wok.


Peaches.


The afternoon is pretty slow for deliveries. Reading Adbusters magazine on the down time.


Stopping by the house to get lunch real quick. Josh is getting ready to leave the house for good and fly all the way over to the west coast to be with his fiancé. Kevin just brought groceries home. Josh and I, in a team effort, give him a hard time about his purchases.

Me: "Ramen, Mac n Cheese, and Bologna? You bought bologna?"

Kevin explains he's cutting back on his budget this month.

Josh starts reading off the list of ingredients, "Mechanically Separated Chicken. Corn Syrup. Sodium Lactate. Sodium Phosphate. Sodium Diacetate. Sodium Erythorbate."

Me: "Kevin, you're gonna die before I do!"

Kevin: "No I'm not!"




Scrambled Eggs. Sesame Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese and Strawberry Jam. Olive Oil Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea.


Just another day in my car driving around Virginia Beach.


Banana.


Picking up a Thai Coffee from Bangkok Garden.


Finally off work and back home.

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


Cleaning out the remnants in Josh's bedroom – distributing whatever's left throughout the house – vacuuming. Our new roommate, Whitney, will be moving in here on Sunday.


Chores, chores, chores.


Ana texts me, "Hey. I love you. With all of my heart. You're really good to me. You are the best. You're even more than I could ask for. You have and always been such a catch."


Sleep 4 a.m.


[i] Image by me.

Thursday August 28 2014

Beet Burger Night (August 28 2014) (2)[i]

Waking up at 10:45 a.m.


Honey Crunch n Oats with Almond Milk.


I drive over to a student's house for a piano lesson. Micaelyn, the autistic child, is a challenge but a pleasant one. The mother stands by her side to assist in focusing her attention. The little girl gets really excited when we start playing "Heart and Soul" together.


I've got six other lessons scheduled at Music Makers, a mixture of voice and piano. In between I get lunch: Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jam Bagel; Olive Oil Potato Chips; Honey Green Tea. That spontaneous inner teacher comes out as I'm helping some of the students recognize pitch. I come up with analogies the kids can relate to and in general just making the lessons fun.


At the basketball courts off First Colonial shooting around for a little while then running a few laps on the track field. Feeling exceptionally tired – I used up all my mojo/energy on the lessons.


Back home. Cutting my own hair until Ana arrives. She helps shape and trim my neck hair. Downstairs, we have plans to cook an elaborate dinner. I put Love After Midnight: The Moonlight Strings on the record player, a compilation of instrumental crooner classics. This is the soundtrack to our hour-long or so dinner preparation. Finally, we sit at the table to enjoy our hard-earned reward: Roasted Beet Burgers with Caramelized Onions, Arugula, Tomatoes, and Hummus; Roasted Almond-Encrusted Eggplant; and Mango Lime Acqua Fresca. It's an extremely satisfying flavor and feeling. I used a Challah loaf for the bread, which makes our sandwiches look like clouds according to Ana.


Beet Burger Night (August 28 2014) (1)


We both had very long days and with little energy to give. Lounging on the bed chatting. Ana constantly scratches the multiple mosquito bites on her arms. For some reason she attracts more bugs than I do.

Me: "You've got to be the only mosquito bite collector I know."


Sleep 3:45 a.m.


[i] Images by me.

Wednesday August 27 2014

Waking up around noon.


Bran Flakes and Berry Cobbler Granola with Almond Milk.


Vacuuming.


Giving guitar/vocal/piano lessons at Music Makers.


Scrambled Eggs. Everything Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea.


At the Rec Center shooting hoops. I had planned on only playing basketball for a little while just to get the heart rate up and then workout; but of course I get locked into pick-up game after pick-up game of 3-on-3 with other fellow players.


Soaking in an Epsom salt bath and sipping on a Vega protein drink.


I bought a new plant while I was picking up things at Kroger. With all the other plants in my room I might be starting to become a plant nerd.


Calathea (August 27 2014)[i]


Curry Chic Peas with Rice, Broccoli, Onions, Red Peppers, Carrots, and Challah Bread.

Watching Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (2014).


Practicing piano.


Sleep 4 a.m.


[i] Image by me.

Tuesday August 26 2014

Dotty the Six-Toed Cat (August 26 2014) (1)[i]

Waking up around noon.


Honey Crunch n Oats with Almond Milk.


My great-uncle Kenny, 72-years old, was stuck in a nursing home for the past five weeks. I told my mom I could pick him up and take him back to his home in Portsmouth. I drive out to Carrington Place to collect Kenny and his things. I don't even remember the last time I saw him. He has such a pleasant and sweet spirit about him. I end up sticking around all afternoon so we can go to the bank to get him a new debit card and pick up his medication.


Great-Uncle Kenny (August 26 2014)


At his house off Portsmouth Blvd. I remember this place when I was kid. My mom used to bring me here to visit my great-uncles and such. She grew up here, raised by my great-grandmother who claimed to speak to the dead. Either way, the house is filled with ancient knick-knacks and books. There's two ladies here helping with the cleaning up – they're repainting the kitchen walls, Peggy and Sandra. Kenny plops down in his electric recliner. Dotty, a 13-year old six-toed cat, climbs into his lap. I'm glad I was able to help. And it's nice to reconnect with someone on my mom's side of the family. I know Kenny played drums in a family band back in the 60's and 70's – my mom was the lead singer. Supposedly, he has some recordings on an 8-track somewhere. My goal is to get a hold of it somehow. 


Dotty the Six-Toed Cat (August 26 2014) (2)


Banana. Pluot.


On the drive back to Virginia Beach I get stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on 264. It causes my travel time to be almost an hour until I make it home.


Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jam Sandwich. Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea.


Studying and prepping for lessons.


Practicing piano.


Lentil Soup, Baby Broccoli, Carrots, and Challah Bread.

Watching Godzilla (2014).


More piano.


Sleep 4 a.m.


[i] Images by me.

Monday August 25 2014

Big Fish.[i]

Waking up around noon.


Cream of Wheat with Almond Milk. Orange Juice.


No China Wok. No lessons. I actually have the whole day free. I'm relieved.


Errands.


Scrambled Eggs. Everything Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Sweet Potato Chips with Salsa. Honey Green Tea. White Peach.


At the Rec Center shooting hoops and working out. I leave after about an hour and a half to get some fresh air on the basketball courts off First Colonial. I had planned to run the track field but some street ballers needed an extra man for some 3-on-3. I've got my right thumb wrapped up and cushioned with a finger sleeve. During the game play it doesn't agitate me as much as it would have last week. I'm almost at the end of the healing road, maybe even ready for competitive basketball again.


Back home. Taking an Epsom salt bath and drinking a post-workout Vega Sports Drink.


We're having a special Movie Monday showing of Big Fish (2003), as requested by Josh. Allyson, James Graves, Stephen, and Richie are here. Ana also of course. Sharing dinner with her: Coconut Shrimp, Japanese Style Rice, and Broccoli and Carrots. We all freak out about the young Miley Cyrus cameo. I remember adoring this movie many years ago when I was a young adult.


After everyone leaves, and after I clean up, I hang back in the living room. Kevin walks in drunkenly from Tapped. Josh left his phone downstairs.

Me: "Do you know what I'm holding in my hand right now?"

Kevin: "What's that?"

Me: "Your redemption. Remember all those times Josh hacked into your Facebook account? Well, here you go."

I plop the phone into Kevin's hands. I watch as he struggles to figure out how to use Josh's ancient flip phone. Eventually, he manages to prank text a few people whom in the end figure out its Kevin anyway. Nice try anyway.


Sleeping next to Ana at 3:30 a.m.


[i] from Big Fish.

Sunday August 24 2014

Cookies in a box made with love from Ana (August 24 2014)[i]

☼ ○ ▬

I've been commissioned to concoct a special alcoholic drink for a rich man. In his backyard I mix sugar and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl with my fingers until it's dissolved but it's proving very difficult. I don't really know what I'm doing. My friend was supposed to do this job but somehow it got passed along to me. The rich man passes by me outside in his bathrobe. I pretend to look like I know what I'm doing. 

▬ ○ ☼


Waking up at 11 a.m.


Hot Cinnamon Oatmeal with Banana, Raisins, and Almond Milk.


All day shift at China Wok.


I come back from a delivery to find a little red box on the counter for me. It's obviously from Ana. She pasted a heart-shaped piece of sheet music with the words, "made with love..." written on it. Inside, four homemade chocolate chip cookies. I love her.


Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jam Sandwich. Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea.


The sunny windy day turns into night – a beautiful evening to deliver. I've got my windows down allowing the fresh breeze to flow freely across my face. It's a steady night for deliveries – racking up the tips.


Chocolate Chip Cookies.


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


Off work.

I stop by Mike Gombas and Kim Nesemeier's apartment down the street. It's Kim's 30th birthday. Ana's here. I chill for a little while then head home to shower.


Over at Tapped Ana's scheduled to perform a couple songs on the open mic. There's a boisterous bunch at the bar in the back that overpower Ana's singing at times. I can tell this distracts her. Despite, afterwards she gets a wave of compliments from person after person. "That was angelic!" "You have an amazing voice!"


Ana at Open Mic Tapped (August 24 2014)


Kevin and his people get up to play a couple songs. As we watch Kevin rip up the violin Jes turns to me and asks, "I don't understand why he doesn't get all the pussy!"


Kevin at Open Mic Tapped (August 24 2014)


Solo late night bike ride.


Sleep 3:30 a.m.


[i] Images by me.

Saturday August 23 2014

Daniel Abensour.[i]

Waking up just before 11 a.m.


Overnight Oats with Banana, Applesauce, and Almonds. White Peach.


All day shift at China Wok.


Carrot and Cilantro Bulgur Grain Salad with Chic Peas. Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea.


Today is fairly busy for deliveries.


Ana stops by after a workout at the gym. I go on a rant about how Facebook has become the new TV of our generation. Just being on it exposes you to a fluid amount of articles, videos, and advertisements from your friends. The videos now play automatically (no sound at first) without your choice. It's no longer just a social network. It's just commercial after commercial, post after post. I can see why people try to delete themselves from it. Trends. Trends. Trends. "Kill Your T.V." used to be a relevant statement. Now it's "Delete Your Facebook!"

Ana: "Facebook is high school."

Me: "Haha. Exactly."
                         
...

I explain to Ana, "It's all about humility. That's what's gonna change the world. You can show people facts all day long and spell out everything wrong with the way they live their lives. It doesn't matter. They'll just give you ignorance and denial. It's very hard to humble yourself and accept change."

She leaves after a while.


Continuing on with my night deliveries. The tips aren't too bad, ten times better than the previous night. I notice some new graffiti on a power box off 24th Street. It says, "Cops Everywhere. Justice Nowhere."


Eating Dates.


While facing the mildly annoying traffic on Pacific Avenue I realize how segregated the oceanfront is, not necessarily by race but by class. Almost all of the south end is littered with 2-star hotels, fast food joints, shitty bars, and shitty clubs. But once you past 30th Street everything transforms to big money: newly built summer condos, 5-star hotels, and expensive seafood restaurants.


Chicken and Broccoli with Rice.


Off work and back home.

Finishing City of Men (2007).


Sleep at 3:30 a.m.


[i] Daniel Abensour.

Friday August 22 2014

Bubble Gum Machine in China Wok (August 22 2014)[i]

Waking up at 10:50 a.m.


Honey Crunch n Oats with Almond Milk.


All day shift at China Wok.


White Peach.


It's a slow and humid day at the restaurant.


Helping Ming, one of the cooks, find a fair price for a bike on Craigslist. We end up getting the seller to deliver the bike here at the restaurant and in return cook him a free meal.


Leftover Chic Peas, Mushrooms, and Rice from Field Guide last night. Honey Green Tea. Olive Oil Potato Chips.


It's not proving to be a very profitable day.


Listening to podcasts about communicating with dolphins.


I pick up a Thai Coffee from Bangkok Garden. I needed something to spark me up a bit.


Off work and back home.

Vegetable Lo Mein.

Watching City of Men (2007).


Downstairs, Josh, James, Kevin, and Allyson are hanging out, some a little red-eyed and drunk. Josh announces as he sips on a cork-infused glass of red wine, "I'm gonna miss you guys. It just hit me today."


Later on, I hear firecrackers go off while I'm in the shower. Lighting firecrackers inside the house to annoy Kevin is apparently a nightly ritual now.


[i] Image by me.

Thursday August 21 2014

Minimalist Decor (August 21 2014)[i]

Waking up around noon.


Bran Flakes and Berry Cobbler Granola with Almond Milk. White Peach.


I've got a busy schedule of lessons this afternoon at Music Makers, five voice lessons and one piano lesson, all back to back. It takes a lot of energy and patience to teach for three hours straight. Some of the kids have a hard time staying focused and some don't have good pitch recognition but it's all about affirmation and encouragement. Eventually, the more they sing the more correct they'll get.


Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jam Sandwich. Olive Oil Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea.


Jupiter Lap Computer (August 21 2014)


General chores.


At the track field attempting to run and then shooting a couple hoops on the basketball courts. My endurance levels are off balance. I know I was sick a couple days ago but it should've worn off completely at this point.


I drive to Norfolk to meet up with Ana.


Getting Ready (August 21 2014)


We've got a dinner date planned at Field Guide – it's been our favorite place to dine for some time. Ordering a few Orange Mango Vodka Slushies. I get a Curry Vegetable Rice Bowl with Egg. She gets a toast plate with assorted vegetables. Nothing less than satisfactory here. Afterwards, we stop by Josiah and Bianca's apartment for a little while. Josiah shares his personal UFO story and shows us some random NASA footage online.


I drop Ana off at her house. When embracing each other a couple times I acknowledge how sweet she is.

Me: "You're too sweet."

Her: "That's okay. You can brush your teeth afterwards."


Back home. When I pull into the 1435 parking spot there's a man standing in the way. I politely ask him to move. Then he asks me for a light. Inside the house Kevin riles Josh and I in the hallway. He's freaking out about this homeless vagrant he was talking to in the neighborhood (the same guy that asked me for a light). None of us can really understand the story he's telling us – in classic Kevin Moore fashion everything is in dramatic effect. Eventually the man spots Kevin through the kitchen window and he's forced to confront him. The man is upset because Kevin said he'd return with a crowbar or money or something. He storms off across the parking lot disappearing into the night.


Kevin's Conspiracy Vagrant (August 21 2014)


Sleep 3:30 a.m.


[i] Images by me.

Wednesday August 20 2014

Clearing the Barrier. Mark Lazenby.[i]

☼ ○ ▬

In my dream it's a Wednesday night. For some reason I've decided to visit my old church for one of their evening services. It's understood to be a special holiday of some kind. There's a buffet of Latino style food in the foyer. I'm carrying around a red dog bowl with Cream of Wheat with plans to eat it during the service. My mom is sitting next to some elders I remember from my childhood. Realizing my hot cereal needs almond milk I run outside to my car. I pass by Jake Clemons rehearsing a new hit song of his with a band on the front lawn. The melody stays in my head. I need to re-park my car cause it's in a handicap spot. When driving in the parking lot I come across my step-grandma walking a large white dog. She's having difficulty because the dog keeps stopping to rest his back leg in a weird position. I laugh at how ridiculous this looks. 

▬ ○ ☼


Waking up around noon.


Honey Crunch n Oats with Almond Milk. Peaches.


Errands.


Vega Protein Shake with Orange Juice and Banana. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese.


At the Rec Center working out and shooting some hoops. Not expecting to see Ana but I guess I should. I catch her on the elliptical. She smiles big when she looks at me and says, "You look like somebody I would date."

Me: "Heh-heh. That's funny cause you're dating me!"


Salmon with Baby Broccoli and Black/Brown Rice.

Watching City of God (2002).


Repotting my golden pothos plant. Even though it's an incredibly easy plant to care for it's quite an ordeal to transplant. I spend a good amount of my evening taking care of this along with other various chores.


Peach.


Sleep 3:30 a.m.


[i] Clearing the Barrier. Mark Lazenby.

Tuesday August 19 2014

Playing Scarlatti (August 19 2014)[i]

Waking up around 11:30 a.m. I think the virus has gone away. I'm at about 90%. I'm actually able to walk downstairs and cook breakfast. Meanwhile, Josh and Kevin are arguing about gluten and celiac disease. Every day Kevin will announce to us some new fact he learned in an article he read online. We joke about how he believes everything he reads verbatim. Josh calls him a parrot.

Me: "Kevin, the parrot! Kevin, the parrot! Kevin, the parrot!"


Cream of Wheat. Orange Juice.


Returning a pair of pants to H&M that were one waist size too big. Then picking up some Epsom salt, foil, and tab dividers from the dollar store. 


I've got a couple piano lessons at Music Makers.


Scrambled Eggs. English Muffin with Vegan Cream Cheese and Strawberry Jam. Honey Green Tea.


I show Kevin the plastic bag holder I made, "Look at this! I made a bag to keep all the plastic bags in."

Kevin scoffs at me as he usually does when I come up with some strange idea.

Me: "C'mon. You know you like how innovative I am. This house was built on innovation!"


Strawberries.


Researching.


It's supposed to be Crafts & Arts night at the house. A fair amount of people are hanging around. Kevin gets inspired to make some sort of provocative collage. He pulls out a stack of girl magazines and an old Adbusters; he clips away with determination.

Me: "Watching Kevin make art is really suspenseful."

Sharing dinner with Ana: Black Beans with Mushrooms, Onions, and Brown/Black Rice; and an Arugula Mixed Greens Salad.


Eventually, we corral who we can for a night ride to the beach. Wolf Dancer, Ana, Kevin, and myself on bikes; and Will assumes his role on his darling electric long board. Racing down Laskin and coasting down the boardwalk – ocean spray and sand catches on my face and ankles. These regular night rides can't get old.


Night Riders (August 19 2014)


Back at the house. In my bedroom Ana sits at the piano playing through a Scarlatti book while I settle down.


Watching the pilot episode of Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (2014) with Ana.


Sleep 3 a.m.


Later on just before 4 a.m. I wake up to a startling cracking sound in the hallway. I go to investigate and find Kevin angrily reprimanding Josh, Skippy, and Erin Gilroy for lighting firecrackers by his bedroom door.


[i] Images by me.

Monday August 18 2014

Cosmos A Spacetime Oydssey (August 18 2014)[i]

At 9 a.m. I wake up to a disgusting feeling in my stomach. I've caught some kind of stomach virus. My body aches to no end. After multiple trips to the bathroom with a bad case of diarrhea I think it's all over as I lie down. I pop a couple of Acetaminophen pills in hopes to relieve the intensity of the fever. Napping for a little bit. And then...nausea. I run to the sink and throw up all of my vegetable moo shu from last night among other bodily fluids. Death – I feel like I'm dying.


Later, nibbling on ice cubes to start the process of rehydration. This is the peak of the fever. Moaning helplessly and trying to find the most comfortable sleeping position. While I'm writhing in a feverish pain in my bed I can overhear an abrupt sexual moan coming from Darren and Devon's bedroom. I'm jealous of his endorphins.


This bed-ridden state continues all afternoon until about 5 p.m. I wake up feeling somewhat better but not 100%. My lower back is in agony from this futon bed. There is no position that feels comfortable.


I hear the thunder and lightning outside cracking in the sky – the rain it pours and pours symbolizing my misery.


I put on this new series inspired by Carl Sagan called Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (2014). For some reason watching things about the universe makes me feel better. I learn how insignificant I am as well as this pain.


I'm fortunate enough to have a loving girlfriend who comes to my rescue with Chicken Noodle Soup, Saltine Crackers, Apple Sauce, and OJ.

Me: "Thank you for all this. And for boosting my morale."

To see Ana's smiling and caring face lightens the body's load.


My Caretaker (August 18 2014)


She runs off to the gym for a while as my body continues waging a war on whatever virus is inside me. She returns to bake some cookies downstairs, not for me to have but just for fun. We lounge around on the bed like cats. I put on The Double (2013). I'm concerned about getting her sick so we don't cuddle at all. Although she does rub my lower back with tiger balm.


She's a sexy caretaker (August 18 2014)


Reflecting on the day I say, "Man, this was the worst day, except for the part when you showed up. I really appreciate the moral support."


She heads home reluctantly. I don't want her sleeping here cause my body still aches and I'm not trying to get her sick too.


I pop a couple of Acetaminophen pills, drink some Herbal Tea, then nod off to sleep at 3 a.m.


[i] Images by me.

Sunday August 17 2014

1371208059_fantasticfest_yourenext[i]

☼ ○ ▬

In this dream I sneak into China Wok late at night and bring all my friends. Some of us are drunk. It's understood that whenever somebody becomes inebriated they turn into some kind of zombie. I try to keep those kinds of people locked out of the restaurant.

▬ ○ ☼


Waking up around 11 a.m.


Honey Crunch n Oats with Almond Milk.


All day shift at China Wok.


Figs. Banana.


It's a typical Sunday afternoon for deliveries.


Five Guys French Fries with Ketchup. Honey Green Tea.


Passing by an outside church service off Old Virginia Beach Road I overhear the preacher shout, "God is looking for the unlikely! He's looking for the unsuspected!"


I pull up to the Kroger gas station to fill up my tank. The lady in the booth, who's seen me on multiple occasions, says to me through the intercom, "Sir, you pulled up and now you've made me hungry!"

"Heh-heh. I have that effect on people," I reply.


Finally off work and back home.

Vegetable Moo Shu.

Watching You're Next (2011).


Plum. Sipping on loose leaf Tea.


Sleep 3:30 a.m.


[i] You're Next Street Art.

Saturday August 16 2014

Black Ladybug (August 16 2014) (2)[i]

Waking up at 10:50 a.m.


Honey Crunch n Oats with Almond Milk.


All day shift at China Wok.


Peaches.


It's a slow afternoon for deliveries. Filling up the dumpling sauce into the 4 oz. and 2 oz. cups.


Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jam Sandwich. Olive Oil Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea.


Ana shows up with fresh picked figs from her aunt's yard and a little baggie of home-baked chocolate chip cookies. As we sit down at the marbled table inside chatting I notice a group of sweat bubbles have formed on her nose. It's hot today and for some reason that's the first part of her body to start perspiring. She doesn't like it but I think it's cute.


Later on in the evening I snack on those Chocolate Chip Cookies. It's an otherwise dull night at China Wok. Just going through the motions, anticipating the final moment when I get to lounge in my computer chair at home.


A black ladybug attaches itself onto my China Wok t-shirt. I still don't understand what makes ladybugs friendlier than her other bug peers.


Black Ladybug (August 16 2014) (1)


Off work.

Mongolian Chicken with Mixed Vegetables.

Watching The Birdcage (1996).


Sipping on a Beer.


Sleep at 3:30 a.m.


[i] Images by me.

Friday August 15 2014

Kevin's Wooing Suit (August 15 2014)[i]

☼ ○ ▬

In the bay where the rich folks keep their yachts and boats. I'm trying to stay afloat on this large square-shaped slab of wood. Every time I lean too much to one side I get submersed. I pull myself in using a rope attached to the wood but I keep getting rocked away from the wake. Eventually, I make it in safely. Struggling to climb a ladder out of the water. JoAnna Lynne is there with me also trying to climb out. I keep getting mouthfuls of water and having to spit it out. This becomes a romantic game between her and I. Later, I arrive to 1435 in Chanticleer. The other roommates and mutual friends are all hanging out in the kitchen by the front door. The layout of the town home looks different than in reality but it's understood to be the same. We're all surprised to find out maintenance came in and renovated the kitchen, but not in a functional way. They moved the stove to the other side and replaced it with the sink. Everything is rearranged in a chaotic fashion. And the side where the sink is it's too high to even see the counter, my shoulders touching the edge. None of it makes any sense. We all think they did it so they could have a reason to evict us. 

▬ ○ ☼


Waking up unwillingly at 10:50 a.m.


Honey Crunch n Oats with Almond Milk.


All day shift at China Wok.


It's morbidly hot today – making sure to wear a thick layer of sunscreen on the driver's side of my body.


Kevin walks into the restaurant looking sharp and triumphant. He's wearing a fancy blue suit. He explains how he just got his expired inspection case dismissed at the court. According to him the lady judge gave him "the eye". He thinks he wooed her. Fortunately for him she just happened to be having a good day.

Kevin: "This is my grandfather's suit. This ain't no JC Penny suit!"


Watermelon.


Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jelly Sandwich. Olive Oil Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea.


The deliveries continue slowly but steady. Overall the tips aren't that great. One dollar or two dollars here and there.


Eating a Banana and chugging a can of Runa Guayusa Tea, which has zero calories and 120 mg of caffeine; it's nothing but guayusa tea with a hint of lime. I need a little extra boost today.


Ana drops by. So what else is new? I'm not complaining though. It's a pleasant expectation. She rides around with me on deliveries. I share with her my recent thoughts on the music school and how I want to develop a system to teach my students, something that after I put a lot of thought into at first I can later not have to stress about and just implement it.

...

Ana is forever talking about baking this or that. It's her passion. 

Me: "You're so eager to sweeten everybody's tongues. When you have your own bakery that should be your slogan: Eager to Sweeten Your Tongue."

...

Noticing how much of a difference that tea has on me. It increases my energy times a thousand. I'm very chatty with Ana cracking jokes and making observations about all the stuff going on around us. I guess she took a liking to it because when she leaves she says, "You should have that drink more often."


Off work and back home.

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

Watching A Night in Old Mexico (2013).


Sleep at some point.


[i] Image by me.

Thursday August 14 2014

Lost Hoops. Adrian Skenderovic.[i]

Waking up just before noon.


Ana's in the kitchen cooking some Maple Blueberry Banana Pancakes. I brew the Coffee.


I've got a full schedule of lessons at Music Makers starting from 2:30 to 6. As the school season begins my lessons will only grow and grow. Already feeling the grind and expectation to instill musical knowledge in these kid's heads. It's a big responsibility but somebody's got to do it.


Scrambled Eggs. Watermelon. Sweet Potato Tortilla Chips with Salsa. Honey Green Tea.


On the track field running a couple miles then shooting around on the basketball courts. There's an intense full-court game going on. I dare not play cause my thumb is still in the process of healing and it'd be a shame to agitate it. I watch the game on and off with jealousy.


Leftover Tilapia with Bamboo Rice and Arugula.

Watching A Night in Old Mexico (2013).


Scanning in pages from a music lesson book and collecting songs for my vocal students.


I get a call randomly from Will Clark. It's after 2 a.m. and he's exceptionally drunk. I pick him up from town center and, after an ordeal parking his car in the parking garage on the 8th floor, I bring him back to the house to crash on the couch. He promises to hook me up with a few ginger kombuchas.


Appeasing my snack appetite with a leftover Pancake from this morning.


Sleep 4 a.m.


[i] Lost Hoops. Adrian Skenderovic.

Wednesday August 13 2014

mood-indigo-clip-videoSixteenByNine1050-v3[i]

Waking up around 12:30 p.m.


Bran Flakes and Berry Cobbler Granola with Almond Milk.


My laptop won't boot up – stuck on a black screen with the cursor and all the other keyboard functions working. I had this problem some time ago. Just needed to take the battery out, put it back in, and then power it on while simultaneously holding down Shift and F8. In the meantime I give it a good dusting with compressed air.


Errands.


Peanut Butter Bagel. Sweet Potato Tortilla Chips with Salsa. Honey Green Tea. Plum.


Learning some songs on guitar and acquainting myself with songs that my vocal students really want to sing, like Taylor Swift and Katy Perry.


I put on my running shoes and jog on the track field by Lynnhaven Middle School. The smell of fresh cut grass fills my nostrils. A couple people walking their little white dog hang out in the football field. Every time I come around one corner the little white dog runs alongside me for a few seconds and barks.


I've got a movie night scheduled with Ana. I share dinner with her as usual.

Baked Tilapia with String Beans, Carrots, Red Onions, and Bamboo Rice.


I set up the big screen under the loft bed and put on Michel Gondry's Mood Indigo (2013), a movie Ana's been begging us to watch together. Colorful. Inventive. Willy Wonka-esque. Also, very Michel Gondry. More quirky than a Wes Anderson film.


Mood-Indigo-3


Ana's lying in bed under the covers. I say to her softly, "I'm gonna go do the dishes and clean up. When I get back we can canoodle. We've cuddled before but I don't think we've canoodled."


Canoodling and sex.


Sleep around 4 a.m.


[i] Pianocktail.

Tuesday August 12 2014

Captain America Shield.[i]

Waking up around 12:30 p.m.


Honey Crunch n Oats with Almond Milk.


Errands.


Pluot.


Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese and Strawberry Jam. Baked Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea. BioAstin.


Teaching a few lessons at Music Makers. Got a new piano student today, Geneva, who plays in a local rock band, is a lead singer, and now wants to learn how to play piano and sing. These are the kinds of adult students I look forward to.


At The Escape running a few miles and working out. Afterwards I pull out my basketball and attempt to shoot around on the street courts. Since I injured my thumb I've refrained from any kind of extreme physical activity that requires my hands. It's still sore when handling the ball even with the thumb stabilizer.


Watermelon.


Hefty Salad with Arugula, Carrots, Tomatoes, Red Onion, Kidney Beans, and Herb Yeast Rolls. Maple Leaf Cookies.

Watching Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014).


Researching.


Popcorn.


Sleep at 4 a.m.


[i] Captain America's Shield.

Monday August 11 2014

Mike Gombas' 32nd B-Day (August 11 2014) (1)[i]

Waking up around 12:30 p.m.


Honey Crunch n Oats with Almond Milk. Peaches.


Researching.


Raven, an old friend of mine messages me to say she had a dream where her and I reconnected.


Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jam Sandwich. Sweet Onion Sticks. Honey Green Tea. Peaches.


At The Escape running a couple miles.


I get called into China Wok for an hour and a half. I scoop up Ana from the house to ride along while I finish up my deliveries. She looks so sprightly and adorable with her pigtails and short shorts. She explains how happy she is to be wearing shorts instead of pants. Afterwards, we rush on over to Chicho's for Mike Gombas's birthday shindig. He's got the PA system set up for anyone to get up and sing. We showed up kind of late but Mike encourages us to play. So I grab the guitar and Ana stands in front of the microphone – playing through familiar tunes. Grubbing on a few Pizza Slices and sipping on a Bahama Mama. I've never seen Mike so inebriated. He's already a sweet-natured and laidback guy but with alcohol it's ten times more.


Ana and I at Chicho's for Mike Gombas' 32nd B-Day (August 11 2014)


Back at the house. Ana tinkers on the piano while I do some stuff on the computer.


Piano Exercises (August 11 2014)


A pleasant surprise to see Skippy Shoals in the house. Him and Kevin just came back from The Office with Taco Bell. Kevin is drunk (So what else is new?) and stumbling around with a huge glass of water. I mention how he's exaggerating the inebriation because he feels like he has to put on a show, mainly cause I'm around. And I'm always the one pointing out his carelessness. After Kevin crawls up the stairs and says, "I'm going to bed! I'm going to bed!" I chat it out with Skippy about the goings and comings of our respective lives this past year since he's been in California.


Upstairs, Ana and I lie out on the bed. While I quench my thirst with a Sparkling Grapefruit Izze I try to encourage her to finish her incomplete thoughts. She'll say things like, "I just feel like..." or "I don't understand..." and then stare at me while the crickets chirp in the background. She tries to spill out her guts and let me in on the inner workings of her mind but sometimes it's hard for her, with me especially. She's afraid of my judgment but I don't know why cause I consider myself a pretty understanding person. One thing I've noticed about her is that she tries her hardest to be this kind of super woman who excels at everything. She lives with a lot of zest for life, keeping an open mind (mostly), and a willingness to try everything. I respect and admire that. She is a truly beautiful and well-intentioned woman with a pure heart.


Sleep at some late hour.


[i] Images by me.

Sunday August 10 2014

The Parlor Bathroom Wall (August 10 2014)[i]

Ana awakens me with her soft and persistent touch at 10 a.m. I could push her away because I'm so tired but I decide to give in. We're long overdue for a sex session.


Waking up again at 12:54 p.m.


Our food angel, Skipp, is here with plenty of almost expired food from Fresh Market: meat and salad dishes, cookies, bagels, chocolates, coffee, etc.

"Man, Skipp always seems to know when I run out of food," Josh says.


Making Almond Oatmeal Maple Pancakes with Peanut Butter and Coffee for Ana and I.


At The Escape. Running a couple miles and lifting weights with Ana.


Egg Sandwich with Mayo and Tomato. Banana. Honey Green Tea.


In Norfolk for a Musicplayer show at The Parlor off Granby Street. JoAnna Lynne and this guy Levi Weaver are also on the bill. I've never been to The Parlor before – it's a fairly new restaurant/bar located in the arts district. There are a hundred light bulbs hanging from the warehouse ceiling with unconventional wires glowing orange, a dim lighting and mood setter. Large gold-plated mirrors are affixed to the tall brick walls. We sit comfortably in neoclassical couches, the kind you might find at your Grandma's house. JoAnna serenades us with her beautifully dynamic voice. Then, Levi Weaver impresses us with an array of loop pedals and vocal arrangements – all his songs are very personal and dig a deep well to his heart. I perform last. By the time I begin my set crowds of people have trickled in, but not for the show necessarily. They're here to socialize and take pictures. The mood isn't matched for a singer-songwriter. As Ana puts it later to me, I had to "recalibrate my attitude", which I did. I know how to adapt to new settings well. Ana comes up in the middle and we chime out our usual oldies and covers.


The Parlor (August 10 2014)

Shoegaze at The Parlor (August 10 2014)


It turns out to be a profitable show. I actually get paid. I use some of the money to order Ana and I dinner and drinks.

Baked Cornish Hen with Brussel Sprouts, Potatoes, Zucchini, and Artesian Bread.

Ana was bought a glass of wine by a friend. I didn't realize how particular and talky she becomes after a little alcohol. It's not unbecoming or anything. It's just amusing. She explains that everything is amplified from her perspective.

Me: "All it takes is one drink to amplify your life!"

This whole place has turned into a club-like atmosphere with loud hip-hop music and 20-somethings taking over the bar. The deejay starts spinning some killer mod-funk-disco. Ana and I swing and shake to the beat. We don't care if we're the only ones on the dance floor. 


Afterwards, I meet up at Ana's house to relax and enjoy some Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies a friend of hers from the bakery made.


Cookie Thighs (August 10 2014)


She warned me earlier about how messy her room is right now. She used the word tornado to describe it.

Me: "So you're saying there's wind currents circling your room right now? I gotta see this!"

Of course she's terribly embarrassed and attempts to block me from entering the bedroom. It's a playful game. I manage to get inside and we topple over each other onto the floor right into a pile of clothes. No wind currents to be seen here but its apparent there was earlier. She says she is in the middle of organizing all her things – trying to get rid of certain stuff. We lie around on the bed for a while. General kissing and affection before I leave.


Back home.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.


[i] Images by me.

Saturday August 9 2014

Cat Tongue Screenshot.[i]

Waking up at 10:50 a.m.


Honey Crunch n Oats with Almond Milk. Figs.


All day shift at China Wok.


Cantaloupe.


Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese and Strawberry Jam. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Honey Green Tea. Pluot.


After delivering to the Used Tire Express shop off the boulevard I realize I've been delivering to the Notorious B.I.G. this whole time. This big ole fat black guy has been ordering from us forever. He looks just like the late rapper, big crescent lips and all.


Banana.


It's an okay day for business – nothing out of the ordinary and nothing too dramatic.


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


Off work and back home. Saying hi to a couch surfer from Richmond hanging out with the boys. Then to the storage unit to practice. Ana meets me here around 12:45 a.m. to rehearse our songs together.


Back at the house. I pull out the vacuum cleaner and suck up any remaining fruit flies fluttering around. Everybody thinks I'm crazy.

"Look at this!" I hold up one of the fruit fly traps so everyone can see the body count inside the jar. "You see? You all think these don't work but look at this! Look at all these dead fruit flies I caught!" I'm going crazy.


Upstairs settling down with Ana. Sipping on Crispins and entertaining ourselves with a collection of funny animal videos – cats playing piano – dogs sliding down staircases – cats sticking their tongues out. We get high off a laughing spell that never seems to end.


Sleep at 4 a.m.


[i] Cat Tongue screenshot.