I LOVE

Saturday November 10 2018

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

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

Organizing and loading gear into the wagon.

At Warrior’s Taphouse setting up inside the restaurant underneath their lit up sign. Ana and I happen to be matching somewhat to the American colors. Mom, my aunt Pansy and her friends, and other friends show up for support. It’s been a while since our last performance so it takes some getting used to again – getting comfortable on stage and all that. But I get right in my rhythm. We do a diverse variety of songs from classic rock, 90’s, folk, and current. In between sets I speak to a few people who admire what we do. One interesting guy, a friend of Peter’s (Pansy’s husband), his name is PB. A professional musician himself back in the day he regales times when his band played on an island in the Bahamas for many years. He has nothing but praise for Ana and I’s act – explaining that he thinks it’s the best in this area or something like that.

Back home. Mom and Ana brought back some Cheesecake from Harris Teeter. They dress it up with Raspberries and sprinkle it with Cocoa powder turning it into a $5 dessert plate. I enjoy my leftover Crab Cake Sandwich with Brussel Sprouts and Fries.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me.

Friday November 9 2018

[i]

Waking up at 11:20 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. Oolong Tea.

Catching up on business. Errands.

Egg. Everything Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Popped Chips. Coffee.

Teaching all my in-home lessons. While driving I really notice how early the darkness comes. It’s 5:20 p.m. and nighttime is here!

Fuji Apple.

Back home. Mom cooked dinner: Haddock Filets with Couscous and Broccoli. Afterwards, we all share Gelato “surprises”.

At the studio practicing songs with Ana, our last opportunity to rehearse before our gig tomorrow. It goes smoothly except for some harmony touchups here and there. But we’ll get it.

Pineapple.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Thursday November 8 2018

Waking up at 10:45 a.m.

Granola with Oat Flakes and Almond Milk.

Catching up on business. Dealing with some errors in video files. Chores.

Scrambled Eggs. Poppy Seed Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Coffee.

Watching Papillon (2018).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. It’s a busy day inside the store. I have a bit of a break to witness it all.

Vegetable Fried Rice with Brussel Sprouts.

At Soul Haven Studios with Nigel, Jimmy, and John. It’s a recording project that seems to last forever, at least a year going. Nigel’s plan is to record all of these ELO songs to have tracks on hand when we do shows. I’m here to lay down piano and rhodes sounds.

Ice Cream. Pear.

Sleep 4 a.m.

Wednesday November 7 2018

Waking up at 10:33 a.m.

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

CrossFit.

Vega Recovery Shake.

Scrambled Eggs. Potatoes. Cucumber. Bagel with Butter and Jam. Coffee.

Watching Papillon (2018).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

With Ana and mom at the dinner table enjoying Vegan Burgers with Chips, Guac, and Slaw.

Later on, Ana and I practice songs at the studio in preparation for our show this weekend.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Tuesday November 6 2018

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Granola and Oat Flakes with Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Will and I head to the polls to complete our duties as citizens and vote – we take the recycle out and make a stop at Whole Foods.

Scrambled Eggs. Potatoes. Bagel with Vegan Cream Cheese. Coffee.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Leftover Spaghetti with Kale and Carrots for dinner.

At the studio rehearsing songs with Ana.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 4 a.m.

Monday November 5 2018

Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. Guayusa Tea.

CrossFit.

Vega Recovery Shake.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese and Poppy Seeds. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

Watching The Equalizer 2 (2018).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Ana made an interesting and delightful dinner: Fried Tofu Sandwiches on Ciabatta Bread and Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Carrots.

ELO rehearsal. We brought in a different drummer tonight.

Gelato.

Later on Ana and I practice songs at the studio. It’s just music all day and night!

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Sunday November 4 2018

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Waking up at 10:30 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Today is the big day for the MMLIVE show. This time West Beach Tavern out off Cleveland Street is hosting us. I remember this dive bar from way back in the day as Bar/None. They’ve got a nice little showroom with a professional PA system but it’s drastically smaller in size compared to our Eagles Nest shows.

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Between my mom and Devon we get everything set up on the stage and check lines. We do it all early enough so there’s time to relax and have a Flounder Sandwich with Hand Cut Fries.

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I’m so proud of all three of the bands. At times when we were rehearsing I had my doubts but they really shined today and stepped up their game. Even in moments of error they recovered quickly.

After unloading and organizing all the gear at the studio I’m finally back home settling down.

I take Ana and mom out to our favorite local Italian restaurant, When In Rome, for dinner and our favorite red wine, Palladio Chianti.

Doing chores and eating Strawberries.

Chilling with Ana and Elvis in the other bedroom. She’s got some decade old British sitcom playing on her computer. We spark up an intense conversation about communication in our relationship and how incredibly important it is to be understood.

Sleep 3 a.m.

[i] Photography by Joe Justice.

Saturday November 3 2018

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Guayusa Tea.

Final MMLIVE rehearsals all afternoon. Tomorrow is the big show.

PB&J Bagel. Orange.

My levels of stress are high but in the end I have high hopes for the kids.

Meeting with John the sound guy at West Beach Tavern to discuss tomorrow.

Packing up and organizing all the gear at the studio.

Leftovers for dinner: Black Beans, Kale, Carrots, and Quinoa.

Watching The Equalizer 2 (2018).

Catching up on business – doing the accounting for the month.

Enjoying some Strawberries and Gelato while talking with Ana about how our bickering as a couple doesn’t even compare to other examples I’ve seen out there. I always veer on the side of thinking our relationship is pretty normal but she tends to have an extreme perspective.

“This is real life,” I tell her all the time.

She’s aware. But we always have to remind ourselves there isn’t no such thing as the perfect relationship.

Sleep at 3 a.m. but it feels more like 4 a.m. cause of Daylight Savings.

[i] Images by me.

Friday November 2 2018

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

Yogurt with Granola. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Catching up on things – chores – errands.

Teaching a couple in-home lessons.

Stopping the thrift store and Music Go Around (found a good distortion/boost pedal).

Back home. With Ana and Amelia eating a Pizza from Donatos and Donuts from Aloha.

Later on, at the studio practicing songs with Ana. We’re getting better at our songs – just a lot of fine tuning.

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She leaves then I practice drums.

Chamomile Tea. Grapes.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Thursday November 1 2018

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Catching up on business – posting our Halloween tribute to MANIAC.

Grilled PB&J. Plantain Chips. Pineapple. Coffee.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. Got a wicked headache today for some reason. Ah, getting these unruly kids to listen to what I say is overwhelming at times.

Back home. Ana made dinner for us. With mom and her at the table.

Tempeh with Onions, Broccoli, Carrots, and Quinoa.

Ana and I run some late night errands then practice songs at the studio.

PB Pretzels, Raspberries, and Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 4 a.m.

Wednesday October 31 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:35 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Crossfit.

Vega Recovery Shake.

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Coffee. Pineapple. Coffee.

Teaching a few lessons at Music Makers. It’s a short workday cause of Halloween.

With Will and Ana at Aloha Snacks for dinner. Tuna Poke Bowl with Portuguese Donuts. This place is our new go-to for dinner or brunch. The owner walks around and talks to everybody making sure our experience is above and beyond. When I ask for a lid to cover my leftovers he ends up adding more tuna, rice, and seaweed to make for another meal. Above and beyond.

Back at the house we suit up in our MANIAC costumes and decide to shoot a tribute video. I print a small script imitating the NPB promo clip from the show and other scenes. A sudden appearance from Tristan Stewart – he helps hold the iPad. Will’s bedroom makes for a perfect setting to shoot in. He pulls up some software that makes the computer screens look busy with computer-like things. Here it is...

We hit the road to Norfolk for Halloween festivities. First up is The Bearded Bird Brewing Co. Playing some pool and watching some bands. Then, over to Cogan’s for karaoke and mingling with a bunch of costume wearing locals. Afterwards, we drive over to Josiah’s apartment to say happy birthday. He was sleeping so we only have time for a quick conversation on the porch and a hug.

After making lover Ana and I sleep in my bed.

[i] Image by me.

Tuesday October 30 2018

[i]

Waking up at 11:15 a.m.

Bowl of Oat Flakes with Granola, Strawberries, and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Restringing a guitar.

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Salt n Vinegar Chips. Coffee.

Watching Daredevil (2018).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Black Beans with Sugar Snap Peas, Carrots, Onions, Celery, Quinoa, and Salmon.

Teaching an online lesson.

Pineapple.

Practicing at the studio with Ana.

Sleep 4 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Monday October 29 2018

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. Guayusa Tea.

CrossFit session – feeling the burn and the gains.

Vega Recovery Shake.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Butter and Jam. Roasted Potatoes. Coffee.

Watching Daredevil (2018).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Eating leftover Spaghetti with fresh Sourdough Bread.

ELO rehearsal. Things seem to be a little out of sort tonight but we get through a few songs.

Gelato.

Catching up on things.

Sleep 3:45 a.m.

Sunday October 28 2018

[i]

Waking up at 10:45 a.m.

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

MMLIVE rehearsals all afternoon.

Things go smoothly compared to last week. My stress levels are much lower. Drew and I get a system of coaching going.

...

PB&J Bagel. Apple. Pear.

Back home. Napping in Ana’s room. Meanwhile Elvis cat naps nearby,

Getting groceries with mom at Trader Joe’s.

Back home. Cooking dinner: Salmon with Butternut Squash, Onions, Celery, Baby Broccoli, and Couscous.

Watching Daredevil (2018).

Catching up on my to-do list.

Gelato.

At the studio restringing a guitar and practicing piano.

Snacking on Popped Chips.

Sleep 4 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Saturday October 27 2018

[i]

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. Guayusa Tea.

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

For lunch Ana and I decide to check out Aloha Snacks, a fairly new food place down the street. Enjoying the Hawaiian atmosphere and amazing Portuguese style Donuts along with Kimchi Deviled Eggs and a Forbidden Rice Burger.

Back home. Taking care of chores.

Ana and I make a little love in the bedroom. She’s got on this Prairie dress and a handkerchief around her neck – and her new short haircut is fresh.

Later on, we do some practicing at the studio. It’s nice to be running over songs not in the middle of the night when we’re both coherent and awake.

Dinner: Black Beans with Broccoli and Quinoa.

Watching Daredevil (2018).

Setting up for rehearsals tomorrow and practicing drums.

Sleep 3:45 a.m.

[i] Image by me.

Friday October 26 2018

[i]

Waking up at 11:30 a.m.

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

Catching up on business. Finally confirming a substitute location for the MMLIVE show. It was a daunting task – anytime you’re booking an event it is.

Running errands – printing and fixing up ID badges for our Maniac costumes tonight.

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Sugar Snap Peas. Coffee.

Watching Daredevil (2018).

Costume prepping continues.

Driving out to Norfolk for the Halloween LavaFest. They moved everything from Toast to a warehouse Farmer’s Market down the street. The whole house (except for Austin) is dressed up as characters from Maniac, the recent limited series on Netflix. It all just made sense for Ana and I to go as Dr. James Mantleray and Dr. Azumi Fujita. Will goes as Jonah Hill’s character and my mom as “mother”. It’s a little too soon cause I don’t think the Maniac show has been exposed to everyone yet making it a slight obscure pop culture reference. But the collection of compliments we do receive is that of sheer amazement and appreciation. And we even find another couple who dressed up as test subjects from the show!

The tribute band lineup is absolutely killer. The Doors open up the show – the Ray Manzarek impersonator is spot on with his keyboard setup and he plays just as well. Ronnie embodies Jim Morrison to a T. Next is Gin Blossoms with their 90’s radio rock hits – each band member is sporting a flannel and blue painted faces. Then, Ladada is up as The Rolling Stones – feeling so proud of all my bandmates. With all the charismatic energy of Ronnie and Josiah as Mick Jagger front men and everyone else involved from Chuck’s guiro magic and Tristyn’s vocal additions, we did the thing right! “Start me up!” After us is The Spice Girls and then a shred fest from Jimi Hendrix – we almost witness a burning guitar but it didn’t happen.

The after party is at Toast. We all enjoy bowls of Kale and Chili. Chilling with friends and mingling.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

[i] Images by me and Joe Justice.

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