another death.....

Just heard from Robin about her oldest brother Frank, who died on Memorial Day weekend. Never met him---he was an airforce pilot---very sad. Otherwise, a long night last night, but got through it---took a walk down Amersterdam at 1A.M. last evening (Sunday) Amazing how many people were still in the several bars that dot the avenue. Did not go in, even though I saw a woman sitting alone in the bar on 83rd Street. I couldn't; stomach was still full---better stay away from cupcakes. Otherwise, long and dogged walks in yesterday's sun---ran right into Gay Pride parade (or tale end of it) as I was hitting the subway---made it through the crowd and got home. Totally tired, but feeling better now. Lucky to be tucked away in a quiet, small traffic part of the city---otherwise---anyway, had a good lesson with Alex today, also finished reading Jhumpa Lahiri's short story "nobody's business", blew me away---feeling mellow right now, will probably get a hair cut.......

about the poet....

Enid Dame---read about her going up on the subway to tutor Alex (who is improving by the way; I am very pleased about this). She was born in June of 43; died in December 03. Seems to write very strong and serious poetry; interesting that she was in Towson State while I was at Hopkins---could I have known her....? Or anyone that I knew....,? Why does that seem important now.....? anyway, missed Almost Maine yesterday, really angry about that, yet solved dit by going into Prospect Heights, found Plan B a nice friendly baseball bar----but filled with (it appears) the usual suspects---still, a good place to know and perhaps to return to...then the journey, down Vanderbilt to DeKalb (remember this is from Vanderbheilt and Park Place) ---first time seeing the area dark---some really beautiful houses and spaces there...then DeKalb to South Oxford, to Lafayette (long block) then Lafayette passed BAM and finally boarding the Nevins Street subway back to East 14 street. Body felt really strong this morning, because of the walk---also two smoothies. This is an interesting week for baseball---some really important games (thank god interleague play is over!) and some chances to visit Trenton...well we will see.

A strange day........

Strange because there is no tutoring today; so the day is mine---which means what..? Brooklyn, Standings, South fourth, baseall all day...a movie, a play....? The wanderer. Feeling both exhilirated and depressed, had a good time with Natalie on Wednesday.....saw John Byrne yesterday on the train, he was really great but...dealing with the Supreme Court Gun Decision, and also with the horror of the Bloomberg administration here...the oppressiveness...incredible!
So where do we go from here...to talkin broadway.....a trip to the DC area....who can say, just bought my first stock in a long while, see what comes of that...baseball I guess today, and if I am bored, a movie or a visit to a music bar or maybe feast on Ms. Lahiri's short stories, or.........

still no

still no word from Friends, re my request for a little more work---what will happen...? Anyway, had a very good session with Alex today; he seems to be reading much better---I really enjoy being "in the heights"---good feeling from the people in and around his building. Lots of things to see this weekend, what will I get to? Do I want to see one more Balanchine program, or the Brick Theater's film play things? And what about Top Girls....? Time will tell.

on the moment.....

well, tomorrow morning is the phone call that you have been waiting for. What will Karan say, and what will you ask for, cityboy. Just a chance to be at the school and participate a bit more. Help out in the learning center---you could do that. Will it happen?That was before all this tutoring happened, which is tiring, but will help out a lot. Certainly enjoy traveling around Washington Heights, love the buildings that I pass, really bring back great memories and feelings. Otherewise, gave up my chance to go to Trenton today, it is David's birthday, and also I have to talk to the SETS teacher for Chelsea. Will see Zack's play tonight...stay tuned.....

so what now.....

received a phone call from Odalis (from Karen's office) yeterday afternoon---nice message-will finally get my interview, but this morning I found out it would be by phone. What can you suggest, cityboy? Well, could help out at learning center, ironically enough, that was my fantasy about making myself more useful by doing off the cuff tutoring, wonder if that will be accepted...? Really could use a little more consistency re time there, that is all I want, not more income per se. Well, we'll find out....Otherwise, again so many conflicts re what to do this weekend---wanted to see Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, but now....should see some movies, etc., but...all v ery elusive, you know. Had a nice walk down Wadsworth Avenue after Alex canceled--would like to wander around Brooklyn listening to music some time tomorrow, but the picnic in Central Park----unexpected you know---and hate to go into a movie on a nice day---so, your move, dude........

Finally---

not much time today---so, finally made the phone call to FRiends--no response yet; somewhat sorry I did it---maybe should have left well enough alone, yet when I am there, feels silly that I am still "spaced" by dates. Anyway, many members of the faculty, urged me to contact administration, and after some ambivalence (which was stated here before), I did. Otherwise, a weekend of ups and downs, the plays at EST were really dissappointing---yesterday's afternoon walk from the Brooklyn Museum was interesting, found the Frank White cafe on Atlantic Avenue, a real no man's land---yet very nice, wonder how long it will remain.? Also walked dowon Fulton to Franklin--and a bit back---took the A train back to BAM. Well, will stay home tonight and make some things clear about tutoring......later......

Saturday morning....

couldn't get myself to see a movie yesterday, so just waited it out, and went to south fourth in the late afternoon----Jenny was gland to see me---as usual walked a lot before going back on L train----this afternoon, will probably go to EST to see the one acts---wish I was being comped, but am not, so will pay it; somehow I feel it is important to go today---this afternoon, to see this group of plays, so I will----this evening.....? Still no action on the Friends thing---everyone glad to see me at Cornelia Street Thursday evening, will probably make the call (and attempt) on Monday Morning, after the TONY party at South Fourth. Just finished reading another story by Jhumpa Lahiri---they really get to me---I don't know how she does it---the awareness is amazing. The parents she draws in some ways remind me of my own---standards, virtues, shortcoming, whatever...well, here goes.........

can you.....

Promised myself I would contact Friends about enlarging my role, this morning, and ofcourse, did not do it. So, here I wait in this kind of odd zone-----somehow I can't make a move to ask for more time at Friends, even after all I have accomplished there. Well, maybe there is no rush---maybe after seeing Ron write and talking to some people this evening, I will be able to do this tomorrow, but why I am so incapable of moving on it?....Simply don't know. Can't enter the "aggressive" zone. Well, soon it will be off to Chelsea and then to Cornelia Street Cafe (my old haunt) and then to....who knows? Would like to relax and drown myself in movies (several look very interesting) or plays or whatever. But have to get this monkey off my back...don't want to contact Diane....yet! We will see what happens.

Quite a weekend--huh,

cityboy....? Washington DC---hot, hot, hot! Yet managed to move around by foot most of Saturday--including that hideously long walk from Metro Center to Kalorama Guest House, two miles atleast? That evening, nothing to do---excited by the movement in the neighborhood, should have been too tired to go out, but saw that it would be impossible to sleep, if I were not completely tired. So walked endlessly around the neighborhood, really consisting of two different aspects: the strip---down 18street, many bars and places to eat; all looked kind of garish, not feeling like a drink---so walked up and down alot, finally ended up having a sandwich at Subways--actually kind of good tunafish! Then the hotel itself sits in an area to the left of the strip, that is residential---some beautiful houses around the block--wonder if they are co-ops or full houses----finally sat and read at Starbucks on the corner from like 10 to 11--(not really as oridinary as it seems, this Starbucks attracted more than its share of young women and was pretty crowded). After that returned to guest house exhausted, and really had no trouble sleeping, atleast until 5:30 A.M., which was a relief. A really good breakfast, the place offered everything, and then off to the game with Bob. Returned to Union Station, hung out, changed my ticket to an upgrade (which I felt was important) and returned home.
Thought I would not make the Coney Island trip with language department from Friends, but actually did, and enjoyed it. Had never eater at Tatiana's on the beach. Really liked it----though I never really go out there. Perhaps will take some friends, but who knows.
Graduation fun--said my goodbyes to several students who I am very fond of, but missed some I really liked, like Cherly W, Carrie, Sarah, Zannie, Nate and Noah (who I go all the way back with to his fifth grade). Hope that I do get a chance to see them before they leave to college.
Woke up very warm this morning---slept a bit, counsled tutoring Chelsea, too many risks of the subway blacking out,) and will just wait for the diiner with the Friends Group.

do you

do you ever get tired, cityboy? Tomorrow off to DC, museum hopping, some fun (who knows what?) in the evening, and then on Sunday the visit to Nationals Stadium. Hectic, for after late return on Sunday, have to visit Coney island on Monday morning, and then the graduation. Well, today, tutoring Chelsea one more time before the trip, and then, probably just relaxing at South Fourth, though that might be amended, after I see how I feel. Would like to be on the train as early as 7A.M. tomorrow morning, so that I could get into DC at noon or thereabouts.
Yesterday, prior to tutoring Chelsea, visited Bob's old neighborhood--took bus up Prospect, crossesd Crotona Park, got off at 175 street, took in the whole thing, possibly saw Bob's old apartment building, now it looks like it is a homeless half way house, but the area was very quiet---felt quite safe, lots of private houses around, may have been around when Bob was there, or may have been built in the interim---first time I had really traveled those streets, then stood outside PS 44 for what must have been five minutes, saw no one, that is the school my mother taught in as I was growing up---remember a wonderful day I spent there, a Jewish holiday when my mother took me to school; school was quiet, only Spanish kids were there (where did they live, in what part of the school zone?) everyone made a fuss over me---remember it with great pleasure, now finally seeing the school again, sort of blew me away.
The people in the area, on the bus seem into themselves, not hostile at all----felt exhilirated after the visit---as if I had given myself a great challenge and came through it. wonder what Bob (who I am visiting in DC) will think of it? We will see.

much excitement...

at Friends, yesterday is my actually teaching day there this year (or should I say proctoring day). Saw Charlie Brown there last night---very impressed with how open the kids were, everyone looked relaxed and there was a sureness about the staging that was very impressive---considering it was a first performance it is amazing how clear everything came out. Next week the graduation and the faculty dinner---the first that I have been invited to. Yes, Cityboy, you seem to be peaking in a way, yesterday after the play, went to Standings, was surprised that Mike expressed that I wasn't coming there that often, things have changed---need the warmth that South Fourth offers me-----but who knows. For the most part, as I enter the summer, things seem very secure----should have fun---will enjoy the Washington trip this weekend, but wish the city was better, and Bloomberg's charter revision---sincerely hopes this doesn't happen. Will go to NY Times now, and get reader response to the article.........