Monday..after

yesterday's long and absolutely fulfilling walk through Brooklyn, beginning at Cortelyou Road (found a new sports bar on Coney island avenue) and ending at Avenue J---really interesting, saw the estates, the old apartment houses, the morphing of the neighborhood from Jamaican to Jewish, the constant reminders of the Jewish Bronx and Brooklyn of my childhood---I am still overwhelmed by the architecture and what it evokes in my life.
Following that a long and productive night at South Fourth----what follows, well the other blog may begin tomorrow, but cityboy will try to be faithful and check in with his old blog.

waking up happy....

and energetic---interesting visit to Long Island City to Chocolate factory to see Caucasian Chalk Circle, lots of what seems to be new shops and a few bars in this area, also a great deal of highrises (are they filled), but a kind of funky (if "yuppieish") taste to the neighborhood, might be good to explore at some point---enjoyed the play, cast full or energy, very talented, another young group with great skills, they seem to be all over the city now.
Jury duty over---short stay, only 80.00, now most of the time is yours, will be interesting to see how it plays out---tonight atleast three stops: Cherry Tree with Mat at 6:30; Shawn's going away party, and then my buddies at 113. No South Fourth tonight, (maybe a bit this afternoon) and then tomorrow, hopefully will do some petitoning with Arlene in the area.
Still would love to immerse myelf in baseball, see King and I, next Saturday, but...other things must be more important......

so Friday....

at 1:33 P.M. I found myself in Brooklyn, at the library at Grand Army Plaza. Arrived here after finishing jury duty---two days (actually 1 and one half) where nothing happened, no jury brought in to see a judge--things are kind of slow. Got my $80.00, but would have liked to sit on a jury, for all the waiting time, to make a bit more. Now, still waiting to hear about possible tutoring for the summer---only Eliseo and Ruthie are definites until Chelsea returns. still surprised that I havn't heard from the Fringe people, about doing a box office again this year, that is what I want to do, but with Chelsea coming back it would be difficult, kind of a marathon, anyway, let us wait and see.
Anchored to New York atleast for now, last night, as usual a good evening at South Fourth, had not seen Adam in a while, that was fun, otherwise, the usual suspects, still I must admit, how much that place has worked for me---really met some great people. Where it all ends....who knows, next week begin other blog, you will have to see that to believe it.....

fun time......

did not think I would enjoy it, but the trip out to Hempstead to see Guy (the son of Harold) play football, the game and the ensuing return actually turned out to be a lot of fun. Really good chemistry between me and the guys, too bad we can't do some more of this. But I liked being there, taking the whole thing in. Otherwise, followed through on James T's request, and will continue to search for other meaningful articles about the city races coming up. Jury duty probably begins tomorrow; hope I get more than a few days, also just found out about concert at Mannes tonight with Leo S. will try to go....more about Jury duty (if it happens) later

Some good things.....

should be happening---nice to read the atlantic yards article on Froomkin, and the need to" identify bullshit"---also nice to read at Mr. Sullivan, the lone dissenter on the Mayor's Education committee.
Yesterday, went to the lounge on 106 street,between 3rd and Lex----to hear Mike play. An interesting bar, very heavily hispanic---felt like an outsider, but for the most part, everyone very cordial to me. Good place to know about, low pressured bar, it seems like one can stay there as long as one likes, good TV screens for the games, and it seems like the food is very good. Another revelation was walking down Lex from96 street, to 106 street---a trip that I would have dreaded about 12 years ago, and yet with the exception of the projects,which take up the 98-99 street block, area has become very gentrified. An upscale Italien bistro on the northeast corner of 100th or 101st looked very shi-shi. Still, too much buidling---the whole west side of97-98 street looks like it is slated for another high rise. Anyway, intersting night, and it was fun to walk down Lexington Avenue between 79 and 106 street.
Today,the second installment ofthe EST plays---including one by "my" playwright, M.Z. Ribalow. Wonder how many people I willsee there whom I know. Afterwards will end up atSouth Fourth, but before......? See what the whether is like on leaving EST.......

Last night....

returned to Pete's Candy Store to hear the Medicine Woman band, which Layla, a bartender at Bembe is a member of. The bar is great----if you are with someone, probably the perfect place for a late or mid evening conversation---casual or other, but by one self, if one is not a drinker, well.....had to leave there quickly, after the performance ended. Weekend looks crowded, will I do some work for Thompson this weekend...? that is the big question, is the momentum shifting----well probably not yet, but the perception that Thompson (or Avella) cannot win must be stopped. Had a nice time on Monday as I finally hit Freddy's---again not the best place to be by oneself, but still, Mike the bartender was friendly, would be nice to return, probably more fun (and interesting) at around 11p.m.---but that is late for you cityboy, and the train is a little far, anyway, let's see how it goes, plenty of plays to see---movies----I wish, let's see how it all plays out

furious pace

City boy wants to report....can't

but what is to be done......?

Filling the gap. Which shall it be?

four plays in.....

well, we did it! The theater lover in city boy emerged this weekend, and it was theater all the way! Feel exhilirated by this, knew atleast one person in each play I saw, that helped, even though I was not invited out by any----stopped by Heights Cafe on Friday---same old, same old---but paid some dues, today feeling kind of relaxed and easy, not missing work, finances seemingly in good shape, looking forward to the condensed "Light" tomorrow and the graduation on Monday. Essentially in a good place.........