2020
January I spent all of my free time setting a beer distributor, Bethel Beer and More, with their Clover pos system. I pulled an all nighter to get their inventory done.
January 14th I went to see my dad’s team play at West Greene high school.
January 23rd I got Carl Garret & Sons as a client
January 26th I pulled an all nighter at bethel Beer and More trying to get their inventory setup.
January 30th I flew up to Boston where Jenny picked me up. It was the best decade yet kickoff celebration. Cam seemed pretty happy to see me which was awesome.
January 31st Jenny’s siblings came over and I got to meet them. They were all really nice.
February 1st I went to Ice Castles in Woodstock, NH with Jenny. We dropped Cam off at her parents and I got to meet them. At the Ice castles there were large ice sculptors you could walk through that were lit up with different colors. It was really neat. We also went to a brewery and somehow I lost my wallet by the end of the night.
February 3rd Jenny did a tarot card reading, but never had a chance to see what the cards meant. I flew home that evening.
February 5th I got Dave’s Country Meats as a client
Me and Jenny decided to cancel her trip to Pittsburgh because of the virus. This was a huge letdown because she was going to meet my parents.
March 11th I was at the International Dark Sky meeting at The Allegheny Observatory and the other members were talking about how we should not meet because of the virus. This was when I knew that the virus was a big deal.
Friday the 13th, I was suppose to go to the Riegler’s for a get together, but I wasn’t feeling well and the talks of the dangerous covid 19 virus were spreading so I cancelled to be safe. That weekend the country announced a 2 week shutdown to limit the spread so hospitals were not over ran.
Everyone was worried about the virus, but also was obsessed with a television show, Tiger King.
At the end of March I decided to drive up to New Hampshire. The cases were a lot worse in the new england area, but it was worth the risk. There was a terrible rain storm with flooding, it wasn’t an easy drive. On the way back home my car broke down. It was a Sunday and it was a pain to get towed. Jenny came and picked me up and then let me borrow her car to get back home.
May 1st I drove up to NH. May 2nd I bought a new car in Nashua, NH. The first new car I ever bought, a 2020 Hyundai Elantra.
May 11th I headed back to Pittsburgh.
Although the shutdown continued there were many rioters and protesters. Not about the virus, but for George Floyd, a man who died on camera while a police officer’s knee was on his back. George did have a back record for breaking into a woman’s home and putting a gun to her pregnant stomach, but the people did not think that this was a bad thing. I remember thinking that other people were not thinking very sound.
May 16th I visited my family at my Aunt Paulete’s house. We were all masked up and sat outside.
May 27th I found the grave of Betty Jane Cornett which I had been looking for over 2 years,
May 30th I went kayaking on the Allegheny river
June 3rd I got Northern Beer Traders as a client
June 6th I went kayaking on the Allegheny river
June 7th I went kayaking on the Allegheny river
June 9th I went kayaking on the Allegheny river
June 9th I got Grande Pizza as a client
June 10th I went kayaking on the Allegheny river
June 12th I drove up to NH for Cam’s birthday. I brought Toy Story decorations that Jenny put up as soon I got there. It was late, Cam was asleep and she was very excited for Cam to wake up for his birthday.
At the end of June when I went to feed the cats in the morning I noticed Friend wasn’t there which was weird. When I went downstairs I found her dead in the basement walk in room. Her eyes were open and there was drool coming from her face. I yelled “friend” and cried. After a minute and I knew she was dead I closed the door and went upstairs. I checked to see how Tony was and he seemed fine. I wondered if Tony knew and told him, but he’s a cat so never sure when he knew. I called the vet and got her cremated. They asked me if I wanted her cremated alone and keep ashes and I denied, the ashes would do me no good. I went out with Brian Crawford to kayak in Allegheny river. It was the first time we met and it was a really good time. He worked for the the US post office and did videos for various projects. He liked to walk and had strong interest in things which made it fun to chat.
June 29th I went golfing with my family for my dad’s birthday at Rohanna’s golf course.
July 4th I went kayaking during the day on the Allegheny river. At night there was hundreds of homes that set off fireworks since Pittsburgh cancelled theirs. It was the most fireworks I had ever seen. I could see so many cause my house was on top of a hill.
July 7th I took a small hike with Brian Crawford at the Beechview Seldom-Seen Greenway. We went to Coach’s afterwards for some drinks that we had outside.
July 18th I went kayaking on the Allegheny river
July 19th I went kayaking on the Allegheny river
I went kayaking almost everyday in July going to the Sharpsburg marina. I would see turtles and blue herons. July 4th was very busy with boats and about half of the boats had Donald Trump flags.
July 24th I got a new Fender Telecaster – American with blue sparkle
July 25th I went kayaking on the Allegheny river.
July 26th I went kayaking on the Allegheny river.
August 8th I went kayaking on the Allegheny river.
August 9th I went kayaking on the Allegheny river.
August 11th I got Plum Animal Hospital as a client
August 14th I went fishing at night with Riegler down in Millvale on the Allegheny river.
August 16th I drove up to New Hampshire.
We went swimming almost everyday. We went on a couple walks with Teddy.
August 25th I drove back to Pittsburgh.
September 5th I went to my mom and dad’s for Jordan’s birthday. We got Dominos pizza.
September 8th I rented a RV with my parents near Altoona, PA. We drove it to the upper peninsula of Michigan. We stayed at St. Ignace, Michigan. Whitefish Point, Sunset Bay, Agate Beach, McClain Park, Copper Harbor, Twelvemile Beach, Grand Marais, and Paradise were some of the highlights of the trip.
September 9th we drove north and went to Whitefish Point to look for rocks. I found a neat rock shaped liked a ship. It was a little rainy. We drove west and stayed at Chew Chew, Michigan. It was a rainy night and I had the drive the rv through a bunch of muddy puddles in the wooded area. The guy running the place was very nice.
September 10th we drove west to Agate Beach where we had lunch and and looked for rocks. We then drove north and stayed at Sunset Bay Campground. There was a beautiful beach where we went rock hunting and there was a beautiful sunset also.
September 11th we woke up early and looked for rocks on the beach and then drove north to Copper Harbor. We went to a gift shop where a girl said they get 15 feet high of snow in the winter. We went to a nearby beach and looked for rocks and then drove south and stayed in McClain State Park. We looked for rocks there also before the sun starting going down. That night I was trying to take pictures of the stars and a skunk came up to me.
September 12th we drove south to Twelvemile Beach and looked for rocks and then stayed in Munising, Michigan at KOA campground.
September 13th we went back to Twelvemile Beach and then to Grand Marais to also look for rocks. We stayed in Munising, Michigan at KOA campground again.
September 14th we stayed in Paradise, Michigan. There was a beautiful sunset over the lake nearby. There was a log in the water we thought was a beaver until we got some binoculars out. I was able to get the tv in the rv to work so my dad could watch the steelers play the giants.
September 15th we stayed at Geneva on the Lake, Ohio. It was right off Lake Erie. We went through all of our rocks and briefly went through them again.
September 16th we drove back to drop off the RV. When we got back to the car we realized the battery was dead in car and had to wait for hours as my dad went to get it fixed.
September 24th I got a bank account made for Shop Local Pittsburgh
September 27th I went to my Aunt Paulette’s to celebrate my grandma’s birthday.
In October I bought a rock tumbler and started tumbling some of my rocks.
November 3rd I got Thad Stephens Volunteer Fire as a client
November 3rd I voted for Joe Biden in the election. I didn’t like joe Biden and I didn’t like voting for him. Usually I vote with my heart and go third party, but the peer pressure to vote for Biden was immense. Many people sharing things online claiming if you don’t vote for Biden you are a racist or a bigot. Political bullying is awful.
November 9th I painted the upstairs bedroom blue. I wasn’t happy with the color, but it did look better.
November 12th I got gift cards made for my Shop Local Pittsburgh project
Thanksgiving was cancelled due to the spike in the virus. I spent it with Tony at my house. This was the only time I ever I didn’t have a Thanksgiving get together.
I went out with Ryan and Spurks for my birthday. We had dinner and some drinks. We had to wear masks when we were not sitting at table.
I went to visit my grandma, aunt, and uncle about 10 days before Christmas. They were the first people I saw since my birthday.
December 23rd I drove to New Hampshire Christmas. On the way back I didn’t hit one red light which was crazy.
December 28th I headed back in the evening. I didn’t hit one red light the whole way home.
New Years eve me and Jenny had a phone date as 2021 began. It was a really nice talk. This was our last phone date.
2021
I spent New Years and the first week alone and then had Christmas with my parents in Waynesburg.
January 5th I bought a Fender Jazz bass guitar.
January 10th I went to my mom and dad’s for Christmas. I had quarantined since I came back from Jenny’s. This was a good idea considering she and Cam got covid that same week.
February 12th I watched my dad’s team play online because the covid restrictions would not allow people to assemble.
February 19th I drove up to NH to visit Jenny and Cam. It started snowing when I was in the Massachusetts area. I ended up driving through the mountains and a ski resort. I didn’t think I was going to make it. I called Jenny and she was being very rude as if I should have nothing to worry about. At one point my car slid and I hit into some guard rail type thing. I told Jenny I wrecked my car and was screaming at me like an idiot. I remember thinking that this was not how I wanted to be treated in a intense situation.
A saturday in April I went to Monroeville to get the Johnson & Johnson covid 19 vaccine.
April 23rd I got Mars Bethel Golf as a client
A couple days after I got the vaccine I got a red rash on my chest and my right arm, the opposing arm of the shot; lost all of it’s strength. I went to a Med Express and he said it was a side affect of the vaccine. He also muttered to himself “this is the shot they gave all the teachers” in an angered voice.
May 2nd my family celebrated Greek Easter at my Aunt Paulette’s house.
May 16th, a Sunday I was cleaning bird poop off the front porch of my house. I was basically done when a bee flew close to me which startled me. I accidentally sprayed the hose into the bird’s nest and a bird flew out which startled me even, so more water got sprayed into the nest and another bird came out. This bird flew right in my zone and I tripped over my front step and went through the window of the front storm door. There was a crash then I looked at my right hand and there was a big gash in my wrist. The center was all white and the edge was blood coming out. I covered my wound with my other hand and screamed for help. I ran down to the road to get someone’s attention. My neighbor, Marty who I had never spoken to before called 911. Another neighbor, named John also came to help.
May 19th Jenny and Cam came to Pittsburgh.
May 20th I went to the Carniege Museum of Natural History with Jenny and Cam.
May 21st I went to the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium with Jenny and Cam. Cam liked the penguins the most. I got him a couple stuffed animals from the gift shop.
May 22nd Jenny and Cam went down to Waynesburg to meet my parents. Cam liked watching the people play golf on tv and we played a little piano together.
May 24th My house flooded in the morning. I had to work and Jenny helped me. I gave Cam the gifts I had for him. Several muppet matchbox cars and some Mayta the bear stuff. He was very thankful.
May 25th Jenny and Cam left back for New Hampshire. I saw the turkey in my back yard that I was telling Jenny about all week, but didn’t see.
May 26th I got The Upper Crust Pizza as a client
I drove up to NH for Cam’s 8th birthday. I got him a Fozzie puppet and a set of the electric mayheim band. We went swimming a few times at Jenny’s mom’s house. The last night me and Jenny played nintendo wii mario cart and super mario. It was fun and we stayed late drinking and laughing. When morning came and I had to leave Jenny didn’t do her normal goodbye and her kiss was weak. I could tell things were getting less exciting for her.
Vinnie took me for a ride in his convertible, we went downtown and through Oakland. We talked about our relationships. It was a beautiful evening.
July 28th Dr John Fowler operated on my right wrist.
August 2nd, The following Monday my parents were going to stay at my house and help me, but were hit by a speeding truck on interstate 79. Their car was totaled as it spun 3 times and into a guard rail. They went to the hospital, Jimi called me and then I called Jordan. He picked me up and we went to visit them in Waynesburg.
August 3rd I got Churn in Southside as a client
August 15th I started recording Randy, Antoon, and Josh for my M81 album. Antoon started with lead guitar for the introduction, Randy started the stars, and Josh started re recording the cosby song.
Monday, August 16th there was a bit of phone tag between me and Jenny. Around 10am we finally connected, she voiced her frustrations with me. Things had become too much so we broke up.
I put my wallet on top of my car as I filled my car up with gas. I accidentally left it on top of my car and it fell off on route 8 in Allison Park. I went back and got it, but at least 20 cars ran it over destroying everything but my AAA card.
September 3rd I got Psychotherapy Associates as a client
September 9th I got to take off my wrist splint. Dr Fowler said everything was healing fine.
September 11th I went to the Pirates game with Josh, Eric, and Jordan. They played the Washington Nationals and won. It was fireworks night and they put on a really good show.
September 13th I had hand therapy first thing in the morning.
September 18th I headed up to Brad’s camp. He took me down an old road that only a truck or with 4 wheel drive could do. It took us to a little turn around on the lake. On one side there was protected land. Almost immediately I saw the eagles Brad told me about. There were three of them and one did not have a white head which meant it was younger. At one point one of the eagles flew over my head which was really neat. Afterwards I went out on Brad’s boat as he fished. He caught bluegill, bass, crappie, and perch. He threw them all back. That night one of Brad’s friends, “Z” brought out his telescope and we saw Jupiter and Saturn which was cool.
September 21st I had hand therapy first thing in the morning.
September 27th I went to Kimberly Rau’s office and had some tissue removed from my side. I got stiched up from it.
September 28th I had hand therapy first thing in the morning.
October 5th I went Kimberley Rau’s office and I got my stitches out from the tissue removal I had done.
October 6th I had hand therapy first thing in the morning.
October 7th Legacy Remodeling came to my house and replaced the downstairs basement doors in my home.
October 8th Legacy Remodeling came to my house and finished the downstairs basement doors in my home.
October 12th I had hand therapy first thing in the morning.
October 13th I got a new dryer delivered.
October 18th Caitlin came over to hang out. She had a couple Truly’s and I had a few Sam Adam’s Octoberfest. At some point in the night I asked her if I could kiss her and then we did.
October 19th I had an electrician come over and hookup the electric for the dryer. I was finally back in action with laundry.
October 20th I had hand therapy first thing in the morning.
October 21st I saw Dr John Fowler who did my surgery. He was impressed with my recovery and told me I was good to end therapy. He was very passionate about what he did which I liked. He said maybe I’ll see you at a steeler game sometime. So I will always keep a lookout for him if I go to a game.
October 25th Caitlin picked me up and we went to Sideline’s for some drinks. Afterwards she came back to hang out at my house for a little.
October 27th I graduated from hand therapy. My original therapist was not there, but I enjoyed my time with all of the helpers there. My hand movement was good and I had some strength again. I was able to lift a 5lb weight.
October 28th I went to the doctors for the rash/hives I had been having. They a bunch of tests and I had to start taking steroids. Josh came up in the afternoon and we picked up the tuxedos for his wedding. We had some pizza in the Ross Park Mall food court.
October 29th I went to Josh’s rehearsal dinner in Carmichaels, PA. We first did a run through of the wedding with the pastor who was called in last minute because the original pastor’s husband got covid. We went to the hartley inn where Josh’s mom got us all dinner which was really nice. Me and Josh both got hamburgers.
October 30th Josh got married to Ashley. I drove to Josh’s apartment and picked him up. I drove us to Magic Moments where he was getting married. People were running around doing the final decorating and we did photos. Ben, Clint, Pat, Jimi, and Rachael came. I gave a best man speech that went pretty well. I gave out Josh’s password farts are fun. We danced a little bit and did reup of an old photo from tour. I drove Josh and Ashley back to their apartment after the wedding.
October 31st I went down to Waynesburg for my mom’s birthday. Jimi, Rachael, Jordan, and Leigha were all there. We had pizza and watched the steelers and other football games. We talked and I rambled a little, but it was a good time. I got my mom some books and a card.
November 1st I returned the tuxedos, made progress on the M81 album, and went out with Caitlin. This evening was a little different, but it was a good time.
November 5th I went to Top Golf for a CardChamp work party. I got to meet Jake in person. I didn’t play because of my wrist.
November 7th I visited my grandma and Aunt Paulette, Uncle Tom. That night my parents came over and stayed the night. We watched the Titans play football on tv.
November 13th I finished my demo versions of the M81 album and where’s Moose songs.
November 16th I got Valencia Donut Co & Sweets and Shuster Automotive as clients
November 19th I went out with Spurks and Ryan to Tavern in Northside next to PNC park. Spurks came to my house and we took a Lyft back and forth.
November 21st I finished Closer to the Sun round 2 demo. I picked up DLY from work and we jammed a little than I drove him home.