It has been....

a long time, since the last post. Yesterday, in the midst of incredible heat, NY was alive with theater goers, I know, since I box officed at the Fringe. Quality of the plays seems irrelevant---very dissappointed with a three person take on Macbeth---maybe it is becoming more of a social committment. Anyway, no problems (really?) and woke up today feeling tired, but now I am in Brooklyn--thank god! great way to take a break-will return to my box office and more adventures tomorrow.
After the rush and energy of the fringe, Brooklyn seems warm and mellow, perhaps not a good day to Fringe myself, but probably will. Still have not heard from the Vasquez' re Chelsea, expected her to be back from Ecuador by now, but I guess not. Slower schedule this week means more free time, meanwhile...........

rourgh time....

at Fringe, where I have been workingg since Friday---very hectic but feel a part of it. Yesterday for the second show, lots of walk ups of all different categories-----felt hassled by the end, a little bit of an explosion, but things seem to have turned out all right. part of it is that I feel dissappointed in myself, maybe my focus could have been better---still subjected to all sorts of self serving, unaware behvavior. See what happens today, probably will be better when I am there to focus.
Not much else to report---last Monday and Tuesday at South Fourth were very good. Still greatful for the friends I have made and relationships that I have built there. Still at this moment, South Fourth seems like a world away---the relationships distant. Possible to return before Fringe ends....not sure.
Working hard with Miguel, the coffee makers son, this is fun; Chelsea will return soon....

strange day...

on the same day that I lose out on 15 dollars because my student cancels, I read an article about Rocco Landesman (same initials) and his rise to the top. What makes his aggressiveness, his need to live well, a diferent kind of need then mine. You have never been aggressive with money, always try to be in control, are respected for your decency to people and perhaps fairness. That is fine, but is there really any difference between us in the real world of being? I suppose what I am asking is that if you wanted to be successful in theater, why didn't on some level you do what he did? Different breaks...he was mentored by Brustein, was able to function as a student in a much more creative and supportive atmosphere, you, mentored by nobody. When I leave here, everything will be okay, but you have always tried to rein in your aggressiveness. Strange meditation on being...wonder where this will all lead to, will I see Chuck Mee's play today? Fringe begins next Friday, have a very easy schedule. On Wednesday another walk---this one after leaving Tony Avella's benefit (had some nice conversations there) then up to Avenue C, first few blocks north of Houston still have a Puerto Rican flavor, then around fifth street the street explodes into upscale and semi-upscale restaurants, it seems crowded, vivid, but the same types of people---although Avenue C and the block to the east has been gentrified for about ten years now, still amazed by the amount of well to do, or "normal" (By that I mean white and middle class) that have found the street and go there without any trouble. These journeys excite and make me feel good, but what do they mean?

so we wandered...

around the city last night, actually the "we" was "me", but it was an incredible trip, beginning at the Film Forum, then down to HERE, where I will be working, then accross Broome Street to Crosby, checking out the trip to Fringe Central (not a long one, by far), then finishing up on Spring until it hits the newly refurbished Bowery, then hitting Rivington going as far as Suffolk, where the Milagros venue for the Fringe will be, wanted to see how far it was, if one was to make the trip twice----pretty far, pretty long haul especially in the summer heat and humidity.
So what did I see? Well, the upscale restaurants that I passed were full of people, no recession there, also got a chance to see the many new buildings that have been built or refurbished on the lower east side in the past few years. It seems like there is one or two on every block. So what does that mean, and where are you in this? Realized that a real estate investment in the area in the late eighties or early nineties would have made an amazing profit. Realized that you are not in that at all. Other things, maybe later---anyway, tonight the Avella fund raiser, should be fun and interesting, glad I am doing it--the days to the Fringe grow nearer--my venue, HERE will be incredibly pleasant---looks like I have lucked out there, that is all..........

bewitched, bothered and....

so on. With two weeks to go, city boy is restless! Actually it is not two weeks, more like 12 days, or maybe 11. But still time to get through, rather than congradulating yourself on your excellent money management, city boy, you can never satisfy yourself enough. Still ambivalent about the horses---had a nice time last night watching Cunningham dancers---thought, while watching them last night, that we have come so far since Papp set down his actors (or whatever) in the Amphitheater on the East River off the projects in 1954, or thereabouts. Now, free art for everyone, then it seemed unheard of--but what of the audience, this one, mostly white, middle-upper class, is this who free art is intended for---have to go to Von King Park in Bed-Stuy to discover if poorer people really participate in this.
Found out that my schedule at the FRinge this year is fairly easy, atleast in comparison to other scehedules. Good or bad? Cityboy always feels a little guilty if he doesn't carry his full share, but may turn out to be a blessing, since it will give me more time to work with Chelsea when she returns. Lots of wandering this week...? since it may be cityboy's last chance.