the "countdown"

New Year's Eve, preparation, it is like being in jail. Nothing to do but wait it out. Will probably go to South Fourth around 9 P.M., maybe remain, maybe stop at East River, who knows...? Hopefully some meaningful conversation will fill the time out---not much more to say, will proabably do a good deal of reading before that.
Yesterday a good day, particularly had a good time at Cobra Club in Bushwick. Will probably watch much of football playoffs there, drill will be the same, start off at South Fourth and end up at Cobra.What of La Flaca, will probably spend some time there too, . So "stuck" with New Year's Eve drill, but for the most part feel hopeful and optimistic about the next three or four months, lots to see and do, many places to discover, and good conversations to be had (sounds kind of cliche ish doesn't it). Lots of people I know doing plays, so there should be a lot of activity in that area. Will check in and report about the night, soon....

so yesterday....

returned to Gerritsen Beach to volunteer---carefully prepared myself for Out House problem, (let's call it that) ---used bathroom in Kings Highway library probably four or five times (somewhat exaggerated) just so that I would not have to use those out houses---library people must have thought I was a freak or something---anyway, opened the food store, then was joined by two nice volunteers, Alexis and Robb, from Park Slope. Stayed about two hours, nearly froze, I think the place is much too cold for me, I simply don't know if I can hack it, maybe for the best if I don't return, or return very nominally, or wait for warmer weather---there seems to be enough volunteer interest at this point---can probably drop by to check and see if any help is needed--anyway, returned to apartment, spent rest of night there, resting, no Branaugh Hamlet, which is what I had hoped to do, felt it was important to "sit:" (best word for it) on my money.
Strange vacation, havn't socialized as much as I thought I would, cold has something to do with it, maybe today at Cobra, or South Fourth or East River...or...(oh well, the choices are endless, arn't they City Boy).
Still love going down Ocean Avenue looking at the apartment houses..will miss that, or maybe take a wallk around there when it gets milder.....

in which city boy....

"cops out". Volunteered at Gerristen Beach on Monday---no bathroom, other than that, not a lot of work, people seemed to be at the holidays, three "shacks" where food, toiletries and other essentials were given out for free. Any one could get what was there. The Gerrtisen Beach people were friendly and responsive, told them I would be back today, nevertheless could not go, even though I planned for it. Why? It's awfully cold, felt that if the rain came it might be impossible to get a bus back, also simply am ambivalent about returning. This has to play out, I will try to go tomorrow or Friday---not sure how much help is needed, somewhat dissappointed in myself for not going, nevertheless feel that it is the safest thing for me to do.
Yesterday, did not want to see a movie, therefore, took  the B 49 bus from Fulton and Franklin to Kings Highway and Ocean, fascinating trip, Ocean Avenue full of apartment houses, are these the houses where my contemporaries were brought up, now seems a little west Indian, to the north, but also Russian and Orthodox Jewish as one approaches the southern end of Ocean Avenue.
Idea for a short story, begins in 1964, when a friend of mine falls in love with a girl from the Bronx, but she is not available to him, because she is in love with one of the freedom summer guys. Where do I go from there, want to bring it to the present.....can I...
Trying not to see a movie today, will read and (I guess) think about things, will see the play in the evening....assuming weather is possible.......

Vacation day 2...

Got new phone today, with the usual tsimmis that goes with it---still do not know how to send a text or to change my greetings.
Sad news yesterday about friend Wade---a genuinely nice guy whom I spent several hours in the early 2000's chatting with while he bartended at Cosi---did he have to do it? Met him on the subway about seven months ago---early spring, he seemed very settled, never went into his place of work---wish I could have spent more time with him---absloutely no idea that anything was wrong. Not much else to say, he was part of a group that I knew in the early 2000's.
Ended yesterday at the Sports bar, Standings, Aaron was very nice to me---its a good place for pure sports, not great for conversation, thought that I would go to Cobra this morning, but here I am still in Manhattan---not sure about the rest of the day---should go to Brooklyn, but it is cold, movie...? possibly, though after last night Silver Lining Playbooks, I am not so sure---told Bob I might come in today, that would be for early evening---I guess, then could go to Pine Box, but that means going from the J to the L.
Anyway, will decide as the day progresses---cd player worked beautifully this morning---listened carefully to Beethoven's Sonata for Piano no 4, opus 7, an amazing work with an incredible second movement---thought about trying to see Messiah at Philharmonic tonight, but probably won't---could spend much of the vacation simply listening to Beethoven's chamber music...let it happen....

city boy is....

free as a bird, for the next two weeks, and two days. What a relief! First time since September that I don't have to think about being hired---great day at Friends yesterday, solidified some of my relationships with the eleventh grade students, feel closer and more invested in them then I have previously, a lot of them are really very genuine. Then saw some of the alumni, many from last year's class, was really great to see them. Feel very solidified about my work there....still no real guarantee of lots of work---that should work itself out in January.
As for now, life on the run, can go anywhere anytime, late movies, late bars, you name it, I can do it....but what will I actually do...? Taking a very improvisatory attitude about it...just a moment at a time....

another day without working....

still had a good lunch with Ben Begley, we go over so many theater topics, now, back in Manhattan, this evening will go to Dixon Place to see Tanya's monologue, first piece of theater I have payed for in a long time. Tomorrow at Friends, Science, a short day unless I am asked to fill in for other teachers , which is possible. Had a great time at the basketball game yesterday, good conversation with Emory's dad, also the guy whose son goes to Berkely Carroll--also nice conversation with Jeff T, suggested an article for Matt, his roommate, who writes for the Times. Maybe will see him tomorrow...anyway, waiting for my apartment to be cleaned, be careful with money...time running out (of blog time, anyway)

the next day....

just returned from city point rally---not bad, accomplished some sign ins and some nice conversations, starving, though, afterwards, got some cream of broccoli, then off to library at camden plaza. How can you fight the 'enemy' when you are the 'enemy' i thought of that as I left the rally, passed the high rises that are forcing people out---wouldn't you like to live there, I thought/? maybe i would not, but nevertheless, in a heartbeat i seem to be able to forget the juggernaut and its plan, and simply want to enjoy the Brooklyn heighs surrounding.
Later today to go to Friends, to watch one or two basket ball games---check in---after that off to.....?

tomorrow....

No work scheduled yet (if there is, no issue)  there is the big protest outside City Point---very ambivalent about going. When Lucas planned it last Tuesday, felt exhausted, as if I had done enough this year...and yet, how does one stop this juggernaut, a juggernaut that is so unfair, it is really frightening. Have I done enough..? Should I just let the others (the rally should be very well attended) do the work, am I really necessary for the statement to be made...? Will see, unspoken message is.....?

the weekend

So, visited Baltimore for about 36 hours, very iimportant for me to be there for Robin's play; reading showed that it is really a very strong work---also important that she integrate herself into the Baltimore theater community. Met several actors and playwrights whom I liked, very nice people, seem to have enough to do there...meanwhile, on the money front, things seem to have settled down, made a decent amount in the last few weeks, spent much time at  Friends,  and did not spend much during lean times, so perhaps a little extra money to spend on art, movies, theater, etc.
Interesting walk yesterday morning in Baltimore, walked from Melissa's apartment (Melissa was my host) on 26street to One World on U Parkway, and after a nice cup of coffee and a muffin that I really might not have needed, proceeded towards Roland Park---have always been a little wary of that neighborhood---seemingly too placid for me, anyway, found myself at a cut in the road right off Univeristy Parkway called Linwood Street that circles from east west into north direction. At the bottom of the cut, (it goes down a hill) are several apartment houses, seemingly isolated from all else, surrounded by a few large private houses, that eventually dominate the area. Who lives there? Not too far off the road, but in some ways very insulated, must have a car to get around, even if one works at Hopkins or nearbye. For me, such an odd placement for apartment houses---giving an aura that is strangely genteel, somewhat stuffy. Yet removed, I sort of like that. Continued south to Cold Spring, then headed east to Charles, there I was on Charles and Cold Spring, moving south, back towards the Hopkins Campus. Mostly private houses for the first few blocks, and then closer to Hopkins, large door men apartment houses on one side of the street (west) and private homes on the other. Some of the private homes look like estates---they are so large. Nieghborhood, which begins on University Parkway, totally removed from all that goes before (south) of it. As if at some point, Baltimore needed to create an insulated world for its "moneyed" class. No place nearbye to get a cup of coffee, I guess if I ever lived there, I would have to relearn how to make coffee. Had lots of time to kill, so did not hurry, at one point I stood stone still, probably where Charles and Saint Paul meet---simply absorbed the energy of the moment---as if memory and the present forged into one moment. Strange, that after all these years I should end up staying for the night, not as the guest of one of these houses, or in a luxury hotel, but in the home of a twenty-something opera singer, in the campus part of Saint Paul Street,
sharing my space with two hyper cats.  Still, Baltimore continues to haunt---neither where I belong, nor where I don't. What's next.....?

cityboy is restless

Yes, we promised to keep things cool, but still feel tremendous pressure to keep costs down---will go to Baltimore in two weeks, should be fun---what about tonight....should we see Ballo....? what about the afternoon, is it too beautiful to remain in Manhattan? Brooklyn would be great to wander around in. No work at Friends yet, good week last week, three days, made some headway, but long waits are getting to me. Yesterday, a long walk at 10 from west end and 76st street to Columbia, thought I might bump into someone I know, but didn't...still great to feel how my body wanted to travel. Anyway, it is a beautiful day today, should not be wasted....my be the last of the  warm weather days, still would like to do some volunteering...wonder when that will happen....keep cool.....