Sunday June 13 2021

Waking up at 11:45 a.m.

 

Oat Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Linking up with Paul at his house (the husband of Carol and father of Haley) to clean up and edit the video footage from the Broadway show. He’s actually quite tech savvy. We sit in his computer room tweaking the video while Carol and Haley ride jet skis out on the water.

 

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

 

Time to vacuum! Sucking up all the hair and dirt everywhere possible. Watering/feeding the plants.

 

Shooting some basketball out on the Lynnhaven courts.

 

Getting groceries.

 

Black Beans with Onions, Celery, Spinach, Beets, and Rice/Quinoa.

Watching Rebecca (2020).

 

Catching up on business.

 

Organizing things at the studio – plant maintenance.

 

Pineapple with Yogurt. Crackers.

 

Saturday June 12 2021

 

Waking up around noon.

 

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

 

Loading up the wagon and driving out to St. Gregory Catholic Church to deejay a wedding reception. Beverley Mason, the mother of one of my piano students, has a friend Rosey who’s getting married today. They asked me to organize a playlist and bring a PA system. Not my usual gig but nothing I can’t handle.

 

PB&J. Apple. Coffee.

 

I get everything set up to keep a nice vibe of music going while people pile into the assembly hall. During the first dance I play the guitar and sing “I Wanna Grow Old with You” from The Wedding Singer. I’ve always loved this song when I was younger.

 

Ana drops by for the dancing after the cake is served.

 

Transporting everything back to the studio.

 

Meanwhile, Ana cooked us dinner: Peas with Roasted Veggies and Quinoa.

 

After feeling inspired by the wedding Ana and I decide to watch The Wedding Singer (1998).

 

Friday June 11 2021

 

Waking up around noon. First up: making fire with Ana while Elvis waits patiently in the computer chair.

 

Ana and I hit up Commune for brunch eating our usuals with coffee. Waffles and Eggs (with a Blueberry Compote this time).

 

I have to meet up at St. Gregory Catholic church off Witchduck to scope out this assembly hall for a wedding dinner I’m deejaying tomorrow.

 

At Music Makers delegating Allyson to help fix some major schedule things on the calendar.

 

Taking care of myself back home.

Lentils with Spinach, Beets, and Toast.

 

Ana and I drive out to The Hermitage Museum in Norfolk. They’re having a big gallery opening and Ladada is performing. There’s a big transparent tent set up outside right by the harbor. A bunch of our friends are here in support. It’s a very beautiful garden and building. Halfway through our set Josiah breaks a guitar string, then breaks another guitar string on the spare guitar I brought, and then the power goes out to the left side of the stage. We finish off the Yabba song by shouting the chorus with half the band still playing – good times!

 

 

Chicken Sandwich with Fries.

 

Afterwards, we invite a bunch of people back to the storage unit where we usually rehearse for a late night jam. Oh it’s another good time – everybody hops around on instruments – picking up drumsticks and banging on anything nearby.

 

Thursday June 10 2021

Waking up around noon.

 

Oatmeal Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Catching up on business and scheduling.

 

Chores.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Spinach. Toast with Butter and Jam. Popcorn. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Cooking a quick dinner: Vegan Sausages on Buns with Kale and Baby Cauliflower.

Watching Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021).

 

Preparing this playlist I have to deejay for a wedding this Saturday.

 

More business.

 

Playing DOOM.

 

Ana comes into my room with all these epiphanies about her life and our relationship, neutral not necessarily bad – things that we need to change – meeting each other’s needs.

 

Wednesday June 9 2021

Waking up around 11:40 a.m.

 

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

 

Catching up on business and scheduling.

 

Lentil Sandwich with Hummus, Mustard, Tomatoes, and Spinach. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Picking up some Bangkok Garden for Ana and I. She left work early from feeling sick.

Chicken Pad Thai with Broccoli.

 

Hanging out with the band jam boys at the studio. They’re keeping their chops up. I fill in on bass.

 

Catching up on emails and chores.

 

Tuesday June 8 2021

Waking up at 11:40 a.m.

 

Cereal with Blueberries, Banana, and Almond Milk. Tea.

 

So much to do on the Music Makers phone and scheduling. I have to pawn off all Jordan’s usual lessons either with me or someone else. There’s just so much to do.

 

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

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Leftovers for dinner: Peas, Corn, Quinoa, Potatoes, and Sardines.

Watching Queen’s Gambit (2020).

 

Ladada practice tonight. I scoop up Wes to carpool there. We chat about many things like how he managed to own his house and his music schooling.

 

Pineapple. Melon.

 

Monday June 7 2021

Waking up around noon.

 

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

 

Catching up on business and errands. Stopping by Three Ships to fill up our jugs of cold brew – speaking with Elliott for a bit.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Spinach. Biscuit with Butter and Jam. Popped Chips. Coffee.

Watching The Queen’s Gambit (2020).

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Ordering some dinner from Pho 79 – Ana and I share at home. I have Shrimp Fried Rice with Veggies.

 

Then, Rebecca and I go to ELO rehearsal – she’s still learning and fine tuning her parts.

 

Pineapple and Yogurt. Green Tea.

 

Ana’s been really feeling uncomfortable lately – still dealing with issues trusting people. I’ve never given her a reason to not trust me. I always tell her she has no choice but to trust. It’s either that or live in constant paranoia.

 

Sunday June 6 2021

Waking up around noon.

 

Cereal with Blueberries, Banana, and Almond Milk. Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Having a serious aftermath meeting with Rebecca, Addy, and Jordan in regards to Friday’s dress rehearsal incident. Jordan is very remorseful about his behavior and has the chance to extend sincere apologies to Rebecca and us. Rebecca makes very clear in her assertive mother bird manner that there are no excuses for it – she is very protective over her Broadway kids as am I. It was very traumatic what happened Friday. We all get rather emotional over the whole thing. But we do clear the air in the end. Unfortunately, Jordan is going to resign from Music Makers – it’s really the only option at this point in time. Outside it’s a torrential rainfall, which is interesting cause that’s how it was Friday when all that was going on – how unusually fitting.

 

Leftover Salad with Peas, Corn, and Toast. Coffee.

 

Still going on my catch-up list.

 

Running errands – at the studio organizing and cleaning – ants decide to take residence.

 

Back home. It’s leftovers day! Eating leftover Tuna with Kale/Spinach and Quinoa. Celery on the side.

Watching Queen’s Gambit.

 

Composing emails and other computer stuff.

 

Saturday June 5 2021

Waking up around 11:30 a.m. but barely sleeping for the past few hours. My thoughts were riddled with all the Broadway songs feeling anxious for the show.

 

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

 

Ana and I do our makeup – it’s a bit stressful but we manage.

 

Driving to the Kroc Center in Norfolk. Today is the big show. Music Makers LIVE Broadway “A Fantastical Evening” is ready to go. The whole crew is here at 2 p.m. setting up the stage and getting ready. Most everything is in place already from dress rehearsal the day before. We’ve had to change it up with Carol manning the lights and show tracks.

 

 

After a little late 4 p.m. start the first number begins with Apollo introducing “Be Our Guest”. I’m all geared up in my Aladdin street rat costume ready to barge into the audience with my monologue. I take a few deep breaths and go for it! All goes well. Besides a few rough segues and transitions, the actual songs/performances are amazing. I spend most of the time helping on the stage moving props and pianos around.

 

When the show is done there’s a beautiful moment of relief and pride for everyone. Everybody helps break down and load up the cars.

 

Carol, one of the moms and someone who was a big help in this program, hosted a cast party. There’s a giant decked out backyard and pool. Sipping on some beers and enjoying Vegan Burgers with Veggies and Cake. It’s nice for the kids to relax after such a big show and just hang out.

 

 

 

 

Friday June 4 2021

 

Waking up a little before 11 a.m.

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Ana and I visit Rebecca next door to do my makeup.

 

At the Kroc Center for the big Broadway dress rehearsal. Even though there’s no audience we’re treating it like the real show. There’s so much that needs to be set up and sound checked. The whole crew and cast start to trickle in, filling up the dressing rooms and stage with a frenzy of costumes and props.

...

Amidst all the chaos we start to notice Jordan getting a little too impatient with sound check – he starts yelling unusually loud and with no reason. Later on, while trying to run the 1^st and 2^nd numbers something goes horribly wrong in the sound booth. It’s apparent that he was drinking beforehand. That mixed with some disagreements between him and Rebecca creates a tense enough situation that we had to kick him out. Meanwhile, Ana and I are up on stage attempting to run our Aladdin number and trying to keep the spirits alive. It was completely unexpected. But the show must go on!

 

Carol has to take over the show tracks and the lights and us stage crew have to make some adjustments but we make it through with a few hiccups and weird transitions. However, the songs themselves are performed beautifully!

 

 

It’s a long, long night for everyone. After 8:30 we reconvene and make a game plan for tomorrow.

 

Ana and I hit up Baladi’s for a hearty dinner.

 

Taking care of chores at the house.

 

Thursday June 3 2021

Waking up at 11:40 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Protein Powder, and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.

 

Working out with Vlad.

 

Scrambled Eggs. Spinach. Toast with Butter and Jam. Corn Chips with Guac. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home. Cooking dinner: Vegan Burgers with Brussel Sprouts and Potatoes.

Watching Queen’s Gambit.

 

After Ana gets off work we rehearse our Aladdin number at the studio – feeling pretty confident in it. Packing up a few things.

 

Organizing things – chores.

 

Wednesday June 2 2021

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

 

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

 

Meeting with Maria about my diet and workout routine. We’re supposed to check in at least once a week.

 

Running on the treadmill while at the same time dealing with some communications on both phones. No time for a big workout today.

 

Getting my haircut at Sage, next door to Music Makers.

 

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

Watching Queen’s Gambit.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. It’s always hectic on Wednesdays, especially towards the end. Allyson holds down the fort up front jotting all the payments and dealing with schedule things.

 

Corn, Peas, Beets, and Quinoa for dinner.

 

Coaching the Modern Day Warrior boys for their practice.

 

Back home. Catching up on business over Green Tea.

 

Greek Yogurt with Strawberries. Crackers.

 

Tuesday June 1 2021

Waking up around 11:40 a.m.

 

Cereal with Banana, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Tea.

 

I decide to forego the gym so I can run some errands – buying a $5 fez hat for my Aladdin costume – doing some things at the studio.

 

PB&J. Apple with Yogurt. Coffee.

Watching Queen’s Gambit.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Dinner: Hefty Salad with Spinach, Tomatoes, Celery, Carrots, Beets, and Sardines. Popped Chips.

 

Doing the accounting for the month and dealing with all kinds of numbers nonsense.

 

Chores.

 

Playing DOOM.