Monday September 30 2019

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

 

Date and Almond Bar. English Breakfast Tea.

 

My mom had surgery today, a hysterectomy. So I’m left to manage the Music Makers phone and scheduling for the day. I spend most of my afternoon dealing with that.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Poppy Seed Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

Watching In the Shadow of the Moon (2019).

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. Rachel’s here holding down the front desk.

 

Back home. Eating some quick cook Asian Noodles with Kale and Carrots.

 

Eating a mediocre Chocolate Cookie that Ana got from the bagel place.

 

Doing the accounting for the month.

 

 

Hanging out with Ana and the cat. Then, I put on some calming flute meditation music and we make fire.

 

Sleep 3 a.m.

Sunday September 29 2019

 

 

Waking up at 11 a.m.

 

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

 

At MMLIVE rehearsals all afternoon.

 

Snack break in between: Peanuts, Popcorn, Banana, and Iced Coffee.

 

After 6:30 p.m. it’s all over.

 

Back home. Warming up some leftovers mom got from Cracker Barrel: Fried Chicken, Biscuits, and Baby Broccoli.

 

Catching up on business.

 

At the studio practicing drums and configuring keyboard patches for the Fleetwood Mac set.

 

It always feels like I’m carrying the burden of tomorrow, like I’m trying to catch up on things before they hit. I’m exhausted and spread thin. Plus, mom has to go through a surgery tomorrow morning, a hysterectomy – nothing compared with her neck surgery before but still her battle continues. I just want her to be pain free.

 

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Saturday September 28 2019

 

 

Experiencing stressful dreams of being in uncomfortable situations and getting stuck in a loop of setting things up on a stage with all these things going wrong.

 

Waking up around 11 a.m. to the smell of Ana’s Pumpkin Pancakes downstairs.

 

Enjoying breakfast with Jenna, mom, and her.

 

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

 

Packing up the vehicles with music gear for the gig.

 

Leftover Spaghetti with Baby Broccoli and Kale.

 

At Aloha Snacks setting up on the back patio for the Musicplayer show. I get the first set going and soon after friends arrive. Ana and I do our thing and have a good time.

 

Talking with Jesse, the owner, afterwards. Discovering that I offended him earlier when he was recording a live video of me. I said something playful and sarcastic during that Shins song and I think he took it the wrong way. It really threw me off. I apologize cause I had no idea. Sometimes I forget I can’t act the same way I act with close friends. Hopefully we cleared the air.

 

After unloading everything back to Music Makers and setting things up there I finally arrive at home to unwind with a smoothie (made by mom) and relax in the living room.

 

 

Later on, Ana and I finish watching Aladdin (2019).

 

Sleep 3 a.m.

Friday September 27 2019

Waking up at 11:38 a.m.

 

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

 

Running errands. Picking up Ana’s bass and banjo from the Hawkins guy. That banjo has been over there for who knows how long. We just never got around to taking care of it.

 

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

Watching Anna (2019).

 

Teaching all my in-home lessons.

 

Afterwards, Ana and I hit up Gringo’s Tacqueria for our favorite Fish Tacos in town.

 

Then, practicing songs at the studio.

 

At home, mom is still struggling with pain in her neck. There’s a possibility the doctors spotted another mass. Even though she got surgery to remove the biggest part other things are still in danger of looming over her. I feel so bad and I hate to hear her moan in pain. 

 

 

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Thursday September 26 2019

Waking up later than usual at 11:38 a.m.

 

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

 

Running some errands.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Kale. Coffee Drink.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

 

Back home. Making dinner: Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti Noodles with Peppers, Onions, Baby Broccoli, and Baguette.

Watching Anna (2019).

 

At Ladada practice with the boys.

 

 

Chillin’ with Ana and the cat.

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Wednesday September 25 2019

Waking up at 11 a.m.

 

Date and Almond Breakfast Bar. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Basketball at the Rec. Only three teams and my team dominates every game so we stay on the court running non-stop.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese and Poppy Seeds. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

Watching Child’s Play (2019).

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. Feeling impatient today for some reason – finding it difficult to orchestrate the lesson without the student getting too carried away or lost on the piano.

 

Sharing dinner with mom: Tuna Steaks with Broccoli, Carrots, Onions, and Rice.

 

Melon.

 

Later on, Ana and I practice music at the studio.

 

Cookies.

 

 

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Tuesday September 24 2019

 

 

Waking up at 11 a.m.

 

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

 

Catching up on business and running errands.

 

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

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. As soon as we close I have to set up the waiting room for rehearsal.

 

Slurping up some leftover Vegetable Soup for dinner.

 

Then, our second band practice for Fleetwood Mac. It goes pretty long tonight.

 

Chatting with Ana in her room while Elvis runs around spastically.

 

 

Sleep 3 a.m.

Monday September 23 2019

Waking up at 11 a.m.

 

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

 

Basketball at the Rec.

 

Watermelon. Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

After lessons are done at 7 p.m. I unpack the order that just came in and practice a little drums.

 

As soon as Ana gets off work around 9 p.m. we head to Nawab to get some dinner but we have to bring it home.

 

We decide to not do music tonight and just hole up in her bedroom watching the newest Aladdin (2019).

 

 

Hitting the sack earlier than usual at 2:45 a.m.                       

Sunday September 22 2019

 


Waking up at 11 a.m.

 

Ana and I continue our Sunday tradition and hit up Three Ships for Biscuits, Pastries, and Coffee.

 

At the rehearsal spot beginning the fall session for Music Makers LIVE. Got three bands with so much talent and diversity. It’s a wonderfully fun and productive day.

 

 

Peanuts. Cantaloupe. Popcorn.

 

I scheduled the rehearsals to have 30 minute breaks in between, which is really nice.

 

Back home. Warming up some leftover Spaghetti, Kale, and French Baguette for dinner.

 

At the studio working on keyboard patches for the Fleetwood Mac band.

 

Cookies n’ Cream Gelato.

 

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Saturday September 21 2019

 

 

Waking up at 11:17 a.m.

 

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

 

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese and Poppy Seeds. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

Watching The Spy (2019).

 

Doing some errands and little things around the house.

 

 

Cooking. In between Jenna is moving her things into Austin’s old room. She’s got a friend helping her. I lend a hand lugging boxes and IKEA purchases up the stairs.

 

Hake Filets, Carrots, Onions, Baby Broccoli, Peppers, and Rice.

 

Organizing music gear and things at Music Makers. Then, loading everything over to the rehearsal spot in preparation for MMLIVE tomorrow.

 

Cookies n’ Cream Gelato.

 

 

Sleep next to her at 3:30 a.m.

Friday September 20 2019

 

 

Waking up at 11:27 a.m.

 

Cereal. Black Tea.

 

Chores – cleaning/organizing the bathroom – vacuuming.

 

Leftover Chicken Pad Thai with Kale and Cucumbers. Green Hibiscus Tea.

 

I decide to cancel my lessons for the day since we have a show later. Plus, I still need to practice and pack up.

 

Apple.

 

Later on, at Pizza Chapel setting up for the Musicplayer gig for Ana and I. We crowd up in the corner by the window at the end of the bar packed in like musical sardines performing 3 hours of songs. We threw in a couple new ones like “Last Nite” and “Float On”. It’s always nice to rotate new tunes for old tunes. Chowing down on Garlic Knots and Pizza.

 

After packing up and loading everything back into the studio we’re finally at home relaxing.

 

 

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Thursday September 19 2019


Waking up at 11 a.m.

 

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

 

Catching up on business. Organizing and planning the fall session for MMLIVE – composing emails and typing up schedules.

 

Running errands.

 

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

Watching The Spy (2019).

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home. Cooking dinner with mom: Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti Noodles with Tomatoes, Onions, Peppers, and French Baguette.

 

With Jonnie, Josiah, and Bobby at Ladada practice. We’ve skipped the last few weeks so it’s been a while. It feels nice to jam around with the boys.

 

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Wednesday September 18 2019

Waking up at 11 a.m.

 

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

 

Basketball at the Rec.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Cucumbers. Melon. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Green Hibiscus Tea.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Asian Pear.

 

After work, enjoying dinner with Ana and mom: Black Bean Tacos with all the fixin’s and Corn on the Cob.

 

Later on, Ana and I get a hefty practice on at the studio.

 

 

Settling down in bed together. Another “fire” session.

Tuesday September 17 2019

Waking up at 11 a.m.

 

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

 

Doing all kinds of chores – cleaning and preparing Austin’s old room – taking out the trash – organizing.

As I’m running up and down the stairs my mom pays notice, “You are a hard workin’ young man!”

She mentions how I really do get it from her.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese and Poppy Seeds. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Ana and I grab a quick bite to eat at Aloha Snacks.

 

I set up the waiting room at Music Makers to accommodate as a rehearsal room for tonight. They’re doing another Halloween show like we did last year and this time I’m a part of a Fleetwood Mac band with Aaron Lachman, Adam Hanson, Lena Klett, Edward Oast, and Tristyn Tate. It’s kind of interesting how this thing was organized cause some of us don’t know each other. I’m pleasantly surprised how easily we’re able to rehearse the songs. Lena, Ed, and Tristyn take over the vocals. We work on structure for four songs and I’m left pleasantly surprised at how well this worked out.

 

 

Sleep 4:30 a.m.

Monday September 16 2019

Waking up at 11 a.m.

 

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

 

Playing adult basketball at the Rec. I still feel out of practice here. The guys here run aggressively.

 

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

Watching Night Hunter (2018).

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home. Mom cooks dinner: Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, and Cabbage. We were both craving some Southern feel-good food.

 

Later on, Ana and I practice some music at the studio. At some point she seems unusually unenthusiastic and tired I guess.

 

 

Corn Tortilla Chips and Tea.

 

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Sunday September 15 2019

 

 

Waking up around 11:45 a.m.

 

Ana and I continue our Sunday tradition to Three Ships for Pastries, Biscuits, and Coffee.

 

Afterwards, I go over to Great Neck Park near the Rec where my old church is having a family picnic. My mom is there. I say hi to a few people. We walk to the water for a bit. Then, basketball with some of the kids.

 

Back home. Our friend and Music Makers student, Jenna, stops by to possibly be our new roommate. She’s been going through some big life changes and needs a new place to get her life together.

 

Eating some leftover Eggs, Pancakes, and Bacon from Ana.

 

Brainstorming with mom on how to sign up more members for MMLIVE bands.

 

Later on, mom and I drive over to Joe’s house off Cypress. He’s been a Music Makers guitar teacher for a few years now and is going to be moving to Hawaii very soon. He wanted to cook a special dinner for us, a Spanish inspired dish involving a large round steel skillet full of seafood, tomatoes, and short grain rice cooked over a charcoal grill. It’s a fun teamwork experience between us all. We over salted but it was still delicious. His Labrador dog runs around with a lot of energy. It’s nice just talking with Joe about music and perks/downsides to being a professional musician.

 

 

Back home. Settling down and organizing some things.

 

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Saturday September 14 2019

 

 

Waking up around 11:30 a.m.

 

Packing up the car, Ana and I hit the road towards Hopewell, Virginia. I’ve got A New World Record gig tonight. The sun is shining perfectly through the car windows as we enjoy each other’s company. Stopping by the Virginia Diner through Suffolk. Snacking on PB&J’s and Chocolate Peanuts.

 

 

At The Beacon Theater linking up with the band/crew. Setting up the stage. It’s an historic building with a lot of history. Many famous acts have performed here. Sound check goes smoothly.

 

 

Afterwards, Ana and I take a stroll across the street at a city park. It seems like they just recently built the playgrounds and wood walkways by the river. It’s a very beautiful scene. There’s a section of overgrown green leaves that envelopes a group of trees, like a blanket of green ivy. We walk up to the water where it kind of resembles/reminds me of Crystal Lake from the Jason movies. Ana and I do a photo shoot.

 

 

 

Eating Chinese food provided by the venue. Then, doing our ELO show (two 45 minute sets of all the ELO hits). The response from the crowd is grandiose, so much love for what we’re doing on stage reviving memories of their younger times.

 

Packing up and hitting the road.

 

Relaxing in the passenger seat on the drive back with Ana at the wheel. We’re both seemingly feeling at ease with each other after experiencing something different than just being at home and doing our usual things.

“Hey can I say something?” I interject during a song she wanted to listen to.

“What?” she always reacts eagerly whenever it sounds like I’m about to say something serious.

“Wouldn’t you say we got along really well today?”

We both agree. I guess we found hope in Hopewell.

 

After about two hours we make it back home. After editing all the video footage we settle down and enjoy watching it. Being playful and making “fire”.

 

Friday September 13 2019

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

 

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

 

Ana and I get into this argument/episode while cooking our individual oatmeal. Mine is always a thick consistency and hers is always really soupy. She takes it really personally when I call it “soup”. In my mind I’m just poking fun at her but she says the tone in my voice is very critical and it makes her feel like I’m saying my oatmeal is better than hers. There’s some unnecessary yelling but eventually we explain ourselves upstairs while our bowls of oatmeal get cold. I have to be careful and aware of the things I say to her cause sometimes she gets triggered emotionally. It’s not her fault cause everything springs from our childhood. As of late, this relationship is teetering on disaster but we keep the “power” and I’m not gonna let it die.

 

At the Rec shooting the basketball around.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Blueberry Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Iced Coffee.

Watching Dark Phoenix (2019).

 

Austin, Will, and their dad are here moving out all of Austin’s furniture and stuff from his room. It’s really happening. And we still haven’t clamped down a new roommate yet.

 

Doing all kinds of tasks – cleaning – organizing around the house and at the studio.

 

Practicing drums.

 

Tempeh with Onions, Celery, Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, and Quinoa.

 

Back at the studio changing strings on a couple guitars and playing more drums.

 

 

Talks in her bedroom:

Ana has continually said off and on throughout our relationship that she doesn’t want to be in it anymore. I continue to defend it and explain how we have to make a choice even when the flame fizzles out. While Elvis spastically runs around the room we dive deeper into these topics...

 

Later on, she’s lying next to me in my bed.

“You hear the crickets,” I ask.

“They’re loud.”

“They’re rooting for us.”

Thursday September 12 2019

Waking up at 11:27 a.m.

 

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

 

Catching up on business. Still searching for a roommate. Meeting with a dude from Blacksburg wearing flannel.

 

Working on some things at the studio.

 

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

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Eating leftovers for dinner.

 

Meeting with another potential roommate, an Israeli born dancer at Mermaids with a lot of positive energy especially around the cats.

 

ELO rehearsal – this time with Leon, the drummer. We rarely get to practice with him and we have a show coming up on Saturday.

 

Back home. Chillin’ with Ana, Austin, and Elvis at the table watching old videos of Kevin Moore, days of 1435 yore.

 

 

Sleep 3:45 a.m.

Wednesday September 11 2019

Waking up at 11:18 a.m.

 

Date and Almond Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

At the Princess Anne Rec for adult basketball. Haven’t been here all summer. I play hard full court games until I’m worn out.

 

Melon.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese and Poppy Seeds. Potato Chips. Raspberry Green Tea.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home. Cooking dinner: Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti Noodles with Peppers, Onions, Kale, and Garlic Bread.

Watching The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009).

 

At the studio practicing tunes with Ana.

 

 

Sleep 4:30 a.m.

Tuesday September 10 2019

 

Waking up at 11:20 a.m.

 

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

 

Catching up on business and chores.

 

Ana seems to be in a lighter and more vibrant mood.

 

Running some errands.

 

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

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home. Mom and I cook a fabulous dinner: Tuna Steaks with Fried Green Tomatoes, Roasted Okra, Eggplant, and Rice.

 

At the studio practicing some drums. Later on, Ana shows up and we jam a little on some White Stripes songs.

 

 

Sleep 4 a.m.

Monday September 9 2019

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

 

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

 

Ana and I go to the Rec. On the drive there we get into a heated argument – I mean I don’t know if I would call them arguments as much as they are just episodes. She’s been easily triggered the past couple of days.  She’s going through a lot of internal things that she still has to figure out. All I wanna do is be supportive but I feel like I can’t help her.

 

Shooting some basketball around.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Cucumbers. White Hibiscus Tea.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home. Eating dinner that a customer made for us: Lentils, Arugula, Sugar Snap Peas, Sweet Potato, etc.

 

ELO rehearsal.

 

At the studio restringing a student’s guitar and organizing some stuff.

 

Back home – settling in and snacking on Popcorn.

 

Later after I brush my teeth I reconvene with Ana continuing our conversation from earlier. It’s really rough the emotional turmoil she experiences. In the end I comfort her.

 

 

Sleep 4:30 a.m.

Sunday September 8 2019

Waking up around noon.

 

Ana made us Waffles and Coffee.

 

A potential new roommate, Jess, drops by to look at the place. She also works at Trader Joe’s. This place is becoming a dormitory for TJ’s employees. Austin’s moving out at the end of the month so we gotta find someone fast.

 

It’s my day off, or rather “my day on”, as I like to call it. Still many things I need to do on my day off.

 

Running errands – grocery stores – Taylor’s Do-It Center for bathroom cleaning supplies.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Kale. Sourdough Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. White Hibiscus Tea.

 

Attempting to clean off the black mold on our bathroom ceiling and cleaning the shower walls.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Dinner: Peas, Celery, Onions, Asparagus, and Rice.

Watching North Country (2005).

 

At the studio organizing stuff – trying to figure out how to set up a PA in the waiting room.

 

 

Sleep 3:40 a.m.

Saturday September 7 2019

 

Waking up at 11:11 a.m.

 

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

 

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Blueberry Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Kale, Carrots, and Cucumbers. Iced Coffee.

 

Ana and I decide to go on a bike ride adventure to the oceanfront. It’s a beautiful day for it and we don’t have to get to the gig too early tonight. We take 24th Street through to Beach Garden Park where the water tower is and they have this sidewalk strip that encircles the park. Discovering an old unkempt batting cage – I climb up the fencing for a photo opp. We take our time hanging out on our bikes.

 

 

We meander over to Lolly’s for an unplanned Ice Cream treat. Running into an old student of mine, Elsa, and her family. This kind of thing happens every so often.

 

Later on, we make it to Abbey Road Pub for our second night in a row. Tonight it’s more focused on our usual set with a few special guest appearances from Bianca, a piano student of mine, and Emma.

 

 

Enjoying a Shrimp Pasta dish for dinner.

 

Discovering our strong songs and okay songs but most are all strong songs to the untrained ear. The sound system can be a little confusing to control – they’ve got speakers hung all throughout the restaurant but in the end it all works out. Ana felt a little funky tonight but most people wouldn’t notice. We meet an older man walking around with a cooler full of candy – he’s known as The Candy Man around here – interesting guy with a few words of wisdom and jokes. Megan and her dad hang around to help pack up – Megan also joined us on stage for a few songs.

 

It’s been a long day. Lounging around with Ana and mom in the dining room recapping everything.

 

 

Sleep 4:30 a.m.