I LOVE

Monday April 10 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Raisins, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Guayusa Tea.

Basketball at the Rec. Because of Spring Break they have to accommodate the kids only leaving one court open for us meaning only two teams can play at a time. 8 minute games instead of 13 but waiting two games in between. It changes the dynamic.

Pineapple.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Potato Chips with Avocado.

Watching Mine (2016).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Tempeh with Onions, Brussel Sprouts, and Jasmine Rice.

ELO rehearsal.

Muscat Grapes.

Chilling with Ana and Elvis. Talking about music plans.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Sunday April 9 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

Honey Crunch n Oats with Banana and Almond Milk. Coffee.

Rock School sessions all day long.

PB&J. Potato Chips. Fuji Apple.

After 6:30 p.m. the rehearsals are finally over. My head and body can relax.

Back home. Cooking dinner with Ana: Flounder with Broccoli, Carrots, Onions, and Quinoa.

Darren, of all people, drops by with a case of PBR’s to release some steam and bro down with Anthony. I pop a squat on Anthony’s couch and observe Darren’s changes in perspective in dealing with some traumatic events in his life. Meanwhile, mom is downstairs watching The Wonder Years on Netflix.

Ice Cream. Muscat Grapes.

Sleep next to Ana at 3 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Saturday April 8 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Raisins, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Guayusa Tea.

Teaching lessons all afternoon at Music Makers.

Banana.

Toasted PB&J. Potato Chips. Cara Cara Orange. Oolong Tea.

Watching A Kind Of Murder (2016).

Chores.

Business.

Practicing rock school tunes with Ana.

Getting groceries at Kroger with Ana.

Dinner: Brown Rice Quinoa Noodles with Arrabiata Sauce, Mushrooms, Onions, Naan Bread, and a Salad. Enjoying our meals as a family at the table.

Practicing drums at the studio.

Chamomile Tea. Muscat Grapes.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Friday April 7 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Raisins, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Guayusa Tea.

Meeting with a potential new roommate, Travis. Anthony is moving out by May 1^st so we are in desperate need to find someone.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato. Oolong Tea.

Teaching all my in-home lessons.

With Ana and Will. We check out Flick It Fridays at The Naro for the showing of Empire Records (1995), a film most of us remember from our childhood. Snacking on Popcorn, Cookies, and Mineral Water.

Afterwards, we run into Aaron Lachman and Chris Remaley. Meeting up at Toast for drinks and bowls of Vegetarian Chili. It’s nice to spend some time out with friends I don’t often get to spend time with.

After posting an ad on Craigslist looking for a roommate my email is flooded with all sorts of characters. On the drive home I read aloud some of the emails to Ana and Will for entertainment purposes.

Sleep at 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Thursday April 6 2017

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

Honey Crunch n Oats with Almond Milk and Banana.

Teaching an afternoon lesson.

Business.

Toasted PB&J. Potato Chips. Grapefruit.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers all day.

Fuji Apple.

Back home. Dinner: Shrimp, Brussel Sprouts, Onions, Edamame, and Japanese Style Rice.

Watching Patriot’s Day (2016).

Ice Cream.

Ladada rehearsal with Bobby, Josiah, and Jon. We are feeling productive and fresh.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Wednesday April 5 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Raisins, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Guayusa Tea.

Basketball at the Rec.

Tuna Salad Sandwich with Tomato and Cucumber. Potato Chips with Avocado. Oolong Tea.

Finishing Trespass Against Us (2016).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Plum.

While Ana warms/cooks dinner I grab a few things from Whole Foods.

Black Beans, Sprouted Rice, Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, and Onions.

Muscat Grapes.

At the studio practicing drums and organizing various things.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Tuesday April 4 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Raisins, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Guayusa Tea.

Getting an eye exam.

Stuff.

Tuna Salad Sandwich with Tomato and Cucumber. Roasted Potatoes and Cabbage. Oolong Tea.

Watching Trespass Against Us (2016).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Coffee Cashews and Fuji Apple for an in-between snack.

Back home.

Linguini Noodles with Kale, Onions, and Naan Bread.

Teaching the online piano lesson.

Research. Teacher homework.

Kringle.

Practicing with Ana.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Monday April 3 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

Honey Crunch n Oats with Banana and Almond Milk.

Basketball at the Rec.

Hard Boiled Eggs. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato. Oolong Tea.

Ana asks to go with me to take the recycle out and run errands but I tell her I’m not doing that just yet cause of lessons.

“You can take the recycle if you’d like on your own,” I say.

“Nevermind,” she says back.

“What? That doesn’t make any sense.”

My mom chimes in, “Robert, you’re 32 and you still don’t get it.”

“Get what?” I ask.

“Women!”

Errands.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Black Beans, Broccoli, Carrots, and Jasmine Rice.

Watching The Windmill (2016).

Kringle.

Restringing and setting up guitars at the studio.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Sunday April 2 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Raisins, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Black Tea.

Today is the start to the Spring session of rock school. I’ve got Drew helping me out with the first two bands. Then, Jimmy on the last two. The rehearsals feel hectic at times. Towards the end it feels like I’m losing my effectiveness on these kids. But I guess that’s just normal when dealing with the young ones. I wanna make breakthroughs with them so they understand music in the same way I do. I’m learning more and more the different paths young minds take when understanding music.

PB&J lunch break. Veggie Chips. Fuji Apple.

After a long day of rehearsals I’m back home. Mom isn’t feeling good at all – kind of flu-ish or something. She tries her best to prepare dinner but I have to take over while she lies down and rests.

Fried Dover Sole. Roasted Potatoes and Onions. Cabbage. Cornbread.

Finishing Season Two of Better Call Saul.

Chores.

Learning guitar parts.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Saturday April 1 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Raisins, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Black Tea.

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

Coffee Cashews, Naan Bread with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese, Grape Leaves and Rice. Oolong Tea.

Business.

With Riggs and Anthony in the cul-de-sac shooting the basketball around – playing King of the Court and Knockout with a couple neighborhood kids.

Getting groceries at Trader Joe’s.

After Ana gets off work I corral her and mom to walk across the street for dinner at Otani’s. We sit at the sushi bar and I treat everyone. When taking photos of my mom trying raw fish sushi for the first time she acts bashful – she’s always been reluctant to have photos taken of her.

“Mom! I’m gonna need these,” I tell her.

At the rehearsal spot setting up the big room for our rock school session tomorrow.

Sleep 3 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Friday March 31 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:20 a.m.

Meeting with Derek and Kim of Red Chalk to show them the Music Makers studio.

Then, meeting with Bobby, who manages my mutual funds account (Roth IRA).

Prepping for dinner.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Potato Chips with Avocado.

Teaching all my in-home lessons. It’s always a good time at the Kuzniewski’s house. Upon arrival we play around with the basketball even though there are puddles everywhere. One of their neighbor friends is wearing a J. Flax & The Heart Attacks shirts. Small world.

Back home.

Black Beans with Carrots, Beet Greens, Kale, Beets, and Sprouted Brown Rice.

Watching Better Call Saul.

Doing the books for Music Makers.

Navel Orange. Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Thursday March 30 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11:20 a.m.

Honey Crunch n Oats with Banana and Almond Milk.

Rock school prepping.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Red Lentil Pasta with Slaw and Naan Bread.

Ana and I ride out to Charlie’s in Norfolk for The Lazy Dangers show featuring Anthony, Kevin, Allyson, Chris Yi, and Rusty. The raucous energy hit all the right spots. Anthony broke like five thousand strings and Kevin achieved violin mastery.

Cake and Ice Cream. Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Wednesday March 29 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Raisins, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Guayusa Tea.

Basketball at the Rec.

PB&J. Potato Chips. Oolong Tea.

Watching Better Call Saul (2016).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home.

Tempeh, Shrimp, Carrots, Kale, Onions, and Quinoa.

Watching Better Call Saul.

Planning.

Brainstorming with Ana over potential rock school songs.

Sleep at 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Tuesday March 28 2017

[i]

Waking up at 10:20 a.m.

Honey Crunch n Oats with Banana and Almond Milk.

Meeting with Kim and her coworker at Red Chalk to better understand Music Makers – we’re in the process of building a brand and a story for the business.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Potato Chips with Avocado. Oolong Tea.

Watching Season Two of Better Call Saul (2016).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home.

Brown Rice Spaghetti with Onions and Marinara Sauce. Salad.

Teaching an online piano lesson.

Chores.

For Ana’s birthday she was over at Cynthia’s apartment in Norfolk. We hang out for a bit when she gets back home.

Before she ventures off to sleep I say, “You’re still so young. But it’s time to get to work.”

We’ve been scheduling Tuesdays as our music days with plans to write songs.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Monday March 27 2017

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Raisins, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Guayusa Tea.

Basketball at the Rec.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Corn Tortilla Chips with Avocado and Tomato. Oolong Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Dinner: Tempeh with Onions, Mustard Greens, Carrots, and Quinoa.

Watching Arsenal (2017).

ELO rehearsal.

Carrot Cake.

Piano.

Sleep 3 a.m.

Sunday March 26 2017

Waking up at 12:07 p.m. Ana and I get in the mood for sexual things.

Irish Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Raisins, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Black Tea.

Cleaning the bathroom thoroughly.

Chores.

Banana.

Shooting the basketball around in the cul-de-sac with Anthony and Allyson.

Toasted PB&J. Potato Chips. Grapefruit. Oolong Tea.

Watching Assassin’s Creed (2016).

Organizing and planning the next rock school session.

Picking up groceries and a Pizza from Whole Foods.

Pizza and a Salad. Blackberry Sparkling Water.

Muscat Grapes.

Working on technical stuff on the piano. Coming up with a few progressions.

Meanwhile, Skippy’s spending the night in Anthony’s room with Cynthia and some guy named Preston.

Sleep 4 a.m.

Saturday March 25 2017

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

Honey Crunch n Oats with Banana and Almond Milk.

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Non-Dairy Cream Cheese. Potato Chips with Avocado. Oolong Tea.

Watching Rogue One (2016).

Catching up on stuff.

Ana gets off work shortly after 6:30. We head to Norfolk for the Mini Lava Fest at Toast.

†

I love what’s happening in the music community in Norfolk. Being here amongst all this ambition, creativity, and talent. Josh Whittle points out all the amazing drummers in every band. At some point it almost feels like a drum clinic after watching HAUNTER...

Enjoying a Bean Burrito and Chips with Guac. Sipping on Beers and making our rounds mingling with all our friends.

Ladada’s set goes on longer than we thought. Carnations are thrown around on stage. Our shows aren’t complete without something going wrong with Josiah’s guitar but we press on and play some older tunes that we never practice anymore.

‡

While loading out Josiah realizes he locked his keys inside the van. The next hour is dedicated to prying the door and using a hanger to unlock the door. It’s a tedious task that involved more than enough people. Doug Nicolson somehow has the magic touch and manages to succeed. Good times.

Back home after 3 a.m.

http://altdaily.com/postpunk-paradise-notes-on-mini-lavafest-at-toast/

[*] Photo by Alex Justice.
[†] Images by me.

[‡] Photos by Jeff Hewitt.

Friday March 24 2017

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Raisins, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Guayusa Tea.

Running into Ana in the kitchen while making breakfast. She’s about to go to the gym. We have a little spat about leaving a container on the counter or something, nothing unusual for us to be half serious/half playfully bickering at each other. Texts later on...

Her: “Hey I’m sorry. I need to be more patient and kind to you if I expect you to reciprocate. I love you, and I don’t like arguing.”

Me: “It’s okay. I need to learn to be more patient with you too. But I love arguing actually! Not really.”

Her: “Hey. I get it. It is fun. It’s a playful way for us to be boisterous and theatrical! Warms up the vocal chords too.”

Business.

Tuna Salad Sandwich with Lettuce and Tomato. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

Fun filled day of in-home lessons.

Fuji Apple. Coffee Cashews.

Back home.

Tempeh with Onions, Broccoli, Carrots, and Quinoa.

Watching Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016).

Planning for the Spring recital.

Making a DIY air freshener using water, rubbing alcohol, and essential oils. I couldn’t just mix together a spray into an empty bottle. Gotta decorate and label!

Grapefruit.

Sleep 3 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Pages