Saturday November 26 2022

 

Waking up bright and early at 8 a.m.

 

In the big van I sit in the back row while Carlos drives us north. Working on computer things and whatever business that needs tending to. Eating some hard boiled eggs with a banana and tea.

...

Napping at some point.

 

After some crazy traffic on 95 we eventually make it to downtown Wilmington, Delaware. At the Grand Opera House – this place is absolutely stunning with a very high ceiling painted with Renaissance style images, a much bigger stage than yesterday.

 

 

Unfortunately, we discover the big merch rack never made it on the trailer from yesterday’s gig. How? We have no clue. Our whole disorganized system of load in and load out failed us. So we scramble to figure out a solution by recruiting someone from VB to haul all our back stock of t-shirts and cd’s. I spend all my spare time coming up with solutions to fix things at the merch, video, and whatever stage issues we have.

 

After all is said and done we do manage to get a nice sound check and have time to order dinner across the street from Chelsea Tavern.

 

Fish n Chips with Veggie tray for me.

 

John, the hospitality guy, is extremely nice and gifts me with a tiny jar of honey from the bees they keep on the roof of the building. Apparently, the bees stay busy cause of the all vibrations of the music performances that go on.

 

We do our two set show and all is well – lights are fantastic – the audience is full and receptive. Sometimes while I’m playing I’ll watch the crowd sing every single lyric.

 

 

Packing it up and loading out. The hotel is literally a block down the street so we’re able to just roll our luggage rack over with ease.

 

Rebecca and I settle down and look through some footage. Libido kicks in...  

 

Friday November 25 2022

 

Waking up bright and early at 8:10 a.m.

 

Linking up at the warehouse for the ELO trip. I’m riding in the big van and trailer this time. Jimmy and Brittany in the back row and I in the row next. After some conversational investigations into why steering wheels aren’t in the center of a car I’m able to get some shut eye.

 

PB&J. Tea.

 

At The Beacon Theatre in Hopewell, Virginia. I remember this place from a few years back when we played here. Small theater room but a beautiful place with an upgraded light system. We brought Chris White with us so we can put an actual human behind the light board who knows the show/music.

...

Setting up the stage and merch area – always takes so much time. The stage guys keep lowering the light truss; Nigel keeps banging his head on them – I swear he needs a helmet at gigs.

 

My dad and his wife Patty are here. They’re able to hang back stage and eat lunch/dinner. Chinese food on the menu tonight.

 

 

Right at 7:45 we go on and do our two sets of all the ELO hits. The energy feels great – lights look fabulous – no projection though for whatever reason.

 

 

We manage to make it back to the hotel but not without turning back around for Nigel’s briefcase and iPad – and then later Brittany’s bag. It’s always something.

 

It feels great to be relaxing in this hotel bed

 

Thursday November 24 2022

 

Waking up at almost 1 p.m. Felt good to sleep in.

 

It’s Thanksgiving and I’m doing absolutely nothing, which is strange. Not going to see my dad down in NC cause it would only be for a day and I’ll see him tomorrow at the ELO show.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Normally, I’d see Ana’s family around these holiday times but things are different now. I literally have nowhere to go. So I do what I like to call “Solosgiving”, a day to myself.

 

Catching up on business at the computer. Doing chores.

 

Cleaning the bathroom!

 

Eggs. Spinach. English Muffin. Coffee.

 

Running errands – fixing up these z racks at the storage unit.

 

While getting gas I witness a near domestic abuse scene in front of the 7-11. This lady is yelling for her keys back and arguing with a dude from outside the car about her baby. I can’t image the stress that’s going through those two people’s heads. The guy eventually leaves and walks off down the street. I almost wanna ask if the lady needs help but I guess it’s not my place to intervene.

 

Back home.

Dinner: Lentils with Brown Rice/Quinoa, Baby Broccoli, Carrots, and Naan Bread.

Watching 1899.

 

Doing dishes and general cleaning.

 

Packing and prepping for tomorrow’s trip.

 

Baking Cookies.

 

At the studio pulling out the Christmas decorations. I put on some Shins radio that eventually switches to other nostalgic emotional songs – it really tugs at my heart and I can’t help but feel loss, regret, and happiness all at the same time.

 

Wednesday November 23 2022

Waking up around noon.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Catching up on business. Running errands. Traffic is horrendous today, day before Thanksgiving and all.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Bagel. Coffee.

 

Teaching some lessons.

 

Then, I driver over to Back Bay for the show. Snake Mountain Revival and Gone are performing. It’s nice to just be attending a show as opposed to being on stage with responsibilities. I hang with Elliott, Allyson, and Rusty mostly enjoying the heavy fire that SMR brings. I notice Ana makes an appearance at some point right in the middle of a song. It’s funny how easy it is to act normal in public for me but on the inside I’m hit with the awareness of her to a big degree. I have a lot on my mind in regards to her lately.

 

Eating a Tuna Sandwich with Fries from nearby.

 

Back home. Doing chores and relaxing.

 

Tuesday November 22 2022

 

Waking up around noon.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Eggs. Spinach. English Muffin. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Lentils, Vegan Sausage, Brown Rice, and Salad.

 

I link up with Felix, Aaron, Josiah, and Ken at Taphouse. Felix is rarely in town so we have a little Tokyo reunion hang out – it’s good to spend time with these guys and reconnect. Back at Aaron and Ken’s apartment Felix hooks up this cool pocket sized synthesizer and we have fun with that. Sorting through our tour/band memories.

 

Popcorn.

Watching 1899.

 

Monday November 21 2022

Waking up around noon.

 

Cereal. Tea.

 

Organizing some things at the studio and catching up on business.

 

Eggs. Bagel. Spinach. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Protein Shake.

 

ELO band practice.

 

Dinner: Mackerel with Black Beans, Kale, Carrots, and Brown Rice.

Watching 1899.

 

Sunday November 20 2022

Waking up as late as I want.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Catching up on things.

 

Over at Rebecca’s we chat about things as she’s cleaning and packing for her trip to NC to see her mom.

 

On about my day enjoying the fact I have no urgent responsibilities. I run a thousand errands – returning a wallet that was left at Kroc yesterday – successfully returning something at Wal-Mart, which is a miracle – getting groceries.

 

Eggs. Chard. Salt n Vinegar Chips. English Muffin. Coffee.

 

Doing things around the house – shopping online.

 

Leftover Pizza with Salad.

 

At the studio cleaning and organizing all the mic packs and other Broadway related gear.

 

Saturday November 19 2022

Today was the second show for Broadway. First show yesterday was amazing but this time it’s even more amazing.

 

Spending all afternoon making sure everything is in order – camera rolling – lights flashing in sync with the music. So many great numbers done by the cast members. Once again, I’m proud of the Dark One scenes. With Kevin and Reid syncing up the lights and sound effects it all came together in dramatic fashion.

 

Afterwards, I do my best to pack up everything in a hurried fashion – everyone else lends a hand – we manage to get out of there a half hour before our rental time is done.

 

Dropping off all the gear at the studio then heading to the cast party at Carol’s house – I’m able to throw tonight’s footage up on the screen while we all laugh and cheer.

 

It’s finally over – I’ve participated in some of the biggest things all at once in such a short amount of time.

 

Friday November 18 2022

Waking up some time around noon.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Picking up some premium paper so we can print just a few more programs. There’s a few of the cast members here at the studio getting their mics taped.

 

I head to Kroc Center for the Music Makers LIVE Broadway production of The Dark Before Christmas. Today is the big day! First show. We do all the things to get the stage ready – sound checking with a few pivotal scenes.

 

Then, it’s show time! Very proud of everyone today – we all stepped it up and kept those segues and transitions smooth – all the numbers were very well performed. Me being the Dark One, evil villain for the show, was a fun role to play.

 

Afterwards, we pack things up and get outta there.

 

Reid, Rebecca, Jimmy, and I meet up at Cook Out for a quick dinner – recapping all the funny moments from the show.

 

Then, at the studio unpacking and cleaning all the mic packs and charging everything. Then, printing more programs.

 

Thursday November 17 2022

 

Waking up after noon.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Packing up the car with stuff from Music Makers. Reid and I ride out to Kroc Center for the big Broadway dress rehearsal today. We push our luck trying to get in a little early with Jeremy and Kevin for sound/lights. Getting the sound station and other little things set up and ready to go. Eventually, the rest of the cast and crew show up. It obviously takes forever to get everything truly going.

 

But we do an entire run through of the show from start to finish and besides some long transitions/segues it’s looking really nice. We make it all the way to 8:20 and have to hightail it outta there.

 

Back at the studio Rebecca and I unwrap all the mic packs and charge the batteries and walkies. Then, we print as many programs as we can before we’re beat.

 

Back home. Catching up on chores and laundry.

 

Wednesday November 16 2022

Waking up around noon.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Working on computer stuff.

 

Running errands.

 

Eggs. Chard. English Muffin. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Afterwards, I pick up a Pizza Chapel pizza and garlic knots and bring it back to the studio. Reid, Rebecca, and I need to meet one last time before tomorrow’s Broadway dress rehearsal. We go over cues and transitions in the script. Then, putting final tweaks to the printed program. I stay behind real late working mastering tracks and everything.

 

Protein Shake.

 

Back home. Popcorn and Pineapple.

 

Tuesday November 15 2022

Waking up real late for some reason after 12:30 p.m.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Eggs. Bagel. Chard. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Modern Day Warrior is practicing for the first time in a while. Meanwhile, I’m helping Rebecca with Broadway program stuff.

 

Back home. Eating some dinner: Lentils with Pasta, Salad, Mackerel, and Naan Bread.

Watching Pennyworth.

 

Then back at the studio recording the curtain speech with Rebecca. Then, I work on some evil laughs for the show.

 

Monday November 14 2022

Waking up around noon.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Catching up on business – there’s always some kind of issues as we approach show week for Broadway. Our ticket website had some things backwards when people buy tickets. And there’s still so much to do.

 

Eggs. Kale. Bagel. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

At ELO practice – we’re mostly keeping Edwin’s piano chops up to date on the songs and helping Jimmy A. on the bass.

 

Talking with Rebecca afterwards. She’s been feeling overwhelmed and unenthused about the Broadway show. We’ve really faced so many obstacles this time around for some reason. I try to cheer her up and help her understand we don’t have any control over certain things.

 

Back home. Catching up on business and whatever else needs done.

 

Sunday November 13 2022

 

Waking up bright and early.

 

We’ve got the much anticipated Music Makers LIVE show at Elevation 27 today. Andrew and I load everything into the venue and set up. There are three new production guys here to help.

 

It’s always such a stressful and chaotic mess on the stage with the kids and adults alike asking a thousand questions and not knowing all the little things to do. However, they all prove themselves natural performers. I’m so proud of all the bands. And I’m grateful to have Vlad and Rebecca host the show.

 

 

Back at the studio. After transporting all the gear I chat with Rebecca about things we could do differently next time to make it run smoother.

 

Back home. I enjoy some lunch. Then, napping thankfully!

 

Later on in the night I organize all the gear back at the studio.

 

Catching up on video stuff and relaxing.

 

Saturday November 12 2022

Waking up around noon.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

At The Kroc Center for our Broadway tech rehearsal. It’s a lot of setting up and organizing all over the place. All of the cast members are out in the lobby getting their mics taped to their faces before rehearsal.

 

Protein Shake. PB&J.

 

We try to run through the entire show from start to finish. Reid handles the two laptops with all our sound effects and music. Kevin and Jeremy run lights and sound. I make sure everything goes smoothly and perform my Dark One scenes.

 

Towards the end we get everything packed up and load it all into our cars. Debriefing outside over all the crazy things that went wrong and some things that went right.

 

Back at the studio, Reid, Rebecca, and I reconvene.

 

Then, Rebecca and I grab some dinner at Las Palmas, both of us starving for real food.

 

Organizing all the music gear for tomorrow’s MMLIVE Band show at Elevation.

 

Finally settling down at home. I can’t tell you how grateful I am to just sit.

 

Friday November 11 2022

Waking up around noon.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Running errands.

 

Eggs. Kale. Bagel. Coffee.

 

At Music Makers having our final MMLIVE band rehearsals for the kids, teens, then adults. All goes over pretty well.

 

Protein Shake.

 

Afterwards, Rebecca and I talk about all kinds of stuff. Both of us have been feeling ultra stressed with Broadway deadlines hovering. And amongst the difficulties we’ve been short and hard on each other. We talk it out and make sure we’re all ready for tomorrow’s big tech rehearsal.

 

Back home. Making a quick dinner of leftover Pad Thai with Vegan Sausage and a Salad.

 

Finishing up some last minute Broadway show tracks.

 

Gelato.

 

Thursday November 10 2022

Waking up around 12:30 p.m. Overslept but on purpose.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Getting myself together – chores.

 

Organizing some things at the studio. I decided to take off all my lessons today so I can get other stuff done.

 

Spinach Salad with Eggs, Tomato, Bagel, Vegan Sausage, and Coffee.

 

Coaching an MMLIVE band.

 

Afterwards, meeting with Rebecca to fix up any Broadway related things for tracks.

 

Then, recording all I can for the show.

 

Dinner break: Tuna Steak with Lentils, Brown Rice, Baby Broccoli, and Carrots.

 

More recording late into the night. Meanwhile, outside on the horrid roads of Hilltop the construction crew is making all kinds of racket steamrolling asphalt.

 

Wednesday November 9 2022

Waking up around noon.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Bagel. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Afterwards, meeting with Reid and Rebecca to go over sound/light cues for the Broadway show – this is very time consuming but necessary and we are able to clean up all the missing things in the script. I still have tons of sound design and recording to do before Saturday – feeling stressed.

 

Home after 1 a.m. to warm up some quick dinner.

 

I work on a few things at the computer then bedtime. No video today.

Tuesday November 8 2022

Waking up around 11 or so.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Running errands – fulfilling my civic duty and voting.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Bagel. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

In between meeting with Carol and Rebecca to sort out Broadway prep.

 

Tofu Pad Thai with Broccoli.

 

Wes and I ride out to the storage unit for Ladada practice – it’s been a while since we ripped on our guitars. We hash out a few lingering drama between each other and then make beautiful music.

 

Protein Shake. Popcorn.

 

Monday November 7 2022

Waking up around 11 a.m.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Rebecca and I drive over to Nigel’s for a meeting with Kevin and him about the upcoming ELO trip and other business things.

 

Eggs. Bagel. Spinach. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Staying back for a while working on stuff.

 

Sardines, Lentils, Salad, Quinoa, and Garlic Naan.

Watching Pennyworth.

 

At the studio on Ableton fixing up sound effects and crazy noises for the Broadway show. Sound design is fun.

 

Sunday November 6 2022

Waking up around 11:30 a.m.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

At Music Makers coaching bands all day with the help of Andrew and Rebecca.

 

After 9 I’m home cooking dinner for myself: Pasta and Salad.

Watching Pennyworth.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Feeling so tired and out of it I power nap at the computer.

 

Working on Ableton trying to master and prepare tracks for the upcoming Broadway show.

 

Sleep at some point.

Saturday November 5 2022

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Coaching the adult band practice along with Andrew and Rebecca in the 104 space – spirits are high and things are very productive.

 

Then, Rebecca, Reid, and I drive over to Dylan’s church over in Red Mill for the Broadway rehearsal. It’s our last one before tech rehearsal so the stakes are high to remember your lines and get everything right.

 

Transporting everything back to Music Makers – recapping what we need to do to get ready for next weekend.

 

I had pizza earlier so I resort to a hefty Salad with Hard Boiled Eggs for dinner...and cookies.

 

Relaxing and catching up on business.

 

Friday November 4 2022

 

Waking up after noon.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Running errands.

 

Eggs. Bagel. Spinach. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

Watching Pennyworth (2022).

 

At the studio organizing the 104 space for a rehearsal tomorrow.

 

Allyson and James invited me to their house out in South Norfolk for the Weird Al movie viewing that just came out starring Daniel Radcliffe. They’ve got a nice cozy upstairs apartment that feels like a funhouse with a weirdly unlevel kitchen floor and tiny doors. Fatz, their cat is basically the opposite of Elvis.

 

Back at the studio trying to put this old bass amp of mine back together – looking for screws and whatnot.

 

Thursday November 3 2022

Waking up around noon.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Running errands. Whilst at Wal-Mart I chat with Ron about ELO money drama. I also take notice to the distinct difference between Wal-Mart parking lots and Target parking lots. More claustrophobic along with more cigarette smokers, litter everywhere, and in general just trashy. It’s crazy the contrast just across the street. But I have no choice sometimes.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Bagel. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Back home. Making dinner: Black Beans with Mackerel, Quinoa, Baby Broccoli, Carrots, and Naan Bread.

Watching Pennyworth (2022).

 

Doing editing for some Broadway stuff and general stuff on the computer.

 

Pineapple. Popcorn.

 

Cat chores – taking out the litter – dropping off recycle.

 

Wednesday November 2 2022

Waking up around noon after having dreams where Ana and I reconnected as friends sort of. I often have these kinds of dreams cause in waking life I feel no resolve.

 

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Flax Seed, and Almond Milk. English Breakfast Tea.

 

Catching up on business.

 

Running errands.

 

Eggs. Bagel. Spinach. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Protein Shake.

 

Doing some stuff at the studio – meanwhile, chatting with Jimmy Wiseman about ELO money troubles.

 

Leftover Spaghetti with a Salad and Naan Bread.

Watching Pennyworth (2022).

 

Chores.

 

Recording some stuff for Broadway at the studio.

 

Tuesday November 1 2022

Waking up around noon.

 

Breakfast Bar. Tea.

 

Doing some accounting and emails.

 

Eggs. Spinach. Bagel. Coffee.

 

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

 

Reorganizing the drum room and putting in a new rug that fits better. I’ve recently discovered that these 7x10 rugs at Target fit perfectly.

 

Lentils, Quinoa, Kale, Carrots, and Vegan Sausage.

Watching Pennyworth (2022).

 

Catching up on business and cleaning.