Thursday December 31 2020

 

Waking up around 11:50 a.m.

 

Cereal with Blueberries and Almond Milk. Tea.

 

Catching up on business and scheduling.

 

Grilled PB&J. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home. I brought pizza from Pizza Chapel for the house. Umit, our new roommate, makes up a mixed drink to share. We gear up the house for a New Years Eve celebration – but super low key and a small amount of people. Tristan comes by. Roland has Jenna and Zach over. I finally open up the champagne bottle that’s been in my fridge for over a year. I joke about how we’re drinking the tears of 2020. Even though the pandemic is still in effect it’s a huge relief to see this year come to a close.

 

 

Wednesday December 30 2020

Waking up around 11:40 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Raisins, and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.

 

Helping Ana drop off her car at the shop – running errands.

 

Chic Pea Salad Sandwich with Tomatoes, Spinach Salad, and Salt Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home. Ana made a wonderful dinner: Red Lentil Curry with Zucchini, Carrots, Cabbage, and Quinoa.

Watching Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991).

 

Doing chores and cleaning up around the house.

 

Playing DOOM.

 

Tuesday December 29 2020

Waking up off and on but officially at 11:20 a.m.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

Running errands with Ana – dropping off some Christmas gifts my aunt Pansy wanted me to deliver to my cousin, Alisha. Picking up bagels, getting gas, and getting groceries.

 

Hard Boiled Egg with Spinach and Pasta Salad. Everything Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Coffee.

Watching The Midnight Sky (2020).

 

I only have a few lessons at Music Makers – running some other errands in between.

 

Aloha Snacks for dinner – Snook Sammy with Fries.

 

Coaching a band jam with a few of the kids from 8:30 to 10:00.

 

Back home. Playing DOOM.

 

Prepping in the kitchen – making Chic Pea Salad and pickling things.

 

Monday December 28 2020

 

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

 

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

 

Working out on my own at Houze of Champions.

 

Apple.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Coffee. Popped Chips.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Re-caulking the bath tub again. That magic strip I put on just didn’t work cause the tub itself shifts whenever you add weight to it causing any caulking there to crack over time. So I apply a heavy duty caulk and reapply throughout the night.

 

Ana and I grab sushi for dinner at Volcano off Great Neck.

 

Back home. Catching up on business and things. Snacking on Fudge and sipping on Green Tea.

 

Playing DOOM.

 

Making fire with Ana before sleep.

 

Sunday December 27 2020

Waking up around 10:40 a.m. to a bright lit room in my dad’s house in Goldsboro, North Carolina.

 

Enjoying an Egg and Biscuit at the table talking with my dad.

 

It’s been nice staying here for the weekend and just spending time with him.

 

At some point I have to take off. I hit the road around 2:30 towards VB.

...

Snacking on Peanut Butter Pretzels and Popped Chips for a lunch. Coffee from Starbucks using a gift card.

...

Listening to all kinds of Motown and 90’s dance music.

 

Back home at a decent hour. Unpacking and general chores.

 

Our new roommate, Umit, is blending in nicely with the house. He hangs with Roland and crew out on the back patio. Meanwhile, I catch up on things.

 

Saturday December 26 2020

 

Waking up bright and early off and on until about 10 a.m.  I’m at dad’s house in Goldsboro. Slept in the bed I used to sleep in as a boy.

 

Nut Protein Bar. Tea.

 

Dad drives us to the air force base in Goldsboro. I have many memories here growing up and so does he. Even though it’s about 30 degrees cold out we take a walk throughout the base – he shows me his usual route when he does his daily walks. We skirt the edges where the runways are and they keep all the jets. It’s very quiet out here. Chatting with him about things of the past. It’s kind of interesting digging into what happened when him and mom separated. So many different decisions could’ve been made and who knows where I would’ve ended up. Overall, I’m grateful for how things went down cause I wouldn’t be the man I am today if they went any other way.

 

 

Shooting some basketball on some courts nearby.

 

We grab a bite to eat at the bowling alley. There’s quite a few families here along with seniors incessantly playing Bingo. Enjoying an Egg and Cheese Bagel with a Coffee.

 

Back at his house. With the TV on a college basketball game we both take a nap. It’s nice to just be able to relax without any worries.

...

We pop open a few bottles of red wine I brought him and go through some old things in the attic. He gives me his army duffle bag with all the gear he used to wear including a gas mask, canteen, and full camo outfit.

 

Eating leftovers from Christmas dinner. Apple Pie.

 

Chilling in the living room we talk about various things going on in the world. He tends to lean right in politics but he’s always sensible. Meanwhile, Christmas Vacation is on, the quintessential movie of the season. It never gets old.

 

Friday December 25 2020

 

Waking up at 10:10 a.m.

 

Protein Bar. Irish Breakfast Tea.

 

Hitting the road bright and early down to North Carolina.

 

It’s an easy drive to the town of Washington. Meeting up at my aunt Pansy’s house with her, Peter, and my dad. We all stay masked up most of the time until we enjoy the meal. It’s quite a classic spread of turkey, stuffing, ham, rolls, collard greens, deviled eggs, cranberry, 9 layer chocolate cake and Ana’s homemade apple pie.

 

 

It’s nice taking it easy. Pansy’s little Pomeranians are funny little dogs.

 

Dad and I have to hit the road back to Goldsboro before it gets dark at 5 p.m. I follow him down through all the winding back roads.

 

Back at his place on Joscara. We relax in the living room talking about this and that. Doing FaceTime calls with Ana’s family back in VB and then Patty in Honduras. Eating Biscuits and Coffee.

 

Thursday December 24 2020

 

Waking up around 11:48 a.m.

 

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

 

I decided to have a workout session with Vlad. I missed Monday’s workout so I definitely needed to exercise.

 

Banana Cacao Protein Drink.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Biscuit with Butter and Jam. Spinach. Coffee.

 

Cleaning out the last of what’s in Dennis’s old room. It’s completely bare in there now except for some shelves on the wall and Richie’s old mural. Got Umit, a Turkish guy we met in the neighborhood, moving in tomorrow.

 

Finishing up last minute gift/Christmas cards.

 

Ana makes us a nice dinner: Falafel Burgers with Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, and Sweet Potatoes. We enjoy in the living room.

Watching Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989).

 

All through the neighborhood not a creature was stirring, not even a cat. Except Ana and Robert...taking the recycle out.

 

Later on, we do a gift/card exchange in the living room. Of course both of us go all out and creative with homemade cards. I came up with a scheme to include three riddles for her to solve in order to figure out where her gifts were in the house. We both mention my mom – it sometimes feels like she’s watching over us. This time of year is always the hardest with lost loved ones.

 

 

Wednesday December 23 2020

Waking up around noon.

 

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

 

Catching up on business and Christmas stuff.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Spinach. Toast with Butter and Jam. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home. Picking up things. I’ve scheduled a couple potential roommates to drop by to see the place, Karim and Sarah. They both ended up showing up around the same time so it’s kind of awkward but not. We chat with both of them in the empty room upstairs. Both have their unique personalities and bring their own things to the table.

 

Chores.

 

Writing cards.

 

Playing DOOM. Then, sleeping next to Ana.

 

Tuesday December 22 2020

Waking up around 11:48 a.m.

 

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

 

Ana’s been hurting herself a lot lately. Last week she fell in a weird way at work. Then, the cat bit into her hand sort of accidentally. Then, this morning she trips at the bottom of the stairs. We joke about cause and effect – if there’s an effect she’s the cause.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Grabbing some groceries at Kroger.

 

Pasta leftovers for dinner.

Watching Beneath a Sea of Lights (2020).

 

Cleaning up the kitchen.

 

Later on after Ana gets off work at midnight we have a potential roommate check out the place. This Turkish guy who already lives in Chanticleer, Umit. He’s bringing good vibes.

 

In the dining room, Roland, Ana, and I get into a deep therapy session about the mental effects of working in customer service and seeking motivation in life.

 

Monday December 21 2020

Waking up around 11:40 a.m.

 

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

 

Catching up on business and things in my room.

 

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

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home. Ana and I warm up leftovers for dinner and watch an episode of Bewitched.

 

Writing Christmas cards and doing chores.

 

Grapefruit.

 

Playing DOOM.

 

Sunday December 20 2020

 

Waking up around 12:30 a.m.

 

Protein Bar. Tea.

 

Taking care of general things around the house.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Spinach. Coffee.

 

Before you know it the sun has set and it’s dark out after 5 p.m.

 

Ana and I run some errands – delivering Christmas cards to a few people – returning some things at Michael’s – getting groceries at Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.

 

Back home. Prepping and cooking dinner.

We watch an episode of Bewitched in the living room over bowls of fresh Brown Rice Quinoa Noodles with Peppers, Mushrooms, Onions, Tomato Sauce, and Kale.

 

Taking care of things at the studio – printing/cutting more Christmas cards.

 

Saturday December 19 2020

Waking up around 11:40 a.m.

 

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

 

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

 

Sardines on Baby Kale and Spinach Salad. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Coffee.

 

After lunch, Ana and I begin our journey through Hilltop running all kinds of errands – dropping off Christmas cards to a few students – buying more picture frames from Michael’s – buying stamps at Wal-Mart – buying a few new pants and undies from H&M (meanwhile, Roland is just getting off work so we give him a ride back home).

 

Dinner at Nawab, our favorite Indian restaurant.

 

Afterwards, printing out a few photos at Walgreen’s – picking up a few things from Target (meanwhile, we run into Doug Nicholson there).

 

Back home.

 

Doing all kinds of house duties and catching up on chores.

 

Friday December 18 2020

 

Waking up around noon next to Ana. Letting Elvis in like usual – he likes to be cuddly in the morning. Meanwhile, Ana and I make fire.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

Catching up on business – doing things around the house.

 

Running errands – buying some 8x10 frames at Michael’s. I had some photos printed and didn’t realize how great they look in frames.

 

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

 

At the storage unit off Tidewater with Josiah and Josh having Bamm Bamm practice – it’s a good time as usual – working through songs – just jamming – hearing legendary tour stories from Josh (he could write a book one day).

 

Back home. Enjoying leftovers for dinner.

Watching Lucky Day (2019).

 

Playing DOOM.

 

Thursday December 17 2020

Waking up around 11:40 a.m.

 

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

 

Workout session with Vlad. Ana tags along – focusing on the legs with some biceps/triceps.

 

Protein Shake.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Spinach. Toast with Butter and Jam. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Ana and I grab dinner at Aloha Snacks – trying out the new Beer Battered Fish Sammy with Fries.

 

Afterwards, we do a band jam with Billy and Thomas Moore. I haven’t seen Thomas in a long time. We jam on a cool original tune at first then try out Tom Sawyer by Rush. Ana sings while Billy shreds on the guitar.

 

Wednesday December 16 2020

Waking up around 11:45 a.m.

 

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

 

Catching up on business. Running errands. Once again, it’s raining.

 

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

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. It’s a hectic Wednesday, as Wednesdays usually are.

 

Back home. Ana made dinner: Vegan Burgers with Tomatoes. Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Potatoes.

Watching Sound of Metal (2019), about a drummer that loses his hearing and learning how to cope with it.

 

Green Tea.

 

Later on, writing Christmas cards. It takes time cause I insist on writing them for all my students.

 

Brioche Bun with Nutella.

 

Playing DOOM.

 

Tuesday December 15 2020

Waking up around noon.

 

Cereal. Irish Breakfast Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Running errands – shopping at Target.

 

 

Leftover Salmon Wellington with Eggs. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Chicken Pad Thai for dinner.

 

Power napping.

 

Chocolate Chip Brioche Buns. Green Tea.

 

Monday December 14 2020

Waking up around 11:40 a.m.

 

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

 

Workout session with Vlad. It’s a case of the Rainy Mondays – not feeling as strong as I usually do but we still accomplish a lot.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Baby Kale Salad. Toast with Butter and Jam. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home. Cooking dinner for Ana and I: Japanese Style Fried Rice with Kale, Carrots, and Peas. Hanging out and talking.

 

Sitting at the computer desk writing personal Christmas cards for all my students, teachers, and friends. I won’t finish tonight but I get a handful done.

 

Hot Cocoa.

 

Sunday December 13 2020

Waking up some time after noon.

 

Cereal with Granola, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.

 

Doing some work around the house.

 

Prepping in the kitchen.

 

Running errands – getting groceries at Kroger and Whole Foods.

 

Trying out a recipe for Salmon Wellington, basically a puff pastry with Salmon, Spinach, Cream Cheese, Onions, Oat Crumbs, Parmesan, and Dill. It turned out beautifully I have to say.

Later on after Ana gets off work we chill in the dining room enjoying the Christmas vibes while a King Gizzard/60’s playlist jams on the stereo. I replaced two of the bulbs in some lamps with red and green lights – makes it feel like we’re underwater according to Ana. Sitting here at the table putting chocolate stars into baggies for me to give away as Christmas gifts to the students. Meanwhile, Ana has a lot to say – she’s in a generally uplifting mood, which I value greatly. 

 

Saturday December 12 2020

Waking up around noon.

 

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

 

Teaching a few afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

 

The weather is nice once again!

 

Sardines with Kale, Pickled Onions/Cabbage, and Mustard. Toast with Butter and Jam. Coffee.

Watching AVA (2020).

 

Taking care of chores – vacuuming, etc.

 

Catching up on business.

 

After Ana gets off work we buy a new baking sheet and Spindrift from Target. Then, picking up a pizza from Pizza Chapel for dinner. Watching the last half of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975).

 

After cleaning up, Ana and I run late night errands – dropping off recycle – at the studio printing out Christmas cards we designed. She drew it out on paper and I digitized it.

 

There’s a major accident right out in front of Chanticleer. They won’t even let us pass until the tow trucks clear.

 

Later on, when settling down for bed we get into an intense talk about how important space is between us sometimes and not putting guilt trips on one another.

 

Friday December 11 2020

Waking up real late just before 1 p.m.

 

Cereal with Blueberries and Almond Milk.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Ana and I take a trip to Three Ships to pick up coffee beans and biscuits. Elliott of course is there – it’s always nice to run into him. The couple of girls that work there always remember us.

 

Taking care of house things.

 

The temperature outside is perfect. I take the opportunity to shoot hoops on the Lynnhaven courts. Other dudes show up and we’re able to play full court 5v5 games for hours.

 

Back home. Warming up the Lentil Curry and Kale for dinner.

Watching AVA (2020).

 

I decided to scrape off all the caulking in the tub and apply this magic caulk strip down. We’ve had leak issues forever and a day. Most of it is caused from cracking in the caulk. So I take it upon myself to remedy this.