Wednesday October 14 2020

Waking up at 11:38 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Breakfast Tea.

 

Catching up on all kinds of Music Makers business.

 

Since I got a late start on lessons I’m able to make time to shoot some basketball.

 

Teaching. It’s a light day but there’s always much to do and manage.

 

Picking up some groceries from Whole Foods.

 

Leftover Spaghetti with Kale Salad and Bread.

Watching Nocturne (2020).

 

Catching up on business, emails, and chores.

 

At the studio organizing things. Ana comes by after work and we practice songs.

 

Peanut Butter Pretzels. Raspberries.

 

Back home. I go into Ana’s bedroom to say goodnight and chat a bit. She says something negative to me and I go on this tirade about everything. It’s really frustrating cause I see it all going downhill as it happens. All I have to do is redirect the negative comments or ignore them. But sometimes it gets too much for me I have to speak out. In the end it’s both our faults for these unsettling situations.

 

Tuesday October 13 2020

Waking up at noon.

 

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

 

Catching up on business and chores.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Biscuit with Butter and Jam. Kale. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home. Eating leftovers for dinner: Vegetable Soup with Quinoa and Salmon. Pumpkin Brioche Bread.

Watching Casino Royale (2006).

 

Taking apart this fan in order to clean it – it becomes quite a process.

 

At the studio affixing this port hole to a kick drum head then practicing drums.

 

OJ.

 

Monday October 12 2020

Waking up around 11:30 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Breakfast Tea.

 

Workout session with Vlad.

 

Vega Banana Protein Shake.

 

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

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Ana and I grab some dinner at Pho 79. Shrimp Fried Rice for me.

 

ELO rehearsal – it’s an important one in preparation for the weekend gig in South Carolina.

 

Organizing some things at the studio.

 

Sunday October 11 2020

 

Waking up after 12:30 p.m.

 

Ana made us Waffles with Blueberries. I brew some tea to go with.

 

At Broadway rehearsal – mainly to chat with Carol, Haley’s mom, who is helping us coordinate things for the big show. Meanwhile, the girls rehearse choreography for a Chicago tune.

 

At Lowe’s to buy a new night light bulb for the lamp at Music Makers that shines on mom’s picture. While here I browse around.

 

Leftover Chicken Pad Thai with Broccoli for lunch. Coffee.

Watching The Next Karate Kid (1994).

 

At Music Makers organizing things and cleaning.

 

Leftovers for dinner: Vegetable Soup with Kale, Quinoa, and French Baguette.

 

Practicing music at the studio. Ana joins me after work. Surprisingly, it’s very productive – dusting off the cobwebs of songs and learning new things. This cover of “Oh Darling” by The Beatles is pretty good with Ana lead singing and playing drums while I play the piano.

 

Saturday October 10 2020

Waking up around noon.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Breakfast Tea.

 

Teaching some afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Kale. Toast with Butter and Jam. Cold Brew Coffee.

 

Ana and I run errands – hitting up Trader Joe’s and Kroger.

 

We decide to practice music early in the evening – she hasn’t played bass in a long time so we run through songs with bass.

 

Back home. I cook dinner: Brown Rice Quinoa Noodles with Tomatoes, Peppers, Onions, Broccoli, and Baguette.

Watching a 90’s classic, The Addams Family (1991).

 

Cleaning up and organizing things.

 

At the studio practicing drums.

 

Friday October 9 2020

Waking up around noon.

 

Cereal with Blueberries and Almond Milk.

 

Finally moving everything back into the dining room. They finished the ceiling the other day. Since then, I’ve cleaned out all the corners and forgotten baskets. It feels good to get everything back together again.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Kale, Cold Brew Coffee.

 

Got two MMLIVE band rehearsals today – both kid bands. In some moments we’re productive and others not.

 

Afterwards, Ana and I grab some delicious dinner at The Pink Dinghy. Erica’s here working in the kitchen. It seems like we brightened her night.

 

Back home. Time to vacuum and water the plants. Meanwhile, Ana makes hot chocolate and does laundry/dishes.

 

Later on, we have the house all to ourselves and decide to make fire in the living room. Then putting on this Halloween Adam Sandler movie that turns out to be kind of a bust.

 

Erica comes over to hang out with us. Roland just arrived home from playing video games at a friend’s place. We corral in the dining room entertained by this Human Behavior book from 1974.

 

Thursday October 8 2020

 

Waking up at 11:38 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Breakfast Tea.

 

Workout session with Vlad.

 

Vega Protein Shake.

 

Sardines with Mustard. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Toast with Butter and Jam. Cold Brew Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Still getting Madelaine acclimated to working the front desk. She’s doing a great job considering.

 

Grabbing a few Pizza slices from Whole Foods for dinner. Ana bought me a Malasada Donut from Aloha Snacks. It’s a carb-y dinner for tonight!

 

Dropping by the adult band rehearsal we had to reschedule to tonight.

 

Back home. Sipping on Green Tea and catching up on business.

 

I catch my second wind (or is it my third?) and start vacuuming our open dining room – then cleaning the floor with one of those Mr. Clean mops. Meanwhile, Roland is cooking rice and beans – and I put on this Korean overdub song mix tape from 1983.

 

Taking care of other chores.

 

Wednesday October 7 2020

 

Waking up at 11:38 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Breakfast Tea.

 

Catching up on business and things. Meanwhile, Al’z dudes are here finishing up the dining room ceiling. It’s been a whole week since we cleared it for them.

 

Ana and I team up in the kitchen to prepare a crock pot dinner.

 

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

Watching You Should Have Left (2020).

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Apple.

 

Quick dinner at the house: Bean and Vegetable Soup with Quinoa and Garlic Naan Bread.

 

Then another productive Fleetwood Mac rehearsal. It goes a little longer than usual. Afterwards, I drive over to the other rehearsal spot to set up for an MMLIVE band rehearsal the next night. Goodness, it seem like every year October is stacked to the brim with music related things.

 

Tuesday October 6 2020

Waking up at 11:20 a.m.

 

Cereal with Blueberries and Almond Milk. Breakfast Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Chores.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Biscuit with Butter and Jam. Kale. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home. Dinner: Vegan Burger with Black Beans, Beets, and Chips.

Watching You Should Have Left (2020).

 

Playing DOOM.

 

Catching up on business and kitchen stuff.

 

Green Tea.

 

At the studio organizing some things – mainly placing new plants around. Practicing some piano/drums songs with Ana. Then practicing my own drums.

 

Monday October 5 2020

Waking up at 11:38 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Breakfast Tea.

 

Workout session with Vlad. Ana drops by to join in. She hasn’t had any kind of training but seems to enjoy learning how to properly do things.

 

Vega Banana Protein Shake.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Potato Chips. Kale. Cold Brew Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. Madelaine is working the front desk for the second time. Sometimes it can be confusing with all the different people coming in and out but she’s doing quite well.

 

Grabbing some Chicken Pad Thai with Broccoli from Bangkok Garden.

 

ELO rehearsal.

 

 

Relaxing and playing DOOM.

Sunday October 4 2020

Waking up around noon.

 

Ana and I grab brunch at Commune. Enjoying some Waffles, Pancakes, Bacon, and Coffee.

 

We decide to practice some music during the day before she goes into work. Running through familiar tunes we haven’t played in a while.

 

Taking care of errands and business.

 

Buying a few digital pianos I found on OfferUp. A few of my students are looking for a new piano. Over at the oceanfront I meet a surfer guy with the whole shebang: wife, two daughters, dog, and a beautiful house right next to the beach. One of the girls shows off her gymnastic abilities by doing a back flip.

 

Shooting some basketball at the Lynnhaven courts. Nobody really here to play with but its good exercise.

 

Dinner: Frozen Chili Bean dinner with Kale, Carrots, and Garlic Naan Bread.

Watching The Outpost (2020).

 

Doing the accounting finally!

 

At Music Makers cleaning up these pianos I bought.

 

Later on, Ana joins me to practice some songs.

 

Saturday October 3 2020

 

Waking up at noon.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Breakfast Tea.

 

Teaching a few afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

 

Smoked Salmon. Kale and Carrots. Garlic Naan Bread. Chips. Coffee.

Watching American Murder: The Family Next Door (2020).

 

It’s such a beautiful day out. Running around doing errands – at Target and Kroger.

 

Taking care of a lot of maintenance things at the studio – building a new 3-cube shelf for the PA mixer – cleaning up some things.

 

Microwaving a frozen dinner with Brussel Sprouts, Peas, and Noodles.

 

Chilling with Ana when she gets off work – making Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls.

 

Playing DOOM.

 

Friday October 2 2020

Waking up at noon.

 

Cereal with Blueberries and Almond Milk.

 

The contractors are here drilling holes and cutting out segments from the dining room ceiling.

 

Taking care of business.

 

Ana and I grab a quick lunch at Aloha Snacks. Sharing Shroom Burgers and Fries. Iced Coffees.

 

Coaching three MMLIVE bands today. Still getting used to these things happening on Fridays. And they’re jammed back to back. Some of these kids bands are hard to facilitate. I grow a pretty severe headache afterwards.

 

 Back home. Ana and I throw a simple dinner together. Sitting on chairs in the dining room sharing conversation with Roland about movies and music. It’s kind of funny cause there’s no table to sit at like we usually have. Everything has been cleared out. So at some point we put on some music and they dance.

 

I relax in my room catching up on things and playing DOOM.

 

Thursday October 1 2020

 

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Breakfast Tea.

 

Work out session with Vlad.

 

Vega Banana Protein Shake.

 

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

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Rebecca and I work in Maddie at the front desk – showing her the ropes on everything that needs to be done.

 

Back home. Ana and I make dinner: Vegan Burgers with Kale, Carrots, and Corn on the Cob.

Watching My Octopus Teacher (2020), an incredibly spellbinding documentary about a diver in South Africa who films and forms a relationship with this octopus. It could be a whole animated Disney story in and of its own but it’s real.

 

Tonight we have to clear out the dining room, essentially, so the contractors can replace the ceiling that has water damage. I clean out the dining booth and discover long lost artifacts in crates. Moving the entire heavy thing into the living room.

 

Later on, Ana assists me in setting up the rehearsal room.

 

Wednesday September 30 2020

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Breakfast Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Getting groceries with Ana.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Kale. Toast with Butter and Jam. Potato Chips. Cold Brew Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Maddie, Karen Glaze’s daughter, is here training with Rebecca to work the front desk. We need someone to work Thursdays and Mondays.

 

After work I grab a Pad Thai Noodle meal from Bangkok Garden. Then, we have our second Fleetwood Mac rehearsal. It goes pretty well. Trying to add a few new songs to the list.

 

After practice I stick around meddling with the drum kit – cleaning things – organizing.

 

Tuesday September 29 2020

Waking up next to Ana from a heavy sleep. I dreamt I was a criminal of some kind in a gang of three. Three other criminal guys posed as a maintenance crew visiting the house to fix something with a refrigerator. For some reason I already knew what they were up to but my buddies didn’t. We were already being watched by police or detectives. I walk outside and nonchalantly explain that these maintenance guys are killing my friends and about to place a bomb in the house. Later on, after the dust settles, I continue living in the house and it’s understood my mom is still alive. She walks around in her slippers and night gown but constantly is having problems like tripping over steps and falling. It becomes quite stressful.

 

Cereal with Blueberries and Almond Milk. Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Chores.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Zucchini. Toast with Butter and Jam. Potato Chips. Cold Brew Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Leftover Pasta with Brussel Sprouts, Mushrooms, and Salmon.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Playing DOOM.

 

At the studio practicing drums, piano, and restringing a guitar. Meanwhile, Ana practices in another room.

 

Monday September 28 2020

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Breakfast Tea.

 

Workout session with Vlad – focused on chest and shoulders today.

 

Vega Banana Protein Shake.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Three Ships Biscuit with Butter and Jam. Cold Brew Coffee.

Watching The Current War (2017).

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Picking up some Pho Noodle Soup for dinner.

 

Catching up on business and chores.

 

Playing DOOM.

 

At the studio spray painting some music stands and affixing more sound foam on the walls – practicing piano.

 

Sunday September 27 2020

 

Waking up around noon.

 

Ana and I attempt to hit up First Watch for brunch but the wait is too long. She has work early at 2 p.m. today. So we ride over to Duck Donuts for some sweet fatty goodness. Once we discover how bad the coffee is compared to what we usually drink there’s no going back. But you can’t beat these donuts – literally the best in the area.

 

A little jaunt to the Kitchen Barn.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Stopping by Broadway rehearsal to deliver grapes for snack time. Things are hopping here. Rebecca’s got them doing a group pinwheel act for a Rocky Horror Picture Show song.

 

Leftover Rice, Kale, and Veggies for a late lunch.

 

It’s such perfect weather. Shooting the basketball around alone getting some exercise in.

 

Back home. I picked up a Pizza Chapel pizza and garlic knots for Ana and I when she gets off work. We watch an episode of The Great British Baking Show.

 

At the studio Ana and I practice some music – jamming on some new things and having a great time.

 

At some point Ana goes home while I stick up these sound foam squares all around the waiting room – I’m really trying to turn this into a fully functioning rehearsal room.

 

Turns out while we were gone Ana discovers burnt pizza that was left in the toaster oven by Roland. He’s been drinking all day and forgot about it. It could’ve burnt the house down if Ana didn’t come home in time.

 

 

Saturday September 26 2020

Waking up at noon.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Breakfast Tea.

 

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

 

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls. Eggs. Kale. Popped Chips. Coffee.

Watching Enola Holmes (2020).

 

Catching up on business and chores.

 

Got asked to do an interesting one off music thing for an old friend, Earl. His wife works at a hospice that needed a few songs recorded on video for these memorial packages they do. He got his friend, Leah, who leads worship at a church to join in. Her and I have never met and yet we’re pulling together an arrangement of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “Lean On Me” on the fly. It actually works out quite well. It takes a long time cause Earl is still figuring out the lighting and the technical aspects of everything in his living room. I eat some Mac n Cheese with Chicken on a break.

 

Back home. Reconvening with Ana about her day at work and her first time experience at the Kung Fu studio.

 

Friday September 25 2020

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

 

Cereal with Strawberries and Almond Milk. Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Ana and I run errands – getting groceries.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Cinnamon Raisin Bagel with Butter. Popped Chips. Coffee.

 

Today we start band rehearsals for MMLIVE. It’s weird doing it on a Friday but also nice to keep it on a weekday so my weekends are free. We’ve got 3 bands this time. Things always get a little hectic doing bands back to back with a tight schedule but it’s a lot of fun. This time there’s a lot of new participants.

 

By the time I get home my head is throbbing. Ana made a delicious dinner: Pasta with Zucchini, Onions, Tomatoes, and Squash Soup. Also with a few toasted buns just like my mom used to do with leftover bread back in the day.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Playing a little guitar in the living room.

 

Thursday September 24 2020

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Breakfast Tea.

 

Work out session with Vlad – he’s toughening me up on the triceps today.

 

Vega Protein Shake.

 

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

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home. Cooking a simple dinner: Japanese Style Fried Rice with Peas and Broccoli.

Watching Enola Holmes (2020).

 

Catching up on business.

 

Over at the rehearsal spot setting up the room for tomorrow’s MMLIVE bands. There’s always much to organize and make sure everything’s in working order.

 

Playing DOOM.

 

Wednesday September 23 2020

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Breakfast Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

It’s such a beautiful day out. I’ve gotta hit the basketball courts even if it’s just for a little bit.

 

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

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Quick leftovers for dinner.

 

Back at the studio. Meeting up with all the Fleetwood Mac people from last year’s Halloween show. We’re reuniting for another gig at Smartmouth in October. It’s a fun time playing music with Aaron, Lena, Ed, Tristyn, Chuck, and newly acquired Danny Robertson. We play through all the possible tunes we know – brushing off the cobwebs but it all comes together.

 

Popcorn and Green Tea.

 

Chilling at the house – talking with Ana while the cat wilds out in the bedroom.

 

Tuesday September 22 2020

Waking up around 11:30 a.m.

 

Cereal with Blueberries and Almond Milk. Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Ana and I run some errands – picking up grocery things at Whole Foods and biscuits/coffee at Three Ships.

 

Benevolent Bacon. Biscuit with Butter and Jam. Kale. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. Introducing Darick Felter to all the drum students. He’ll be replacing Cody. There’s a good vibe with him.

 

Warming up leftovers for dinner: Vegetable Soup with Peas, Quinoa, and Bread.

 

At the studio with Ana. While she tinkers on the piano I reorganize the waiting area for a band rehearsal happening tomorrow.

 

Snacking on Peanut Butter Pretzels.

 

 

Making fire with Ana before sleep.

Monday September 21 2020

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Breakfast Tea.

 

Another work out session with Vlad.

 

Vega Protein Shake.

 

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

Watching Challenger (2020).

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Dinner at home with Ana: Vegan Burgers with Zucchini and Corn on the Cob.

 

ELO rehearsal.

 

Green Tea and Peanut Butter Pretzels.

 

Sunday September 20 2020

Waking up at 12ish.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Breakfast Tea.

 

At Freedom Fellowship for the first Fall Broadway rehearsal. Rebecca leads with the help of Lisa, Addy, and Jordan. I’m here just to oversee that everything goes smoothly. On the sideline taking care of business on my laptop.

 

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

Watching a documentary about the Challenger that exploded in the 80’s.

 

Prepping in the kitchen and other business.

 

Ana and I practice lightly in the living room a few Beatles tunes.

 

Cooking dinner: Fusilli  Pasta with Pepper, Onions, Broccoli, and Garlic Bread.

We eat over an episode of Sister, Sister.

 

Later on, at the studio practicing songs and hanging out. We go over this “Oh Darling” Beatles tune and anything else that comes to mind.

 

I practice drums after she leaves.

 

Apples, Raspberries, and Yogurt.