Thursday March 19 2015

[i]

After about five wonderful hours of sleep on the futon floor of the van I awaken in the charming city of New Orleans. With Calum, Josiah, Ana, and Bianca. We park by the Mississippi River right next to a river boat with a lady on the very top level tapping an obnoxiously loud carnival-esque pipe organ.

Almond Honey Peanut Butter Granola Bar.

Walking around the French Quarter with no particular place to go. Strolling down Bourbon Street. Street performers are on every corner playing jazz and gypsy music.

In search of any hole-in-the-wall café to eat brunch. We find a place that sells affordable breakfast plates and beignets (New Orleans style powdered donuts). Sitting out on the shaded patio. Eating Beignets and sipping on an iced Café Au Lait. A cat lurks nearby in hopes to catch the fluttering birds that randomly dive down for crumbs and leftovers.

After taking a couple bites of his eggs, bacon, and grits, Josiah gratefully exclaims, "Mm. Eating is important."

Back on the road. Eight more hours till Austin. Sharing Chic Pea Salad Sandwiches with Ana. Navel Orange. Staying hydrated with Lemon Water.

Josiah asks Ana, "So what is it with you and lemons?"

"Ana's just a lemonhead," I reply.

We continue on the repetitive road. Lounging in the back with Ana and Calum – reading through a book about Beethoven's life – napping.

And then...AUSTIN!

We meet up at John Flower's place; he just moved out here to Austin. We use Uber to check out the Cheer Up Charlie venue. Deerhoof and Of Montreal are scheduled to play.

Ana and I share some goodies from a food truck nearby: Brussel Sprout Salad, Fish Sandwich, and Roasted Beets. It's like an amusement park in Austin, with little mini festivals happening at every venue.

After the show, our entourage takes a stroll through the heart of SXSW. Tons of people everywhere – flyers and show posters scattered all over the ground – it almost resembles an intensified version of the oceanfront back home in VB.

After a long 2-mile walk we make it back to John's place. Ana and I sleep in the van cause space is limited in the apartment.

---

[i] Images by me.

Wednesday March 18 2015

[i]

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

Raw Cacao Protein Drink with Banana, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Navel Orange.

Organizing – packing.

Grilled PB&J. Olive Oil Potato Chips. Green Tea. Chocolate Chip Oat and Almond Cookie.

Teaching a slew of lessons at Music Makers. Introducing "Always Forever" by Cults to Elly, my ten-year-old vocal student. It's a perfect fit.

Back home. Last minute packing. Ana is terribly flustered and out of her element. "Me and packing don't mix," she exclaims. I try to calm her down. When trying to decide if it's necessary to bring this not-yet-ripened pineapple, "If I can take my purse, I can take a pineapple!"

...

We're waiting on Calum, Josiah, and Bianca to pick us up – they're a little bit late. Ana and I take advantage of the extra time to engage in a little pick-me-up sex upstairs. They arrive. We're fortunate enough to borrow a white Sienna mini-van from Calum's girl. Setting up the black futon mattress in the middle and playing Tetris to figure out where all the luggage and bags will go. After a quick stop at Wawa we're on the road bound to Austin, Texas for the biggest music festival America has to offer, South by Southwest.

...

Ana and I enjoy a packed dinner of Kale Greens with Carrots, Tomatoes, and Hard-Boiled Eggs.

The familiar stench of the paper mill off US-58 fills our nostrils.

"There's the paper mill," I announce.

"That is the smell of sadness," Ana says.

Josiah drives us into the night. I maintain the role of his passenger seat sidekick – deejaying – diving into deep talks about mind control and interconnectedness. I grab him a banana from the back and an Apple for myself. Meanwhile, the cooing haunting sounds of Radiohead make an appropriate soundtrack to the strange topic of our conversation.

It's almost 4 a.m. and it's my turn to take the wheel. While everybody rests their minds and bodies I conjure up enough energy from a cup of joe and Plantain Chips to drive us around the cusp of South Carolina and through Atlanta. At 7 a.m. I'm spent. Josiah and I migrate to the futon on the floor and catch Z's until New Orleans.

---

[i] Images by me.

Tuesday March 17 2015

[i]

Waking up just before noon.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

Running around town searching for the right power inverter for the road trip. Errands.

Grilled PB&J. Olive Oil Potato Chips. Pineapple. Pu-erh Tea.

Watching Under the Electric Sky (2014).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Out on the basketball courts by Lynnhaven Middle School playing a few pick-up games with familiar faces. The sun is setting and the court lights still don't work causing us to end the games early.

Back home. Eating Lentils with Cauliflower, Carrots, Onions, and Rice.

Oat and Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies.

At the storage unit rehearsing Ladada songs with Josiah and Calum, our last chance to perfect our set before the big SXSW show this weekend.

Back at the house making almond milk and packing for the road trip.

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] From Under the Electric Sky (2014).

Monday March 16 2015

[i]

Waking up at 11:45 a.m.

Toasted Oat Bran with Maple Syrup, Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Chia Seeds, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey,

Getting groceries from Trader Joe's.

General organizing and road trip prepping.

Scrambled Eggs. Toasted Naan Bread with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese and Strawberry Jam. Multi-Grain Tortilla Chips with Avocado. Navel Orange. Pu-erh Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Picking up Ana from the house and making use of the Lynnhaven Middle School track field. The lights on the basketball courts aren't coming on so we're running around in the dark with only the glow of the streetlights and moon to light our path.

Kale Greens Salad with Carrots and Beans.

Meeting up with Elliott at Rick's Café for a bit of brotherly love time. He brought me a slender slab of wood that he painted a mixed media collage onto. I love it. All the artwork he creates I love. Ordering Sweet Potato Fries.

Me: "What kind of people do you think we'll be in ten years?"

Elliott: "Probably the same. Just older."

Back home. With Ana fulfilling our duties as kitchen witches. I fix up the 5-Ingredient Granola Bars we used to make back in the day while she fixes up a batch of Oat and Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Settling down at the computer with Chamomile Tea. I missed a late night call from Anthony. He left a voicemail: "Remember when you used to stay up till 6 or 7 or 8 in the morning? I feel like...uh...I feel like I get stuck in the past even as I'm creating it simultaneously."

Anthony Voicemail (March 17 2015 2.18 am)

Settling down with Ana by my side. Kevin left his phone at the house so we snap a couple sneaky photos for him to be surprised by later.

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] Images by me.

Sunday March 15 2015

[i]

Waking up at 11:15 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

All day shift at China Wok.

It's a fairly slow afternoon for deliveries.

Stopping at the house for lunch I find Pumpkin napping in Ana's closet.

Scrambled Eggs. Naan Bread with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese and Strawberry Jam. Multi-Grain Tortilla Chips with Avocado. Pu-erh Tea. Cantaloupe.

The day continues slowly...

Honey Crisp Apple.

The girls are writing up an order on a ticket. Janice forgets to write in the apartment number. "I keep forgotting!" she exclaims.

I just giggle and correct her, "Forgetting. It's forgetting, Janice."

When taking a customer's order over the counter Janice writes in Chicken with Snow Peace.

Me: "Janice, it's not Snow Peace. It should be P-E-A-S."

She's actually really smart for her age but being around parents who speak mostly Mandarin and then going to school where they speak only English it doesn't help reinforce how to use English properly.

Fried Shrimp with Broccoli, Carrots, Onions, and Rice in Garlic Sauce.

Off work and back home.

Ana's watching a documentary on Burt's Bees downstairs. I curl up and embrace her from behind, her bobbing hair bun periodically tickling my face. I need this kind of affection. She needs it too.

Compiling a crate of select books to bring on the SXSW road trip coming up. Cleaning. Organizing.

I join Ana in her bed shortly after 3 a.m.

---

[i] Image by me.

Saturday March 14 2015

[i]

Waking up at 10:45 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

All day shift at China Wok.

Banana.

Happy Pi Day (3.1415)(3-14-15) and Happy Birthday Albert Einstein and Happy 100^th Anniversary of General Relativity!

Janice drew something on the back a ticket...

The rain falls consistently. Of course this means I'm gonna be a busy delivery boy.

When stopping home for lunch I overhear Ana singing confidently in the shower. This makes me smile.

Toasted PB&J. Olive Oil Potato Chips. Pu-erh Tea.

Listening to a podcast dedicated to William S. Burroughs.

"The cat does not offer services. The cat offers itself."

The nighttime deliveries are relentless. I'm a flash on the road. In and out of the car. Gripping the handles of the plastic takeout bags with my left hand and knocking on doors with my right hand. There's an influx of people at the oceanfront tonight, most celebrating St. Patrick's Day early even though it's officially on Tuesday. I deliver to the 14^th floor of the Ocean Beach Club, one of the most recently built and modernized hotels. I love the elevators here cause they're so quick and efficient. On the way down I'm forced to join an elevator car with at least 15 people in their late 40's, early 50's, all sporting green plastic beaded necklaces and carrying alcoholic drinks. We're cramped in here like sardines. The guy next to me blurts out in an obnoxious drunken fashion, "WHO ARE YOU? Where'd you come from?!" Before I can even respond he asks if I "want a sip" from his almost empty cup.

"Aha. No thanks. I'm good," I answer.

He starts to pretend it's some kind of planned meeting and says, "Okay, we're gonna go around the room. What's your name?"

"Robert."

"Robert, I'm Bill. This is Peter. Everybody say 'Hello Robert'!"

The rest of the rowdy bunch call back, "HELLO, ROBERT!"

I can't help but feed off their wild energy. I smile without much choice and turn to Bill, "I picked the right car today, didn't I?"

He cackles back to me, "You sure did!"

Cantaloupe.

Back home and off work.

Mixed Beans, Broccoli, and Rice.

Finishing Foxcatcher (2014).

Later on, I spend a little time with Ana in her room. She tears up kind of out of nowhere. She's been stressed at work and doesn't want to be working at the car parts store – she's just tired of it. I comfort her and assure her that new opportunities will come. Pumpkin bounces into the room in response to all the emotion and perches himself up near us.

"He knows something's wrong."

"Pumpkin Pi Pillow"

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] Images by me.

Friday March 13 2015

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

All day shift at China Wok.

Banana.

It's a fairly busy afternoon for deliveries.

Double Egg Sandwich with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese and Mustard. Black Bean Tortilla Chips with homemade Salsa and Avocado.

The day continues steadily. Order after order. Credit receipt after credit receipt. Dog bark after dog bark. Staircase after staircase. Mile after mile.

Navel Orange.

I manage to actually get off work semi-early so I can make the Ladada show at The Iguana. Ana drives Rachel and me there. On the way I scarf down Tofu with Broccoli, Carrots, Onions, and Rice with Garlic Sauce.

Sipping on an Angry Orchard while standing in the crowd watching DJP and MrT perform a fun electro pop set to the backdrop of Liquid Sky (1982). Seeing a few familiar faces. We were just here a couple weeks ago playing a show. But this will give us another chance to practice our performance before SXSW next week. It's much tighter this time and we can feel each other more.

On the drive home with Rachel and Ana. The three us share a collective headache. That place was a bit stuffy for me – as well it was intensified by wearing that sweater.

Back home. Settling down – trying to settle down my whole body. Sipping on Red Clover Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] Images taken by Ana and I.

Thursday March 12 2015

[i]

Waking up at 10:45 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

Chiropractor appointment – I'm scheduled to go there once a month just to keep everything in check.

Errands. Organizing.

Grilled PB&J. Olive Oil Potato Chips. Pu-erh Tea. Papaya.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

At the Rec with Ana. Working my quads and keeping the heart rate up while on the wait list for basketball. Eventually, I get called onto a team. Fresh off the bench I hightail it up and down the court. It feels rejuvenating to be here. I realized yesterday how much not being able to compete in basketball affects my mood. There are two things I love: music and basketball. If I don't participate in any of these two things then something is missing for me.

Back home. Together Ana and I make dinner: Seared Tuna Steaks with Kale Sprouts, Carrots, Onions, and Brown Rice.

At the storage unit with Josiah and Calum for Ladada practice. We've got a show at The Iguana again tomorrow night so we're polishing up the songs.

Papaya. Chamomile Tea.

---

[i] Image by me.

Wednesday March 11 2015

[i]

Waking up just after noon.

Downstairs, while fixing breakfast, Kevin of course take it upon himself to bother me as he usually does on his days off. The last thing I want to do is interact with anybody as soon as I wake up. He tries and tries to get a word out of me but I simply ignore him with a blank face. He's a funny guy but I've had plenty of practice learning how to ignore Kevin.

"Looks like somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed!" he exclaims.

Oat Bran with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Maca Powder, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

Catching up on business.

The hallway bathroom is preoccupied so I run into Ana's bathroom to take a leak and discover her toilet is clogged to the brim with whole undigested quinoa flakes floating in it. I unclog it for her and tell her about it.

She responds with, "You've seen the worst in me. Literally."

Me: "It's okay. I accept you for who you are."

Grilled PB&J. Olive Oil Potato Chips. Pu-erh Tea. Orange.

Watching The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

At the Rec with Ana. I spend ample time on the basketball courts – no pick-up games for me today though.

Back home. I take some of the leftover beans Ana made and concoct Burritos out of them along with fresh homemade Salsa. 

While Ana massages sandalwood onto her face she complains/compliments on how I do everything for her. Earlier when preparing dinner I was having her do little tasks for me.

Ana: "I'm like your assistant."

Me: "That's how it's supposed to be. We're each other's assistants in life."

Milk Chocolate.

Chores.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

---

[i] Image by me.

Tuesday March 10 2015

[i]

Waking up shortly after noon.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

Errands.

Grilled PB&J. Olive Oil Potato Chips. Pu-erh Tea. Chocolate Chip Oat Almond Cookies.

Watching The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

At the Rec Center lifting weights and working the cardio.

Back home. Preparing dinner for Ana and I: Brown Rice Quinoa Spaghetti with Peppers, Mushrooms, Onions, and Arriabata Sauce; Mixed Kale Greens Salad with Cucumbers, Tomatoes, and Carrots; and Garlic Parmesan Naan Bread.

Sharing with Ana all the new Nintendo games I downloaded for the emulator on my computer. We play through all the silly ones and enjoy a comical competitiveness between each other. 

Then, in her bedroom – being playful and entangling our bodies – sex.

Pineapple.

Nintendo.

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] Image by me.

Monday March 9 2015

[i]

Waking up at 12:30 p.m.

Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

Business.

It's a beautifully sunny day in Virginia Beach. I grab my basketball and shoot around on the street courts out by Lynnhaven Middle School. Meanwhile, I witness obnoxious middle school boys on the track field holler at the teenage girls playing lacrosse. I guess I was in middle school once and understand what it was like to be a middle school boy.

Grilled PB&J. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Navel Orange. Pu-erh Tea.

Finishing The Imitation Game (2014).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

I come home and find Ana napping in her gym clothes waiting for me to arrive. I awaken her and we go to the Rec for a workout.

Making a quick dinner at home for us: Baked Tilapia with Mixed Beans, Broccoli, and Brown Rice. I scoop it all into the red dog bowl that I eat out of on a regular basis and enjoy it on the drive to the storage unit off Tidewater for Ladada band practice with Josiah and Calum. We're getting tighter and tighter every time, almost ready for SXSW next week.

Back home.

Eating a couple pieces of Dark Chocolate and sipping on Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] Image by me.

Sunday March 8 2015

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Raw Cacao Protein Drink with Almond Milk, Blueberries, and Banana. Navel Orange.

All day shift at China Wok.

The sun is out energizing the whole city into being productive again. Even the construction crews are filling in the deadly potholes and stripped neighborhood roads that have been in dire need of repair during the snowstorms.

Ana joins me on a few delivery runs. Later, she retrieves a slice of Pizza from Whole Foods for me. I add Kale Chips with Hummus; Green Tea; and Chocolate Chip Oat Almond Cookies to complete my lunch.

The busy dinner shift comes and goes in a flash.

Before I know it the time is 11 p.m. and I'm back home in my computer chair enjoying dinner and a little bit of a movie. Tofu with Broccoli, Carrots, Onions, and Rice in Garlic Sauce. Watching The Imitation Game (2014).

Researching. Discovering the Janko Piano keyboard...

Beating Drac's Night Out (Sponsored by Reebok Pumps! Ha!)

http://my.ais.net/BD/05/xtreme/SF/NES/drac/faq2.html

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] Image by me.

Saturday March 7 2015

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

All day shift at China Wok.

Banana.

There are so many cars out today I don't even understand it. I guess the sun has energized everybody to go out and do stuff.

Ana has this to say about it: "Sun = energy = happiness = everyone feeling productive."

Me: "True to the T."

Grilled PB&J. Potato Chips. Pu-erh Tea.

Pineapple with Greek Yogurt.

I can't get over all the potholes that have been popping up everywhere lately. I have to keep making a mental map of all of them so I don't destroy my car. Everywhere I turn I'm dodging these damn tire traps! Construction is at an all time high in Hilltop and the oceanfront. It seems like it never ends – it's become an accent to the city like plants are to homes, except plants are much nicer.

Traffic is a sensitive organism.

Art's working the dinner shift with me. He offers an authentic Russian chocolate his girlfriend gave him. Yummy but an overdose on the sugar.

Off work and back home.

Mixed Beans (Ana had cooking on the crock pot) with Broccoli and Rice.

Watching Rush (2013).

Enjoying Chocolate Chip Oat and Almond Meal Cookies with Chamomile Tea.

Suddenly, I look at the bottom right of the computer screen expecting to see 2 something a.m. and discover daylight saving time is tonight! Ugh. One hour of my life vanishes.

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] Image by me.

Friday March 6 2015

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

All day shift at China Wok.

Banana.

Two Hard-Boiled Eggs. Blue Corn Protein Chips with Hummus. Chocolate Chip Almond Oat Cookies. Pu-erh Tea.

Ana sends me a voice text message explaining how happy she is in her current state with me. She says I love you three times in a row in three different styles. It's cute and assuring...

Voice Message from Ana (March 5 2015)

It's super chilly out, a couple of ice patches to watch out for when running to the customer's doors.

While taking out the trash and the boxes I notice the mushroom box looks like a puppy dog after being folded up.

Off work and back home.

Tofu with Broccoli, Carrots, Onions, and Rice in Garlic Sauce.

Sharing a few words and kisses with Ana in her room.

Playing through a couple Nintendo video games on my computer.

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] Images by me.

Thursday March 5 2015

[i]

Waking up around noon.

Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Coconut Creamer.

Watching John Oliver episode on America's crumbling infrastructure...

Chores.

Filling up the water jugs at Whole Foods.

Grilled PB&J. Potato Chips. Pu-erh Tea. Cara Cara Orange.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Ana meets me here at the studio then we drive straight over to the Rec. But to our disappointment we find out they're closing early tonight because of the icy rain. Seriously? We just had two snowstorms and the city doesn't think we can handle a little bit of slushy rain? Both Ana and I are upset. I was looking forward to burning calories on the basketball courts. Instead, we trek on over to the trusty Escape. We can always depend on them to be open for normal hours. I work the elliptical and lift weights.

Back home. While Ana retrieves some chocolate chips from Trader Joe's I prepare dinner: Barbecue Mustard Garlic Salmon with Black Beans, and a hefty Spring Mix Salad with Tomatoes, Cucumbers, and Carrots.

Cookie baking in the kitchen with Ana. She makes these Chocolate Chip Cookies using Oat Flour and Almond Meal quite often. I recommended using applesauce this time. They turn out delicious of course.

Attempting to figure out Metroid for my Nintendo emulator on the computer, one of the hardest games from the 80's in my opinion.

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] Image by me.

Wednesday March 4 2015

[i]

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Coconut Creamer.

Practicing Ladada bass lines. Business.

Grilled PB&J. Potato Chips. Pu-erh Tea.

Watching Tusk (2014).

Teaching piano lessons at Music Makers. I always seem to have trouble with my 3:30 lesson, Thomas. He has such a hard time focusing. And I, as a teacher, am not one to let anything slide. If any of my students make a mistake we spend extra time with the scale, exercise, or song until it is corrected. The problem with Thomas is he's kind of scatter brained. Today we spent the whole 30-minute session on the C major scale. He's actually a very smart and talented kid but just has a hard time concentrating. I'm only stern when necessary but I wonder if I softened up a little with students like him we could be more productive.

I scoop up Ana from the house and go to the Rec. I spend the majority of my time in the gym working it on the basketball courts. Pick-up game after pick-up game.

Banana.

On the drive home I express my concerns about my lesson today to Ana.

Me: "The problem with me is I don't let things slide!"

Ana: "You just want to make every nook and cranny better in people."

Ana makes dinner for us this time: Lentils with Onions, Broccoli, Carrots, and Brown Rice.

Watching Kevin Smith's ridiculous comedy horror flick Tusk (2014).

Sharing Dark Chocolate.

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] Image by me.

Tuesday March 3 2015

[i]

Waking up at 12:34 p.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Green Tea.

Errands and business.

Banana.

Scrambled Eggs. English Muffin with Butter and Jam. Falafel Chips with Hummus.

Teaching piano lessons at Music Makers.

At the Great Neck Rec with Ana. Doing various workouts in the fitness room. On the wait list for basketball cause I arrived late.

Back home. Making dinner for Ana and I: Kale, Tomato, Cucumber, and Carrot Salad. Homemade Whole Wheat Pizza with Arrabiata Sauce, Mushrooms, Onions, and Mozzarella. The pizza turns out decent. 

Feeling solemn and low key this evening. Don't know why.

Me: "I get moody too, ya know."

I go to leave. We exchange looks. "What's that blank look for?" I ask. "Fill in the blank."

She walks over in her bathrobe and gives me kiss. "You're really good to me," she says.

Practicing piano.

Organizing lesson stuff.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] Image by me.

Monday March 2 2015

[i]

Waking up at noon.

Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Coconut Milk and Honey.

Business.

Errands.

Grilled PB&J. Plantain Chips. Navel Orange. Oolong Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

At the Seatack Rec with Ana. Shooting the basketball around – playing a few pick-up games. Meanwhile the little boys run around screaming with youthful freedom.

Back home. Making dinner for Ana and I: Baked Barbecue Dover Sole with Roasted Potatoes, Onions, Carrots, and Kale.

Watching Only Lovers Left Alive (2013).

Kevin walks in after drinking at Tapped. He hobbles around spilling his glass of ice water and tracking slushy ice in the house.

Ana compared me to the main character of the vampire film we just watched. "I feel like all these people try to be innovators." Asserting that I don't identify with the modern day hipster she says, "But you just do what you do."

I've noticed every night I spend a substantial amount of time with Ana ever since she moved in. Before we'd have to schedule specific nights to have together and they'd be maybe one night a week. Now at any moment we'll end up lounging in her room chatting about whatever for an hour. It's really nice but at the same time I've realized how it impedes into my productivity.

I mention it to Ana, "I feel trapped sometimes. Like, every day there's always something I have to do. Every week it's the same thing; it never changes. Don't get me wrong. I love my life. I enjoy educating myself and learning and all the relationships I have with people. How am I gonna progress unless I do something different? I'm just saying we have to have nights where we don’t hang out and see each other."

I knew this would come across as offensive to her. I didn't want it to be.

...

I pull out the new fitted sheets out of the dryer and put them on my bed. We lie down together and I apologize for being insensitive.

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] Image not mine.

Sunday March 1 2015

[i]

Waking up at 11:10 a.m.

Kevin can be very distracting in the morning. He's always seeking attention like a dog.

Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

All day shift at China Wok.

I call up Ana via FaceTime video.

Me: "While you're having a lazy Sunday, I'm having a hazy Sunday!"

Navel Orange.

Listening to NPR and other podcasts.

A writer of a memoir talks in an interview, "If you can live with a woman for 30 years but her ideas don't affect you then why are you living with her?"

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Falafel Chips with Avocado and Hummus. Pu-erh Tea.

Dark Chocolate.

It's super busy as usual for a Sunday. The other half of the world that work 9 to 5's during the week are off work on the weekends and in dire need of takeout.

Oh my gosh! It's ridiculous how long Ling takes to cash me out. He feels it necessary to flip through every carbon copy of all the delivery orders and double check to make sure they're all written in the notebook. If Cecily were here cashing me out she'd take five minutes. But with Ling twenty-five minutes can go by before I'm paid and can walk out the door.

Finally off work and back home. I ladle into my dinner container a serving of Black Beans I've had slow cooking all day, adding it to the Broccoli and Rice I brought from the restaurant.

Watching Two Men in Town (2014).

Beating Super Mario Land 2 on Gameboy.

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] Image by me.

Saturday February 28 2015

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

All day shift at China Wok.

Back to the full day grind.

Toasted PB&J. Potato Chips. Dark Chocolate. Pu-erh Tea.

It's a fairly steady day for deliveries.

It's still an ice kingdom here in Hilltop. Being extra careful not to slip on the blacktop. It's becoming annoyingly difficult.

Snagging a small Chocolate Chip Cookie from the front desk of the Residence Inn. They always have cookies like that just crying out to be grabbed.

Off work and back home.

Tofu with Broccoli, Onions, Carrots, and Rice in Garlic Sauce.

Watching X-Men: First Class (2011).

Decompressing like whoa.

Playing Super Mario Land 2 on Gameboy.

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] Super Mario Land 2 by BLUEamnesiac.

Friday February 27 2015

[i]

Waking up at 10 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

I'm supposed to attend a continued court case for my "following too closely" citation but as soon as I arrive the security at the front entrance inform me that all traffic division cases will be issued continuances for inclement weather. Really? What inclement weather? That is bogus. So I drove all the way out here to the courthouses for nothing.

I take advantage of being in this area to check out a few thrift stores.

Banana.

Running errands. Stocking up on all the essentials. At Target I see a familiar face. It's Margot! Wow. It's been well over a year since I've seen her face to face. I pull up my shopping cart behind her in line and joke, "Excuse me, ma'am. I was here first." She smiles, blushing on the inside I can tell. This should be awkward but it's not. However, I'm really nervous for some reason.

She scans my appearance. "You haven't changed," she remarks. "Wearing a Cosby sweater."

Me: "Yup."

She looks the same as well. We small talk for a bit while the girl rings out the items.

Me: "Alright, well, I'll see you around I guess."

Margot: "Bye bye!"

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Spicy Soy and Flaxseed Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Hummus. Dark Chocolate. Pu-erh Tea.

Watching X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014).

At the Rec Center exercising on the basketball courts. Everybody and their dad are here in the gym. It's crazy – basketballs flying around non-stop like it's a party. Playing a few pick-up games. Three hours later I've lost three pounds and feeling super energized.

Honey Crisp Apple.

Back home. I find Ana lying down in her super heated bedroom. She had a very long day – had to stay a couple extra hours at work. I fix up a simple dinner for us: Black Beans with Onions, Broccoli, Carrots, and Sprouted Wild Rice.

Settling down and sipping on Ginger Pear Tea.

Sleep 4 a.m. 

---

[i] From X-Men: Days of Future Past.

Thursday February 26 2015

[i]

☼ ○ ▬

In a creaky wood house somewhere deep in the woods. It used to be an old general store I think. Exploring one of the rooms with Ana by my side. It's filled with creepy porcelain dolls. Almost immediately you can sense something off about the room, a dark spiritual heaviness. 

Realizing how unsettling it is I turn to Ana and say sternly, "We need to leave."

I try to turn the doorknob of the front door to the house but it's locked on the inside. We can feel the spiritual presence start to take form and suddenly I'm jolted into a new scene waking up in Ana's bedroom. I'm fiddling with a blender of some kind by her closet. A strange sounding alarm goes off on the floor beside me. I turn around and ask her, "What is that?" As soon as I ask I'm pounded by a spiritual force and fall to the ground.

▬ ○ ☼

Waking up breathing heavily and half snorting – drooling uncontrollably. It was just a nightmare.

...

Next to Ana in her bed. I make fun of her lips, which still have chocolate from the brownies last night.

Me: "Poopy lips! I didn't know you liked poop."

She likes to pinch me whenever I give her a hard time.

Ana: "How many more pinches do you want today?"

Downstairs, we each make our own oatmeal side by side. She has her recipe and I have my recipe, one of the only foods we like to make separately.

Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

Installing a white shelf on Ana's bedroom wall.

Banana.

There's some confusion on a couple canceled lessons today. I end up only teaching two.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Soy Flaxseed Tortilla Chips with Hummus. Pu-erh Tea.

At The Escape with Ana. To our disappointment the sauna is malfunctioning.

Back home. Having a little sexy time with Ana.

Leftover Lentils with Mixed Greens Salad. Coconut Flour Brownie.

Driving to Josiah's storage unit to practice with him and Calum for a couple hours.

Back home.

Sipping on Ginger Pear Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

---

[i] 19th Century Marbled Paper. Turkish on Stormont Pattern.

Wednesday February 25 2015

[i]

Waking up at 11:45 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Maca Powder, Maple Syrup, Chia Seeds, Strawberries, Blueberries, and Almond Milk. Coffee with Cream and Honey.

Watching Non-Stop (2014).

Lesson prepping.

Grilled PB&J. Olive Oil Potato Chips. Pu-erh Tea. Banana.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Got one last lesson at Jackie's house in King's Grant.

Navel Orange.

At the Rec Center playing a couple pick-up games of basketball for exercise. The threat of snow is imminent; a snow storm overnight. So I'm making sure to exercise hardcore before everything shuts down.

Back home. Making dinner while Ana puts together a brownie recipe. Meanwhile, I'm fired up with energy for some reason. Sarcasm, jokes, and poking fun at Ana constantly. I'm all over the place. She takes notice, "What is going with you?"

Me: "It's life! I'm just high on life!"

...

We enjoy Salmon Filets with a Kale and Carrot Salad. I add a leftover Egg Roll from China Wok and dinner is complete.

Watching the last segment of Django Unchained with Kevin and Whitney while we scarf down our freshly baked Coconut Flour Chocolate Chip Brownies. 

Kevin, proud of himself, approaches me, "Look, Robert! I shaved my chest and stomach."

Me: "Wow. It looks like a butter ball."

Kevin: "It's Frederick butter balls to you. That's Froderick butter ball!"

Me: "Okay, Kevin. Okay."

Finding a place to park on our court is quite the inconvenience when it's raining or in general very dark out cause the guest spots aren't always visible. I had been thinking about drawing out a map guide for us. And since it's going to snow the next few days I figure now's the time. I give Kevin a flashlight and we mark out all the guest spots on the back of a notebook. I draw it out on graphing paper and use Kevin's face to mark the free spots. That's one less hassle in our lives.

Staying up late doing chores and researching.

Sipping on Ginger Pear Tea.

Sleep 4 a.m.

---

[i] Images by me.