Monday April 30 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.


Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.


Basketball at the Rec.


Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Coffee.


Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.


Vegan Burgers, Fries, and Slaw for dinner with mom and Ana.


DEJA rehearsal – got a string of shows coming up this summer.


At the studio pricing and organizing things. Ana shows up and we play a little piano and guitar together.


Strawberry Muffins.


Rose Hip Hibiscus Tea.


Sleep 3 a.m.


[i] Image by me.

Sunday April 29 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.


Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Coffee.


Music Makers LIVE rehearsals all afternoon!


Toasted PB&J Bagel. Plantain Chips. Oolong Tea. Banana.


More rehearsals.


Back home after a long day’s work. Mom and I prepare dinner: Chicken with Peppers, Onions, Asparagus, Carrots, and Couscous.


Catching up on research.


At the studio restringing Ana’s guitar and practicing piano.


I’m rephrasing a quote from Blue Like Jazz:

“The greatest trick of the devil isn’t to get us into some sort of evil but to simply waste time! If he can sink a man’s mind into habit he can keep his heart from engaging God.”

These words always stick with me as I live about my sometimes routine life. I also look at it as keeping my heart from engaging with my true calling or what I was meant to do. I’m always questioning why I do what I do even when it feels right.


Sleep 3:30 a.m.


[i] Image by me.

Saturday April 28 2018

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.


Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Raisins, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Coffee.


Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

Orange.


Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Popped Chips. Oolong Tea.


Got no other obligations for the rest of the night. Gonna get stuff done.


Running errands.


Chores – cleaning the bathroom – vacuuming.


Making dinner with mom: Black Beans with Onions, Celery, Cauliflower, Okra, Carrots, and Quinoa.

Watching Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018).


Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups.


At both the studio and the rehearsal spot setting up for tomorrow and various things.


Chilling with Ana and Elvis in her bedroom – sipping on Chamomile Tea and plucking the bass.




Sleep 3:30 a.m.


[i] Images by Ana.

Friday April 27 2018

[i]

☼▬

It’s nighttime – and I’m at Music Makers like I usually am doing whatever I’m doing. I notice two middle school age kids scoping out the store with intent on breaking in. I’m a little scared but manage to make my way outside without them noticing. I wait inside my car nearby attempting to call 911 but it becomes a struggle – the touch features don’t work properly on the phone – Siri doesn’t understand what I mean. So I guess I have to deal with this myself. At some point the kids throw a rock through the main window smashing it. They take off down the street with black garbage bags full of stuff they stole from the studio. I catch up and reprimand them – taking back the bags.

“What’s both of your names?” I demand. “And what school do you go to?”

They both seem intimidated by me.

▬☼▬

It’s understood I’m enrolling back into high school for some reason. Jimmy, my former stepdad, drops me off in an old cream green van that looks similar to the Scooby Doo mobile. Checking in at the front desk. A lady behind a glass window tries to speak with me through the slotted hole. I guess it’s a dangerous school otherwise why would they have a window like this. It becomes a really stressful situation because none of us can understand or hear one another. Apparently, I’m supposed to get the car inspected before Jimmy drove off. So I try calling him to drive back but of course I have some difficulty using my phone (just like in the other dream). Meanwhile, my first class already started so I’m stressing about that.

“What would you like me to do?” I ask in frustration.

It gets heated to the point that I start using profanity.

“This is bullshit!” I exclaim.

As soon as I utter the words she reaches for a pen and paper writing up some bad behavior slip and calls the principal. It’s as if I’m some disrespectful teenager that needs reprimanding, which I guess I am in this case. But nothing about this situation seems fair. I wait and wait and wait. The first bell rings and the students rush to their second period class. I’m still waiting. At some point I decide to ask one of the other dudes working in the back what’s going on. He explains they’re still filling out the paper work? Paper work for what?

“Then I’m leaving!” I say as the final straw.  

I walk out the door with my backpack in rebellion – strolling through the quaint part of town. One of the ladies that works at the school follows me and makes friends with me. We reach the end of a patio right in front of the ocean. There are tourists everywhere. Below us I watch as people hop into the water with their clothes on and stuff for fun. The waves are crashing angrily so it all seems very dangerous. An Asian couple take a dive on their backs and a wave violently pulls the dude slam into the pole of a pier. His dangling body is stuck somehow. I think he’s dead. The girlfriend coughs uncontrollably. All of us on the second floor react in unison, “OOOOOOH!”

I’m very concerned and try asking the people below to help pull them out of the water. It’s very stressful to watch cause there’s nothing I can do.

“Somebody help them!”

▬☼


Waking up at 10:30 a.m. with lots of anxiety and feeling unresolved from the dreams.


Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Irish Breakfast Tea.


Basketball at the Rec.


Watermelon. Egg Salad Sandwich with Lettuce and Tomato. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Coffee.


Mom and I load up the station wagon and head to Norfolk. Music Makers got asked to showcase some of our students at The Hullabaloo for The International TATOO Festival. It’s a whole big thing right outside The Scope and The Chrysler Museum. All of our performers, some my students and some Lisa’s, do a fantastic job singing their hearts out.







After everyone does their solo performances I have everyone join in together with drums, tambourines, and kazoos to the tune of The Beatle’s “Let It Be”.


After loading out and packing up I treat mom and Lisa to dinner down the street – our original plan was to eat at Mr. Shawarma but they’re closed. We end up at Pelon’s Baja Grill for Shrimp Tacos, Chips n Salsa, and Drinks. Lisa has been an extremely important part of Music Makers and we are grateful to have her.


Back home. Enjoying some Gelato and catching up on NBA playoff games.


Relaxing and catching up with Ana on the day and thoughts.


Sleep 3 a.m.


[i] Images by me.

Thursday April 26 2018

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.


Honey Crunch n Oats with Strawberries and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.


Teaching a voice lesson – preparing Caitlyn for the performance tomorrow.


Grilled PB&J. Popped Chips. Coffee. Watermelon.


Teaching lessons at Music Makers.


Apple.


Back home. Fixing up dinner with mom’s help: Black Beans with Onions, Celery, Brussel Sprouts, Broccoli, and Rice/Quinoa. Pineapple Hefeweizen.

Watching Kill the Irishman (2011).


Ladada rehearsal with Bobby, Josiah, and Jonnie.




Pineapple and Grapes.


Sleep 3:45 a.m.


[i] Image by me.

Wednesday April 25 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.


Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.


Basketball at the Rec.


Scrambled Eggs. Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese, Poppy Seeds, and Sesame Seeds. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Coffee.




Teaching lessons at Music Makers.


Orange. Banana.


Back home. Making dinner for mom, Ana, and I: Egg Noodles, Peas, Kale, Onions, Celery, Carrots, and Naan Bread. Sharing our meal at the table with glasses of Red Wine (Chianti).


Catching up on lots of business.


Watermelon.


Playing the piano.


Sleep 4 a.m.


[i] Images by me.

Tuesday April 24 2018

Waking up at 10:45 a.m.


Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.


Catching up on business.


Errands.


Scrambled Eggs. Vegan Sausage. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Potato Chips. Coffee.


Teaching lessons at Music Makers.


Orange.


Back home. Mom and Ana fix up dinner: Lentils, Carrots, Mushrooms, Onions, Celery, Kale, and Brown Rice/Quinoa.


Teaching an online lesson.


Strawberry Muffins.


Ana and I hang out at the studio – making a little love at some point.


Chamomile Tea. Donut.


Sleep 3 a.m.

Monday April 23 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.


Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.


Basketball at the Rec. My team is dominatin’!


Pineapple. Egg Salad Sandwich with Lettuce and Tomato. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Coffee.

Watching Pickpockets (2017).


Teaching lessons at Music Makers.


Ana made dinner: Vegetable and Bean Soup with Naan Bread.


DEJA rehearsal – dusting off the cobwebs. Eric is back fully recovered from being hospitalized.


Groceries.


Vanilla Gelato. Meanwhile, Ana bakes Strawberry Muffins.


Chamomile Tea.


Sleep 3:30 a.m.


[i] Image by me.

Sunday April 22 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.


Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Coffee.


Coaching bands at Music Makers LIVE. It’s a chaotic day as usual with all kinds of semi-drama. But in the end all bands are very productive.


PB&J Sweet Potato Biscuits. Oolong Tea.


More band rehearsals.


Pineapple.


After 7 p.m. finally home. Mom makes a fantastic dinner: Tempeh with Celery, Onions, Mushrooms, Broccoli, Carrots, and Brown Rice.


At the studio working on some things while Ana practices guitar.


Berry DeTox Tea.


Sleep 3:30 a.m.


[i] Image by me.

Saturday April 21 2018

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.


Ana made us Blueberry Pancakes with Coffee.


Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.


Scrambled Eggs. Potatoes (that got slimy from coming straight from the freezer to the pan). Toast with Butter and Jam. English Breakfast Tea.


Running some errands with Ana.

...

While at the CHKD thrift store we come across an interesting guy who seems to have some kind of mental issue. He sort of talks to himself and says things that make half sense.

“I gotta keep thinkin’ about what I’m thinkin’ about,” he blurts out while walking by the electronics section.

...

Some lady asks how he’s doing. “Oh, just fuckin’ around,” he responds so nonchalant.

...

“It’s 6:47 PM...in the afternoon!” he exclaims while at the register.


Later on, Ana and I meet up at Zach’s house (of Snake Mountain Revival) in Shadowlawn with Josiah and Jonnie. Grabbin’ some Pizzas and Garlic Knots from Pizza Chapel. In the living room noodling around on the various instruments everywhere. Meanwhile, episodes from Planet Earth II show on the TV.


Setting up stuff at the rehearsal spot.


Sleep 3 a.m.


[i] Image by me.

Friday April 20 2018

[i]

Waking up at 8:05 a.m.


Breakfast Bar with English Breakfast Tea.


Having my fourth and final appointment with Michelle at the ODU Dentistry. The assessment is done and now we can finally do a teeth cleaning.


Elliott hooks a brother up with some biscuits at Handsome Biscuit.


Napping.


Chicken Sweet Potato Biscuit. Carrots, Cucumber, and Tomatoes. Coffee.

Watching Come Sunday (2018).


Teaching all my in-home lessons. Almost every house I stop at involves a little basketball playing with the boys beforehand.


Back home. Dinner: Lentils with Kale, Quinoa, and Naan Bread.


Running a few late night errands.


Sleep 3:30 a.m.


[i] Image by me.

Thursday April 19 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.


Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. Earl Grey Tea.


Teaching a few afternoon lessons.


Scrambled Eggs. Bagel with Butter and Jam. Veggie Chips. Guayusa Tea.


Teaching lessons at Music Makers.


Banana.


Back home. Mom and I make dinner: Vegan Dogs with Potatoes, Peppers, Onions, and Brussel Sprouts.

Watching Come Sunday (2018).


Ladada rehearsal with Josiah, Bobby, and Jonnie. Sipping on Kolsch Beers.


Sleep 3 a.m.


[i] Image by me.

Wednesday April 18 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.


Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Irish Breakfast Tea.


Basketball at the Rec. Meanwhile, Ana exercises. I always run into Jimmy Napier, my mom’s past husband and father to my late sister. He always asks about how the business is going and coming over again to play music.


Scrambled Eggs. Potatoes. Bagel with Butter and Jam. Coffee.


Teaching lessons at Music Makers.


Afterwards, mom and I grab dinner at Jane’s House, the old China Wok restaurant.  Chowing down on some Vegetable Lo Mein and Broccoli.


After that, I head over to Jonna’s house for another massage. I think I might do these twice a month for a while. I give her daughter, Liv, a mini drum lesson. I helped them buy a good drum set a while back. Sophie, the other kid is running around with a basketball doing soccer tricks with it. It’s always a good time over here.


Cupcakes.


Oolong Tea.


Sleep next to Ana at 3 a.m.


[i] Image by me.

Tuesday April 17 2018


Waking up at 11 a.m.


Breakfast Bar with Coffee.


Taking care of business.


Tuna Salad Sandwich with Lettuce and Tomato. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Guayusa Tea.


Teaching lessons at Music Makers.


Orange.


Back home. Making dinner: Vegetable Fried Rice with Peas, Kale, and Carrots.

Finishing Heat (1995). Amazed at the timeless quality to this film.


Teaching an online lesson.


Cupcakes.


Doing chores and prepping in the kitchen.


Ana and I enjoy a few rounds of Flip The Credit.


Sleep around 2:30 a.m.

Monday April 16 2018


Waking up at 10:30 a.m.


Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Irish Breakfast Tea.


Basketball at the Rec. Feeling good on the courts – knocking down 3’s and playing good basketball.


Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Guayusa Hibiscus Tea.

Watching Heat (1995).


Teaching lessons at Music Makers.


Orange.


Dinner: Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti Noodles with Mushrooms, Peppers, Onions, Marinara Sauce, and Parm Bread.


Catching up on business – doing chores.


Hanging with Ana in her room. We have a deep conversation about our sex life and ways to improve our communication skills. It’s nice when two people can both take responsibility.


Sleep 3:45 a.m.

Sunday April 15 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.


Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. Coffee.


MMLIVE spring session #2.


Good times and most rehearsals are productive.


PB&J. Popped Chips. Banana. Oolong Tea.


The rehearsals continue until 6:30.


Running a few errands.


Meanwhile, mom makes a bangin’ dinner: Marsala Chicken with Mushrooms, Onions, Kale, Carrots, and Rice.

Watching All The Money In The World (2017).


“It’s tea time,” I exclaim to Ana as she brings her nightly tea upstairs to her room. I join her with mine. I fold one of her old debit cards in half, which inspires us to create a spin-off of “Pass the Pigs”. We call it “Flip the Credit”. We take turns flipping the card with our finger and obtaining points.




She gets weird later on when it’s time to say goodnight. I lose my patience with this mood of hers. But eventually, she joins me in bed.


[i] Image by me.

Saturday April 14 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:45 a.m.


Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Irish Breakfast Tea.


Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.


Immediately after, I gotta load up the wagon (with mom’s help in her borrowed hatchback). Ana and I have a gig at Smartmouth in Norfolk. This time they’ve got us outside right in front of the food truck. The sun is shining and the breeze is blowin’! My dad and his wife make it up from North Carolina. Ana’s mom and her brothers are here. Other friends are here.








We do our thing with almost 3 hours worth of music. Sipping on a Belgian Beer and enjoying some Pulled Chicken with Slaw, Beans, and Cornbread.


Afterwards, with Anthony, Ana, and mom at Doumar’s, the oldest diner in Norfolk, to treat everyone for Ice Cream Cones.




And so begins the rest of my night consisting of transporting the gear back to the rehearsal spot and the studio – loading – unloading.


Finally back home close to midnight. Doing chores. Settling in.


Sleep 2:30 a.m.


[i] Images by me.

Friday April 13 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:45 a.m.


Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. Guayusa Tea.


Basketball at the Rec.


Tuna Salad Sandwich with Lettuce and Tomato. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato. Coffee. Banana.

Watching All The Money In The World (2017).




Teaching all my in-home lessons.


Fuji Apple.


Later on at dinnertime Ana and I decide to venture on the town with no real plan on where to eat. Initially, we were going to Brother’s Pizza but ended up at this Italian restaurant called When In Rome. They serve fresh pasta every day. There’s definitely some high $$$ signs on the menu but it’s nice to go out and forget about money. We enjoy a couple appetizers and big plates of Pasta, Salmon, Clams, Mussels, Shrimp, and Bread. Sipping on a wonderful Red Wine.


Later on, Ana and I do some last minute practicing at the studio.


Orange.


Sleep 2:30 a.m.


[i] Images by me.