I LOVE

Monday January 8 2018

Waking up at 10:20 a.m.

Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Basketball at the Rec. Schools are closed again today so they got us running only one court. One of the Rec employees has us doing 4-on-4 games half court so everybody can play without a wait list.

Scrambled Eggs. Potato Chips with Avocado. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese and Jam. Oolong Tea.

Watching a food documentary series called Rotten (2017).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. Schools are still closed and even though the roads are drivable we still get cancellations creating a chaotic schedule for mom to bear.

Back home.

Vegetable Fried Rice with Peas and such.

Watching Wind River (2017).

Sipping on a Beer.

Ana’s been going stir crazy having to be home all the time. She still can’t work for at least another week or so, possibly more, until the physical therapist says it’s okay. Her and I take a night drive to Kroger for midnight groceries.

Kitchen chores.

Sleep 3:08 a.m.

Sunday January 7 2018

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Waking up at 11 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Earl Grey Tea.

Finalizing all the details, emails, and schedule for MMLIVE starting up next weekend.

Benevolent Bacon (Plant based). Popcorn. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Oolong Tea.

Practicing piano.

Off to brave the icy roads again teaching in-home lessons to the Kuz’s out in Croatan.

Leftover Soup and Naan Bread for dinner.

Watching Marshall (2017).

Ana and I practice songs at the studio.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Saturday January 6 2018

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Waking up at 11:08 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Mom and I open up Music Makers for only a few lessons.

Sardines with Mustard. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato. Sourdough Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Oolong Tea.

Finishing Dunkirk (2017).

I ask mom and Ana, “Y’all ready to go on an adventure?”

We all hop in my purple station wagon, now serving as our snow mobile, to trek across Oceana and General Booth. My mom needs to help her friend Reinette, and Ana and I need to exercise at the Princess Anne Rec. Gratefully they are open today. I play a few rounds of pick-up basketball while Ana works out her legs (her right arm is still in a sling).

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Then, we take mom to the Farm Fresh to pick up some groceries and meds for Reinette. Enjoying some Pineapple and Coconut Water inside Reinette’s apartment.

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Then, back on the road. What would normally take about 10 minutes to get home takes us about 30 minutes. You can’t really go over 25 or 30 miles per hour. Every break and bump in the road feels like you’re driving over potholes. Poor Ana is in the backseat attempting to brace her arm.

Back home. Napping.

With Will, Ana, and mom at Wasserhund Brewing to eat some Pizza, drink Beer, and watch fellow teacher, Joe McMurray, perform.

Back home. Collecting my thoughts. Organizing the bands for MMLIVE starting next weekend while eating Chocolate.

Ana and I hang out with Nest in their room to give a Christmas card. There’s a little tension towards the end of our conversation when we discuss how to divvy up the utility bill fairly after Nest was gone for two weeks. We don’t usually pro-rate the rent when someone goes out of town. Keeping it simple and drawing it down the middle is the best and less tedious option. Either way, we wait to hear Will’s opinion.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Friday January 5 2018

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Waking up at 11:08 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Black Tea.

With mom and Ana in the purple station wagon plowing through Hilltop’s icy terrain to run errands – drop off recycle – get groceries from Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods.

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Oolong Tea.

Watching Dunkirk (2017).

Napping.

Catching up on business.

Mom made homemade soup with Beans, Pasta, Celery, Carrots, Onions, and Kale.

Maple Leaf Cookies.

Ana and I trek to the studio to practice songs. At the moment she can’t physically play the guitar so we stick to working on vocal parts.

Popcorn. Chocolates. Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Thursday January 4 2018

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Waking up at 12:30 p.m. Late night last night with Ana in the emergency room. Her shoulder is back in place and everything’s okay.

A bowl of Honey Crunch n Oats with Banana, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.

The whole 757 is snowed in today! It’s a winter wonderland outside.

Ana’s arm is stuck in a sling but she’s still able to move around like normal. I inspire us to start cleaning up the huge mess on her bedroom floor that she’s been meaning to take care of for a few days now. I use my organizational skills and as a team we manage to transform her room.

Late lunch: Tuna Salad Sandwich with Lettuce and Tomato. Tomato Soup. Potatoes. Oolong Tea.

Catching up on business.

Chores.

Continuing the cleanup in Ana’s room. We work together until it’s all done. I know she’s relieved. An organized and uncluttered room helps her feel relaxed and at ease.

Her and I join Will in his bedroom for a viewing of Blade Runner 2049 (2017), a much anticipated film on my end. Popping this new Amish Red Popping Corn my mom got me in the iron skillet and sipping on a Young Veterans.

Late late night dinner: Sweet Earth Veggie Burgers with Kale.

Maple Leaf Cookies.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Wednesday January 3 2018

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Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Earl Grey Tea.

At the Princess Anne Rec with intention to play basketball but without warning they’ve closed the gym down to fix the divider wall. Some of us decide to move the games over to the Bow Creek Rec. I’m able to run three solid games but then I’m beat.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Potato Chips with Avocado. Oolong Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. The weather report threatens a blizzard on its way tonight and of course we’re receiving calls and texts from parents wanting to cancel lessons. Virginia Beach has never learned how to handle inclement weather like snow.

I order a Pizza from Brother’s for dinner.

Finishing the last season of Halt and Catch Fire.

Catching up on business.

While at the studio practicing songs on the piano I get a distressing call from Ana. She’s crying over the phone. Turns out she slipped in the shower and managed to dislocate her right shoulder. She’s in terrible pain. I hate seeing her like this. We have no choice but to head to the hospital. Meanwhile, it’s a roaring blizzard outside – snow covers the streets and wind blows around in a fury. There’s hardly any patients here at the emergency room. It’s almost 3 a.m. While waiting in between all the different nurses and doctors we keep our spirits lifted with singing and laughing at the silly infomercials on TV. Jeffery, the nurse responsible for the IV and paperwork, provides a bubbly personality – he consistently makes us laugh. They pump her up with morphine and some other serious pain meds. Then, a group of doctors arrive to manually relocate her shoulder using an intricate method of wrapped blankets. It’s a moment of horrible pain for Ana as she wails in agony. But then, in a few seconds it’s over – near instant relief.

We make it safely home around 6 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Tuesday January 2 2018

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Waking up at 10:47 a.m.

Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Errands.

Business.

Grilled PB&J. Potato Chips. Honey Crisp Apple. Oolong Tea.

Watching Halt and Catch Fire.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Orange.

Back home. Ana made us a hearty dinner of Lentils with Brown Rice, and leftover Vegetables.

Ana vents her frustrations over a particular situation that happened earlier when cooking dinner. We bring Will downstairs to have a house meeting to smooth over any misunderstandings.

Later on, Ana and I brave the 17 degree weather and enjoy music at the studio. We practice some old songs and discuss songs we want to do for our next gig.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Monday January 1 2018

Waking up around 10:30 a.m. lying next to Ana underneath the covers warm and cozy while the brisk cold air outside begs to welcome us to 2018. We make love asap.

Ana and I check into Three Ships down at the oceanfront for Coffee and Biscuits. Elliott and James Nee were doing a morning performance before we arrived. Other friends of ours are here. Sitting at the bar with our hot drinks and caffeinated spirits we meet a few new people. Talking with a guy named Fred, who knows our roommate Will, about opera and the difference between being a werewolf, vampire, or zombie person. Then, we meet Christina Joy, a local photographer and musician, who glows with positivity and an eagerness for the new year. Ana and I both take a liking to her.

Catching up on business.

Scrambled Eggs. Half a Bagel and a piece of French Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Orange. Oolong Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Ana already started cooking brown rice and left in a hurry to buy olive oil from the store only to return with nothing. Meanwhile, mom and I finish making dinner: Tempeh with Roasted Broccoli, Cauliflower, Onions, and Brown Rice.

Catching up on business.

Sifting through old songs I used to perform from back in the mid 2000’s.

Maple Leaf Cookies. Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Sunday December 31 2017

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Waking up at 10:20 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Mom and I attend the 11 a.m. church service at Freedom Fellowship. The last time I’ve been inside here was probably last Christmas. It’s always warm and inviting just like I remember it. Pastor Rick and his family are not present this Sunday. Instead, Marshall Washington gives the sermon today about knowing who you are and getting out of “the valley”.

Scrambled Eggs. Grilled Bagel with Cream Cheese and Sesame Seeds. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Oolong Tea.

Watching The Foreigner (2017).

Power napping.

Doing the accounting for the month.

Making dinner real quick: Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti Noodles with Mushrooms, Onions, Marinara Sauce, and Naan Bread.

Then, with Will, mom, and Ana at Joe McMurray’s house for the first leg of NYE. He’s got a wonderful music room filled with a petting zoo of instruments: organ, sitar, banjo, harp, djembe, guitars, etc. We all try our hand at the sitar and vamp on a chant in harmonic minor.

We stay for just a little bit entertaining ourselves on the piano, the dog, and cake balls. Before Joe and I get lost in music shop talk we head out, dropping mom back at the house.

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Will, Ana, and I continue our new year’s eve in Norfolk at the Wolves Den, otherwise known as Ben’s house. It’s a whopping 20 something degrees outside but we stay holed up inside like sardines in the steamy kitchen along with other friends and friends of friends. Anthony, Riggs, Jordan, Tyler, Cynthia, Rusty, Aj, even Darren Warrington and his sister. Hard dancey electronic acts perform with anger and haste. In between Tyler deejays on his phone and we dance all the while holding plastic cups and bottles of champagne. TMOBYLE in the house!

At some point around 11:59 Darren and I lead the crowd in a whole minute countdown...

Back home after 2 a.m. and thus begins the first sleep of the year.

[i] Images by me and Instant Pics by Jordan Trotter.

Saturday December 30 2017

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

Enjoying a French Toast and Coffee breakfast with Ana.

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers. My mom will often get positive feedback from the parents of some students. It’s always reassuring to hear how much of an effect I have on the kids. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like I make progress through all the work. But I’m making a mark on their lives.

Grilled PB&J Bagel with Plantain Chips, an Orange, and Black Tea.

Watching Halt and Catch Fire.

Catching up on business.

Power napping.

Grabbing some champagne and beer from Total Wine.

Making dinner with mom: Cabbage and Potatoes. Sweet Earth Veggie Burgers with Lettuce, Tomato, and Shishito Peppers.

Pinwheel Cookies.

At the studio sipping on a Young Veterans beer and practicing old songs on the guitar.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Friday December 29 2017

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Waking up at 10:26 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Irish Breakfast Tea.

As Ana drives us out of the neighborhood I look around for her wallet, which was missing since last night.

“Did you check on the floor back here?” I ask.

“Yes! I checked everywhere,” she says.

Almost immediately I locate it right behind the passenger seat on the floor.

“I don’t know why I’m so good at finding things,” I exclaim.

We agree that it’s all about perception.

Basketball at the Rec. I’m hot on the court today – leading in 3-point shots and assists.

Sardines with Mustard. Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Oolong Tea. Navel Orange.

Teaching a couple lessons.

Errands.

Back home. Mom made a Chicken, Tomato, and Rice Soup. I slap on some Kale and Sourdough Bread and call it a meal.

Watching Halt and Catch Fire.

Pinwheel Cookies.

Catching up on business.

At the studio tweaking Ana’s bass and restringing my acoustic guitar.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Thursday December 28 2017

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Earl Grey Tea.

Teaching a couple voice lessons.

Errands.

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Potato Chips with Avocado. Oolong Tea.

Starting the fourth season of Halt and Catch Fire (2017).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Making dinner with mom’s help.

Egg Noodles with Peas, Truffle Butter, Onions, Kale, and Parmesan Naan Bread.

Pumpkin Pie.

Ladada practice at the Tidewater storage unit with Bobby, Josiah, and Jon.

The temperature outside has dropped down to 24 degrees!

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Wednesday December 27 2017

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Waking up at 10:37 a.m.

Honey Crunch n Oats with Strawberries and Almond Milk. Black Tea.

Basketball at the Rec.

Scrambled Eggs. Biscuits with Butter and Jam. Potato Chips. Navel Orange. Oolong Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Making dinner: Tempeh with Celery, Onions, Mixed Vegetables, and Rice. Sharing plates at the dining booth with mom and Ana.

Catching up on business – emails – to-do lists.

At some point after I crack open a beer and hang out with Ana for a bit the power goes out across the neighborhood. I light up all the candles I have stashed away. Meanwhile, Will straps on his headlamp and tends to his computer.

Making love under candlelight. At some point during the lights flash on. Surprise!

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Tuesday December 26 2017

Waking up officially at 11:30 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Shooting some basketball at the Great Neck Rec – playing one full court pickup game – I feel I proved myself well even though it was a loss.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Salsa. Oolong Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers – it’s a short day for me.

Getting groceries.

Eating leftovers for dinner: Lentils, Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, Celery, and Quinoa.

Watching American Assassin (2017).

Catching up on business.

Playing piano.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3 a.m.

Monday December 25 2017

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Waking up at 9:08 a.m.

Navel Orange. Coffee.

Dad corrals me and Patty into the big red truck and drive to Greenville, about an hour drive, to meet up with Pansy, Peter, and Peter’s mom at her assisted living home for a banquet style Christmas dinner. You have to reserve a time and for some reason we chose the earliest at 11 a.m. So I guess it’s more like Christmas brunch. I fill up my plate with Potatoes, Green Beans, Carrots, and Portuguese Dinner Rolls. My dad won’t stop talking about how good the prime rib is.

Afterwards, we sneak into the auditorium where they do music. I sit down to a baby grand piano that plays beautifully. I serenade everyone with whatever song I can think up. Sybil, Peter’s mom, is 97 years old – she sits in her rover chair by the tree looking relaxed. Pansy sits by my side singing along.

Then, on to the cemetery where my grandma’s grave is. They wanted to replace the flowers and pay their respects.

Next on the list is visiting my great uncle JW on his farm. My dad’s cousin, Mark, is here helping clean up the kitchen. There’s about a thousand convection heaters going making the inside of the house feel like an oven. JW always has stories to tell and ideas about the world. He was born in 1933, making him 84 years old now. He talks about the days when he ran his car dealerships – he used to drive from Columbia to Norfolk every day, buying used cars cheap in NC then selling them in Hampton Roads for a profit. I’m told he was always a successful businessman and farmer.

I look through the window over the sink at the long stretch of cotton fields as he continues to recant tales and memories. He mentions times when there were slaves on the farm around the time he was born. His granddaddy served Robert E. Lee in the Civil War. We have Irish and American Indian roots in our blood too.

Oh here’s me when I was almost 3 years old (May 1986) walking on the balcony of a house in Germany where my first childhood memories were formed.

One more stop on our Christmas excursion: John D. and Aunt Delores’s house in Grimesland. We enjoy some homemade desserts and coffee around the dining room table flipping through some old photo albums.

Back at my dad’s house on Joscara. I’ve gotta get some other kind of food in my system. We grab some Chinese food down the street. Vegetable Lo Mein in my belly is a relief. Dad found the OKC vs. Rockets game on TV in the middle of the 3^rd quarter. I decide to stay and watch till the end. Him and I provide commentary.

I decide to drive back to Virginia Beach tonight. No podcasts this time. Just my iPod and remembering how great Moby’s Play album was along with other old jems.

Back home. Recollecting our separate Christmas times with Ana in bed until 4 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Sunday December 24 2017

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Waking up at 11:47 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Hitting the road to Goldsboro, North Carolina to visit my dad and family. This time I drive alone. Ana still has to work until late evening and mom made plans for a dinner the next day. It’s a fairly simple drive on 58 to 95 to 795 with a PB&J, Plantain Chips, and Apple break in there somewhere. Podcasts on the history of American food keep my brain active.

Arriving at my dad’s house on Joscara. His wife, Patty, is back from Honduras. Since my dad’s been retired he’s had a lot of time to think – he tells me about how he sits up in the loft regularly looking at all the old photos and stuff. He takes down a couple photo albums that belonged to my Grandma Smith. Looking through them is like getting in a time machine.

Then, he finds his yearbook from when he graduated Columbia High School 1966. Sports was his thing – we find some cool shots of him on the baseball and basketball team.

There’s a great little introduction he wrote as a reflection of high school from his 17-year-old perspective. His high school sweetheart, Dru Davenport, signed his yearbook twice and signed her name anywhere her photo was in the book. He talks to me about some of his memories – how he used to go over to her house – they’d put on Frank Sinatra, lie on the couch, and make out for hours. This was also during the time of the civil rights movement when they started integrating blacks and whites into the same schools. Sarah Spencer [in picture] was the first black woman to graduate Columbia High School.

Reading some of these messages in his yearbook is interesting – it sheds a light onto who my dad was at this age.

Later on, the three of us walk over to the Stancill’s house and enjoy some camaraderie and drinks.

Settling in the guest room recollecting the day and photos. Finishing up writing up some Christmas cards.

Sleep 2 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Saturday December 23 2017

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Waking up at 10:37 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

Tuna Salad Sandwich from Panera. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Salsa. Oolong Tea. Grapes.

Watching Bright (2017).

Catching up on business.

Napping.

Writing Christmas cards.

Running errands during all the nighttime Hilltop Christmas traffic.

Leftover Rice and Vegetables.

After Ana gets off work, the three of us (mom, Ana, and I) corral in the dining room to exchange presents. Cards and emotions first. Then, gifts. It’s a grand time for this “family”.

Later on, Ana and I check in at Charlie’s in Norfolk to catch the tail end of a show but mainly to say hi to friends and hand out cards.

Sleep 4 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Friday December 22 2017

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Waking up at 10:35 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Basketball at the Rec.

Leftover Naan Pizza and Sourdough Toast. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Salsa. Juice.

Watching Bright (2017).

Out teaching a few in-home lessons. Stopping by a thrift store in between.

What happens when your student picks up your phone and sneaks a video while you’re trying to figure out a Mozart song...

Back home. Tristan is in town and stops by for a little hang. With him, Will, and Ana at the old China Wok stomping grounds for a Chinese food dinner. It’s now called Jane House. Enjoying some Tofu with Garlic Sauce, Mixed Vegetables, and Rice.

Chillin’ in Will’s room talking about video games while I play around with Perplexus. Meanwhile, Ana’s knee deep in Christmas gift wrapping and other such things in her bedroom.

Sipping on Chamomile Tea and writing Christmas cards to my students...

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

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