the weekend, two...

perfpormances of Pippin at Friends---you might say I am all Pippined out. Did not work today---dissappointed---an no calls from the DOE--wonder if that will continue. Weekend was not much more besides the two performances, yesterday a fairly simple day which ended (adequately) at South Fourth Think I will attempt to see one of the Tribeca early afternoon movies this afternoon. Much to read in the times...see what happens....

did exactly that...

spent an hour at Standings, but find now seven screens a little too much---also got hungry--stomach good for only one beer---today I will visit with my friends, Jeannine, Adam and Bobby at 119. had an interesting time listening this morning (no work) to the Mozart 563, also a nice e-mail from John in NJ about west side story casting (from 1957) gave him a long reply, will be interesting to see what he says. Beautiful day so I had to go to Brooklyn, ideal with no tutoring today, tomorow back at Friends for the day, then first of two performances of Pippin. We''ll see....

the two days....

The two days at Friends were tougher and longer than I had expected, due particularly to the overly rambunctious 5th and 6th graders I had to deal with. Still, fun, and I am looking forward to going back there on Friday. On Sunday, I wrote about being torn between Civilians and South Fourth, turns out I did neither. Civilians were over on Saturday---found out when I got to the Box Office, and since I did not desire to rush for Little Flower, I walked over to the Angelica and saw the first part (left because I was bored) of Blueberry Nights. Then, too tired to take the trip to Williamsburg, decided to try a new coffee place on the Bowery and read, which turned out all right, but nothing exceptional.
Today is first day off---many options in terms of what to see, or why, again, in the face of all the poverty and tightness of the dollar and higher cost of living that everyone (including me) experiences, there are more art choices then ever. Tough to figure out. Well, if I don't tutor today, might be time for another trip to Brooklyn, or I might enjoy simply hanging out at Standings, where I can immerse myself in Basball for a few hours.

two days later......

well, things seem to be working out...two fun days tomorrow and tuesday at Friends, a good time, (really an exciting time) at Friday's benefit, really glad that I came...then yesterday, even though tired, was able to tutor my two five and a half year olds, then go to the Seder at Kayla and Stan's. Nice, if very different time. Tonight...possibly South Fourth, but seized with the desire to see the Civilians at the Public, if there are any tickets left...wonder if there are...seems like I am torn between an immediate experience at South Fourth, and a "passive" theater experience. Oh well, tomorrow after Friends, begin my "experience" with Yulia and her research, back out to Prospect Heights....and then.......

what is it with you, cityboy.....

what is it with you cityboy, that you reject work at a decent (we presume) middle school, today, and instead, at 10:00 A.M. find yourself in the Brooklyn Public Library, writing away at the computer. So what is new? well, a nice evening at South fourth street last night, restless, as usual, wanted to stay out, but didn't, still slept adequately--met an interesting photographer there named Alonzo, also from Manhattan, before, visited jeannine at her new work space, Trash bar, love the smell of beer, and the coziness of it, but the prices-well it just goes on. Anyway, tonight the benefit, tomorrow the two students and then Passover with my cousins, whose apartment house, incidentally, i just passed, and Sunday, perhaps a take it easy day, before my two days (and more I hope) at Friends.
reading Brooklyn was Mine, a group of essays by literate writers about moving to Brooklyn and living there--they are reflective, warm, sometimes assume a kind of privilge, but what I need right now. May place one or two bets at OTB this afternoon, that's all......

a little dissed by Frank.....

got his e-mail; is he angry at me because I felt the 30.00 for the benefit is kind of steep? Well, I will go anyway---shouldn't let the fun elude me; actually looking forward to it.
Good session with Chelsea yesterday in the Bronx, felt very strong, afterwards, came home, sleepy, did not with to do much---had a nice conversation with her teacher---interesting how at home I am in this world......enjoy making the trip to and from the Bronx, feel infected by the past as I go...stand up during the time the train travels above ground, have to look out the window, looking for something...what.....a million stories that link together past and present. Otherwise, no work today---felt optimistic most of morning, will hope that there is work for me tomorrow at 163---also, have to check check dates for this pay period, my hope is to go to South Fourth this evening, and maybe visit also Jeannine at Trash...miss the place...let's go....

It's been a long time....

actually 5 days since last post. Filled with activity. Two really great days at Friends---really wanted to work there today, but no one called---turned down 163--wonder if there is work for me there on Friday.....anyway, will go to Team benefit on Friday, and Passover Seder on Saturday---also the tutoring seems strong---will go again to the Bronx today to work with Chelsea---bright girl, quite a challenge to help her---maybe speak to her teacher tonight---other than that...well, the buiding situation in the city seems to be getting worse and worse---so many walkways destroyed, but breathed a sigh of relief when Bloomberg stated that he was not interested in a third term----was very upset by the rumor that was sparked in the Post. Anyway, back to Friends atleast on Monday---other than that...let's go cityboy.........

thursday......

here I sit in the brooklyn public library---it is just past 11 a.m.; after, back to Manhattan, then off to the Bronx to hopefully help a young woman (age 5) on her letter pronouncement, and then, finally back to Brooklyn again, to south fourth (I think). Lots of traveling, but then you are cityboy. What else! Not much, Jeannine is gone from south fourth, but she will be at trash soon, not much happened of import yesterday, can't believe that it has only been two days since my last day at Friends, there tomorrow for Monica, and then for Carla M (Hopkins graduate) on Monday. the rest.........

so much going on....

cityboy is swamped! Alot going on---saw Homecoming last night, had a wonderful time with my nicece, Natalie, the first protracted time we have ever spent together---really had fun---she seems to really know what she is doing---today no work, but got a call to tutor in the Bronx---a four (or five) year old girl; can it be possible! She needs help in her English speaking (I assume) so I guess I just talk to her---other than that, times at Friends on Friday and Monday, and then the next week, will be busy---wonder if I will work anywhere else---can I get work at 163 on Friday, 4/18? that is the question---tonight, (I think) tutoring at Lena's then off to South Fourth...and then.......

Three days later....some good and

some bad......well, not really bad, but strange morning with a very silent 11th grade, in Spanish. They really can change...ofcourse it is a difficult time for them, feeling college board pressures, and visiting colleges for the first time---plus classes, but still strange for me.
Today I hang with my niece, Natalie, after I finish subbing---will show her the Robbins exhibit, wonder if she really knows how close she is to Lincoln Center library...then, after that....maybe a play or out to Williamsburg, have not visited South fourth since the excitement Thursday---maybe back there later today, or something else........

doing well....

Hey, you know, I slept like a baby last night--no kidding---can't remember when I have gotten a more peaceful sleep. Guess my mind is cleared, now that I have had one day at Friends, and it looks like more will be coming....four days without work simply were the first four days back from a two week vacation....so all of a sudden I am more relaxed. Today, tutored Ashly, a six year old with serious reading problems---she really has trouble with simple word identification---terrific challenge---just to get her to recognize rhyming words is difficult, how will she be able to absorb non-rhyming, same sounding words....I don't know, it will be a challenge, see what I can do---she really needs a more comprehensive course---almost daily work, but I will try my best. Just placed my bet on the Wood Memorial--only one bet---it would be nice to do a whole afternoon, like the old days, but at this point, does not seem possible, or maybe I have just too many optionss, or too many other things seem interesting. Lasted one full act that the Gambler, last night---opulence for the ear, very fascinating, but simply was too tired...see what happens re other opera choices the rest of the year.

Nice day....

In the nick of time, got a job at Friends---so you see, turning down allthose DOE sites to sub was not so counterproductive after all. Nice to be back---hectic day---some behavior that I did not like, but got through it, and it was good to see everyone again. Wanted to see Richard's concert tonight with Colin Davis, but no senior tickets--will see The Gambler, instead, though with partial view, not surewhat the effect will be---anyway, a little more relaxed re finances---will probably only handicapp one race tomorrow---tutoring in the morning---here goes.....

a little regret....

Thursday: reading the Times article on the two boys who wrote Glory Days---felt a little sad that the environment for young people seems to be much more open then it was in 64 when I graduated Hopkins. Was my work there that good? Was the Purification (a one act written by Tennessee Williams in his pre-Streetcar days) passionate and unique? Somehow felt sadly stifled, after reading the article and their chance. Strange, because this morning I was feeling very mellow, sort of in charge of things---had a nice time at South Fourth yesterday watching the game and being part of the community, and an even better time tutoring Lena at her house. Also, glad that Kim liked my April Fools article about Anthony and Adam alternating roles on the Rent tour. Felt secure enough to even consider going to a movie today, in the afternoon, but think I will table that. But basically feel like I am moving towards the summer in good form.....

he loves to travel.....

So this morning, cityboy took matters into his own hands, and wanting a break from his normal non-substsituting routine, took the 3 to the L to the M, to discover Ridgewood. Never been there before, outside of Bushwick, had a very normal, small town almost, relaxed quality---but there wa a reason for this. Since he is getting computer calls from atleast two schools in Ridgewood, he figured he might go there and see a little of them for himself, or atleast figure out how to get there, should he ever accept their invitation to sub. Both trips were satisfactory---spoke to a few teachers on the run, who assured me that the children in these 6 to 8 grade schools, were "reasonably" well behaved. Now there is that word: reasonably---it has a large scope, could mean anything from easy to handle, to prone to start fights unless they are on a long leash. Anyway, got good vibes from both, atleast now I know how to get there...sort of demystify the vision of the place.
Not much else to report---will tutor Lena this evening, then off to South Fourth, (too tired to go there, yesterday) and then.......

cityboy is restless.....

and can you blame him? Yesterday was good----game watching at South Fourth, a real good theater talk with Kim, and a nice talk with Mary D, whom I met on the way home. But inbetween...? Bloated myself on Chicken in noodle soup on Third Avenue. Really good, but far too heavy...then fall asleep at 9, only to wake up at 1:00 A.M. Still full, so no sense going out---then just staying up (impossible to fall asleep) until about 4. Ofcourse when the one or two calls came to sub this morning, it was impossible to take them.....slept until 7:45A.M., now here it is, a few hours later, still feel bloated, not quite sure where the focus of the day is...will wait it out until about 6:30,then go over to South Fourth to watch Yankee game, then try not to be so careful about returning home (unless you have work)---maybe you need to stay out till one o'clock to sleep better. We'll see.........