Friday February 8 2019

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Waking up at 11 a.m.

Lara Bar. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Basketball at the Rec – burning the calories on the court.

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese and Poppy Seeds. Coffee.

Meanwhile, Ana’s mom, brother, and aunt are here doing things for Ana and spending time with her.

Teaching all my in-home lessons. Today marks the last lesson I’ll be teaching to Jolin. I’m trying to free up my Fridays and I tend to call out for gigs and out of town stuff so we thought it’d be better to find a more consistent teacher for her. It’s a shame cause I do real well with her and her brother who always runs around with excitement. I gave them all Music Makers kazoos and chocolates.

Back home. Dinner: leftover Vegetable Soup with Okra, and Brown Rice.

Watching Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018).

All kinds of chores.

Sharing fresh Sticky Buns with Ana.

At the studio cleaning up a couple pianos I got at the thrift store and organizing things.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 4 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.

Thursday February 7 2019

[i]

Waking up around 11 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Earl Grey Tea.

I hurry to eat breakfast and such so I can get to the Sentara hospital in Norfolk where Ana just finished up her ear surgery. I’ve never been to this hospital before – it’s like an amusement park with so many people walking around, signs pointing you in all kinds of directions. I finally make it up to the third floor. Her mom and auntie Nellie are here too. She looks out of it but in good spirits. It’s gonna be a process recovering but I’m glad she finally got something done with her ear.

I continue driving on back to VB. I pick up some pastries from Prosperity and Coffee from Three Ships. Scarfing down an Egg Biscuit at the house then packing up my car with bass gear.

At The Sandler Center Ladada is performing a special show for Paul Shugrue’s Out of the Box emerging artists series. We’re supposed to play two long sets with an interview in between – it really is an ultimate song list on our part, almost all the songs in our catalog. It’s a great turnout with a bunch of our friends and new faces. Right in front of the stage is a VIP section with a very receptive older crowd.

Back home. My legs are very tired from standing forever. I reconvene with Ana in her bedroom. She’s been chillin’ out and resting. She still has to keep this Velcro cup around her ear for a few days with cotton balls in it that need to be changed regularly. I surprise her with Fred Armisen tickets – she’s thrilled!

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Images by me.

Wednesday February 6 2019

Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Catching up on business. Running a few errands. Buying a bass and amp off a guy on OfferUp.

Grilled PB&J. Coffee. Orange.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

...

Calvin, one of my longtime and very talented piano students and who’s turning 18 very soon, explains his plans to become a nuclear engineer one day and figure out a way to harness nuclear fusion.

Back home. Cooking dinner with mom: Cod Filets with Couscous, Peppers, Onions, Celery, Broccoli, Carrots, and Cauliflower. Enjoying our meals together with Ana.

With Ladada for band rehearsal. We tighten up our longest sets ever for the radio show tomorrow. I don’t really arrive home until 2 a.m.

Sleep 4 a.m.

Tuesday February 5 2019

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Waking up at 11 a.m. Both Ana and I have a scratch in our throats. After eating a breakfast bar with some Earl Grey Tea we head out on the town to run some errands: Prosperity Bakery for her chocolate croissant and some scones, paying a bill at the urgent care place, The Heritage for elderberry syrup, Whole Foods for fruit and veggies.

Ana exclaims, “Chocolate has a special place in my heart.”

Then she corrects herself, “Palace in my heart!”

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Coffee. Orange.

Watching FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened (2019).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Making a hodge podge of food for dinner: Snow Peas, Carrots, Pinto Beans, Kale, leftover rice mix.

Bread Pudding Muffin.

At the studio practicing Ladada songs on bass.

Feeling tired and a little sickly. Been taking a few teaspoons of that Elderberry syrup.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.

Monday February 4 2019

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec. Playing one game right after the other. I needed to burn some calories after eating so many sweets over the weekend.

Scrambled Eggs. Poppy Seed Bagel and Sourdough Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Popped Chips. Coffee.

Watching IO (2019).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

Back home. Cooking up some leftovers.

Chocolate and a Cookie.

Running some late night errands.

At the studio organizing things and practicing drums.

Blueberries. Pineapple Juice.

Chatting with Ana about relational things.

Sleep next to each other at 3:45 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.

Sunday February 3 2019

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Earl Grey Tea.

MMLIVE rehearsals all day from noon till 6:30.

PB&J break in between with Popped Chips, Coffee, and an Orange.

Back home. Mom cooked a classic meal of pan fried Chicken with Baby Broccoli, Carrots, and Mashed Potatoes with a Mushroom Gravy – a nostalgic taste I remember as a kid.

Ana messages me at random, “When we have a house...we’re gonna have chickens and blueberry bushes.”

Even after all these rehearsals I still have one more to go to. Ladada is having an extra practice to prepare for our radio show coming up this week. We work through some of the newer tunes and try to get through the almost-2 hour set.

Chamomile Tea. Corn Tortilla Chips. Chocolate.

Ana and I chill out in my bed. She has a lot of concerns for her ear surgery coming up on Thursday. She’s had issues with bleeding for a long time and they’re finally gonna get in there and check it out. But there’re risks of course. She won’t be able to work for a few weeks and who knows how her hearing will be afterwards.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.

Saturday February 2 2019

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

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

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

Scrambled Egg. Sourdough Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Spinach. Coffee.

And so begins the long night of the gig. Loading up Ana and I’s cars with gear (PA system, instruments, etc.). At Smartmouth in Norfolk doing our Musicplayer show. It’s always hectic setting everything up but once the music train gets started it doesn’t stop. A lot of our friends and family show up throughout the night. Afterwards, I like to hear the different compliments and observations from people. It makes me feel rewarded for the all the hard work we put into practicing all the time.

Back home after unloading stuff at Music Makers. Before that I had to set up other stuff at the rehearsal spot for tomorrow’s MMLIVE. But it’s all over now. Eating some Black Beans, Cauliflower, and Guac with Ana, mom, and Austin – watching through some of the videos mom took. Pointing out our strong points and weak points in the performance. Overall I’m very proud of what we do.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Images by me.

Friday February 1 2019

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Waking up at 11:22 a.m.

Facebook reminds Ana and I that we’ve been together for almost 6 years now.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Earl Grey Tea.

Doing the accounting for Music Makers and other business.

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

Teaching in-home lessons. I love it when students impress me with their drive and talents.

Mom and I dine at Aloha Snacks near the oceanfront. Enjoying a Tuna/Salmon Poke Bowl with their amazing Malasadas (donuts!). Ana drops by – I got her the Nutella filled donut.

At the studio with Ana practicing. Then, packing up all the gear for tomorrow’s gig.

Back home. Snacking on some Popcorn and LaCroix. Meanwhile, the cat is amusing us with his weird blanket behavior – he’ll tackle it and seems to hump it.

Anthony arrives home carrying a bottle of almost finished rum, a Slim Jim, and his favorite snack of choice: Chester’s hot fries. With some heavy things on his mind he plops down on a stool in my room deejaying the conversation with relevant 90’s tunes.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.

Thursday January 31 2019

Waking up at 11 a.m.

While waiting to get a tire changed on my car Ana and I grab a Coffee at Three Ships. Elliott just started back working there today. And we run into Joey DiNardo. I used to hang with him way back in the 1623 days.

...

Of course a trip down at the oceanfront isn’t complete without stopping by Prosperity Bakery.

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Popped Chips. Oolong Tea.

Watching Annihilation (2018).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Orange.

Back home. Making dinner: Black Beans with Onions, Celery, Broccoli, Carrots, and Rice.

Ladada rehearsal with Bobby, Josiah, and Jonnie.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 4 a.m.

Wednesday January 30 2019

Waking up at 10:45 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec.

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Coffee. Orange.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Banana.

After work, I drive Ana and mom to Gringo’s for a Taco dinner.

Later, Ana and I practice songs at the studio.

Grapefruit.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Tuesday January 29 2019

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Lara Bar. Earl Grey Tea.

Finally picking up my car. They had to do some work on the exhaust – changed the gasket and cleared it out. Now my car sounds like a race car but accelerates like a champ.

At the studio on the phone with the credit card terminal people trying to work out the kinks.

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Coffee.

Finishing season two of The Punisher (2019).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Orange. Banana.

Back home. Throwing together something to eat out of leftovers we have lying around in the fridge: Fried Rice with Vegetables and Fish.

Catching up on business.

At the studio with Ana practicing songs after midnight. She’s tired and feels like she’s getting sick. But we power through what we feel like working on.

Corn Tortilla Chips. Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Monday January 28 2019

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Waking up at 10:45 a.m. Ana made us Oat Waffles with Coffee.

Mom drives me out to the Rec so I can partake in basketball. Afterwards, we visit Hawkin’s Guitar, a guitar workshop run by one guy. He’s had Ana’s banjo for a while so we wanted to check in on it and meet him. He’s very knowledgeable and seems to be good at what he does.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Cara Cara Orange. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers. I love it when a student finishes their first piano book!

Plantain Chips.

Back home. Mom makes dinner for us: Breaded Cod Filets with French Fries, Cauliflower, and Broccoli.

At the studio Ana and I practice some songs on piano.

Taxes stuff.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Images by me.

Sunday January 27 2019

[i]

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

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

MMLIVE rehearsals all day – four bands – very productive.

Lunch break: Smoked Salmon Sandwich with Tomato and Mustard. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Kombucha.

Rehearsals continue until 6:30 p.m. A lot of work goes into orchestrating the band practices – it can be stressful but in the end rewarding.

My car is still in the shop at least until tomorrow. So mom is driving us home. I’ve observed how positive her energy is during this battle she is facing with cancer. It’s important to keep the right attitude psychological. And she is a strong woman.

Back home. We cook a little dinner: leftover Chicken, Broccoli, Snow Peas, Carrots, and Noodles.

Watching The Punisher (2019).

Feels good to just sit here and relax.

Late night grocery run to Kroger.

Berries. Papaya.

After midnight the whole gang is home from their Trader Joe’s shifts.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.

Saturday January 26 2019

Waking up at 10:45 a.m.

Ana and I grab a cup of Coffee and a Biscuit from Three Ships since I had to be over this side of the oceanfront to talk to the mechanic at 17^th Street.

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

Grilled PB&J. Green Tea.

Helping mom out at Reinette’s apartment at the Sullivan House. She’s been in the process of cleaning the place out. A mom and her son, Olga and TJ, are here donating their time for some kind of community service. It’s quite a process moving some of the big furniture things to the trucks while mom sorts through personal things of Reinette’s.

Then, I’m at the rehearsal spot setting up for MMLIVE tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Ana and mom cooked dinner: Tempeh with Brussel Sprouts, Onions, Cauliflower, and Quinoa. The three of us enjoy our meals. Anthony, Kevin, James, and Allyson are all here chillin’ upstairs.

Later on, Ana and I play some music at the studio while mom sorts through more of Reinette’s stuff.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Friday January 25 2019

Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Basketball at the Rec.

Scrambled Eggs. Toast with Vegan Cream Cheese. Coffee.

Watching The Punisher (2019).

Teaching all my in-home lessons.

Scooping up Ana from work around 8 p.m. We decide to dine at Bangkok Garden for thai food. Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry for me.

Later on, Ana and I have fun at the studio practicing and jamming out.

At home. Anthony just got home from a Lazy Dangers Norva show. We talk about the successes and negatives of the show – getting caught up in figuring out the chords to this song him and I came across at Kevin’s birthday party last summer.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Thursday January 24 2019

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Waking up at 10:45 a.m.

Ana and I grab a Biscuit and Coffee at Three Ships.

Meeting with Jason Cale at the studio, a potential guitar instructor and friend of Rob Oliver. He chats with me about his childhood in Mississippi and how important music is to him.

My car’s still not done so Ana is chauffeuring me around.

Smoked Salmon Sandwich with Tomato. Potatoes. Green Ginger Tea.

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Apple.

Off work. Ana scoops mom and I up and we grab some Pizza from Prosperity.

Ladada rehearsal with Jonnie, Bobby, and Josiah. Working through new/old tunes in preparation for the big radio show.

Sweet Potato Morning Bun. Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 4 a.m.

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[i] Image by me.

Wednesday January 23 2019

Waking up at 10:45 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Earl Grey Tea.

Mom’s truck had to get towed cause it wouldn’t start. My plan was to go to the gym – plus my car is in the shop. So I drive Ana to The Escape and scoop up mom from Holland Road. By the time that’s over we pick up Ana from her workout.

“I’m everyone’s chauffeur today!” I joke.

Cleaning the shower walls in our bathroom.

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

Watching The Punisher (2019).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Orange.

Back home. Cooking dinner with mom: Cabbage, Peas, Onions, Carrots, and Rice.

Scooping up Ana from work – she brought me some Kringle. I love it but I hate it.

At the studio practicing songs with Ana. Things always get a little stressful when we’re working out parts. But in the end music if fun and we start jamming to a Ladada tune.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Tuesday January 22 2019

Waking up at 11 a.m.

Lara Bar. Irish Breakfast Tea.

Meeting with Eric at CMS Mortgage Solutions, a friend of Cecily’s. He talks over with me an option for lending on a mortgage. My plan is to buy a house before the year is up.

Trader Joe’s.

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

Watching The Punisher (2019).

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Orange.

Back home. Warming up leftovers: Black Beans with Fennel, Acorn Squash, Kale, and Smoked Salmon.

Practicing some bass tunes in my bedroom.

Later, Ana’s room while she’s showering and lounging around I tinker on guitars. Elvis looks onward with sleepy eyes from his cat tower.

Sleep 4 a.m.

Monday January 21 2019

Waking up at 10:45 a.m.

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Strawberries, Maple Syrup, and Kefir. Earl Grey Tea.

Catching up on business.

Running some errands with Ana.

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

Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Back home. Making some dinner: Acorn Squash, Brussel Sprouts, Celery, Onions, and Smoked Trout.

Watching The Punisher (2019).

Gelato.

Writing up some set lists for upcoming gigs.

At the studio practicing drums.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Sunday January 20 2019

Waking up at 10:40 a.m.

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

The winter session for Music Makers LIVE starts today. And we’ve got a full 4 bands in total! Devon, Lisa, Drew, and Eli help out with the coaching.

PB&J on the lunch break with Plantain Chips and Kombucha Tea.

The rehearsals go till 6:30 p.m. My head is spent.

Back home. Mom warmed up dinner. I slow cooked a pot of Black Beans overnight for us. Having it with Quinoa, Celery, Onions, and Kale.

Watching The Punisher S2 (2019).

Catching up on business.

At the studio practicing guitar.

Chamomile Tea.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Saturday January 19 2019

Waking up at 11 a.m.

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

Teaching afternoon lessons at Music Makers.

Tuna Salad Sandwich with Tomato. Cucumber. Salt n Vinegar Chips with Avocado. Green Ginger Tea.

Watching Hunter Killer (2018).

Chores.

Packing up stuff and setting up everything over at the rehearsal spot for MMLIVE tomorrow. Drew is here vacuuming and cleaning up the room. Meanwhile, Scott, the touring member of Judas Priest, is here practicing like a freight train on the drums.

Earlier, I discovered a small nail in my car’s tire. Great! Good thing is it’s a slow leak so I can keep filling it up until Monday. Either way I play it safe and decide to walk over to Trader Joe’s from Music Makers to borrow Ana’s car.

Back home. Mom is experiencing pain from the first chemo mostly in her bones she feels it but it comes in a wave then calms down. I make some dinner for us: Fried Brown Rice with Veggies, Egg, and Lentils. Austin and Ana arrive home and provide social stimuli.

Sweet Potato Morning Bun.

Ana and I jam out at the studio working on some new tunes and some old.

Sleep 4 a.m.

Friday January 18 2019

Waking up around 11 a.m. feeling much better. My sleep was much more undisturbed and comfortable. Still gotta keep taking this Tamiflu to keep this flu on its way out.

Having a Meal Replacement Shake with Bananas, Strawberries, and Almond Milk.

Feeling good enough to go run some errands with Ana – taking the recycle and picking up some things at Whole Foods. Meanwhile, we get into arguments/debates on how better to communicate with each other. I know I tend to be impatient with her and sometimes I sound condescending.

Shaving/trimming.

Scrambled Eggs. Sourdough Toast with Butter and Jam. Green Tea.

Ana and I go to the studio pretty early in the evening and mess around with music – practicing other songs we know.

Warming up some Spaghetti with Kale and a Baguette.

Sipping on Ginger Green Tea and watching Hunter Killer (2018).

Then, getting productive – chores – changing my bed sheets – dishes – laundry.

Oranges.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

Thursday January 17 2019

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Early in the morning I keep waking up groaning and feeling pain all over my body. I can’t seem to find a comfortable position. I start to feel nauseous after going to the bathroom.

At some point after 11 a.m. I have Ana take me to the urgent care doctor. They put these swabs up both my nostrils so they can test for the flu and it’s confirmed I have the flu. She writes a prescription for an anti-viral (Tamiflu generic) pill that’s supposed to boost the recovery and calm the symptoms.

Back home lounging around in my bed waiting for the meds to kick in. I definitely can’t teach today. It’s crazy cause I never miss this many days of work. Typically if I get sick I’m able to sleep it off but the flu is no joke.

I sip on Pineapple Juice/Water and try to eat some Oatmeal but can only get about four bites in.

Meanwhile, mom is in Norfolk having her first chemo treatment today.

She texts me, “Pray that God direct this chemo straight to the cancer cells and ask that it does not kill the good cells and that he supply me with wisdom to eat and drink wellness into my body to restore whatever good cells are lost.”

Later on, mom, Ana, and the rest of the house are home. Mom regales beautiful stories of the day. She’s hopped up on steroids so she’s got a lot to say. It’s good to see her having such a positive energy about the whole thing.

Ana made a hearty dinner of Lentils, Chicken Broth, Onions, Zucchini, Green Beans, Carrots, and Quinoa. Finally, I’m able to eat real food but my taste buds for some reason can’t taste. Oh well.

Ana and I lounge up in her bed watching The Great British Baking Show.

Ugli Fruit and Pineapple Juice.

Sleep 2 a.m.

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[i] Images by me.