Friday September 30 2022

Waking up around noon thirty.

 

Protein Shake.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Running errands – Target.

 

Eggs. Bagel. Spinach. Coffee.

 

Running more errands – Alpha Music for some cables – Kroger.

 

At Music Makers organizing. Then coaching Alexa’s MMLIVE band – they work on No Surprises by Radiohead.

 

Afterwards, Rebecca and I grab some dinner at Your Pie. We catch up and talk about recent events.

 

Later on, back at the house, she helps me cut out some of the Elvis’s mats on his fur. Then, we watch an episode of Rings of Power.

 

Thursday September 29 2022

Waking up around noon.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

At the studio plugging in a bunch of cables and organizing more of the room.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Bagel. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Afterwards, Modern Day Warrior meets in the 104 space to rehearse their set for the big gig this weekend. I set up all the lights and everything to make it look vibin’. Andrew has been filling in on drums cause we thought Thomas would be out of town.

 

Tofu and Broccoli Pad Thai.

Watching Raised By Wolves.

 

Wednesday September 28 2022

Waking up around 11:45 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Getting groceries.

 

Eggs. Bagel. Popped Chips. Spinach. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons.

 

Rehearsing with Berries over by the ELO warehouse – working on our Joy Division / New Order songs but mostly Blue Monday and Bizarre Love Triangle. They practice in the same spot where we used to do our MMLIVE rehearsals at. Working out all the keyboard parts and figuring out song structure.

 

Dinner: Beans, Bok Choy, Quinoa, Vegan Sausage, and English Muffin.

Watching Raised by Wolves.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Organizing the 104 space for a rehearsal tomorrow – figuring out this new light tree system and all sorts of other things late into the night.

 

Fruit. Popcorn.

 

Tuesday September 27 2022

Waking up around 11:45 a.m.

 

Protein Shake. Tea.

 

While taking a shower I get a rude interruption of the water dissipating until it’s off completely mid shower while shampoo is still in my hair and everything. Apparently the contractors did not inform Chanticleer about the water turning off in the afternoon.

 

At the studio taking care of stuff.

 

Eggs. Bagel. Spinach. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Afterwards, I rent out the 104 space to this guy Wayne Kissinger and his band – about 9 people in there. Meanwhile, having business talk with Rebecca.

 

Back home. Making a quick dinner: Beans, Quinoa, Baby Broccoli, Okra, Salmon, and English Muffin.

Watching Fahrenheit 451 (2018).

 

Playing around with keyboard patches at the studio and organizing.

 

Monday September 26 2022

A rude awakening at 8:30 in the morning to the sound of drilling and banging just behind my bedroom wall. Chanticleer is renovating the apartment next to us. I’m not sure why they think 8:30 a.m. is a reasonable hour to start making a racket. I put on my AirPods and drown out the sounds with brown ambient noise.

 

Officially up at 11:30.

 

Protein Shake. Tea.

 

Running errands.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Bagel. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Modern Day Warrior practice. I help coach them so that Andrew can be prepared for since he’s covering drums for their gig this Saturday.

 

Back home. Making dinner: Beans, Quinoa, Okra, Carrots, Vegan Sausage, and Naan Bread.

 

Sunday September 25 2022

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Coaching a kids MMLIVE band with Andrew and Rebecca – we work on Danger Zone and Island in the Sun.

 

PB&J. Coffee.

 

Then, Broadway rehearsal – the cast runs specific scenes in the 104 space – I help run music in the other space.

 

After that, another band practice with Olivia’s band – they get into Everlong and Stacy’s Mom.

 

Back home. Cooking dinner: Beans with Mackerel, Baby Broccoli, Carrots, and Quinoa.

 

Researching.

 

Banana. Green Tea.

 

Saturday September 24 2022

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

At Music Makers. Coaching the MMLIVE adult band. We run through Beat It and I Want it That Way.

 

Broadway Rehearsal begins in the 104 space while I set up a few things and catch up on business.

...

Helping some of the cast with singing their lyrics.

 

Later, at Riffhouse Pub in South Norfolk for the highly anticipated Ringo’s show featuring all the bands that practice at the storage unit including Ladada, The Warm Hug, Broken Beaches, Raise Hell Over The Summer, Shormey, and Community Witch. We place Ringo, the awkward Beatles doll at the foot of the stage overseeing everything. It’s a long show but really cool to see all our fellow bands perform their craft. The Warm Hug really touched my heart strings with their gentle but discordant sound. Community Witch performs in the middle sweet spot of the night – lively crowd. I’m always proud of Ana and her band cause every time I see them they get tighter and tighter.

...

Over at the bar I run into conversation with Drew, Ana’s new guy. Even though it might seem awkward we talk about music and shows like any other friend of the scene. He’s a nice dude actually. And there must be something in him that Ana likes and worthy of her attention.

 

At the end of the show everybody lingers and mingles – settling up our bar tabs. Hanging with Jordan and Alley Pamp outside. Jordan lovingly takes responsibility of Ringo. Later, Jordan and I have a good powwow about all the things going on. She always helps regain my perspective.

 

Back home. Relaxing and settling down.

 

Friday September 23 2022

Waking up after noon some time.

 

Blueberries. Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Catching up on business. Cleaning up around the house.

 

Running errands – Chartway – UPS – Kroger.

 

Eggs. English Muffin. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

 

Later on at Music Makers. Coaching one of the kid bands at 7. Then, the ABBA band has their official first band rehearsal. I’m playing keys with the Superfang dudes and two girls from the area. Honestly, it goes over really well – we all seem pretty prepared. Now I can breathe after seeing everyone in a room.

 

Back home. Rebecca brings over some Chicken and Pasta for me to eat for dinner. I make a Salad and toast some bread to go with. Then we catch up on the Rings of Power episodes we missed the last two weeks.

 

Thursday September 22 2022

Waking up around 11:50 a.m. I had a dream Ana went out of her way to catch up with me and be friendly. I always have these dreams where there is closure or some kind of consolation.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Workout at the gym with Vlad – it’s been a while.

Banana.

 

Eggs. Kale. Bagel. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Salad. Vegan Sausage. Five Guys Fries.

 

Chatting with Rebecca about Broadway business.

 

Then, I go to town on organizing some spaces at the studio.

 

Back home. The wind is howling and blowing fiercely outside.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Wednesday September 21 2022

Waking up around 11:45 a.m.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

Working on scheduling and business at the computer.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Bagel. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Smoked Salmon with Salad, and Quinoa/Rice. Naan Bread.

Watching Moonfall (2022).

 

Catching up on business.

 

Popcorn.

 

Tuesday September 20 2022

Waking up around 11:45 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Business.

 

At the studio working through some Joy Division songs.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Bagel. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons.

 

Then, meeting with Jess, Daniel, Chris, and Jacob in the 104 space to practice Joy Division songs. It’s my first practice with them and it goes over pretty well.

 

Dinner: Lentils, Vegan Sausage, Kale, and Quinoa.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Cookies.

 

Monday September 19 2022

Waking up at 10:35 a.m.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Meeting with an event coordinator at The Shack to go over some details about an upcoming Modern Day Warrior gig.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Running some errands and setting up the rooms at Music Makers.

 

Eggs. Kale. Bagel. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Beans, Spinach, Tomatoes, and Quinoa. Cookies.

 

At the warehouse working with Edwin, Nigel, and Kevin to train Edwin on all my piano parts – he’s going to be my understudy whenever I have to miss ELO gigs.

 

Back home. Snacking on Popcorn and watching Cobra Kai.

 

Sunday September 18 2022

Waking up at 11:30 a.m. ready for the giant day ahead.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Coaching the kid band rehearsal with a few new members. Andrew and Rebecca help. They learn “Island in the Sun” and overall it was a productive first practice. One of them gets a little intimidated by the drum set towards the end but everything is fine.

 

Then, straight on with Broadway rehearsal from 2:30-6:30. I mostly stay in the main studio directing the music from the script to small groups.

Lunch break: Eggs and a Spinach Salad. Crackers and Hummus.

 

More rehearsing.

 

Then, at 7:00 I coach another band rehearsal with Olivia, Sammy, Elena, and Keegan. They learn “Stacy’s Mom” – what a great first choice haha.

 

Dinner: Tofu Pad Thai with Broccoli from Bangkok Garden.

Watching Cobra Kai.

 

Over at Rebecca’s recapping the day and thoughts to her – there’s been a strain since we started Broadway about the script/show and she’s been feeling stressed about things.

 

Chores around the house. Catching up on business.

 

Saturday September 17 2022

Waking up bright and early at 10:30 a.m.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

At Music Makers coaching the adult band – today kicks off the fall band session.

 

Peanut Butter and Crackers. Apple. Coffee.

 

Then, immediately after we kick off the Broadway rehearsal also! While the parent meeting is going on they’re doing auditions in the other space. At some point we all gather and do a full reading of the show as a cast.

 

After all that I have to hightail it to Back Bay for a show tonight. Captive Birds. Obscure Son. Babe Club. And Josiah and I are doing a rare duo performance with me on the drums. Long story but Josh, our drummer, is stuck in jail for the time being. And I’ve managed to learn the set on drums since Thursday. Even though I’ve performed on drums at Music Makers this is a little different – a style I know from behind the bass and guitar but completely new to me behind the kit. I put forth all the energy I can muster. As Elliott states post show “You are a literal drummer – everything you play is literal.”

 

 

It’s a good time hanging with all my friends and supporting music. Babe Club does a supreme job – lush and pop sensible with a charismatic female lead.

 

Afterwards, we all corral at The Shack – lounging around the fire pit with Shannon, Jordan Trotter, Josh Coplon, and the Babe Club cats. Sipping on Orange Crushes and enjoying the social stimuli.

 

I offered to let the band spend the night at my house – it’s just the three of them in the living room – glad I could help.

 

Friday September 16 2022

Waking up around 11:50 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Time to clean the upstairs bathroom! I scrub the shower walls and tub – cleaning the sink area. Meanwhile, maintenance comes by to replace a faucet head and figure out this toilet leak.

 

Eggs. Bagel. Spinach. Coffee.

Watching Cobra Kai.

 

At Music Makers practicing drums.

 

Then, we have a Broadway production meeting in the 104 space with Rebecca, Carol, Haley, Reid, and Jimmy Agrios. We all read through the new Dark of Christmas script in its entirety and listening to the music for it. It takes a long time cause there’s much to get through.

 

Afterwards, I gotta scarf down some quick dinner at the house then head to the storage unit to practice the Bamm Bamm set with Josiah. I feel so under prepared but I’m doing my best behind the drum kit.

 

Back at Music Makers after 1 a.m. setting up the rooms for band rehearsals then practicing some more drums.

 

Thursday September 15 2022

Waking up around noon.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Meeting with Mike at his place to figure out what went wrong on my bass’s bridge – meanwhile, he’s trying to sort out complications with American Airlines about something.

 

Groceries.

 

Spinach Salad with Eggs, Tomato, and a Bagel. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Beans, Tuna, Rice, Baby Broccoli, and Carrots.

Watching Cobra Kai.

 

Meeting up with Josiah at the storage unit to practice. We found out Josh McHugh is in jail till Tuesday so we won’t have a drummer for the Bamm Bamm show this Saturday. Our plan is to go duo with me on drums. I definitely don’t feel like I have the endurance to play these songs but I give it my best. We run through a set that seems to work.

 

Texting with Jordan Trotter for a while about some Ana-related things. She’s like the relational witch doctor of our social circle.

 

Popcorn and Cobra Kai.

 

Wednesday September 14 2022

 

Waking up around 11:45 a.m.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Catching up on business and texting.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Bagel. Coffee.

 

Teaching a few afternoon lessons.

 

 

Then, riding with Bobby and Wes up to Richmond for a Ladada show. We arrive at Black Iris, an art gallery turned into venue by night. It’s a cool vibe with a piano bar in the back. Before the show even starts one of the band dudes starts playing Rocket Man on the piano and it somehow morphs into me finishing with Bohemian Rhapsody – a nice little camaraderie moment amongst the bands.

...

Ladada opens up the show – not too many people here except for band mates and a few new listeners – then after us is Timothy Eerie, Dream Phases, and Danet Jackson. Somewhere in between there Bobby, Wes, and I take a jaunt to this taco place called En Su Boca up the street – grabbing some fish tacos and chips n guac. Back at the venue mingling and hanging with everyone over drinks.

 

Back home.

Chamomile Tea and relax.

 

Tuesday September 13 2022

Waking up around 11:50 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Banana.

 

At Music Makers meeting with Mike again and getting things ready for the day.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Bagel. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons.

Afterwards, organizing and finishing up business things. Rebecca and I chat for a while about all the things approaching this weekend. It’s about to hit us like a storm!

 

Black Beans, Vegan Sausage, Okra, Carrots, and Rice.

Watching The Hobbit.

 

Cleaning up and catching up on things.

 

Back at the studio practicing piano.

 

Monday September 12 2022

Waking up around 11:45 a.m.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Running errands – in search of a whisper close toilet seat.

 

Eggs. Bagel. Spinach. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Afterwards, Modern Day Warrior has practice with Andrew on the drums cause he’ll be filling in for Thomas’s absence at the next gig.

 

Leftover Pizza with Mackerel and Tomatoes.

Watching some of The Hobbit movies.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Replacing the toilet seat in the upstairs bathroom then cleaning.

 

Sunday September 11 2022

Waking up around noon.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Working on this MMLIVE schedule in my head – communicating with parents and sorting out all the chaos.

 

Later on, Rebecca and I grab lunch at Stockpot. Discussing some Broadway and MMLIVE things – also Rings of Power debates.

 

Chores around the house.

 

Errands.

 

Meeting with Mike at the 104 space – he has more lighting things to show/give me.

 

Dinner: Peas, Carrots, Mushrooms, Spinach, Onions, Quinoa, and Naan Bread.

Watching some of The Hobbit movies.

 

Composing emails and figuring out more on the band schedules.

 

Saturday September 10 2022

Waking up around 11:45 a.m.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

At Music Makers watching the front desk for a couple of Heathyr’s piano lessons. Meanwhile, I catch up on all kinds of business. Also, selling a piano to a customer.

 

PB&J Bagel. Coffee.

 

Trying to figure out the MMLIVE band schedule that’s starting next weekend.

 

Later on, I drive over to Smartmouth VB to catch Berries set. A few of our friends are here – Eating a Chicken Burrito and sipping on a beer.

 

Meeting up with Mike at the 104 space – he’s showing me this light tree rig he wants to donate to me to use for gigs.

...

After that I trim up this drum rug and practice some ABBA songs.

 

Popcorn. Orange.

 

Friday September 9 2022

Waking up around noon.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Working on business things at the computer – scheduling and stuff.

 

At Music Makers putting together this used piano for a student’s parents to buy. Meanwhile, Allyson is watching the front desk.

...

I’m back and forth down the street helping Vlad tune and set up this cool drum set for Alexa to eventually practice on. There’s always so much tweaking when dealing with a used drum kit. His two dogs are intrigued.

 

Eggs. Toast. Spinach. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

 

Lots of cleaning downstairs in the living room and the guest bathroom.

 

Picking up some pizzas from Brooklyn Pizzeria in Red Mill.

 

Rebecca and Jimmy Agrios come over to watch another episode of Rings of Power. We’re always discussing the predictions and new things to expect. Meanwhile, Elvis lounges on the carpet.

 

Practicing some piano.

 

Thursday September 8 2022

Waking up around 11:50 a.m.

 

Breakfast Bar. Blueberries. Tea.

 

Catching up on the business of the day.

 

Running some errands.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Bagel. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Peas, Quinoa, Baby Broccoli, and Naan Bread.

 

Wes and I drive out to band practice for Ladada at the storage unit. He brought this weird Japanese made Guyatone guitar to play and I brought this old Crate amp from Mike for him to try. We practice a set in preparation for a show next week.

 

Popcorn. Orange.

 

Catching up on things and chores.

 

Wednesday September 7 2022

Waking up around 11:45 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Catching up on business and scheduling.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Bagel. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Tofu Pad Thai with Broccoli.

Watching The Green Knight (2021).

 

Research. Cleaning.

 

Organizing and uploading photos from recent shows.

 

Popcorn.

 

Tuesday September 6 2022

Waking up around 11:45 a.m.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Staying home working on scheduling and my to-do list.

 

Eggs. Bagel. Kale. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Dinner: Beans, Quinoa, Baby Broccoli, Carrots, and Naan Bread.

 

Working out some scheduling problems with Rebecca.

 

Catching up on things.

 

At the studio studying Joy Division songs – lyrics and videos.

 

Popcorn.

 

Monday September 5 2022

Waking up around 11:30 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Taking care of business and things.

 

Running a few errands.

 

Eggs. English Muffin. Kale, Chips. Coffee.

 

Teaching a few lessons.

 

Salad with Tuna.

 

At the warehouse to rehearse ELO stuff with Kevin and Rebecca. But the big thing we try to do is record all my parts via video and audio so that Edwin can learn everything for a show in October.

 

PB&J Bagel. Popcorn. Green Tea.

 

Finally uploading some photography from the past shows.

 

Sunday September 4 2022

Waking up around noon.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

Running errands. Stopping by Maria Popov’s studio to help put together this drum set for Alexa. Getting gas – getting groceries.

 

Eggs. Spinach. English Muffin. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

 

Glued to the computer trying to sort out all the scheduling craziness for Music Makers. One of our fairly recently hired teachers just quit so I’m left to make arrangements for all her former students. Via text Rebecca is helping me handle the burden.

 

Lentils, Squash, Zucchini, Kale, and Naan Bread.

 

More planning.

 

Later on downstairs, I finally build this kitchen shelf unit. It takes a long time but worth it.

 

Dropping off the recycle after 3 in the morning. Who does that?

 

Saturday September 3 2022

Waking up just before noon.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

At Music Makers. Teaching a one off lesson to a new Chinese student – the little guy is quite rowdy but he is excited about piano.

 

PB&J English Muffin. Chips. Coffee.

 

Linking up with Mike at the studio to talk about some light trees and setting up some bass guitars of mine.

 

Salad with Eggs, Carrots, and Spinach. Pita Chips with Hummus.

 

Meeting up with Josiah and Josh for a Bamm Bamm practice. It’s not always smooth cause of Josh – he tends to be a little rough on the drums most every time we meet up after a long while. But we get through it and hang a bit. I feel sympathetic towards him cause he just lost his dad to cancer a few months back.

 

Back home. Eating cookies and sipping on Green Tea.

 

Friday September 2 2022

Waking up around 11 a.m.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

Catching up on business and scheduling.

 

Doing more accounting.

 

Eggs. English Muffin. Spinach. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

 

Even though it’s Friday I’m teaching lessons to make up for missing earlier in the week.

 

Later on, back home. Cleaning up some things and baking cookies.

 

We’re having a watch party for The Rings of Power, the debut prequel to Lord of the Rings. Rebecca, Mike, Allyson, and James are here. Eating Cookies and Pita Chips. We’re all enthralled with this resurgence of Middle Earth on the big screen.

 

Cleaning up around the house while discussing all reflections and thoughts with Rebecca on what we just saw.

 

Thursday September 1 2022

Waking up around 11 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Dealing with all kinds of scheduling and business things all afternoon.

 

Running grocery errands.

 

Eggs. Spinach. English Muffin. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Lentils, Zucchini, Squash, Tomatoes, and Naan Bread.

Watching Lord of the Rings.

 

Doing some chores around the house.

 

Melon.

 

Doing the accounting.