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 the ODU Dentistry. Michelle sees me for the second time. Even though I’m there for almost 3 hours we only have time to finish measuring my teeth and get an x-ray. There’s some trouble getting the machine to work but she’s still learning. And that’s the whole point of it so she can practice on real people.
Traffic on Fridays is no fun. Back home. Napping.
Scrambled Eggs. Sweet Potato Biscuits with Butter and Jam. Cara Cara Orange. Coffee.
Watching season 3 of Better Call Saul.
Teaching all my in-home lessons with a quick stop at the thrift store in between.
Back home.
Mom and I make dinner: Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti Noodles with Onions, Peppers, Tomato Sauce, Kale, and Rolls.
Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups. Beer.
Another Ladada rehearsal with the boys. We’ve got to get Jonnie up to speed since he’s new to the band. Sipping on Kolsch Beers.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. Earl Grey Tea.
Teaching afternoon lessons.
Scrambled Eggs. Poppy Seed Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Coffee. Cara Cara Orange.
Watching season 3 of Better Call Saul.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Banana.
Back home.
Black Beans with Onions, Peppers, Broccoli, Carrots, and Quinoa.
Ladada rehearsal. Its official: Jonathan Reynolds is taking a break from the band. Josiah has recruited another guy named Jonnie to fill in on the next couple shows and potentially be in the band permanently.
Some leftover Cake. Chamomile Tea.
Earlier this afternoon I got upset at Ana when she went to use the kitchen sink and started running water into a bowl of raw eggs I had prepared to scramble. Then, I noticed she had her space heater on in her bedroom while it’s 70 degrees out. She took it very personally when I reacted with unkind words. I probably could’ve dealt with it differently. Either way, her and I talk it out over tea before I go to sleep.
Honey Crunch n Oats with Banana, Strawberries, Granola, and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.
Catching up on business.
It’s Ana’s birthday. Putting together a gift for her.
Leftover Vegetable Soup with Noodles and French Baguette. Navel Orange. Oolong Tea.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Afterwards, Anthony and Cynthia meet up with Ana and I at the house for Pizza and Garlic Knots. Soon after mom drops us off at Shaka’s down at the oceanfront for a show. It’s like we’re all teenagers again with mom giving us a ride and such. Ana really wanted to see Mannequin Pussy, a band she’s been following. Summer Salt and Turnover perform also. Apparently, it’s a sold out show. Tyler, Andrew, and Ryan are here and among other Norfolk natives.
Back at the house sharing Ana’s birthday cake (Beet Chocolate Ganache).
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. Earl Grey Tea.
Errands all over the place.
Scrambled Eggs. Tomato Soup. Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese and Poppy Seeds. Popped Chips. Coffee.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Pathetically blowing my nose throughout the lessons.
Back home. Mom and I make dinner: Vegan Burgers with Lettuce and Tomato. Homemade French Fries. Slaw.
I motivate Ana and I to go through all her old bills, documents, etc. and throw out whatever’s not necessary and organize them into the file cabinet in her new desk. Her and I are opposite in this regard. I love organizing and she uses disorganization as her form of expression. I guess that’s what makes us work in some way.
Pineapple and Yogurt.
Chilling in Jimmy and Olivia’s room for a bit breathing in all the plant air.
Waking up around 11 a.m. next to Ana. Feeling the love.
A bowl of Honey Crunch n Oats with Granola, Strawberries, Banana, and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.
Breaking down the PA system and music gear at the studio.
Tuna Salad Sandwich with Lettuce and Tomato. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado/Tomato. Coffee. Honey Crisp Apple.
Caravanning with mom, Lisa, and her boyfriend. Tonight is the big night for the Music Makers Spring Recital at Commune in Norfolk.
It’s an amazing and inspiring evening of young people under one roof performing with raw talent. Everything from piano solos to voice solos to violin solos to using video to duos and trios. The community atmosphere that this restaurant provides is appropriate. At any given point we were struck with tears of joy affected by the song and innocence/beauty of the moment.
Sharing dinner with mom and Ana. We just threw together some leftovers and voila!
Ana and I trek out to Norfolk. First stop is Shannon’s mom’s house for a little birthday party gathering. Her and Shannon sing “Landslide” on the stairway as a gift to her mom.
Next stop is Cynthia’s apartment in Ghent where The Lazy Dangers are filming a music video on an iPhone where lots of friends put on crazy costumes and dance. At some point I manage the camera sitting on a rolling chair while we get entertaining hallway shots. What a blast!
Back home. Sipping on an ACV Drink with Honey and Turmeric.
Waking up at 8:03 a.m. Why? Because I have a dental appointment at ODU.
RX Breakfast Bar. Earl Grey Tea.
Michelle, Elliott’s girlfriend, is seeing me to check my teeth and give me an oral evaluation. This is similar to what I did when I used to visit the VCU Dentistry in Richmond. Her and her instructor both agree that I have Class 1 teeth. I’ll have to come back for a few more visits to get a cleaning.
Since I’m in Norfolk I visit a few thrift stores and grab some grub at Handsome Biscuit where Elliott is working. I order the Dill Na Na, a Potato Frittata on a Sweet Potato Biscuit, and a Coffee.
Settling back at home thinking I’ll try to take a nap but I get inspired to search around on OfferUp to get Ana a new desk – she’s wanted a sturdier desk for some time now. I find one way out past the courthouses. It’s a beige steel desk built in 1983. It has the potential to outlive us all. I spend a couple hours disassembling, transporting, and reassembling it before Ana arrives home.
Then, mom and I attend the Friends School Founders Day event. We were given two tickets. There’s a bunch of food from all kinds of local vendors. Enjoying all kinds of goodies. My throat is sore so I stay away from alcohol.
Green Tea.
Catching up on things. Organizing stuff at the studio.
Waking up at 10:30 a.m. with a slight scratchy throat.
Ana made us delicious French Toast with Blueberries and Orange Slices. Irish Breakfast Tea.
Teaching a lesson and organizing.
Egg Scramble with Peppers and Mushrooms. Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Honey Crisp Apple.
Immediately after lessons we dart over to South Beach Grill. Drew hosts a Band Jam thing every month here and offered to let some of our MMLIVE bands perform. We like to give these kids every opportunity they can to get out and play. It’s a good time.
Back home. Ana made Falafels with Rice/Quinoa and Vegetables.
Swinging from the tops of trees with a rope that somehow moves me further away. It’s raining. It’s getting dark. I can’t see to avoid hitting a tree. I feel like Tarzan.
...
A continuation from a previous dream. In jail for three months. Getting let out but I’m told I have to return 6 months later. What a drag.
...
On the beach wading on the shore feeling around for special shells and rocks. In the distance we see a vertical rectangle screen cut through the sky as if there was a glitch, like in The Matrix. Most people shrug it off as some illusion or trick done by advertisers. But I know the truth.
▬☼
Waking up at 11 a.m.
Bowl of Honey Crunch n Oats, Strawberries, Banana, and Granola. Black Tea.
Ana and I run some errands – The Heritage, Thrift Store, Wal-Mart.
Tuna Salad Sandwich with Lettuce and Tomato. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Cucumbers. Coffee.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Cara Cara Orange.
Back home. Ana made a mean Minestrone Soup with Naan Bread.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Irish Breakfast Tea.
Basketball at the Rec. Staying later than usual and playing hard.
Banana.
Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato. Oolong Tea.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Soon after work Ana and I drive out to Charlie’s in Norfolk for the Men I Trust show with Sunny & Gabe. Our favorite local venue is packed for a Monday night. As Aaron says, “Monday night is the new Saturday night.” Eating a Vegan Burger with Fries and sipping on a Smartmouth Pilsner. Enjoying the social atmosphere and smooth grooves of the deejay.
Back home. Pineapple and Yogurt.
Chilling with Ana in her room while Elvis runs around in play mode. She’s finding it hard to stay happy and inspired to make/create things.
Waking up at 11:24 a.m. to Ana’s homemade Blueberry Pancakes with Coffee.
I’ve got the entire day off – it’s such a relief – well, almost entire day except for one lesson at 4pm. Shopping for clothes at Plato’s Closet and browsing around Music Go Around for bass amps and cymbals.
Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Potato Chips. Oolong Tea. Orange.
At the studio. Teaming up a vocal student and piano student to practice a song for the recital. Afterwards, doing some maintenance and organization around the place.
Back home. Prepping a bunch of food. Making dinner: Gen Tso’s Tempeh with Onions, Celery, Asparagus, Carrots, and Brown Rice.
Sipping on a Dopplebock Beer.
Chores.
At the studio with Ana practicing some new and old songs.
Waking up at 11 a.m. from stressful dreams where I was about to get put into some kind of strenuous rehab program for alcoholics for almost 2 months even though I don’t drink that much. I was frustrated because there was no way to appeal the city’s decision to put me there.
Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Earl Grey Tea.
Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.
Leftover Pizza and Cucumbers.
Watching Hangman (2017).
Catching up on business and chores.
Mom makes dinner: Beer Battered Cod Fillets, French Fries, and Cabbage. Her and I catch up on the business of the week and thoughts. Sharing Blood Orange Ales.
At the studio practicing songs on guitar.
Grapes.
Back home. Chilling with Ana in her room. While she’s stretching on the floor I wrap myself around her with sexual desire.
Waking up at 10:30 a.m. from a stressful dream about losing Elvis, our cat. He jumped off a boat I was riding on and I was scrambling to turn the boat around and retrieve him.
Honey Crunch n Oats with Banana, Strawberries, Granola, and Almond Milk. Earl Grey Tea.
Teaching a few afternoon lessons.
Catching up on business.
Homemade Noodle Soup with Rye Toast and a Honey Crisp Apple.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Back home. Ana picked up a Pizza with Garlic Knots. Every now and then pizza is our best friend.
At Ladada rehearsal with Bobby, Josiah, and Jon. The anticipation for the new record is high as Josiah continues to show us the recent mixes of all the songs. He made a drastic change to one of them, which causes a little dissonance between Jon and Josiah. We all let out some things off our chest about the band and the direction it is heading. Afterwards, we play some music.
Pineapple.
Ana gives me a bit of the cold shoulder. At some point she’s sitting at the edge of my bed. As I investigate into why she gets so mad and sad all the time she starts crying. She grabs one tissue after the other. The day to day routine of our relationship sometimes gets to you. We need something to fire it up again. I get so caught up in my life and responsibilities with the business and music. It’s hard to find opportunities to spend quality time together.
At the end of our studio day so many things start happening at once. Spring is upon us...but no! It’s gonna snow! And then Maddie’s mom, Lauren’s car won’t start and needs a jumpstart. And there’s some miscommunication between mom and one of our teachers.
Back home. Making dinner alongside Olivia and Jimmy. Mom and I prepare Roasted Potatoes and Onions with Vegan Burgers and Slaw.
Waking up at 11:37 a.m. (according to daylight savings but it feels like 10:37)
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Irish Breakfast Tea.
I grab Ana and mom – we drive out to the fully restored Cavalier Hotel at the oceanfront, a place of historic wonder and many fond memories. Some guy with a lot of money invested into the property – built a bunch of new homes surrounding the hotel and renovated the old hotel. Inside are remnants of the original look but with a modern twist.
Grilled PB&J. Popped Chips. Coffee.
Watching The Outsider (2018).
Catching up on business.
Prepping Noodle Soups in mason jars.
Dinner: Chicken with Onions, Roasted Okra, Kale, and Jasmine Rice.
Sipping on a Young Veteran’s Kolsch Beer.
At the studio recording instrumental tracks for Garrett.
Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Coffee.
Basketball at the Rec. Ana joins me at the gym this time.
Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Oolong Tea.
Watching Imperial Dreams (2014).
Teaching my in-home lessons.
As soon as I’m done with the Kuzniewski kids I head over to Smartmouth Brewing Co. (the Virginia Beach location) down at the oceanfront to catch The Lazy Dangers show. This place used to be a post office from back in the day. The whole gang is here along with my mom. Sipping on Amber Ales and enjoying a Chicken, Vegetables, and Quinoa meal from the food truck out front.
Bowl of Honey Crunch n Oats with Banana, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Black Tea.
Teaching a few afternoon lessons.
Grilled PB&J Bagel. Popped Chips. Cara Cara Orange. Coffee.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Back home. Making dinner: Scallops with Brown Rice Quinoa Noodles, Broccoli, Carrots, and Potato Rolls.
Ana and I drive out to Toast just in time to catch this band she’s been following for a while now called Crumb. Coincidentally their name connects with the Toast name, ha. We creep our way up to the front. The front girl’s voice is soft, smooth, and somehow still clear amongst the dreamy sounds. The funky bass drives their nu jazz indie train. The whole thing feels satisfying to say the least.
We don’t stick around too long except enough time to buy a button and vinyl, say hi to our friends, and jet it back to VB. Stopping by Kroger for some late night groceries. Ana has her mind set on grapes but none are flavorful enough.
Back home. Enjoying some Pineapple and Yogurt.
Jamming with Ana in her room unplugged on guitars.