Thursday December 20 2018

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Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Catching up on business – running errands with Ana.

Grilled PB&J. Potato Chips. Coffee.

Watching Shot Caller (2017).

At Music Makers running the front desk and teaching lessons back and forth. I keep getting asked questions about mom and how she’s doing – I don’t know what to say yet.

Apple.

While closing up the store I feel overwhelmed handling all of this extra business mom usually handles. But overall I just feel sad and melancholic with mom not being here. When I arrive back at home I’m alone – Ana and Austin are at work – and I’m left to cook dinner. But first the dishwasher has to be unloaded and the sink cleared out. It takes me longer than usual to cook dinner. I put on some classical music to help fill in the background noise of my mind. I’m really worried about my mom – she doesn’t deserve to be stuck at the hospital with cancer.

Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti Noodles with Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Onions, Red Peppers, Kale, and French Baguette.

At Ladada band practice with Josiah, Bobby, and Jonnie. We run through a couple sets for the weekend shows.

Back home. Discovering a huge striped black spider in the downstairs bathroom...

Sleep 4 a.m.

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[i] Images by me.

Wednesday December 19 2018

 [i]

Waking up at 10:45 a.m.

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

Basketball at the rec. During the last game I hustle up and knock down a couple of crucial 3-point shots.

“MacBook came alive!”

Scrambled Eggs. Poppy Seed Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Potato Chips. Coffee.

At Music Makers. I don’t have as many lessons to teach but running the business phone and dealing with the schedule gets stressful. Christmas traffic causes so many delays with teachers and students arriving late.

...

Shortly after 8 p.m. I’m home cooking dinner for myself: Maple Mustard Salmon with Black Beans, Kale, and Rice.

Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Stopping by Kroger to pick up some fruit then heading over to the hospital to visit with mom. She’s had a stressful day as have I. We keep finding out little by little what’s going on with her. One thing is for sure she has cancer in her uterus and we will begin radiation treatment. In the meantime, we’re both itching for her to get out of the hospital and continue with her life. She is greatly missed at the studio – so many people are asking about her – and I’m pulling double duty with her not there. I give her some pineapple and yogurt and some other fruit for later. It’s important that she continue staying positive and hopeful.

Back home. With Ana and Austin downstairs at the dining room table. I fold/cut Christmas cards while Austin chows down on his Taco Bell.

Pineapple and Yogurt.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Images by me.

Tuesday December 18 2018

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Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

Dates and Nuts Bar. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Catching up on business.

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

At Music Makers. Teaching lessons and handling the front desk. Mom’s still in the hospital.

Off work and back home. Ana made us a wholesome dinner of Peas, Vegetables, and Quinoa.

We go visit mom. She found out what type of cancer is in her neck: Adenocarcinoma. They are going to start 10 separate treatments of radiation in hopes to shrink it into oblivion. We share grapes and cookies while she tells us her stories from the day.

Teaching one last lesson to Katelyn for a while.

Green Tea.

Watching Masterminds (2016).

Writing Christmas cards to my students then wrapping up cookies downstairs while Austin blows vape rings into the air to entertain Elvis.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.

Monday December 17 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec.

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Potato Chips with Avocado. Coffee.

Before I even take the first bite I get a call about a teacher’s tires getting slashed and won’t be able to come in to teach. Without mom around this makes it extra difficult for me but I manage.

At Music Makers. In between teaching lessons I’m texting, scheduling, and dealing with the front desk.

Leftover Fried Rice with Vegetables and Kale for dinner.

ELO rehearsal. We’re practicing our showcase set for NYC.

We finally got some news/results from some of mom’s test. Turns out the mass on her neck is definitely a cancer but we don’t know what type. However, it does seem to be isolated into this mass and not seen anywhere else in the body. None of it is fair – somebody like her doesn’t deserve this. It’s very overwhelming for her but she knows there are tons of friends and family supporting her. And I know she’s gonna get through this.

Ana made more Cookies – she seems to have perfected the chocolate chip cookie.

Finally relaxing at my computer catching up on stuff.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 4 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.

Sunday December 16 2018

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Waking up around 11:30 a.m. next to Ana. Elvis is meowing and pulling on the door knob to my bedroom door. He’s eager for affection and soft breakfast. But before we get to that Ana and I have some lovemaking to do.

We head to Prosperity Bakery to enjoy some Pastries and Coffee for breakfast. Hannah and Nash, both students of mine, are here with the family also – what a coincidence. A Johnny Cash music station is playing in the background.

...

At Target getting some gift things and toilet paper.

Back home.

Catching up on writing and business.

Egg Sandwich on Sourdough with Tomato. Oolong Tea.

Running errands.

Visiting mom at the hospital and delivering a “fruit feast” as she calls it, basically just some Holiday Grapes, an Ugli Fruit, an Orange, and an Apple. We’re hoping they’ll let her go home tomorrow along with the results from the tests.

Back home. I have to bake chocolate chip cookies from the dough Ana made earlier today. These will be individually wrapped as gifts to my students.

Leftovers for dinner: Chicken, Black Beans, Rice, and Kale.

Watching Gringo (2018).

Chores.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.

Saturday December 15 2018

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Waking up at 9:20 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. Guayusa Tea.

At Music Makers. Mom is still admitted in the hospital until Monday so I have to be here early doing what she does along with teaching a bunch of lessons until 1 p.m.

Lugging all the music gear (PA system, piano, etc,) to Old Beach Tavern. Today is the big Music Makers Holiday Recital. Spending an hour or so setting up the stage. Enjoying a comped meal: Crab Cake Sandwich with Fries.

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This is our first time here at this restaurant and we capped it out. All the families and friends of students fill up almost every table. Lisa helps me emcee the event while I coordinate stage activity and running the sound, which needs to be tweaked for each performer. I couldn’t be more proud of everyone – so much variety and music. It’s always cool to see all the different skill levels into one show. The Holiday Vocal Troupe finishes off the show with a bang!

Loading all the gear back to the studio and setting stuff back up. I think might’ve power napped in the driver’s seat of my car beforehand.

At Bangkok Garden with Ana enjoying dinner: Cashew Chicken with Vegetables, Rice, and Thai Tea. Afterwards, we visit with mom at the hospital. She’s in good spirits. So far all the results from some of the tests have been good news. We won’t know everything until Monday. We have a few laughs the three of us about all kinds of things.

Then, Ana and I pop into The Office where Anthony and friends are drinking the night away. It’s the last night this iconic local Virginia Beach dive bar will be open so they’re throwing a big party. Some people have white t-shirts on with tally marks showing how many beers they drank. Ana and I don’t drink anything but pay our respects and sing along with the jukebox. “Say it ain’t so! I will not go! Turn the lights off! Carry me home!” As we’re exiting I take a glance at the marquee which looks like it hasn’t been touched in years. The glowing neon sign still lit will be turned off and sold. Apparently, the whole building will be demolished.

It’s been a long day. I catch up on writing and video editing.

In the kitchen Ana puts on some romantic oldies. While she whips up some cookie dough I clean up the dishes.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Images by me.

Friday December 14 2018

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Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec.

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

Teaching an in-home lesson.

Then, at Music Makers manning the front desk while Stacie teaches three vocal lessons to three sibling girls.

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Immediately after, our Holiday Vocal Troupe is meeting across the street in the Hilltop shopping center to do some caroling from place to place. We march from Fresh Market, Your Pie, Starbucks, Bottelcraft, and to El Taco Loco. I know this is a great memory for the singers.

Ana and I bring dinner to mom in the hospital. She had a rough day going through the colonoscopy and other various tests. They’re basically trying to eliminate any other possibilities related to the mass on her neck. But the doctors are pretty sure it’s a type of cancer. We won’t know officially until Monday.

We enjoy Black Beans, leftover Red Snapper, Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, and Rice.

At the studio printing out programs for the recital tomorrow and packing up gear.

PB Pretzels. Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.

Thursday December 13 2018

Waking up at 10:45 a.m.

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

Catching up on business.

Mom is still gonna stay in the hospital an extra day to prepare for a colonoscopy in the morning, which involves a liquid only diet and lots of trips to the bathroom. Ana and I visit with her before the workday begins.

Grilled PB&J Poppy Seed Bagel. Raspberries. Coffee.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. It’s definitely still strange with mom not being here but I have Lisa come in to just watch the front desk.

Back home. While FaceTiming with mom on the iPad I cook dinner: Red Snapper Filets with Couscous, Black Beans, Broccoli, and Carrots.

White Chocolate Chips.

Ladada rehearsal with Jonnie, Bobby, and Josiah.

Orange.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Wednesday December 12 2018

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Waking up at 10:45 a.m. Abruptly hearing from my mom that her blood test came back and they need her to get to the hospital immediately. Her hemoglobin count is too low.

Granola Cereal with Blueberries and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.

I run some errands.

Because of my mom I’ll have to manage the studio without her. And it’s a full day of lessons. I make a salad for her friend Wanda to take to her at the hospital.

Hard Boiled Egg. Toast with Butter and Jam. Popped Chips. Coffee.

At Music Makers. Juggling teaching lessons and handling the business up front.

My mom’s been at the hospital all afternoon and night. I cook up a dinner of Black Beans, Celery, Sugar Snap Peas, Carrots, and Quinoa to bring her. Because of her dangerously low hemoglobin count they’ve been in the process of a blood transfusion. After about 9 p.m. I go to visit her in room 2016. She’s doing alright and in good spirits. The TV is displaying serene scenes of nature with classical music playing. Every now and then a nurse comes in to check her blood pressure and such. We don’t know much of anything yet until they do a biopsy tomorrow. She reflects to me on how we get so caught up in our lives running errands and doing this and that, then when something like this (something life threatening) happens everything stops and none of it matters.

Back home hanging out with Ana sipping on Chamomile Tea and enjoying a PB&J Chocolate Bar.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.

Tuesday December 11 2018

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

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

Catching up on business.

On the way out I overhear Ana yelling at her mom over the phone. I peak in to be nosy.

“What’s going on? Why are you guys yelling?”

“Because that’s what Filipinos do!” she explains.

Running errands.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Cooking dinner with mom’s help: Fried Chicken with Broccoli, Cabbage, Peppers, Mushrooms, Carrots, Onions, and Jasmine Rice.

Sharing meals at the table with Ana and mom while we watch Hasan Minhaj’s standup comedy.

Teaching an online lesson.

General chores around the house. Meanwhile, Ana is rearranging her room.

...

She walks into my room to borrow some toothpaste.

“I’ve been a busy boy and you’ve been a busy girl,” I tell her.

She adds, “And that poem made me hurl.”

Sleep 4 a.m.

Monday December 10 2018

Waking up at 11:14 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec. My 3-point shot is on fire today. Our team wins 5 games in a row.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Roasted Potatoes. Coffee.

Watching Reindeer Games (2000).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Ana cooked dinner: Lentils, Kale, and Quinoa. With mom and her enjoying our meals together. Anthony stops by to discuss the room switchover at the end of the month.

At ELO rehearsal. We’ve got a New York showcase to prepare for.

Ginger Turmeric Tea.

Ana joins me in the bed and we watch one of the Buster Skruggs short films on my iPad before we fall asleep at 3:30 a.m.

Sunday December 9 2018

Waking up past 12:30 p.m. Man, I really needed that extra sleep.

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

At Music Makers helping Stacie and Lisa with the vocal troupe. It’s their last rehearsal so we’re getting them prepared as they’ll ever be.

Scrambled Eggs. Everything Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Coffee.

Watching Reindeer Games (2000).

Catching up on business.

After Ana gets off work I take her and mom to Prosperity Bakery for half off pastries and pizza slices.

At Soul Haven Studios with Nigel and John tracking some keyboard tracks for ELO songs. Afterwards, I give Nigel a ride up to the 7-11 to get picked up by his son Kevin. He’s legally blind in one eye so he can’t drive. He mentions to me how he wishes he could just take a pill instead of eating food cause he doesn’t have time. He’s always in mission-mode talking as fast as he can to get the job done.

Back home. Enjoying some of the pastries and Pineapple.

Chores.

Hibiscus ACV Honey Tea.

Sleep 4 a.m.

Saturday December 8 2018

Waking up at 11:20 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. Black Tea.

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

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

Watching Skyscraper (2018).

Catching up on business.

Running errands.

At the studio printing and cutting Christmas cards – preparing the room for vocal troupe rehearsal tomorrow – adding band photos to the hall of fame.

Leftover Soup with Sourdough Bread.

Working on keyboard patches for some ELO tunes.

Grapefruit. Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 4 a.m.

Friday December 7 2018

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Waking up at 11:30 a.m. Feeling much better today.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries/Raspberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Catching up on business – emails – phone calls.

Whole Foods with Ana.

Grilled PB&J Bagel. Coffee. Pineapple.

Teaching all my in-home lessons. While at the Kuzniewski’s I’m teaching Zak and Ellie. Ellie walks in with a bunch of her friends she was hanging out with and it turns into a Christmas sing-a-long session. There’s so much youthful spirit in the room.

Back home. Cooking dinner with mom: Scallops with Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, Onions, and Couscous.

Ana continues working on her jungle mural on her bedroom wall. Meanwhile, I study a few ELO tunes I have to learn. Elvis runs around darting from bedroom to bedroom fulfilling his cat duties.

There’s some issues before bedtime. Ana asks if she can sleep next to me and usually I decline cause I like to sleep alone most of the time. But I do feel like there is an underlying problem that we need to address. In the end she’s sleeping next to me in my bed with Elvis up in the cupboard at 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Images by me.

Thursday December 6 2018

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Bowl of Granola with Bananas, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Black Tea.

Not feeling great – got flu-like symptoms just like last Thursday. I pop a few Acetaminophen and push through the day.

Catching up on business.

Scrambled Eggs. Poppy Seed Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Navel Orange. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home.

Watching Kin (2018).

Seeking out acoustic gigs for Ana and I.

Ana and I take a late night trip to Wal-Mart mainly for pain relievers but we end up browsing kitchen stuff. I tell her going in here is like visiting an amusement park...cause we’re so amused by everything we see.

Kiwi. Grapefruit. Popped Chips.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Wednesday December 5 2018

Waking up at 11:14 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec.

Pineapple.

Scrambled Eggs. Greens. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Coffee.

Watching a documentary on Johnny Cash and Nixon.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Cooking dinner: Vegetable Fried Rice with Kale.

Gingerbread Cookies.

Catching up on business and planning.

Pineapples and Yogurt.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Tuesday December 4 2018

Waking up at 10:57 a.m.

Bowl of Granola with Blueberries and Almond Milk. Black Tea.

Catching up on business and chores.

Errands.

Grilled PB&J. Apples and Yogurt. Coffee.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Cooking dinner for the fam: Salmon with Broccoli, Carrots, Onions, Peppers, and Brown Rice.

Gingerbread Cookies made by Ana.

At the studio restringing a couple guitars.

Elvis loves the new empty room where Will used to live. I run around with him playing hide and seek around the sofa and using the laser pointer.

Sleep 3:45 a.m.

Monday December 3 2018

Waking up at 11:13 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Greens. Roasted Potatoes. Coffee.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Cooking dinner for the fam: Brown Rice Quinoa Noodles with Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Onions, Green Peppers, and Parm. Sourdough Bread. Enjoying the conversation about de-cluttering our house and our lives.

And thus, the winter cleaning bug hits us. Ana tears apart one side of her room to clean the walls and paint leaves on the doorway. Meanwhile, I vacuum the empty room where Will moved out of and anywhere else see fit. Elvis runs around confused with eyes wide open. Austin arrives home from his new job at Trader Joe’s sporting purple Chuck’s and a purple TJ’s t-shirt. He’s glad to have gotten this new job with the help of Ana. Once Anthony moves in three of my roommates will be TJ’s employees.

Late night Wal-Mart and recycle run.

Raspberries and Grapes.

Sleep 4 a.m.

Sunday December 2 2018

Waking up at 12:22 a.m. Oo – feels good to sleep in.

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

At Music Makers helping Lisa out with the Holiday Vocal Troupe.

Scrambled Eggs. Greens/Garlic. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Coffee.

Watching Killer Elite (2011) – Jason Statham action flick with terribly too fast of pacing – and I faintly remember seeing this many years ago. It’s weird how I remember this only faintly and not definitely.

Catching up on tons of emails – doing the accounting for the month – chores.

At the studio organizing things.

Leftover Vegetable Soup with Kale.

Meeting up with the Ladada boys at Regal Columbus theater to watch a late night showing of Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), the Queen biopic.

Raspberries. Pretzels. Orange.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Saturday December 1 2018

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Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

Scrambled Eggs. Mixed Greens with Garlic. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Coffee.

Christy Fox is doing a photo shoot of sorts with Ana and I for promo pics.

Stopping by Prosperity Bakery again for pastries.

Afterwards, I gotta load up the car with music gear. Caravanning with Ana to Winston’s Café in Chesapeake. I haven’t been here in many years. My old band along with other friend’s bands used to hang out here and have shows. Ana and I do our usual with a set of her songs in the middle. It’s not a huge crowd in the beginning but towards the end we catch a few happy listeners and bar patrons.

Enjoying an amazing plate of Tuna Bites with Spinach/Garlic and Fries.

Loading out and transporting everything back to the studio. A lot of work goes into playing a gig with all this gear. Finally back home at some point late in the night. Organizing video footage over a cup of Chamomile Tea infused with Oregano Oil (for anti-bacteria).

Sleep 4:30 a.m.

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[i] Images by me.