Wednesday June 30 2021

Waking up around noon.

 

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

 

Working out at the gym.

 

Seeing a new chiropractor over at The Giving Tree off Rosemont. My neck has recently been in pain from I don’t know what. Justin Quail gives the adjustment. He’s a very bright and social man with fast paced humor – and gets the job done.

 

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

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Right after is the band jam with Modern Day Warrior. I have Alexa sit in on vocals tonight. Even though she’s only 10 years old she has the professional voice of an adult. The band has a good time.

 

Back home. Making a quick dinner: Cabbage Salad with Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Salmon, and Naan Bread.

Watching The Conjuring 2 (2016).

 

Ana gets off work and chats with me about her day and things.

 

Catching up on business.

 

At the studio putting together the group/band photos.

 

Tuesday June 29 2021

Waking up around noon.

 

Oatmeal Breakfast Bar. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Working out at the gym – leg day.

 

Tuna Salad Sandwich with Tomato and Spinach. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Coffee.

Watching The Conjuring (2013).

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

As soon as I chime in to FaceTime one of my students, Anna, for a lesson. I tell her, “What a day! What a day!” and we immediately start writing a song with that line. Impromptu songwriting is the best.

 

After all lessons are done Roland and Jenna show up. I told them they could practice their set for the house show coming up. Meanwhile, I give Rebecca a little drum lesson to help with her rhythm on the tambourine in ELO. We have a good solid talk afterwards about the stuff I’ve been going through. Ana would not approve but honestly I need to hear another female opinion on the matter – a lot of good insight to help Ana and I’s relationship.

 

Back home. Warming up a quick dinner: leftover Japanese Style Fried Rice with Vegan Breakfast Sausages.

Ana gets off work while I’m eating. We have a nice and constructive conversation – nothing too heated or heavy.

 

Catching up on business. Moving stuff out of the dining room for the repairs tomorrow.

 

Going for a late night bike ride – listening to music. A black cat crosses my path. Still mulling over all kinds of new thoughts.

 

Monday June 28 2021

Waking up around noon.

 

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

 

At the gym working out – going hard.

 

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

 

It’s extremely hot today!

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Cooking dinner for Ana and I: Peas, Corn, Onions, Kale, and Quinoa.

 

ELO practice. I made a deal earlier with Ana that Rebecca and I wouldn’t ride together, which I respected. Practice goes later than usual. And of course this creates suspicion on Ana’s part. I don’t even understand why. I just can’t win or make her comfortable about anything. It’s so frustrating.

 

Pineapple and Figs.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Sunday June 27 2021

Waking up around noon.

 

Cereal with Blueberries, Banana, and Almond Milk. Tea.

 

Running errands – all over the place. Stopping by Three Ships then by the ELO rehearsal spot. Rebecca just finished up her dance classes and is about to start the first session of Boot Camp. There’s actually not a lot of kids at the moment – most are traveling or can’t commit to it. But she still gives them a good time.

 

At H&M returning some clothes – stopping by Lowe’s for some bungee cords – cleaning up the kitchen putting away groceries.

 

Back at the rehearsal spot helping Rebecca clean up – while she cleans the bathroom I vacuum the whole room and hallway – who knows the last time that was done.

 

I’m at Music Makers now organizing and getting rid of things in the back room – moving a bunch of stuff to the new storage unit I rented out.

 

Dinner: Smoked Salmon Sandwich with Spinach and Tomato. Five Guys French Fries.

Watching The Conjuring (2013).

 

Back at the studio finishing up the ultimate organization for the back room. I’ve got every cord imaginable hanging up now.

 

Melon and Yogurt. Cookies.

 

Riding my bike late into the night (or early morning). Every now and then a song comes on that just strikes the right chord. “Fuck!” I’ll yell out loud right on the boardwalk. And just like that I’m taken to a cathartic place.

 

Saturday June 26 2021

 

Waking up around noon.

 

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

 

Teaching a few afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

 

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

 

Catching up on chores and business.

 

Having a really good talk with Rebecca about some drama and issues going on in our lives, well, mainly mine. Ana would hate the fact that I’m talking to her about this but I feel it’s the only way to help the situation. I explain the issue with riding together and how Ana is uncomfortable about it along with some of the underlying reasons for it. It feels good to just be open about it with Rebecca. She totally gets it and understands. All is well!

 

After Ana gets off work we get some dinner at Baby Izakaya. Enjoying some Ramen and all kinds of pickled goodness.

 

At the studio organizing this donated box of cables.

 

Pineapple. Peanut Butter Crackers.

 

Going for a late night bike ride down at the oceanfront – engrossed in the music and feeling the catharsis.

And if life is really as short as they say then why is the path so long?

 

 

Sleep 5 a.m.

Friday June 25 2021

 

Waking up next to Ana at noon thirty. Elvis pops up on the bed attempting to wake us.

 

Cereal with Banana and Almond Milk. Tea.

 

Ana bakes the most delicious Blueberry Lemon Poppy Seed Scones.

 

Cleaning up around the house – mainly vacuuming all of the cat’s clumps of fur everywhere.

 

With it being Ana and I’s day off we drive out for lunch. Enjoying a simple meal at Simple Eats out on the patio.

Crab Cake Sandwich with Home Fries and Slaw with Coffee.

 

Stopping by the B&L Farmer’s Market, formerly known as Stoney’s Produce. They’ve really amped up the place with goats, chickens, and a big fat pig named Wilbur.

 

Continuing to clean up the house – fixing things here and there. Discovering people left a perfectly good mirror, lamp, and step stool by the dumpster. Unbelievable.

 

Ana and I run some errands at Target.

 

I cook dinner throwing a bunch of leftovers together: Chic Pea Pasta with Sauce, Zucchini, Squash, Onions, and Vegan Sausage.

 

Later on at the studio Ana and I jam – I on drums and her on guitar. Then, making fire.

 

Blackberries.

 

Thursday June 24 2021

☼▬

In my bedroom. There’s a tall tropical plant that needs some TLC and especially water. I try to take care of it but there’s an unruly amount of bugs infested in the plant. I discover a pair of human legs under the edge of my mattress. It’s understood to be my mom’s and it’s understood I placed them there some time ago but I don’t remember. I determine that the bugs may be in my room because of the decomposing legs. However, they don’t look too far along. Roland’s girlfriend, Jenna, is in here too discussing something related to their band.

▬☼

 

Waking up around noon.

 

Oatmeal Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Working out at the gym with Vlad – focusing on triceps and biceps.

 

Banana.

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

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. It’s one of those days where a bunch of rescheduling takes place causing a lot of stress on the front desk.

...

After all the lessons are done I take a few deep breaths and catch up on all that happened at the desk. Rebecca comes out of her last lesson and helps me sort through it. As I’m leaving Ana is blowing up my phone while she’s at band practice, which I don’t understand. We share our “locations” on the phone so she’s probably wondering what I’m doing at Music Makers so late. There’s so much that’s been unraveling lately in regards to her paranoia and insecurity. And I’m really becoming disillusioned by it all. I’m literally just living my life, running my business, and trying to keep things going. There’s no reason for her to ever not trust me. Either way, this creates some stress on my part the rest of the night.

 

Making a quick dinner back home: Chic Pea Pasta with Sauce and Kale.

 

Meeting up with Josh and Josiah for an actual Bamm Bamm practice.

I walk into the unit, “Is this really happening? I can’t believe it!”

We’ve been struggling to make a practice take place cause there’s a house show in a few weekends. We brush off the cobwebs from the songs we did last show.

 

Sardines and Crackers.

 

Later on, chatting with Ana in her bedroom about the day and coming to some terms on things.

 

Wednesday June 23 2021

Waking up around noon.

 

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

 

Working out at the gym – shoulders day.

 

Tuna Salad Sandwich with Tomato and Spinach. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Half a Scone to tide me over till band jam.

 

Modern Day Warrior boys practice from 8:30-10. I had Andrew Perrot show up to fill in on drums and see how far along they are. We’re hoping to book them a gig with his band at South Beach soon.

 

Back home. Cooking a quick dinner for myself: Japanese Style Fried Rice with two Eggs and Baby Broccoli. Ana gets off work right about then. Sitting down at the table and chatting with her. Lately, she’s been having to wake up super early for horses and Pink Dinghy shifts.

 

Celery with Peanut Butter.

 

Playing DOOM.

 

Tuesday June 22 2021

 

Waking up around noon.

 

Oatmeal Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

At the gym working out – it’s leg day. During some leg press sets I’m listening to an old playlist – a couple songs trigger some emotions. Everything that’s been happening with Ana has been stressing me out – lately it’s felt like everything is on the brink of a blowout. I press hard and continue on.

 

Banana.

 

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

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home after a long day’s work. Ana made us dinner: Vegan Burgers with Roasted Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Potatoes.

We enjoy dinner at the table. We continue our arguments about trust and how no matter what there’s always gonna be this deep rooted pain inside her unless she seeks proactive healing from it. We get heated but it’s a much more softer heat than last night or the night before.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Green Tea.

 

Celery with Peanut Butter.

 

Composing a mass email for Music Makers.

 

Monday June 21 2021

Waking up around noon.

 

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

 

Finally able to go to the gym and work out! Focusing on chest and back with some treadmill today.

 

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

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. I teach only a small amount today but have to help Madelaine handle a bunch of scheduling issues.

 

Later on, cooking dinner before Ana gets off work at 8.

Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti Noodles with Mushrooms, Onions, and Tomato Sauce. Kale and French Baguette on the side.

 

At ELO rehearsal – running through both sets. Rebecca is getting tighter and tighter on all the vocal parts every week.

...

Rebecca rode with me – when we arrive back at the studio Ana is there practicing on her new guitar and pedals. Lately, Ana has showed a disapproval of the ride situation every week between Rebecca and I. For me it’s a no brainer. But she’s really affected by it. Late into the night we get into an argument about how her inability to trust comes from deeper places unrelated to me – and how if she doesn’t gain any healing from it she will continue to suffer.

 

Cleaning the dishes while Ana learns French on her phone.

 

Apple, Blueberries, and Yogurt.

 

Sunday June 20 2021

Waking up around 12:30 p.m.

 

Oat Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Driving over to the ELO space to help Rebecca lay down this big vinyl for her ballet and hip-hop dance classes at 2 p.m. We’ve been adding on these classes to the Music Makers programs – it seems to be building up momentum.

 

While I’m over here I shop for some new things at H&M in the mall. They still don’t have the fitting rooms open yet and apparently their returns system is malfunctioning so I’m told if I want to return anything I’d have to do that at another location.

 

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

Watching Curb Your Enthusiasm.

 

I buy another big vinyl and bring it over towards the end of Rebecca’s classes – her and Megan stick around to help figure out a system for rolling it out and storing it.

 

Organizing the new storage unit over at Extra Space – putting a few tubs and Broadway related things in there.

 

Cooking a quick dinner: Vegan Sausage with Baby Broccoli, Carrots, and Brown Rice.

 

Catching up on business.

 

It’s after 3 a.m. and I’m on my bike gliding through the oceanfront letting it all go in the wind!

 

Saturday June 19 2021

Waking up around noon.

 

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

 

Teaching a few afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

 

Chic Pea Salad Sandwich with Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Rebecca and I check out Ollie’s to buy a big vinyl floor for her dance classes. The day before I rented out a new storage unit for space to house Broadway things and other extra things at Music Makers. Showing her the spot and giving her the key.

 

Taking care of things at the house.

 

Getting groceries.

 

Cooking – feels like I haven’t cooked in forever.

Maple Mustard Salmon with Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, Onions, and Brown Rice.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Chores.

 

I decide to go for a late night bike ride to the oceanfront – it’s a beautiful night – listening to ABBA and whatever else YouTube Music decides is relevant – thinking about life.

 

Ana and I have this guideline we try to stick to late at night: No conversations after 3 a.m. This is because it’s very easy to drift into a heated or moody debate. The times of the day really make a difference for us. She tends to be nicer to me when the sun is up but when the moon is up...a different tale.