Tuesday May 12 2015

[i]

Waking up 12:15 p.m.

Raw Cacao Protein Shake with Strawberries, Blueberries, Banana, and Almond Milk.

Errands.

Grilled PB&J Toast with Bee Pollen. Plantain Chips. Honey Green Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

At the Great Neck Rec for organized adult basketball. A lot of hustling on the court – getting my cardio on. I always tend to get on a team with hotheads with short fuses and high expectations.

Back home. Making dinner for Ana and I: Baked Tilapia, Sprouted Black Beans, Spinach, Tomatoes, and Quinoa.

Me: "This is the most complete meal you can have right now!"

Explaining to Ana about how there are some days where we simply can't see each other for more than a couple minutes and if we're lucky we can share dinner.

Me: "Some days are gonna be like this. We're not living on a cloud. This is real life."

We both understand that our lives are busy and constantly in motion.

At the storage unit off Tidewater for Ladada rehearsal. We're mainly focusing on drums and locking in with a metronome cause tomorrow we'll be recording.

Deep talks outside in the breezy night air about chi and the source of life in all living things while a roly poly bug crawls on my hand tickling the pores on my skin as it looks for food.

Back home after a very long day.

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] Images by me.

Monday May 11 2015

[i]

Waking up later than I wanted at 12:47 p.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Black, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

Errands: taking my PA amp to Alpha seeking repairs. Tire shopping.

Hard Boiled Egg. One piece of Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Blue Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato.

Teaching a couple voice lessons at Music Makers. It's important to keep lessons interactive. Maria, one of my 9-year-old students, can be quite scatter-brained. But whenever we start writing lyrics and singing silly songs we come up with on the spot she's focused and excited.

At the Great Neck Rec shooting the basketball around getting my exercise on.

Valencia Oranges and Banana with Greek Yogurt.

Picking up Ana from the house, grabbing the music gear, and headed to Norfolk for a Musicplayer gig at Video Game Heaven in Ghent. It's an acoustic show with a few out-of-town acts including a decent Violent Femmes sounding duo, Sarah Camden, Daniel Hart, and Level Headed. It's a younger emo punk scene here. Talking with Ana how funny it is that I (and her) can step into all these different worlds. Just next door is Café Stella, a completely different scene of coffee shop laptop goers and refined tastes. I order a Buckwheat Mushroom and Swiss Cheese Crepe from there. Ana's got her two brothers hanging out with us; she's happy to get them out of their houses. I put on the last performance of the night. My set gets cut short a little bit because they have to close up shop by midnight but that's okay. It was a fun show. And I like to continue to perform because it keeps my skills fresh. 

Reflecting on the night with Ana in my room while we wait on the Level Headed guys to come home and sleep on our couches. She says that every time she sees me play I seem to get better and better, and how she's proud of me. There's a glow about her as she explains how much she loves me and that it's on nights like this when she's really happy and realizes how much she loves me.

The band shows up to the house. I open up the couch that folds out into a bed and get them situated. They're grateful for the place to stay.

Ginger Pear Tea. Dark Chocolate.

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] Images by me.

Sunday May 10 2015

[i]

Waking up kind of late with fifteen minutes until I have to be at work.

Raw Cacao Protein Shake with Banana, Strawberries, Blueberries, and Almond Milk.

All day shift at China Wok.

It's a bright hot afternoon out here on the streets of Hilltop. I've got on my sun protective long-sleeved red-white hoodie.

Sending this photo to my mom on Facebook with the caption: "How your son's heart feels when he thinks of you on Mother's Day."

Mom texts me, "Of any accomplishment in my life that I might have had being your mother is the one I value the most."

Later on when I stop by the house for lunch I hear the floor thumping and creaking from the second floor. I discover Ana doing jumping jacks in her bedroom, naked of course. She was always destined to live in the Amazon.

Grilled PB&J Toast. Potato Lentil Curls. Honey Green Tea. Pineapple (the sweetest pineapple).

The day goes on and the usual delivery driver frustrations occur.

The elevator at the Courtyard Marriott on 37^th has a stampede of people waiting so I take the crazy spiral staircase up six floors. I have specially designed calves for these kinds of situations.

Chair porn on the side of road...

Talking to my mom for a good thirty minutes on the phone while I pace out in front of the restaurant during the slow time.

Off work and back home at a decent hour.

Leftover Black Eyed Peas with Broccoli and Rice.

Watching American Sniper (2014).

At the music space rehearsing songs with Ana, then practicing songs on my own.

Valencia Orange.

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] Images by me.

Saturday May 9 2015

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

Raw Cacao Protein Shake with Strawberries, Banana, and Blueberries.

All day shift at China Wok.

Sunflower Seeds and Almonds.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Blue Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato. Honey Green Tea.

Just another day on the job – delivering more orders to the beach – the tourist season has kicked in full swing, which just means more traffic at the oceanfront and more people to dodge on Atlantic Avenue.

Honey Crisp Apple.

Ling shows me a grotesque video of an ISIS beheading. Even since they've been appearing this past year I haven't actually seen one. It's not like seeing gore in movies. This is the real deal. After watching there's a disturbing feeling that lingers. My neck starts to feel irritated as if I experienced the beheading myself.

"That's something I only need to see once," I explain to Ling.

Ling shares his thoughts about how stupid he thinks these people (ISIS) are by killing people with their hands tied as if they're strong and powerful.

Tofu with Broccoli, Carrots, Onions, and Rice in Garlic Sauce.

Watching American Sniper (2014).

Practicing songs at the music space.

Pineapple.

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] Image by me.

Friday May 8 2015

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Black Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

All day shift at China Wok.

Banana.

Grilled PB&J Toast with Bee Pollen. Olive Oil Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea.

It's a slow day for deliveries. The sun is hiding behind the gray clouds. But it's still warm and cozy.

Honey Crisp Apple.

It's shortly after 10 o'clock. When I arrive back to the restaurant from a delivery I discover – well, I don't know how else to identify it without sounding judgmental – a horde of black women and children hanging out at the tables. They just ordered a butt load of chicken wings and shrimp with broccoli. I have to help expedite the orders. And this is the reason I'll be getting home late tonight.

Back home at 11:30. I held off on eating Chinese food tonight so I could enjoy a homemade Naan Pizza and Salad made with love by Ana.

Me: "Thank you so much! This is delicious."

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

---

[i] Image by me.

Thursday May 7 2015

[i]

Waking up at noon.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Black Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

Organizing. And other business.

A leftover Pizza slice from Brother's. An Egg. Blue Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato. Honey Green Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Practicing at the music space.

At the Great Neck Rec running on the treadmill then shooting the basketball around. I get asked to play 1-on-1 with one of the guys that normally plays here. He takes a win by two points but compliments me, "You get better and better every time I see you."

Me: "I try my best."

I'll Be Home for Dinner Sweet Darlin' (5-7-2015) (9.20pm)

Back home. Ana cooks us dinner this time: Salmon, leftover Black Eyed Peas, Basmati Rice, and Roasted Cauliflower, Onions, and Kale Sprouts.

"Thanks for making dinner," I tell her.

"Thanks for making dinner all the time!" she responds, implying that I make dinner the majority of the time, which is true.

Upstairs, in my room for a change, we meddle around in the bed and escalate it into sex pretty quickly. It's the niceties of life.

To the music space practicing songs and training my voice. Feeling the waves of creativity again.

Chores.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

---

[i] Brock Lefferts.

Wednesday May 6 2015

[i]

Waking up at 11:40 a.m.

Raw Cacao Protein Shake with Blueberries, Banana, and Almond Milk.

Getting business take care of. Bank. Dropping off recycle.

Grilled PB&J Toast with Bee Pollen. Olive Oil Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea. Milk Chocolate with Hazelnut.

Full day of teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Ana and I hit the road to Richmond as soon as I finish my last lesson. We've got to make the Sufjan Stevens concert. Sufjan was a very important musician for me back in my younger years of music making. I made dinner earlier in the day and packed it in Tupperware containers: Black Eyed Peas with Basmati Rice, Kale, and Carrots.

Meeting up with Josiah and Bianca on the third tier of the Altria Theater. It's a grand music hall – huge – the perfect location for an artist like Sufjan.

I'm not sure how else to describe the experience in words but it's a perfect performance. His voice sounds just as pure and wispy as it does on record. There are moments when the band takes an ethereal run off from the songs – it's powerful.

Afterwards, as everybody is piling out of the theater, we notice other familiar faces from the 757. Ana and I chill with Josiah and Bianca at our friend Shane's place off Grace.

...

Discovering a hidden late night cookie place in an alley called Red Eye. They even deliver till 1 a.m. Ana and I grab a couple Chocolate Chip Cookies to go.

On the drive back talking with Ana in the car and reflecting on the concert, "As I was sitting there in that grand theater with all those people just watching and listening to Sufjan perform I felt an overwhelming sense of love. It was inspiring."

She brings to mind a Beethoven quote, "Music is a higher revelation...than all wisdom and philosophy."

Back home. Settling in. Kevin's got a girl over. Before they head upstairs after smoking cigarettes out back he bothers me in the kitchen.

"What're you doing, Robert?"

"I'm making almond milk! I have to do it now so I can have it in the morning!"

"He's making almond milk at three in the morning," he scoffs.

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] Images by me.

Tuesday May 5 2015

[i]

☼ ○ ▬

Involved in a full court pick-up basketball game in a gym I'm not familiar with. Fifteen minutes have already gone by and the clock has been set for another fifteen. I get a rebound and become surrounded at the baseline by the other team flailing their arms to block my pass. It's hard to pick out who my teammates are. Eventually, I just toss it in Elliott's direction. The ball gets tipped out of bounds. Immediately after, a crowd of teenage girls comes rushing out of the bleachers to celebrate the other team's win. They all have the exact same hairstyle: long, straight, and dirty blonde.

Me: "I don't understand! What are they celebrating for? We still have time in the game!"

They fill up the courts and nobody can move. Then, they start singing a haunting chorus. I'm upset cause the clock is still running and we could be playing basketball. Gradually, I forget about the game and start feeling an overwhelming sense of female nurturing. Being surrounded by all the girls reminds me of my mom's spirit. I feel comfortable and like a baby boy wrapped in his mother's arms. 

▬ ○ ☼

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Black Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

Business. Errands.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese and Strawberry Jam. Blue Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado. Honey Green Tea. Banana.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Navel Orange.

At the Great Neck Rec with Ana shooting the basketball around and running on the treadmill.

"I feel like an apple...on a stick...with caramel!" Ana explains how she feels after she eats too much of something.

Brother's Pizza and Salad for dinner tonight. Ana and I stay in the kitchen, being the kitchen witches that we are. She prepares her morning fruit drink and lunch while I brew a big pitcher of honey green tea.

At the music space trying to get a good setup for practicing songs through the PA system but it keeps cutting on and off – the malfunction is probably from the water damage but thankfully it's insured. Ana drops by to sing our songs together. She's disappointed when she leaves cause we still haven't had sex this week. It's my fault cause my life gets so clouded and busy that my physical intimacy skills have faded. I don't like it cause it's an important part of our relationship.

...

I continue practicing on my own for another hour.

Back home. Hydrating my body with lemon water and some Blueberries.

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] Randy Mora.

Monday May 4 2015

[i]

Waking up to the sound of Pumpkin scratching at Ana's bedroom door.

"Let him in," I tell Ana.

After she opens the door the cat immediately hops onto the bed and joins the cuddle train.

Ana makes us Blueberry Oat Bran Waffles for breakfast complete with heart-shaped napkins. I brew the Coffee to go with it.

Ana and I go to the Pick-n-Pull junkyard, otherwise known as the Virginia Beach automobile cemetery. I find two sun visors from two different Toyota Camry's. Ana keeps trying to take pictures. I humorously scold her, "This isn't an amusement park."

Ana: "But we paid two dollars just to get in here."

Me: "True."

Naval Orange.

Teaching Kristian piano lessons out in Kempsville.

Going to Taylor's Do-it Center to buy a long shelf for Ana to use for her herbs and plants.

Grilled PB&J Toast with Bee Pollen. Exotic Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea.

Teaching a couple lessons at Music Makers.

Then, off to the Princess Anne Rec for adult basketball. Meanwhile, Ana makes use of the fitness room. It feels good to be running up and down the courts burning calories. I miss a few and make a few. All around it's a good time.

Back home.

Fixing us dinner: Tilapia with Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots, and Quinoa in a homemade Chinese style Brown Sauce. It's one of those nights where every randomly selected record we put on isn't appetizing to our ears. The needle somehow gets broken in the process so we settle for a jazz CD.

Then, on to the shelf project. I pull out my power drill and other tools. It takes a little while to get everything right cause I have to search through screws stored away in drawers for the right ones that will fit the brackets we got. The end product is worth all the effort.

Then, on to the music space to rehash old tunes for an upcoming show next Monday. Ana's been learning the drums. She shows me a few beats she's been practicing. I'm impressed.

Back home again.

Sleep together in my bed.

---

[i] Images by me.

Sunday May 3 2015

[i]

Waking up at 11:09 a.m.

Raw Cacao Protein Shake with Banana, Blueberries, and Almond Milk.

Kevin Needs to Clean the Bathroom, Do His Dishes, and then Buy Black Beans (May 3 2015)

All day shift at China Wok.

It's bright and sunny today, a real representation of summer or Spring, or whatever it is.

Pineapple. Almonds. Sunflower Seeds. Olive Oil Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea.

At some point when I arrive back to the restaurant from a delivery I spot Ana napping in her car while she waits for me to retrieve the keys to the music space. Later on she tags along on deliveries. I tell her about a list I'm compiling labeling all the obstacles and behavior I see on the road. You've got your Double Stoppers, Surprise U-Turners, Tail Riders, Jay Walkers, Slow Pokers, Show Boaters, the Overly Cautious, the Lost Drivers, and the Unpredictables. The list will be ongoing.

Honey Crisp Apple.

It's an average Sunday – delivering pretty steadily.

Off work and back home.

Fried Shrimp with Broccoli, Onions, Carrots, and Rice in Garlic Sauce.

Watching A Most Violent Year (2014).

Cutting my hair.

Sleep next to Ana at 3 a.m.

---

[i] Image by me.

Saturday May 2 2015

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Black Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

All day shift at China Wok.

Banana.

Grilled PB&J Toast. Exotic Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea.

Just another day for a delivery driver. Listening to Backstory on NPR about Civil War history.

Honey Crisp Apple.

Off work and back home.

Enjoying Chicken with Broccoli and Rice.

Watching A Most Violent Year (2014).

I've been so busy lately Pumpkin's been taking my place as affection giver for Ana. Whenever Whitney leaves for the weekend on her roller derby bouts Pumpkin has no choice but seek out opportunities elsewhere.

"I'm so mean to you – I realize how mean I am," Ana says to me as we cuddle together with Pumpkin in between our faces. His purr box is at full strength.

"Yes you are."

They're both so cute in bed. She accidentally refers the heel of a bread loaf to a "neel". Sometimes she makes up words and it makes me giggle.

Chores.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

---

[i] Image by me.

Friday May 1 2015

[i]

Waking up just before 1 p.m. feeling super rested. The wind is blowing and the rain is falling.

Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

I convince Kevin to give me a ride to my car, which is finally all done. In the passenger seat of Kevin's car there is barely any room for my legs with all the empty Wawa croissant boxes and cigarette cartons everywhere.

Me: "It's Kevin's mobile trash compactor!"

Then, I head straight to the old storage unit to finish dismantling the piano piece by piece. With the purchase of a heavy duty crow bar and long flathead screwdriver I manage to successfully take the cast iron harp off the wood. It was a big project for me considering I don't have any official craftsman skills except for what I learn as I go along.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese and Strawberry Jam. Sweet Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea.

I grab Kevin to help me transport the cast iron harp from the unit back to the house. With the use of a sturdy shelf board as a ramp and some rope to tie it down it's an easy job. We place it against the wall in the hallway.

Me: "I can't believe I really did this. I just took apart a whole piano."

Navel Orange with Greek Yogurt.

I'm playing with Ladada at a free rock show at Work Release, a fairly new venue/art warehouse in the arts district. I take Kevin and Ana with me. I got the wild idea of strutting a longhaired wig for the evening – managing to convince a few people it's even real. We play alongside The Seeers and Wyteshayds, two powerhouse bands. I feel like every show I play with Ladada gets more cohesive and comfortable. Wearing the wig turns me into a different person. At the finale everybody witnesses Josiah get fueled with the kind of rock energy you can only experience at a show – at the end of the song where we repeat the E chord over and over again Josiah loses control and swings his guitar off knocking over the mic stands.

Sipping on a couple Pilsners and enjoying complimentary meals via band tickets with Ana: Naan Pizza, Side Salads, and a Fruit and Cheese Plate.

Seeing this Work Release place for the first time is inspiring. It's exciting to see the Norfolk arts/music culture having a location to thrive and stay alive.

Back home at some point.

Chatting with Ana before bed about how grateful I am that April is over. It was a super busy month for me. May will be much calmer. She's been in a bit of a sour mood, which I can understand but sometimes I don't understand it.

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] Images by me.

Thursday April 30 2015

[i]

Waking up at 12:42 p.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Black Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

Working on blog stuff.

Grilled PB&J Toast with Bee Pollen. Olive Oil Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

It's a rainy day. I still don't have my car cause the shop is still waiting on the correct condenser to put into it. Ana is my chauffer today. She drives me to Lowe's for a couple things and then drops me off at the storage unit so I can finish deconstructing this old piano. I have to unscrew every single tuning pin that holds the strings. It's quite a production but in the end I know it will be worth it.

[ii]

Ana picks me up and brings me home. Warming up some leftovers for dinner: Yellow Eyed Beans with Quinoa, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots, and Onions. While I enjoy my meal I request Ana "sing me a song". Normally she would flat out say no cause of being embarrassed and all. But this time she surprises me by singing a couple songs in tagalong. I love listening to her sing. Her true heart comes out in her voice.

I borrow her car and trek out to the storage unit off Tidewater for a late night Ladada band rehearsal. My hands are sore from bass playing and everything really. Even though I had no China Wok today and only four lessons I feel overworked. It's mainly this piano and all the dismantling work I've put into it. I haven't even finished moving it from the old storage unit and I'm supposed to be completely moved out of there by tomorrow.

Back home. I have to make two batches of almond milk for Ana and I otherwise we won't be able to eat our usual breakfast in the morning.

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] Image sources unknown. 

[ii] Image by Ana.

Wednesday April 29 2015

[i]

☼ ○ ▬

Helping to hang up a Christmas tree in the foyer of the church I used to go to. It's also understood I'm living here in some kind of loft apartment. Margot, my ex-girlfriend, is here too for some reason. I'm starting to have difficulty with the tree; it feels like I’m responsible for it rather than just helping. I get frustrated and walk downstairs where all the classrooms are for a sip of water from the water fountain.

▬ ○ ☼

Waking up at noon.

Raw Cacao Protein Shake with Banana, Blueberries, and Almond Milk.

Catching up on writing and other things.

Grilled PB&J Toast. Bee Pollen. Sweet Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Ana takes us to the Great Neck Rec for exercising. Gobbling down a Navel Orange to sustain my energy at the gym. Shooting around the basketball and playing a couple pick-up games while Ana works on her dribbling drills on the side of the court.

Last minute shopping at Trader Joe's. It's a team effort to prepare dinner – she prepares the roasted Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots, and Onions. I take control of the pan seared Chicken and Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti Noodles with a homemade Tomato Sauce.

After we sit down to enjoy our labors Ana comments, "We eat too well."

Me: "You say that every time we eat dinner."

But it's true. We work hard to eat well.

Ana takes me to the old storage unit so I can finish deconstructing my grandma's old piano. It's quite a lengthy process. Every little knob, bolt, and string has to be removed in order for this cast iron harp to come out. I plan on saving all the interesting pieces like the tuning pins for a future art project.

As we're walking from the car to the house I point out to Ana at random, "You know, we're hitting that point in our relationship when things are going to be real challenging. It's gonna be difficult. You think you can handle it?"

Another Navel Orange and Blueberries.

Cleaning the dishes and kitchen.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

---

[i] Image by Ana.

Tuesday April 28 2015

[i]

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Black Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

General organizing and business.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese and Strawberry Jam. Sesame Blue Corn Tortilla Chips with Guacamole.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. While going through some picture frames I had stored away in the house I found two pictures my mom gave me a long time ago, both of them music related, one of them quoting the popular lines, "We are the music makers..." How appropriate. I couldn't resist hanging them up in the studio room where I teach.

After lessons I'm at a fork in the road where I can either go to the gym or continue organizing the new music space. I take the latter.

Back home. Whipping up a tasty meal for Ana and I using the Yellow Eye Beans from yesterday with Cheesy Spinach, Mushroom, Peppers, Onions, and Rice.

There's a rock show at the Retro Café bar at the beach. Our friend, Ben Briggs, is playing drums in a band called An Animal and Josiah is filling in on bass with Mas Y Mas. Ana and I stroll over to check it out. There's a bunch of artists showing their work too. I purchase a wood burn piece and a couple prints. Josiah and Bianca are going crazy over this Chinese app where you can turn yourself into a 3D avatar.

While hanging out with Josiah at the bar I get asked by a girl if I am gay. After replying no she asks if I think she's gay.

"I don't assume anything is true," I reply.

She won't stop asking to take a selfie with us but she doesn't understand the avatar app we're using.

"You guys remind me of that show The Big Bang Theory!" she says.

Back home. Ana goes to bed. And I head to the music space to fix a couple things and play drums.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

---

[i] Images by me.

Monday April 27 2015

[i]

Waking up sometime before 9 a.m. to Ana caressing my back and legs with sexual intentions. It's been about 3 weeks since the last time. There shouldn't be so much time in between.

Waking up officially at noon.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Black Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

Teaching Kristian a piano lesson out in Kempsville.

Grilled PB&J Toast. Plantain Chips. Navel Orange. Honey Green Tea.

Teaching three hours of piano/voice/bass lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

At the Seatack Rec to get my cardio on the basketball courts. A middle schooler and I play a string of one-on-one games. He's actually pretty skilled. He wins the first one. I win the second one, to which he slammed the ball against the wall in defeat. I had to win one game just to prove to him he's not invincible. But we do a sudden death match and he gets the victory.

Making dinner for Ana and I: Mustard Garlic Salmon with Steuben Yellow Eye Beans, Basmati Rice, Broccoli, and Carrots.

Afterwards, Ana hangs out with some friends of hers at Wanna B's for karaoke.

Organizing stuff at the new music space. Then, working at deconstructing my grandma's old piano at the other storage unit. With every screw and bolt I loosen the detuned strings resonate a ghostly sound.

Ginger Pear Tea.

Sleep 4:17 a.m.

---

[i] Image by me.

Sunday April 26 2015

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m. with heavy tired eyes.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Black Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

All day shift at China Wok.

Banana.

Enjoying the cool sweater weather along with a bright sun.

Grilled PB&J Toast. Potato Chips. Honey Green Tea.

After getting back to the restaurant we receive a prank call, which is a common occurrence at a Chinese restaurant; I don't know why. I guess people just see Chinese-speaking people as an easy victim to prank. This time it's a couple of teenage girls on the other line pretending to have British accents. She keeps asking if we deliver over seas. Upon the third call Cecily finally picks up and starts spouting Mandarin into the phone but of course they don't understand, and that's the point. Returning the favor on purpose.

Honey Crisp Apple.

The night deliveries continue.

I'm surprised to be getting off at a decent hour. I'm home by 10:40 p.m. enjoying dinner: Chic Peas, Tomatoes, Broccoli, and Rice.

Watching After the Fall (2014).

Catching up on lesson homework.

Ana joins me in bed around 3 a.m.

---

[i] Image by me.

Saturday April 25 2015

[i]

Ana riles me up out of a hard sleep sometime before 11 a.m. She's whining about me wanting to sleep till noon and how she's gonna just eat the waffles all by herself.

Enjoying a nice breakfast together while Kevin raves on about the fajitas he's cooking. "Fajitas, dude! My fajitas are the bomb!"

Blueberry Oat Waffles with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese and Maple Syrup. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

I ask Ana if she wants honey in her coffee. She takes too long to decide.

"Too late!" I exclaim.

"It's okay. I have you," she says back.

Catching up on writing while Ana runs to the grocery store.

Then, to the Seatack Rec to throw the basketball around. I teach Ana a drill to learn how to dribble between the legs.

Ana: "Whenever I poop it's a lot! It'll be like four servings of poop."

Me: "I don't think they measure poop in servings. Cause it's not meant to be served."

Ana: "Okay then four results!"

:)

Sharing a quick lunch at the house: Lentil Toast with Tomatoes and Mustard. Black Bean Quinoa Tortilla Chips with homemade Guacamole. Cinnamon Kombucha Tea.

Elliott and Michelle pick us up in a big black 15-passenger van. Picking up Joel then we're headed to Fredericksburg for a You're Jovian show. It's being held at a church as a benefit show for an anti-sexual assault organization. Time flies in the van...

The first band is a local teenage rock band. Apparently they've only been together for a week now. They play a pretty rad Violent Femmes cover. The lead singer reminds me of myself being in a band as a teenager, shy, nervous, but with a potential spark at being something great. Janis, the guy who puts on all the Fredericksburg shows, does an interesting experimental electronic set to the backdrop of four people playing Super Smash Bros. Then, I get up there with Elliott and Joel for You're Jovian. It's a lot faster than we practiced but we still play with precision and zest. A semi-surprise visit from Phil and Cheongah – they just drove in from the farm since they're less than an hour away.

Afterwards, we stroll down the block in the rain to a pizza joint called Benny Vitali's where we gorge on the biggest pizza any one of us has ever laid eyes on, a 36-inch pie.

Sodium levels are high from the tasty slices and we all know how thirsty we're going to be. Stocking up on water before we drive back to Virginia Beach.

...

Elliott's driving while I deejay in the passenger seat. Everyone else naps in the back.

Home at last. Cleaning up stuff in the kitchen and making a pitcher of green tea for the week.

Sleep 4 a.m.

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[i] Images by me.

Friday April 24 2015

[i]

Waking up semi-early at 10 a.m.

Raw Cacao Protein Shake with Banana, Blueberries, Strawberries, and Almond Milk.

I've got to attend court from that three-car accident back in November. Seriously, November. The first time I came to court the officer who issued me the "following too closely" asked for a continuance to bring in the other drivers. So the second court date comes around in February and had to be rescheduled cause of the snow. And now here I am in April for the third time. I already know the drill in General District Court. Sit down and wait till my name is called. Andre, a guy that used to come to Movie Monday's, just happens to be here too for his own court case. What a coincidence. Eventually, I get called up. And it's as simple as just explaining the accident to the judge and convincing him I was not at fault. "Dismissed." I win at court today.

Anytime I'm over in this part of Virginia Beach I check out the thrift stores here. I run into Nick and Victoria from Zeke's.

Back home. Organizing my purchases and doing various chores around the house.

Lentil Sandwich with Tomato and Mustard. Leftover Potatoes and Onions. Honey Oolong Tea.

At the Seatack Rec shooting the basketball around.

To the Tidewater storage unit for a brush-up Ladada rehearsal. My fingers are starting to get kind of sore from all the bass playing this week but I gotta be resilient. Then, to the arts district off Granby in Norfolk. We've got a show at The Parlor with Avers and Logan Vath. Grabbing a few Tuna and Tofu Pokebowls from Zeke's across the street – they just opened up a few weeks ago. People start to pile in for the rock show at The Parlor. It's free entry so we might hit capacity. I feel like every time I come here I end up seeing old friends that I haven't seen in a while – it's always like a little reunion. Then again, if I lived in Norfolk and came to events like this all the time then it wouldn't even be a thing.

Ana comes up to me with bright eyes and asks, "Can I be your bracelet tonight?" meaning can she be by my side. What an adorable thing to say. Staying psyched throughout the night...

I felt decent about our performance tonight. It had the pysch-rock and Motown energy that Josiah always pushes for. But I flubbed a lot of parts – Calum flubbed a lot of parts – Josiah flubbed a lot of parts. Just call us The Flubbers. But none of that matters cause people enjoyed the music.

Sticking around for the rest of the show. Sipping on Hard Ciders and thoroughly enjoying Avers performance.

Later on, I've made it back home. Brushing my teeth, putting on a clean shirt, then immediately hopping into bed with Ana. I'm terribly exhausted. We both are. Her touch is soothing.

Sleep 3 a.m.

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[i] Images by me.