Monday November 30 2020

Waking up around 11 a.m.

 

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

 

Catching up on business.

 

Ana and I do a workout session with Vlad.

 

Banana Protein Shake.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Green Beans. Toast with Butter and Jam. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home.

Eating leftovers: Pancit Noodles with Herring and Kale.

 

Doing the accounting.

 

When Ana gets off work I’m in the middle of putting up the small Christmas tree up on the dining booth. My mom bought this tree a few years ago so 1435 could have something. While putting all the old family ornaments up Elvis pokes his head around and Ana enjoys those cheese-less cheesecake things.

 

Sunday November 29 2020

 

Waking up semi early around 10:30 a.m.

 

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

 

Ana and I hit the road with plans to enjoy a leisurely day in nature. Checking out the Suffolk side of The Great Dismal Swamp. This is a “staycation” as they call it since we’re not even leaving the 757. Walking a total of 9 miles along the Washington Ditch deep in the heart of the swamp all the way to Lake Drummond. It’s a long, long walk but we soak it all in – chatting about everything – listening to music – listening to the stillness. We’ve been long overdue for a nature trip.

 

 

Our legs are killing us upon returning to the car. Driving back home to VB.

 

Ana and I curl up on the couch and take power naps. Elvis snuggles into a crevice between our legs. He’s a pro at cat napping.

 

We decide to hit up our favorite local Italian restaurant, When in Rome. They gave us a table right near the kitchen in view of the chef cooking on the gas stove. I envy a stove like this. Enjoying beautiful plates of Pasta, Salads, Cannolis, and Chianti wine.

 

 

Catching up on chores and business back home.

 

At the studio late at night organizing and things.

 

Saturday November 28 2020

Waking up around noon. I rustle up Ana and I to check out the VB Flea and Farmer’s Market over by Three Ships. We never get the opportunity to check these kinds of things out cause by the time we wake up it’s all over.

 

There’s quite a lot of people (masked up) strolling around from booth to booth – vintage clothes, pottery, and antiques. Nate Sacks and company are playing right out of Igor’s garage. Buying a few t-shirts from Pink Dinghy and Three Ships.

 

Back home. Enjoying Waffles and Coffee.

 

Ana and I continue to enjoy our joint days off together. Doing chores around the house – cleaning the downstairs bathroom and some of the upstairs bathroom – vacuuming.

 

Running errands.

 

Smoked Salmon Sandwich with Vegan Cream Cheese. Green Tea.

 

Getting groceries.

 

Doing more stuff around the house.

 

Making dinner: BBQ Tempeh with Peppers, Onions, Celery, Green Beans, Carrots, and Rice.

Watching an episode of Ratched (2020).

 

Cleaning up.

 

Friday November 27 2020

 

Waking up around noon.

 

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

 

Catching up on business.

 

Heading out to Norfolk for the Dark Arts Fest at Smartmouth. Quite a few bands playing and a pop up market. I’m playing bass in Bamm Bamm, a lineup with Josiah and Josh McHugh. We only had two practices but we manage to rock through the half hour set. It’s an interesting set up outside with the stage right under the garage doors and tables spaced out. People still stand around in small groups all masked up. It almost feels normal again! I set up two iPads to live stream Facebook and Instagram – seems to work out well. Later on, Community Witch, Song of Praise, and Norfolk Nightmares perform. It’s a real fun time.

 

Afterwards, hangin’ with Josh and Josiah over by Cogan’s Pizza. They closed early so we stand around outside recapping the show and our thoughts. Meanwhile, the dudes smoke through a couple cigarettes.

 

Back home. Settling down with Ana over some chips and salsa.

 

Thursday November 26 2020

 

Waking up around noon.

 

Cereal with Blueberries and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.

 

Doing stuff around the house.

 

Ana and I head out to Norfolk to her mom’s house for a small Thanksgiving meal. Her mom’s husband and Jeremy are here too. Enjoying a classic spread: Turkey, Stuffing, Roasted Veggies, and Mashed Potatoes with Gravy.

...

Later on, we take a walk down the street to the park. Papa and Sunshine, the tiny loving dogs, are with us. Ana keeps complaining how they don’t know how to walk on a leash. Some kids are playing basketball nearby. I join in for a 3v3 pick-up game.

 

 

Playing music in one of the bedrooms with everyone – skimming through piano books and trying out different songs.

 

Back home in VB. Sharing a quick dinner with Ana: Spinach Salads with Smoked Salmon and Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Coffee.

 

Doing some chores. Ana accidentally sucked up a sock in the vacuum hose. I spend a good amount of time troubleshooting how to pull it out. But in the end I use my ingenuity screwing in a bolt to the end of a curtain rod – does the job!

 

Later on, at the studio trying to configure the best way to set up iPads on a music stand for the live stream tomorrow.

 

https://youtu.be/7mcJDsviXXc

Wednesday November 25 2020

Waking up around 11:38 a.m.

 

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

 

Workout session with Vlad.

 

Banana Strawberry Protein Shake.

 

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

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Off work Ana and I attempt to grab some special thing Pink Dinghy was doing but we’re too late cause they ran out. Instead, we grab some Fish Tacos from Gringo’s.

 

Driving out to the Tidewater storage unit for Bamm Bamm practice. It’s only our second time in preparation for Friday’s show. We hit a few stressful moments when trying to show Josh the drum parts for “Party”. Josiah hits a low point of impatience but in the end we manage to be nice to each other and nail the songs.

 

Tuesday November 24 2020

Waking up around 11:39 a.m.

 

Cereal with Blueberries and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.

 

Catching up on business and things.

 

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

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home. Cooking up leftovers: Veggie Pad Thai with Peas and Pumpkin Empanadas.

 

Finishing up the last of the band photos and emails for Music Makers.

 

Green Tea. Grapefruit.

 

Chores.

 

Monday November 23 2020

 

Waking up around 11:38 a.m.

 

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

 

Workout session with Vlad.

 

Banana.

 

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

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Watching YouTube.

 

Organizing/posting photos from the last MMLIVE show – it’s always such a tedious and time consuming task.

 

Grapefruit.

 

Chores – dishes – washing the trash can – changing the cat litter.

 

Sunday November 22 2021

Waking up around noon. Elvis is vying for affection and attention from Ana and I while we lay lazily in the bed.

 

Cereal with Strawberries and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Running errands with Ana – getting groceries at Whole Foods. All of creation seems to be here gathering up Thanksgiving supplies.

 

Spinach Salad with Tuna, Beets, and Cucumbers. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

Watching an episode of Kitchen Nightmares.

 

In the evening I decide to stop by Elevation 27 to drop off this cable we accidently grabbed from last show. I walk in the back door and discover Mae is sound checking! There’s Zach holding his guitar. I chat with him, Jacob, and Dave for a bit. How funny is this?

 

At the studio pulling out all the Christmas decorations and hanging everything up.

 

Leftovers for dinner: Peas and Rice with Mushroom Pastry, Kale, and Carrots.

 

Chores.

 

Saturday November 21 2020

 

Waking up at 11:45 a.m.

 

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

 

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

 

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

 

Meeting up with Josiah and Josh McHugh at the Tidewater storage unit. We have a Bamm Bamm show next Friday and today is our first practice to learn 8 songs. It goes over well actually – throwing in old pre-Ladada songs that Josh originally played on and some fresh new tunes Josiah came up with recently.

 

I make it back to VB just in time for the live stream show at the new Three Ships warehouse in Hilltop. Elliott’s the grandmaster behind this whole thing. He’s got Bobby and Jesse Philips running sound and trying to configure the live stream. Community Witch goes on first. There seems to be a problem with the audio on the Facebook stream – it’s not synced up and there’s a weird static sound interrupting the feed but we power through it. You’re Jovian goes next. It all sounds great and full in the room. Joe Justice is here shooting photography for the performances and doing some poses in front of the garage door. It’s an overall fun time. Afterwards, everybody pitches in to help clean/pack up.

 

 

Friday November 20 2020

 

Waking up around noon.

 

Cereal with Strawberries and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.

 

Ana and I run some Friday afternoon errands. It’s a beautiful day to experience the crowded streets and grocery stores of Hilltop. Stopping by Three Ships to pick up our usual things. Elliott happens to be here working. Meanwhile, the Igor guy is across the way painting a custom vehicle turned into a Santa’s sleigh.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Biscuit with Butter and Jam. Greens, Tomatoes, Beets. Coffee.

 

At Music Makers running the front desk for a couple hours and cleaning up some things.

 

Later on, linking up with friends at a warehouse in Hilltop where You’re Jovian and Community Witch is sound checking for a streamed show the next day. Tristan, Chris Remaley, and I decide to grab some dinner at Alkaline Baby Izakaya, a new ramen bar at the oceanfront. Jonathan Reynolds happens to be working at the bar here too! We enjoy some cocktails with all kinds of small plate goodies. Listening to Chris regale us with stories of his merchant marine travels in Halifax.

 

 

Back at the warehouse hanging out/helping out. Elliott got Bobby and Jesse Philips to set up sound and a camera to stream for tomorrow. We’re all just here chillin’ and enjoying each other’s company.

 

 

Back home. Chores. Green Tea.

Thursday November 19 2020

Waking up around 11:30 a.m.

 

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

 

Ana and I hit the gym. We were supposed to have Vlad train us but instead we go it alone. It works out cause I’ve been taking notes. Focusing on biceps, hams, rear deltoids, and back today.

 

Protein Shake.

 

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

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Warming up leftovers at home for dinner: Vegetable Soup with French Baguette.

Watching Bushwick (2017).

 

Catching up on business.

 

Doing chores.

 

Practicing some bass.

 

Hanging out with Ana – we stay chatty about our feelings on current events and life.

 

Wednesday November 18 2020

Waking up around 11:30 a.m.

 

Cereal with Granola and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.

 

Catching up on business and things. Dealing with emails and such.

 

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

Watching Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb (2020).

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. Some days there’s just so much going on all at once but we’ve got a good team of teachers to help.

 

Back home. I picked up some Pho Noodle Soups for Ana and I. We enjoy our meals over an episode of Ratched (2020).

 

Later on, we hit up Wal-Mart for cat supplies – making it in the nick of time cause they’re closing at 11. I ask Ana if she remembers a time when we used to hit this place up at 2am back when they were 24 hours. Those were the good ole days.

 

PB Pretzels.

 

Chores and research.

 

Tuesday November 17 2020

Waking up around 11:30 a.m.

 

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

 

I decide to hit the gym for a solo workout since I missed yesterday’s. I focus on chest, triceps, and legs.

 

Lentil Wrap with Mixed Greens, Tomatoes, and Beets. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

After work, having a Broadway recap/planning meeting with Rebecca, Carol, Addy, and Jordan. I ordered some Pizza for us all to share.

 

Back home. Catching up on business and chores. Green Tea.

 

Grapefruit.

 

Monday November 16 2020

Waking up around 11:30 a.m.

 

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

 

I have to skip my workout session so I can handle the broken window thing at Music Makers. Ana goes instead.

...

One of the landlord’s guys is here putting in some plywood temporarily. Meanwhile, I’m in communication with Cox about fixing the internet.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Mushrooms, Greens, Onions. Toast with Butter and Jam. Coffee. Salt n Vinegar Chips.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home. Making a quick dinner: Peas and Salmon with leftover Noodles, Onions, and Baby Broccoli.

Watching Greenland (2020).

 

Cookies.

 

Working hard at organizing all the Broadway photos and composing an email.

 

Sunday November 15 2020

Waking up around 11:30 a.m. but also off and on throughout the morning. Every now and then Elvis shuffles around the room but mostly patiently waiting in the computer chair for us to arise, but not before we make fire.

 

Meeting up with Jamil to pay him to replace the starter motor in the truck.

 

Ana and I grab brunch at Commune – sitting outside on the patio. It’s a bit windy but super nice as we sip on great cups of coffee. Ordering the Pancake Stack with Bacon.

 

The truck’s all up and running so I run some errands – dropping off batteries to be recycled – picking up a clock at Lowe’s – doing some studio stuff.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Tomatoes, Beets, and Celery. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese and Jam. Black Tea.

Watching The Impossible (2012).

 

Catching up on business and house chores.

 

Getting late night groceries.

 

Warming up some leftover Vegetable Soup with Rice for dinner.

 

Cookies.

 

At the studio organizing all the gear from yesterday – there’s a lot to put away.

 

Back home.

Raspberries.

 

Saturday November 14 2020

 

Waking up around 9:35 a.m.

 

Cereal with Blueberries and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.

 

Today’s the big day! At Elevation 27 setting up the stage with Devon’s help for the Music Makers LIVE show. For some reason there seems to be a lot more to figure out while sound checking. I’m running around back and forth from all over the place.

Today’s lineup includes Subterranean Cathedrals (adult band), K.E.O.S. (teen band), server name: bread_and_butter (kid band), and a few solo performers.  I’m so proud of every single person up on this stage. They never cease to amaze me. Ana points out how we really put the love into those kids and they put out the best energy.

...

Not to mention, they upgraded the stage with an LED projector screen. I put together a slideshow of photos and things. It looks so cool. Jordan handles the special effects during the performances.

 

I realize I haven’t eaten since the morning. Whenever I’m running an event like this there’s no time to think of an appetite. After all is said and done I’m back home about to eat some leftover Spaghetti when I get a call from Ana and her mom. She locked her keys in the car again. She’s been doing that a lot lately. I muster up some energy to drive over even though I’m drained.

 

Later on, napping in my bed.

 

It’s Ana’s mom’s birthday. She comes over with Jeremy, Ana’s brother. Having a nice pot of Vegetable Soup for dinner. Sharing conversation and enjoying the camaraderie with Ana’s family. Her mom is so silly all the time. Singing Happy Birthday. I found out today that Jimmy, my stepdad, shares the same year and birth date. I also talked to him earlier today.

 

Later on, settling down earlier than usual with Ana by my side. I put on one of those “oldies playing another room” videos to lull us to sleep.

 

Friday November 13 2020

Waking up around noon.

 

Cereal with Blueberries and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.

 

Catching up on all kinds of business.

 

It’s funny cause it truly seems like everything happens all at once, like everything comes tumbling in a wave of violence. There’s so much Music Makes business to deal with and at the same time I’m planning for tomorrow’s big show.

 

Michael, a guy from Becker’s Piano Tuning, is here at Music Makers tuning the piano. I’m trying to patch up a bunch of things in the schedule. Meanwhile, I notice somebody smashed in one of the windows by the drum room. Because it’s double paned fortunately, the inside pane is still intact. But I don’t have time to deal with that.

 

Grabbing a quick lunch: Scrambled Eggs, Kale, Toast with Butter and Jam, Chips, and Coffee.

 

Then, it’s a long, long day of final band rehearsals.

 

Apple.

 

Devon and I pack up everything in preparation for tomorrow.

 

Finally back home. Ana left me some dinner she picked up from Pink Dinghy.

 

 

Green Tea. Grapefruit.

Thursday November 12 2020

Waking up at 11:30 a.m. The flood came down while we were sleeping. Rain, rain, rain.

 

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

 

Workout session with Vlad.

 

Vega Banana Protein Shake.

 

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

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home. Ana and I cook dinner: Vegan Burgers with Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Potatoes, Carrots, and Onions. Watching an episode of Ratched (2020).

 

Green Tea.

 

Later on Ana joins me on my late night run to the rehearsal spot – setting up the drums and such.

 

Wednesday November 11 2020

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

 

Cereal with Blueberries and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Setting up the rehearsal spot. Picking up some goodies from Three Ships.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Biscuit with Butter and Jam. Kale. Cold Brew Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Ana scoops me up from work and we grab a quick dinner at Gringo’s. The restaurant is pretty empty so we’re able to get a table and enjoy the best Fish Tacos and Chips n Salsa around. The two waitresses have been working here for a long time. We get hooked up with extra Guac cause they have to throw it out at the end of the night whatever they don’t sell.

 

Popping into the adult band rehearsal. They’re doing a one off practice from missing over the weekend.

 

Green Tea. Cupcake.

 

Spending lots of time trying to figure out the best way to make a slideshow for the show this Saturday.

 

Tuesday November 10 2020

Waking up around 11:30 a.m.

 

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

 

Tuesday afternoons are made for scheduling and Music Makers business.

 

Some chores.

 

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

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Picking up some late night groceries from Kroger.

 

Grabbing takeout from Bangkok Garden. After placing my order the lady comments, “Lotta vegetables. You like a lotta vegetables.”

Mixed Vegetables with Garlic Sauce and Spring Rolls.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Walking to the studio to organize some papers and play piano.

 

Monday November 9 2020

Waking up around 11:30 a.m. I had very vivid and violent dreams involving knives during my sleep.

 

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

 

Intense workout with Vlad.

 

Banana Protein Shake.

 

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

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home. Ana and I make dinner: Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti Noodles with Tomato Sauce, Peppers, Onions, Mushrooms, Zucchini, Carrots, and French Baguette.

Watching an episode of Ratched (2020).

 

Cleaning up.

 

Later on, Ana and I take a walk to Music Makers. The temperature is still nice enough to enjoy. Of course the grass is wet with dew. Playing a few rounds of checkers and just hanging out.

 

Sunday November 8 2020

 

Waking up around noon. Ana made us Blueberry Waffles. I made Tea to go with.

 

We decide to drive out to the Less Than place to stock up on dish detergent, laundry powder, etc. Spontaneously, stopping by Mount Trashmore. We walk around the smaller hill next to the skate park. She transparently shows herself to be unhappy.

“It’s such a beautiful day,” I say.

I try to cheer her up and hope the little things in our environment will spark some brightness but she won’t budge.

 

Organizing things and cleaning.

 

Smoked Salmon Sandwich with Spinach. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

 

Shooting some solo basketball out by Lynnhaven Park.

 

Running errands – Target then Trader Joe’s. Ana seems to have found a second wind and requests a comforting hug outside in the parking lot. I warm up some dinner for her at home so she has ready on her break.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Eating leftovers for dinner.

Watching Unhinged (2020).

 

At the studio organizing gear and practicing piano.

 

Saturday November 7 2020

 

I wake up to the abrupt sounds of Roland screaming in the hallway that Trump is no longer president. He’s angry with joy. I’m not gonna lie cause I’ve been on edge along with the rest of America waking up every morning wondering when the election will be over and now it’s over.

 

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

 

Teaching some afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

 

Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Baby Kale Salad with Tomatoes. Chips. Coffee.

 

Heading over to MOCA for the big Music Makers Villainous Broadway show tonight. Jordan and the other crew/teachers are already there getting everything ready with the students/cast. I help get the cameras ready and tweak with the mics. There’s so many moving parts but with the help of certain parents and the Music Makers community we nail this show. It looks so professional with the lights, projection, and costumes. I’m so proud of everyone involved. I’m constantly running back and forth from backstage to the sound booth. This our second Broadway show and we have stepped up the game for sure. Everybody helps pack things up afterwards.

 

At Las Palmas we all link up for dinner and drinks. Rebecca, Jordan, Addy, Garrett, and Ana joins us too. She had a Community Witch show earlier in the night.

 

Watching President Elect Joe Biden give an inspirational speech.

 

 

Finally heading off to sleep around 3 a.m. with Ana next to me.

Friday November 6 2020

Waking up around 11:45 a.m.

 

Cereal with Blueberries and Almond Milk.

 

Catching up on business and chores.

 

Grilled PB&J. Yogurt and Apples. Chips. Coffee.

 

Coaching the kids band rehearsal. Then, Addy and I have to jet out to the MOCA. Lily Mason in the band I have to give a ride to cause she’s also in the Broadway show.

 

There at the museum we get everything sound checked while the kids rehearse individual numbers. Then, we do an entire run-through of the Broadway show. It’s a bit stressful keeping everything running smooth and tweaking the levels on the mics and such. But in the end now we know what to look out for tomorrow night with the show.

 

Eating Pizza that was provided by Carol for everyone.

 

Back home. Catching up on things. The presidential elections are still keeping everyone waiting for an official win but all projections point towards Biden winning the next president while the mail-in ballots pile in.

 

Thursday November 5 2020

Waking up around 11 a.m.

 

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

 

Workout session with Vlad – Ana joins.

 

Banana Protein Shake.

 

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

 

Teaching a few lessons at Music Makers.

 

Then, packing up some things to bring to the MOCA. Jordan and I are here with a few light/sound guys setting up the stage and sound system for the Broadway show. Tomorrow night is the dress rehearsal so everything has to be fully functional by then. It takes quite the effort hanging the choir mics up in the ceiling. I do all the climbing of the ladder and feeding the cables.

 

Ordering some Pizza Chapel for Ana and I to enjoy at home over an episode of Ratched (2020).

 

Setting up the rehearsal spot. It’s a super foggy night out on the roads.