Tuesday February 5 2019

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m. Both Ana and I have a scratch in our throats. After eating a breakfast bar with some Earl Grey Tea we head out on the town to run some errands: Prosperity Bakery for her chocolate croissant and some scones, paying a bill at the urgent care place, The Heritage for elderberry syrup, Whole Foods for fruit and veggies.

Ana exclaims, “Chocolate has a special place in my heart.”

Then she corrects herself, “Palace in my heart!”

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Coffee. Orange.

Watching FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened (2019).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Making a hodge podge of food for dinner: Snow Peas, Carrots, Pinto Beans, Kale, leftover rice mix.

Bread Pudding Muffin.

At the studio practicing Ladada songs on bass.

Feeling tired and a little sickly. Been taking a few teaspoons of that Elderberry syrup.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.

Monday February 4 2019

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec. Playing one game right after the other. I needed to burn some calories after eating so many sweets over the weekend.

Scrambled Eggs. Poppy Seed Bagel and Sourdough Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Popped Chips. Coffee.

Watching IO (2019).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

Back home. Cooking up some leftovers.

Chocolate and a Cookie.

Running some late night errands.

At the studio organizing things and practicing drums.

Blueberries. Pineapple Juice.

Chatting with Ana about relational things.

Sleep next to each other at 3:45 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.

Sunday February 3 2019

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

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

MMLIVE rehearsals all day from noon till 6:30.

PB&J break in between with Popped Chips, Coffee, and an Orange.

Back home. Mom cooked a classic meal of pan fried Chicken with Baby Broccoli, Carrots, and Mashed Potatoes with a Mushroom Gravy – a nostalgic taste I remember as a kid.

Ana messages me at random, “When we have a house...we’re gonna have chickens and blueberry bushes.”

Even after all these rehearsals I still have one more to go to. Ladada is having an extra practice to prepare for our radio show coming up this week. We work through some of the newer tunes and try to get through the almost-2 hour set.

Chamomile Tea. Corn Tortilla Chips. Chocolate.

Ana and I chill out in my bed. She has a lot of concerns for her ear surgery coming up on Thursday. She’s had issues with bleeding for a long time and they’re finally gonna get in there and check it out. But there’re risks of course. She won’t be able to work for a few weeks and who knows how her hearing will be afterwards.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.

Saturday February 2 2019

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

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

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

Scrambled Egg. Sourdough Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Spinach. Coffee.

And so begins the long night of the gig. Loading up Ana and I’s cars with gear (PA system, instruments, etc.). At Smartmouth in Norfolk doing our Musicplayer show. It’s always hectic setting everything up but once the music train gets started it doesn’t stop. A lot of our friends and family show up throughout the night. Afterwards, I like to hear the different compliments and observations from people. It makes me feel rewarded for the all the hard work we put into practicing all the time.

Back home after unloading stuff at Music Makers. Before that I had to set up other stuff at the rehearsal spot for tomorrow’s MMLIVE. But it’s all over now. Eating some Black Beans, Cauliflower, and Guac with Ana, mom, and Austin – watching through some of the videos mom took. Pointing out our strong points and weak points in the performance. Overall I’m very proud of what we do.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Images by me.

Friday February 1 2019

[i]

Waking up at 11:22 a.m.

Facebook reminds Ana and I that we’ve been together for almost 6 years now.

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

Doing the accounting for Music Makers and other business.

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

Teaching in-home lessons. I love it when students impress me with their drive and talents.

Mom and I dine at Aloha Snacks near the oceanfront. Enjoying a Tuna/Salmon Poke Bowl with their amazing Malasadas (donuts!). Ana drops by – I got her the Nutella filled donut.

At the studio with Ana practicing. Then, packing up all the gear for tomorrow’s gig.

Back home. Snacking on some Popcorn and LaCroix. Meanwhile, the cat is amusing us with his weird blanket behavior – he’ll tackle it and seems to hump it.

Anthony arrives home carrying a bottle of almost finished rum, a Slim Jim, and his favorite snack of choice: Chester’s hot fries. With some heavy things on his mind he plops down on a stool in my room deejaying the conversation with relevant 90’s tunes.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.

Thursday January 31 2019

Waking up at 11 a.m.

While waiting to get a tire changed on my car Ana and I grab a Coffee at Three Ships. Elliott just started back working there today. And we run into Joey DiNardo. I used to hang with him way back in the 1623 days.

...

Of course a trip down at the oceanfront isn’t complete without stopping by Prosperity Bakery.

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

Watching Annihilation (2018).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Orange.

Back home. Making dinner: Black Beans with Onions, Celery, Broccoli, Carrots, and Rice.

Ladada rehearsal with Bobby, Josiah, and Jonnie.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 4 a.m.

Wednesday January 30 2019

Waking up at 10:45 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. Coffee. Orange.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

After work, I drive Ana and mom to Gringo’s for a Taco dinner.

Later, Ana and I practice songs at the studio.

Grapefruit.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Tuesday January 29 2019

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Lara Bar. Earl Grey Tea.

Finally picking up my car. They had to do some work on the exhaust – changed the gasket and cleared it out. Now my car sounds like a race car but accelerates like a champ.

At the studio on the phone with the credit card terminal people trying to work out the kinks.

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Coffee.

Finishing season two of The Punisher (2019).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Orange. Banana.

Back home. Throwing together something to eat out of leftovers we have lying around in the fridge: Fried Rice with Vegetables and Fish.

Catching up on business.

At the studio with Ana practicing songs after midnight. She’s tired and feels like she’s getting sick. But we power through what we feel like working on.

Corn Tortilla Chips. Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Monday January 28 2019

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Waking up at 10:45 a.m. Ana made us Oat Waffles with Coffee.

Mom drives me out to the Rec so I can partake in basketball. Afterwards, we visit Hawkin’s Guitar, a guitar workshop run by one guy. He’s had Ana’s banjo for a while so we wanted to check in on it and meet him. He’s very knowledgeable and seems to be good at what he does.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Cara Cara Orange. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. I love it when a student finishes their first piano book!

Plantain Chips.

Back home. Mom makes dinner for us: Breaded Cod Filets with French Fries, Cauliflower, and Broccoli.

At the studio Ana and I practice some songs on piano.

Taxes stuff.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Images by me.

Sunday January 27 2019

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

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

MMLIVE rehearsals all day – four bands – very productive.

Lunch break: Smoked Salmon Sandwich with Tomato and Mustard. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Kombucha.

Rehearsals continue until 6:30 p.m. A lot of work goes into orchestrating the band practices – it can be stressful but in the end rewarding.

My car is still in the shop at least until tomorrow. So mom is driving us home. I’ve observed how positive her energy is during this battle she is facing with cancer. It’s important to keep the right attitude psychological. And she is a strong woman.

Back home. We cook a little dinner: leftover Chicken, Broccoli, Snow Peas, Carrots, and Noodles.

Watching The Punisher (2019).

Feels good to just sit here and relax.

Late night grocery run to Kroger.

Berries. Papaya.

After midnight the whole gang is home from their Trader Joe’s shifts.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.

Saturday January 26 2019

Waking up at 10:45 a.m.

Ana and I grab a cup of Coffee and a Biscuit from Three Ships since I had to be over this side of the oceanfront to talk to the mechanic at 17^th Street.

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

Grilled PB&J. Green Tea.

Helping mom out at Reinette’s apartment at the Sullivan House. She’s been in the process of cleaning the place out. A mom and her son, Olga and TJ, are here donating their time for some kind of community service. It’s quite a process moving some of the big furniture things to the trucks while mom sorts through personal things of Reinette’s.

Then, I’m at the rehearsal spot setting up for MMLIVE tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Ana and mom cooked dinner: Tempeh with Brussel Sprouts, Onions, Cauliflower, and Quinoa. The three of us enjoy our meals. Anthony, Kevin, James, and Allyson are all here chillin’ upstairs.

Later on, Ana and I play some music at the studio while mom sorts through more of Reinette’s stuff.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Friday January 25 2019

Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Coffee.

Watching The Punisher (2019).

Teaching all my in-home lessons.

Scooping up Ana from work around 8 p.m. We decide to dine at Bangkok Garden for thai food. Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry for me.

Later on, Ana and I have fun at the studio practicing and jamming out.

At home. Anthony just got home from a Lazy Dangers Norva show. We talk about the successes and negatives of the show – getting caught up in figuring out the chords to this song him and I came across at Kevin’s birthday party last summer.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Thursday January 24 2019

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Waking up at 10:45 a.m.

Ana and I grab a Biscuit and Coffee at Three Ships.

Meeting with Jason Cale at the studio, a potential guitar instructor and friend of Rob Oliver. He chats with me about his childhood in Mississippi and how important music is to him.

My car’s still not done so Ana is chauffeuring me around.

Smoked Salmon Sandwich with Tomato. Potatoes. Green Ginger Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Apple.

Off work. Ana scoops mom and I up and we grab some Pizza from Prosperity.

Ladada rehearsal with Jonnie, Bobby, and Josiah. Working through new/old tunes in preparation for the big radio show.

Sweet Potato Morning Bun. Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 4 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.

Wednesday January 23 2019

Waking up at 10:45 a.m.

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

Mom’s truck had to get towed cause it wouldn’t start. My plan was to go to the gym – plus my car is in the shop. So I drive Ana to The Escape and scoop up mom from Holland Road. By the time that’s over we pick up Ana from her workout.

“I’m everyone’s chauffeur today!” I joke.

Cleaning the shower walls in our bathroom.

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

Watching The Punisher (2019).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Orange.

Back home. Cooking dinner with mom: Cabbage, Peas, Onions, Carrots, and Rice.

Scooping up Ana from work – she brought me some Kringle. I love it but I hate it.

At the studio practicing songs with Ana. Things always get a little stressful when we’re working out parts. But in the end music if fun and we start jamming to a Ladada tune.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Tuesday January 22 2019

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Lara Bar. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Meeting with Eric at CMS Mortgage Solutions, a friend of Cecily’s. He talks over with me an option for lending on a mortgage. My plan is to buy a house before the year is up.

Trader Joe’s.

Scrambled Eggs. Potatoes. Poppy Seed Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Coffee.

Watching The Punisher (2019).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Orange.

Back home. Warming up leftovers: Black Beans with Fennel, Acorn Squash, Kale, and Smoked Salmon.

Practicing some bass tunes in my bedroom.

Later, Ana’s room while she’s showering and lounging around I tinker on guitars. Elvis looks onward with sleepy eyes from his cat tower.

Sleep 4 a.m.

Monday January 21 2019

Waking up at 10:45 a.m.

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

Catching up on business.

Running some errands with Ana.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Making some dinner: Acorn Squash, Brussel Sprouts, Celery, Onions, and Smoked Trout.

Watching The Punisher (2019).

Gelato.

Writing up some set lists for upcoming gigs.

At the studio practicing drums.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Sunday January 20 2019

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

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

The winter session for Music Makers LIVE starts today. And we’ve got a full 4 bands in total! Devon, Lisa, Drew, and Eli help out with the coaching.

PB&J on the lunch break with Plantain Chips and Kombucha Tea.

The rehearsals go till 6:30 p.m. My head is spent.

Back home. Mom warmed up dinner. I slow cooked a pot of Black Beans overnight for us. Having it with Quinoa, Celery, Onions, and Kale.

Watching The Punisher S2 (2019).

Catching up on business.

At the studio practicing guitar.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Saturday January 19 2019

Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

Tuna Salad Sandwich with Tomato. Cucumber. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Green Ginger Tea.

Watching Hunter Killer (2018).

Chores.

Packing up stuff and setting up everything over at the rehearsal spot for MMLIVE tomorrow. Drew is here vacuuming and cleaning up the room. Meanwhile, Scott, the touring member of Judas Priest, is here practicing like a freight train on the drums.

Earlier, I discovered a small nail in my car’s tire. Great! Good thing is it’s a slow leak so I can keep filling it up until Monday. Either way I play it safe and decide to walk over to Trader Joe’s from Music Makers to borrow Ana’s car.

Back home. Mom is experiencing pain from the first chemo mostly in her bones she feels it but it comes in a wave then calms down. I make some dinner for us: Fried Brown Rice with Veggies, Egg, and Lentils. Austin and Ana arrive home and provide social stimuli.

Sweet Potato Morning Bun.

Ana and I jam out at the studio working on some new tunes and some old.

Sleep 4 a.m.

Friday January 18 2019

Waking up around 11 a.m. feeling much better. My sleep was much more undisturbed and comfortable. Still gotta keep taking this Tamiflu to keep this flu on its way out.

Having a Meal Replacement Shake with Bananas, Strawberries, and Almond Milk.

Feeling good enough to go run some errands with Ana – taking the recycle and picking up some things at Whole Foods. Meanwhile, we get into arguments/debates on how better to communicate with each other. I know I tend to be impatient with her and sometimes I sound condescending.

Shaving/trimming.

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Green Tea.

Ana and I go to the studio pretty early in the evening and mess around with music – practicing other songs we know.

Warming up some Spaghetti with Kale and a Baguette.

Sipping on Ginger Green Tea and watching Hunter Killer (2018).

Then, getting productive – chores – changing my bed sheets – dishes – laundry.

Oranges.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Thursday January 17 2019

[i]

Early in the morning I keep waking up groaning and feeling pain all over my body. I can’t seem to find a comfortable position. I start to feel nauseous after going to the bathroom.

At some point after 11 a.m. I have Ana take me to the urgent care doctor. They put these swabs up both my nostrils so they can test for the flu and it’s confirmed I have the flu. She writes a prescription for an anti-viral (Tamiflu generic) pill that’s supposed to boost the recovery and calm the symptoms.

Back home lounging around in my bed waiting for the meds to kick in. I definitely can’t teach today. It’s crazy cause I never miss this many days of work. Typically if I get sick I’m able to sleep it off but the flu is no joke.

I sip on Pineapple Juice/Water and try to eat some Oatmeal but can only get about four bites in.

Meanwhile, mom is in Norfolk having her first chemo treatment today.

She texts me, “Pray that God direct this chemo straight to the cancer cells and ask that it does not kill the good cells and that he supply me with wisdom to eat and drink wellness into my body to restore whatever good cells are lost.”

Later on, mom, Ana, and the rest of the house are home. Mom regales beautiful stories of the day. She’s hopped up on steroids so she’s got a lot to say. It’s good to see her having such a positive energy about the whole thing.

Ana made a hearty dinner of Lentils, Chicken Broth, Onions, Zucchini, Green Beans, Carrots, and Quinoa. Finally, I’m able to eat real food but my taste buds for some reason can’t taste. Oh well.

Ana and I lounge up in her bed watching The Great British Baking Show.

Ugli Fruit and Pineapple Juice.

Sleep 2 a.m.

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[i] Images by me.

Wednesday January 16 2019

Waking up at 11 a.m. feeling like ultimate crap – body is aching – nose is running – flu.

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

Feeling useless I cancel lessons for the day and try to get some rest. The two pain relievers I took earlier helped a lot.

Pineapple. Tuna Salad Sandwich with Tomato. Leftover Soup. Green Tea.

Watching The Last Laugh (2019).

Resting off and on in bed. More pain relievers.

Putting together a quick dinner: Roasted Potatoes, Broccoli, Onions, and Eggs.

Mom and Ana arrive home – catching up on the day’s business.

My head feels like a balloon. Snacking on a bunch of fruit like Raspberries, Blueberries, and an Orange.

Ana and I lounge up in her bed watching Bandersnatch (2018). It’s fun re-watching it cause she chooses different pathways and we get to see different outcomes/endings.

Going to sleep pretty early in hopes I can sleep off this sickness.

Tuesday January 15 2019

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Waking up at 11 a.m. Still feeling like crap – a little feverish, scratchy throat, and runny nose.

Oat Blueberry Muffins. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Lounging around the house doing chores, catching up on business. Meanwhile, the roommates are hustling about.

Mom got her port put in below her neck to start chemo on Thursday. Oh joy.

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Green Tea.

Watching Bandersnatch (2018).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Warming up some Soup for dinner.

Catching up on business.

At some point the rest of the house arrives home. Anthony makes mention that Ladada and Lazy Dangers got nominated on the Veer Music Awards. Considering Ana is connected to You’re Jovian he claims we are the most nominated Veer household.

Mango Smoothie.

My nose is running like crazy.

Sleep 3 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.

Monday January 14 2019

Waking up at 11:05 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec. My team comes alive after our second game. I set up slick 3-point shots all around. Feeling good about my performance this afternoon.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese and Jam. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

Watching Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018).

At Music Makers teaching. A lot of people are sick today – even Ana is stuck at home resting.

Picking up some groceries at Trader Joe’s. Apparently, there’s a celery drought, the one thing we need to make a soup.

Back home. Mom puts together a hearty soup for dinner. Ana’s been unruly sick as well as me. I warm up some Sourdough Bread to go with and it’s a winner.

Lounging around looking for motivation to do things.

Grapes. ACV Honey Hibiscus Tea.

Sleep early.

Sunday January 13 2019

Waking up at 12:07 p.m. much later than I’m used to. For some reason I’ve been staying up later.

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

Catching up on business and chores.

Buying a nice full sized weighted digital piano from someone on OfferUp. The box hasn’t even been opened yet. $200. Good deal.

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

Watching MasterChef.

Helping mom over at Reinette’s apartment. We’re organizing and packing things up – trying to sell some of the big furniture pieces.

...

While waiting at a stoplight to make a left turn an ambulance on the other side of the road screams by interrupting the stoplight cycle causing our lane to wait almost 3 cycles. At some point I get impatient assuming the stoplight wouldn’t fix itself and butt around the car in front of me to make the left turn anyway regardless of the red light. Sure enough a cop witnesses my aggressive traffic violation. As much as I wanted to argue with him about the cycle being screwed up I had no real excuse to be negligent like that and thus I receive a citation. Plus, the rain worsens the situation.

Back home. Organizing some of the things we got from the apartment and from Target.

Dinner: Brown Fried Rice with Onions, Peppers, Smoked Salmon, Kale, and Carrots.

Watching Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018).

At the studio organizing the music gear and other things.

Pomelo. Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 4 a.m.

Saturday January 12 2019

Waking up at noon.

Ana and I drive over to Three Ships for Coffee and an Egg Biscuit for me.

Teaching one lesson at Music Makers. Mom and I take care of other business related things.

...

Then, we drive over to Reinette’s place to take pictures of furniture in order to sell. Riding though the old Ocean Lakes neighborhood and reminiscing.

Back home. Smoked Salmon Sandwich with Mustard, Vegan Cream Cheese, and Tomato. Papaya and Oranges. Brown Rice Green Tea.

Watching First Man (2018).

Catching up on business and such. Chores.

Getting groceries at Kroger.

Making dinner: Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti Noodles with Tomato Sauce, Mushrooms, Onions, Peppers, and Spinach Salad. Enjoying some Red Wine, something I don’t always drink.

Sharing some camaraderie in the dining room with Ana, mom, and Austin.

Putting some furniture on OfferUp.

Sleep 4:30 a.m.

Friday January 11 2019

[i]

Waking up at 11:27 a.m.

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

Catching up on business.

At the Great Neck Rec – running into Aaron while he’s on a shift – shooting the basketball around just to get some exercise in.

Grilled PB&J. Honey Crisp Apple. Coffee.

At Music Makers. Ana’s meeting up with a guy on OfferUp to buy a classical guitar, something she’s always wanted to have.

...

Packing up the cars with all the music gear for the show tonight.

Caravanning with Ana and mom to Winston’s Café in Chesapeake for the Musicplayer show. It’s a vastly different vibe here compared to last month’s gig. The tables are full and the bar is crawling with raucous characters. One British guy in particular continuously bombards my microphone yelling the songs off pitch in my ear and distracting Ana. After a while and with some reprimanding from others he calms down.

Enjoying some Tuna Bites with Fries, Spinach, and a Shock Top.

Overall the show goes smoothly. Everything is much louder cause we’re in competition with the audience. But we garner a good response from all the patrons who sing along to all the songs they know. Accordingly to one of the bartenders it was one of those “full moon” kind of nights which makes sense. A lot of work goes into setting up and breaking down the sound system, amps, and instruments. But it’s worth it.

Back home at the table with mom and Ana enjoying a fruit feast and a Mango Smoothie. Meanwhile, Elvis acts cute as can be begging for treats and acting interested in my smoothie until he realizes how cold it is.

Sleep 4 a.m.

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[i] Images by me.

Thursday January 10 2019

Waking up at 11:37 a.m.

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

My mom had an important appointment with the oncology doctor this morning. We discuss the direction she is headed with this cancer and it’s not great news. If she does absolutely nothing the doctor says she has 3 to 6 months to live. If she starts chemo then it could expand 5 to 7 years. It’s all so overwhelming for her as she sits at the dining room table venting her emotions and thoughts. As she cries I run my hand on her back not knowing what to do or say. There are alternative natural treatments that we were researching but we’ve gotta act now.

Running some errands – getting groceries.

Scrambled Eggs. Honey Wheat Bagel with Butter and Jam. Plantain Chips. Coffee. Orange.

Watching MasterChef.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Salmon, Brown Rice, Onions, Broccoli, and Carrots.

Ladada rehearsal with Bobby, Josiah, and Jonnie.

Oolong Tea.

Sleep 4 a.m.

Wednesday January 9 2019

Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Catching up on business – restringing a guitar for a customer.

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Cucumber. Coffee.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Making a Pizza and Spinach Salad for myself.

Watching Mile 22 (2018).

At the studio practicing songs.

Chamomile Tea.

Watching Master Chef.

Sleep 4 a.m.

Tuesday January 8 2019

Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Catching up on business – running errands.

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

A full day of teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Apple.

Back home. Ana made dinner: Bean Tomato Chili with Beet Soup, Spinach, and Brown Rice. Enjoying our meals together with mom.

At the studio working on stuff. Ana joins me to practice our songs for an upcoming gig.

Popcorn. Pineapple.

Sleep 4 a.m.

Monday January 7 2019

[i]

Waking up around 11 a.m. I had a crazy dream where Ana and I were staying in the same hotel room but slightly different and in what seemed like a different universe where supernatural things were happening out in the open. I look up at a sun window and see a bunch of rubble fall from buildings above as if something was flying in from the sky and crashed. I warn Ana about it and she doesn’t seem to be startled.

It’s our final day in New York City. The other half of the ELO crew drove back last night. With Bri, Trevor, and Ana. We hop on the subway and enjoy a classic New York Bagel and Pastries. Then, checking out the Museum of Sex in the lower east side.

There’s so much to peruse, look at, and read about. The first exhibition is dedicated to Leonor Fini, a provocateur artist who was known for her focus on gender and sexuality in painting, theater, and costumes. Ahead of her time in the 1930’s I would say when sexuality was taboo.

Another exhibition called “Punk Lust” focused on the punk movement of the 60’s and 70’s and it’s role in sexuality. And another focused on early pornography from 1905 to the 1930’s. At the very end Ana and I were able to jump around in the bounce house for two minutes where everything resembled nipples. Fun times.

Packing up and loading all our luggage into the white Jeep, crawling through Lincoln Tunnel traffic, and onward to Virginia Beach.

7 hours later, a couple stops and snacks along the way, we arrive back in Virginia Beach.

Mom made us Potatoes, Green Beans, and Spinach for late night welcome home meal. We talk more about her cancer. The radiation treatments are done but she’ll be seeing the doctor Thursday to figure out more details on what’s going on. It’s not a fun conversation to have as soon as I arrive.

Sleep 4 a.m.

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[i] Images by me.