This is an open and unfiltered diary-style journal
on the life of James Robert Smith.
This blog will contain sometimes graphic experiences (both beautiful and ugly),
sometimes stark insight, and all honest and factual documentation of dreams, diet, activity, and thoughts.
Running errands with Ana – picking up water jugs, seeing the chiropractor (the lady is always nice and remembered Ana’s recommendation about the bee pollen helping allergies), getting bagels from the Bagel Baker.
Grilled PB&J Bagel. Honey Crisp Apple. Coffee.
Watching Wanted (2008).
Teaching lessons at Music Makers. Thursdays are always full and wear me out mentally. These students need ultimate inspiration and motivation from me!
Ana made dinner: Bean and Vegetable Soup with Broccoli, Carrots, and Quinoa.
Later while I’m trying to nap she comes sprawling into my bed with frisky intentions.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. Earl Grey Tea.
Catching up on business.
Running errands with Ana – picking up bagels from the Bagel Baker, stopping by the farmer’s market off First Colonial, then Target, and then Trader Joe’s.
Chicken with Mixed Vegetables and Rice from Bangkok Garden.
Watching Crypto (2019).
Chocolate.
Taking a late night bike ride to the oceanfront. A playlist of synth pop songs like Chairlift and Chvrches in my headphones. Spotting all the changes since last season. All the way from 1st to 11th they’ve got it heavily guarded by security in preparation for the big Something in the Water festival this weekend.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. Earl Grey Tea.
It’s a beautiful Easter Sunday. I attend the 11 o’clock service at Freedom Fellowship with my mom. It’s an inspiring gathering – Pastor Rick talks about coming alive and resurrecting our dreams. It’s always great to see old and new faces here.
Even though it’s a holiday we’re still coaching Music Makers LIVE rehearsals today. I have to step up and keep these bands in line. Drew isn’t here today but I’ve still got Devon and Lisa. Toasted PB&J, Plantain Chips, and Coffee somewhere in there. Later after the last band I ordered a giant Pizza from Brother’s for everyone – it’s a hit – we’re rolling like Ninja Turtles!
Back home reconvening with mom, Ana, and Elvis in the dining room.
Power napping.
Sipping on a well deserved beer and catching up on business.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. Earl Grey Tea.
Basketball at the Rec.
Scrambled Eggs. Bagel with Butter and Jam. Slaw. Coffee. Popped Chips.
Teaching a couple in-home lessons.
Meeting a guy from Craigslist to buy a digital piano. He lives way in Chesapeake in the biggest neighborhood I’ve ever driven in.
Grapefruit.
Ana and I drive out to Charlie’s in Norfolk for the Utopia Feni open mic art gallery. This whole deal reminds me of all the Show N Tell’s we used to do back in the day at my house except in a venue and more classy. Gabe Niles is hosting and keeping things rolling. Even as chaotic and long as the event goes it’s really inspiring to see all this talent under one roof – everyone’s got their own representation of who they are. Ana’s been working on original guitar songs – I’ve been backing her up on drums – we perform three songs, the only rock n roll set of the night.
Enjoying a Fried Shrimp Grilled Cheese with Asparagus and Fries. Sipping on beers.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.
Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.
Scrambled Eggs. Buttermilk Biscuits with Butter and Jam. Coffee.
Watching The Silence (2019).
Catching up on business.
Meeting up at someone’s house from OfferUp to buy an Orange amp. As soon as I enter the house I’m greeted by a little girl who is eager to show me her pet lizard. The mom and another lady are cooking in the kitchen. Suddenly, a man appears in the doorway holding up a pair of white underwear (whitey tighties).
“Get outta here! Get on with that,” the mom tells him.
I test out the amp with my bass while the little girl shows me all these drawings she made. She says she’s got a keyboard but its missing batteries and power cord. I give the mom a business card for Music Makers since it seemed like the girl was interested.
There is nothing in particular that stands out about this experience. It just reminds me of my old Chinese food delivery job. I always found it interesting that I would get a glimpse into these stranger’s lives and then I’m gone.
Setting up the rehearsal spot for tomorrow.
Back home. Chilling with Ana and playing with the cat.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. Earl Grey Tea.
Basketball at the Rec.
The pollen is absolutely everywhere – it’s like a yellow snow blanket that covers all the eye can see.
Scrambled Eggs. Everything Bagel. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.
Watching Glass (2019).
Getting stuck in abnormal traffic on 264 cause of a car accident.
Teaching piano lessons to Jolin and Edwin, two very talented students who always have a full house of kids while the grandparents supervise. I start playing some songs for the youngest one, Edwin, and ask what he feels, happy or sad, after each one. He keeps confusing the two words so when I play something like Moonlight Sonata he says happy but I think he experiences stronger emotions for songs like that.
Dropping by The Salvation Army thrift store off Lynnhaven. Nothing interesting.
Back home. Power napping.
Making dinner with Ana: Egg Noodles with Mushrooms, Tomatoes, Onions, Kale, Carrots, and Peas.
Waking up in a Brooklyn apartment on two comfortable couch cushions on the floor. The sounds of the big city echoing through the windows. Josiah, Jonnie, Bobby, Bianca, and I all slowly rise out of our deep NYC slumber.
Eating an Egg and Veggie Burrito from Jessie’s across the street.
Driving up the street on a mission to ship out Levitation Room’s merch, which Josiah for some reason agreed to do for them last night. The funny part is the only packing tape we were able to use at the apartment has the WB symbol and the phrase “BLOW JOBS” all over it. Josiah makes the awkward transaction at the post office that reeks of DMV-like bad moods.
Up the street on Manhattan Avenue we hit up Peter Pan Donuts, my favorite donut place in New York.
Quick stop at the Hudson Yards where they’ve built these futuristic buildings and expensive lofts meant for billionaires. Then, Bobby drives us out of the city and south towards home.
I stay cooped up in the back seat reflecting on the weekend and organizing photos/videos. Josiah and Bianca create an upside down spoon and nap. Bobby continues driving while Jonnie continues deejaying.
Snacking on Cashews, Plantain Chips, and an Apple.
Arriving at Dylan’s house in Richmond briefly to drop off Bianca to her car. I’m able to grab a mason jar of Earl Grey Tea on the go so I can take the wheel for the home stretch to Norfolk. Jonnie and I have a great conversation about relationships and all the events that led him to joining the band. It’s been one year since he played his first show with us.
In Norfolk. Ana picks me up and we start the process of loading gear and things to their respective places. I catch up with her on the tour.
Waking up on a couch to the sounds of others coughing from morning hits. The sun shines effortlessly through the living room window. Dylan, a friend of ours, let us crash at his place, which happens to be right at the edge of the Richmond city limits.
We all pile into the van packed like sardines a little more this time cause Bianca’s joined the party. After a quick stop at McDonald’s we drive up 95 towards New York City.
Breakfast Bar. Orange. Earl Grey Tea.
Arriving just in time for load in at Brooklyn Brewery.
Grabbing a quick slice at Vinnie’s Pizzeria down the street known for punny artwork and Ninja Turtle décor.
At the show watching locals, Max Pain and the Groovies put out old fashioned rock and roll energy, then Ladada with our pure 30 minute psych surf power pop set, then Levitation Room brings it all home with that 60’s groove. Sipping on some beers using tokens given to us by the venue. I’m a bit tired but towards the end I enjoy the energy of the show.
Afterwards, Bobby gets us all to Second Chance Saloon where he knows a few people. Shooting some pinball for a while – not drinking much. I walk to the van in the rain. Jonnie’s chillin’ in the back. We get into a nice talk about the philosophy of being in a touring band and how when disastrous things happen like a flat tire or something unexpected that’s what makes the experience and sets the memories.
Meeting up with the Levitation boys at a place we keep calling Turkey’s where they sell huge shots and very alcoholic margaritas. A pot bellied guy we lovingly call Joe sits slouched at the bar getting some shuteye – nobody knows his story. We drink a little and shoot some pool. Saying our goodbyes and send each other off with blessings.
Since everyone else is plastered for the most part I drive us through the city to the apartment that Bobby set up for us to crash. We stayed here last time – Brock’s apartment. I plop down on two couch cushions and try to settle down. Meanwhile, Josiah being kind of loud is stuck on a trip investigating where the whiskey bottle is. For some reason it creates quite a stir in him. He stomps down the stairs on a quest to the van. (Little do we know we’ll discover it in Jonnie’s bag the next morning.)
Waking up around 11 a.m. next to Ana. We decide to not have a strict schedule today. The band’s got a show in Richmond but we plan to venture there on our own. Opening up the morning with some lovemaking.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.
Transporting gear over to the rehearsal spot to set up for the first MMLIVE session for Spring. Unfortunately, I won’t be there to orchestrate and get it off the ground so I gotta make sure everything’s set up.
Ana and I pile into her little Yaris and drive to Richmond. It’s a beautiful sunny day and temperature is just right. We stop at Diversity Thrift first then enjoy some light eats and Coffee at Lamplighter, a serene local spot right at the edge of a neighborhood off Addison. Getting some complimentary Sugar Shack Donuts from John Fatigate.
Meeting up with the guys at Champion Brewing Company in downtown. Ladada continues our little tour with Levitation Room. Richmond locals join us, Blush Face and Piranha Rama. This place is tall and cavernous complete with an old bank vault by the bathrooms and a long row of pinball machines, which I make very much use of.
We perform our 30 minute set to a projection of “Triadisches Ballett”, a suggestion by Jonnie cause they wouldn’t let us display Holy Mountain – too graphic for a brewery crowd I suppose.
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Sipping on satisfying brews and enjoying the camaraderie.
After the show we go on an adventure into Carytown failing to make it in time to a diner we looked up. Closed. So we settle on a no bullshit diner called 3rd Street Diner that serves burgers and fries. I settle on some Home Fries.
About 10 minutes out of the city we settle down at our friend Dylan’s house.
Around 8:30 or 9 a.m. we all wake up in Phil’s studio apartment. We discover via email that the First Fridays show has been cancelled due to inclement weather, which means we don’t have to leave so early now. Some of us drop back to sleep and others venture off.
It’s a wonderfully chilly and rainy day as we slog through DC city traffic. Dropping off Phil at his new apartment. I help him move a couple tubs of CD’s and personal things. It was nice seeing him.
Onward we go in route to home. Stop at a McDonald’s for brunch. I chomp down on a breakfast bar and sip on Earl Grey Tea.
...
Because of the event cancellation we decide to move the show to Charlie’s. Between the four of us we start tapping on our phones to spread the word about the show.
Bobby and I switch spots at some point so I can lie down and nap. Meanwhile, we cross the Monitor Merrimac tunnel and into Norfolk. We depart ways with the van/band until tonight.
Back home. Warming up some leftovers for dinner. Ana gets off work and we discover the cat is absolutely nowhere to be found. It’s very strange cause he’ll usually be walking about when we’re both home. The whole thing is unsettling cause we sense he’s gotten outside somehow. I start searching around the neighborhood while the rain is consistently pattering down. Mom comes home and we suddenly hear Elvis meowing out back. We find him hiding between two cinder blocks right next to our back patio. We figure he got out when mom briefly opened the back door to inspect a racket from the birds.
At Charlie’s for the show. We wanted to make it a worthwhile trip for Levitation Room and we got a decent turnout of people here. We put on a great show. They put on a great show. Well done.
Outside when putting some stuff in the van I notice the floor of the van is wet and there’s a leak whenever it rains. I’ve tried to tell Josiah about this before when it soaked the bottom of our futon mattress and now it’s done it again. Sometimes he tends to brush things off so nonchalant and it bothers me. Having a leak in the band van with our gear and stuff at risk of being damaged by water is a real problem. We get into an argument about it. I could care less about the futon itself – I just want the band to have a successful tour without having to worry about things of ours getting soaked. He’s stubborn. I’m stubborn. It’s another unsettling moment of the day where I’m feeling flustered and without solution.
Back home. Settling down. Something else happens between Ana and I – an emotional debacle. And thus, the third unsettling moment of the day. I just feel so out of control.
Later, in my room. Ana lies down snapping photos of the cat in the cupboard. In response to all the turmoil today I say to her, “I just want things to go smoothly. I wanna be understood. I don’t wanna be misunderstood.”
Meeting up with Jonnie, Josiah, and Bobby in Norfolk packing up the old Astro van, aptly named “Miles”, for the little Ladada tour weekend stint.
Josiah takes the wheel with Jonnie at shotgun both frequently holding cigarettes in their hands – Bobby and I comfortably in the back on the futon cooped up with all the gear and bags.
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Making one stop along the way at a Starbucks and head shop.
Rolling into Washington D.C. – a diverse mix of CCR, Talking Heads, and Mas Y Mas blaring on the stereo – the Pentagon in sight – the Washington Monument in the distance. Arriving at The Pie Shop, a fairly new place that serves only pies, savory and sweet. The stage/venue on the second floor – cool brick house vibe.
Enjoying some Chicken Pot Pie and Apple Pie.
Hanging out with the Levitation Room guys in the green room and chomping down on pie and sipping on Natty Bo’s. Rick, the sound guy we notice is super hospitable and nice. With the capability of projection on stage we decide to make use of it. Jonnie drops the idea of playing Jodorowsky’s The Holy Mountain up on the screen. I look up a link of the full movie and we start it at just the right spot before the Jesus guy enters the rainbow room. It actually synced up well with our set. Afterwards, a lot of people I talked to thought we designed it that way. The crowd was decent for the small room – audience response was welcoming.
Levitation Room put on a great set with their warm revivalist 60’s psych sound.
After the show chillin’ with the Levitation guys in the alley out back passing around a handle of Evan Williams (the album mascot). I’ve already stopped drinking for the night – a headache creeped in earlier. But I’m enjoying the camaraderie. We make our way down H Street to an Englishpub.
At some point Phil Gray lets us crash at his old apartment. The boys venture out to find pizza at a 7-11 and smoke on the rooftop. After a shower I walk out with a towel wrapped around my waist. They guys are all laughing because the lights are low and the glow of the streetlights seeping through the blinds creates this film noir moment. I feel inclined to perform by holding out my arm in a pose then dropping the towel unashamed. The rest of the night I lie down listening to Phil, Josiah, and Jonnie laughing and drinking in the kitchen.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.
Basketball at the Rec.
Grilled PB&J. Potato Chips. Coffee.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Picking up a couple groceries at Trader Joe’s – all the roommates working a shift.
Dinner: Vegetable Fried Rice with Salmon, Peas, and Broccoli.
Watching The Dirt (2019).
Ana cut herself with a box cutter at work and went to the ER. I head over to keep her company for a little bit. Luckily, it wasn’t too bad – just needed five stitches.
Final Ladada rehearsal before tour tomorrow.
Blueberries and Gelato.
Chamomile Tea.
Taking care of chores and packing up for the trip tomorrow.
Ana and Elvis wake me up in my room at 11 a.m. vying for attention.
Ana and I get some Coffee/Biscuits/Pastries from Three Ships. Elliott’s working of course.
Then, at In8 Chiropractic for an adjustment on my neck. It’s a laid back place but Dr. Whitney is very welcoming. Two toddlers provide amusement to Ana and I while we wait.
Grapefruit.
Mom just got back from a doctor’s visit in regard to her cancer. She’s overwhelmed but in a positive way at all the miraculous things happening around her. We finally got her this CBD oil to help any pain she experiences and it’s an absolute total relief.
Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Coffee. Potato Chips.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Orange.
Putting together a hodge podge of a dinner with mom: Herring, Brown Rice Quinoa Noodles with all kinds of Sautéed Veggies.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.
At the Rec for basketball. At some point during a game I collide with another player in an awkward way that it sprains my neck – I can even hear the cracking sound in the way it would happen at a chiropractor.
Pineapple.
Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese and Poppy Seeds. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.
Teaching lessons at Music Makers.
Leftovers for dinner.
ELO rehearsal.
Strawberries and Gelato.
Another talk with Ana about the same topics from last night. It’s more productive this time.
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