nice tutoring

session with Miguel, forget how much fun and how meaningful I find these sessions---will continue through the summer, at leas till the Fringe---interesting night last night, first a nice time at South Fourth, all the old friends hanging out, since I go there less now, I think I forget how valuable and welcoming the place really is...go there at the right time and....after going to City Council candidates for FURY, all of them had interesting things to say, liked that Jelani brought up the SCRIE and DRIE, afterwards, wanted to keep the money down, but ended up at Mullanes on a fairly non-crowded night---bartender was very nice,watched three games, left, not feeling full satisfied, but..this weekend will be (as far as I know) playlesss; possibly planning to go the Hitchcock screening at BAM tonight--before that, not sure....walked down Waverly avenue in Brooklyn yesterday on my way to the forum, really beautiful street, particularly between Greene and Gates--never been down  it before, what a revelation....

last night at....

Heir to An Execution....wonderful movie! Amazing! How could Michael Meropol process all that he was living through from years six to ten? Totally different world from the one I was brought up in---yet he seems incredibly warm and understanding. Glad I "forced" myself to go. Today, went to pick up check from Friends---no check---so what...? will get it tomorrow in the mail, I hope...tonight to see Assembly's new piece...should be interesting, last night after the movie had a slice, then went to harlem public, the new bar (I have visited before) on Broadway between 148 and 149street. Really crowded, the bartender very nicely gave me a light beer, aside from her and a woman waiting for the women's bathroom, talked to nobody, the place is incredibly crowded, and this on a Wednesday evening, what must it be like on weekends, the street and adjoining streets could probably hold three or four more bars easily, but is that a good thing?
Will return to apartment soon, then head to to the village......

Ah, Brooklyn...

with no tutoring today, city boy returns to Park Slope. God! It is beautiful along eighth avenue. Remember when we dated Lucy and she lived on that block? Returned to Lincoln Place (you know the significance of that, cityboy) and stood outside the apartment house---millions of short stories gathered in my mind.
Last night at Lansdowne Falls, then a walk along tenth avenue---nothing new happened, nice chat with waitress twins, but on the whole, more or less an adequate place---still, easy to watch baseball there, will be back.
Today, try to stay cool until the Mayor's forum at 7, at the church on Rutherford Place. After that...
who is to say...lots of places for cityboy to try out...a lot depends on hunger situation.

week is over....

quite a week, huh city-boy, three plays, three workshops, two days sick, some nice interactions----all make me feel very positive about how the summer goes on---even with all the news from DC. Attended plays based on Waiting for Lefty last night---obviously made me think of some of my own ideas, place okay, some a little overwritten, could have used some cutting, did not get to speak after during comments---would have liked to speak about being involved in upcoming Mayoral elections, letting people know about their city
counsel people---urging friends not registered in the city to change to vote in this election----but only spoke of it to a few--still very happy I attended, also stimulated me to think about my own piece based on Odets' play. Will it happen---today, totally free, possibly trivia tonight---maybe the movie at BAM late, see how it all plays out....

In better shape....

the weekend is beginning to look full----lots of structure----will try to see Designated Mourner this evening (late afternoon?) Interesting article about Eastern Parkway in the forties and fifties, all those people living in
the area feeling comfortable there, when did it change...? How quick was the change...? And what now...?

he feels better.....

after a nice night's sleep (courtesy of two small aspirins) and a good session with my student Noagh. Moving into another sphere where things are good. Play that I won in the lottery of Directors week, tonight.
On the other side, problems with LICH remaining open, there will be a benefit to raise money to keep it open on Friday, I will definitely be there--again, nothing more than aggressive behavior by the "powers that be", also statement on comment page of I Love Franklin Avenue about "people with more" moving into Saint
Johns Place between Kingston and Utica (aren't there a few more blocks between the two?) When will it end?
But, we still have theater, I guess that means something....can't keep wondering what will the city be like in five years...?

what is with you......

cityboy...? Experiencing yourself kind of cranky today. It is going to be a long summer..what is the problem...?
Problem one...too many choices...too many places to be, or too many ideas of places to be...right now the city is overflowing with cultural (for want of a better word) activities, things to do, to see, especially. At this point, you are so embedded in the culture, still not sure of what you really want. Two movies going off this Thursday, I want to see them both, but if I don't....? Nothing quite makes sense. Have not been to Brooklyn for a while, no long walks, because of schedule, maybe that is what cityboy needs.
Yesterday, had a cold for the first time in a long time, tired from lack of sleep, stayed in, listened somewhat to baseball and basketball games, also read The Cold Wind and the Warm, 1959 play by S.N. Behrman.
Have not felt the two plays of his that I have seen entitle him to great reputation that he had in forties and fifties, but here I was really moved. Beautiful pictures of young Eli Wallach and Suzanne Pleshette.
So what is so terrible....? Will tutor Jesus later, then decide what to do, whether to see Place Among the Pines, at the Quad, or maybe EST one acts. Something makes me want to see these, another part of me says would not you enjoy just a walk down Frankin, or Washington, or even Vaanderbilt avenue this evening, stop in at some bar and hang out.
Let you know tomorrow how it all turned out

1

two depressing actions that...

I have just read, one the closing of two stores because landlords demanded high rents, on Franklin Avenue in brooklyn,
then the NYCHA story about them having to close some senior centers because of a money shortfall, at least that is what they claim. How long will this continue, how long must one "enjoy life" in this "Great city", while these actions are being
taken. Let's hope the next Mayor has a decent and humane view towards those living in the projects---about gentrification, well who knows what can be done---people have got to be more active---entertainment cannot be
a way of avoiding what is going on.
Funny, this was not going to be the nature of my blog entry today, actually, I was feeling kind of up after an excellent
session with Noagh---which followed an intense night of sleeping and waking, beginning at 3A.M. .
Still as I walk along Lenox Avenue the signs of gentrification are there as well How does this end....?

cityboy has fun (sort of)

Saturday evening, Requiem for Black Marie, stunning acting--said hello to all afterwards, left by myself, no
hanging out, lots of relatives of actors, went to bar on third and twentieth, watched end of Yankee game, had good meal, no conversations---yesterday lunch at Lansdowne Road, more baseball action, then visited with
Susan at Cobra---pretty good time, then to south fourth for a theater conversation with the irrepressible
Ben Halley Jr. He has come into some money, seen many Broadway shows, gives me a full report---I find it
ironic that I go to the off off circuit, but getting him to go there and experience their work would be next to
impossible. Amazing how many people are locked in to one vision of the theater. Still, feeling pretty up, vacation in full force, no waiting to be called during the morning, that's good--tonight the directors party, will see what plans will be made---have to start thinking about possible vacations and plans Boston, early July...?
maybe, anyway it is good that I chose to stay here this weekend, still wonder what Winter's Tale would have been like in DC---that's alll.....

unstructured Saturday....

or actually, unstructured weekend---first idea is to see baseball games at 4, today....where....? Lansdowne Road is the best possibility, they will probably put on any game I wish, could see many......other choices include the bar in Prospect Heights, ( very male oriented, but viable) or some others. Standings the old standby, but would rather eat then drink...oh well, and before then....if I plan to see Requiem for Black Marie this evening, should probably not see another play before then, nothing on the "Extras", do want to see
Guare's play before it closes next weekend.
So, here we are, cityboy, in good health, able to do anything we could many years ago, the city with all (or at least most) of its possibilities at our feet! Unbounded optimism, forget the problems of the city that you at some point seem to be so involved with, remember and savor its glories!
Long to visit Baltimore, and maybe Boston for a few days, fringe in Washington as well, wish we could see
Winter's Tale at Shakespeare theater, probably won't---wish they would extend it for a week---but they won't---anyway, with directors group starting Monday, probably lots of theater to talk about...let the day begin...!

short space...

only a few minutes to write---yesterday night, Friends party at Mumbles, lots of fun, good interaction, you know the drill. Feel very positive about year to come. Afterwards, after all had left, Nick Evert (10), and his sister Helen, who left to go to Bronx Science for high school came in by accident, had a nice conversation with them. Hopefully will spend time with a few of those people during the summer.
Going tonight to Dixon Place---looking forward to seeing Sarah B perform---probably Black Marie tomorrow night, will keep Sunday open, the the directors salon---lots of fun and interaction, huh cityboy?
Let's see how things arrive.....

today......

in the past twenty four hours, I have been to Williamsburg, and Harlem.
1. Williamsburg:  saw The Beckett Cycle at Soundscape Festival at Brick theater. Beckett always hard to watch and deal with---really distances the viewer, you have to love words. First piece fun but over excessive. Second and third, Eh Joe, and Act Without words part 2, difficult but thinking about it, fascinating. Done with a great deal of commitment. Second part had two mixed media pieces, a little foggy, the fifth piece Act Without Words, 1 also had a strong commitment from its performers, especially the male one. Wasn't sure what to do afterwards, late, became very hungry, did not want to return to city still hungry, pizza place on Bedford much too crowded, finally had a bagel with a few pieces of American Cheese on it at the bagel store near North 6th street. Filled me up, Spyten Duyvil not too crowded, but did not want to go in, not sure why, sometimes I just stay away from places where I am not known.
Today, Harlem, a story in itself. Began tutoring Noagh, a really  nice young man entering sixth grade.
Harlem has really been transformed---sense of unreality as I sit in the coffee place on 129th off Lenox. Ask myself, "how does this gentrification effect me?" Probably would have to answer that question on several levels, on one hand, I enjoy moving around the neighborhood, feeling safe, not isolated, marvelous brownstones to observe--really beautiful architecture most of which is restored. Nice to have places to go into where I can read.
Other level---gentrification means a higher standard of living is necessary to maintain one's lifestyle.As someone on a "tight" income (at least that is what I like to call it) the gentrification brings up prices which have a direct effect on me. So am I a beneficiary of gentrification or a "victim"? Who is to say...?
Tonight, final hangout with faculty of Friends, if I can find out where the faculty will be partying, after the dinner. No such luck yet. Next two days, plenty of theater to commit too...we shall see....

beautiful day.....

here I am in the Bronx, Riverdale to be exact---came here after having coffee at 148street and Broadway, have not been in the neighborhood for so many years, really interesting wandering around these streets-the ones east of Riverdale, between Tibett and Broadway.Feel upbeat---big improvement over yesterday.
Read the pamphlets that were given to participants at Real Estate meeting a few weeks ago at BAM.
Really frightening! These people are without any moral scruples or feelings. It is just one big feeding frenzy.
Doesn't anyone realize the connection between all the luxury housing being built, and its effect on our way of life? Do we really exist in two worlds?
Well, ready to block it all out now, return to internet with all its "enjoyments". Nice to know there are other interesting places in the city to wander around in besides Brooklyn. Possibly Beckett cycle tonight at
Brick (ah yes, cityboy, you are a theater dork!)  One day will get off at 225street, and see if I can wander up Kingsbridge to Bronx public library.....

so here I am...

summer vacation actually has begun---very different feeling, the awareness of no phone calls coming in. Much more to think about and focus on.
Really nice time at the graduation last night---yeah, class of 2013---very special people. Something a little warmer about the experience. Great to see many alumni back as well. Woke up this morning, thinking, well, Bob, this is your identity as of now. Makes sense....?
Next few days, out and about, FUREE tonight, see what that will bring---feeling less political in the past few days...toying with idea of going to DC to see Winter's Tale at Shakespeare theater; hard to handle all of the logistics, is the production really that interesting....? Still,  in my head, fascinated by the idea of checking it out...we wil see.....

worked Friday....

afternoon, proctoring for Stephen N. who will be going to Stuyvesant in the Fall. Good kid, have always liked him, shows a lot of focus when he does his work---left starving, exhausted, thought a movie might be possible, but just went home and basically collapsed.
Now only event that remains on the Friends calendar is the graduation this Monday---today, two plays,
the Nelson one, and Jeremy's experimental piece in Williamsburg. Tomorrow, tutor in the morning, then
the party at Bushwick Starr, should see a lot of people that I know there---feeling kind of relaxed about things, maybe pushing myself a little too much, but play is closing next Sunday; might as well see it today, since it was on TDF. Yesterday got another tutoring call from a friend of Michaela's mom. Means there might be more work this summer.......

so today....

not much until tutoring Michaela at 4:30 at Harlem library--means I get a chance to go to the coffee place on 129nth  and Lenox again, if I wish. Last chance to see the movie at Sunshine---your fault cityboy, it has been playing there forever, still will try to check it out: The Place Among the Pines, that is it!
Yesterday attended Ken's fund raiser petition kick off---had a few interesting discussions, he recongnized me, seemed glad to see me; I will continue to e-mail him about issues in the city that I think are important. Lots of "glamourous" people there--the roof at Empire hotel  a little intimidating, might go there to "relax";  there is a television, I guess they watch baseball, prices probably are quite expensive.
Afterwards headed down to La Flaca, for my favorite blt, quite good, easy on my stomach, Bob was there, said hello, he seems to be fine, when over, walked from the restaurant (Grand and Suffolk) to Bean at 2nd and 3rd street. Walked mostly up Orchard--bars galore, even south of Delancey, between Delancey and Grand, many between Delancey and Houston, most filled, where do all these people
come from...? Seems to be an endless supply of money available to these people, mostly 40 and under.
Tomorow, work then home to clean up (I guess) then the senior dinner, which I am really looking forward to. Possibly after to Dixon Place, might catch the end of the short plays, catch up with the
Assembly people...probably will be late, though.....

What a...

difference a day makes---subbed yesterday at Friends (recess, but it doesn't matter) and have work for Thursday---lots of tension gone. Really feeling kind of easy...body aches a lot from yesterday.
Never did get to see David M, left the theater before first play commenced because the theater was
unbearably hot. Simply could not take it, glad that Patricia and Ned needed the ticket. Went back to
 Bushwick---visited Cobra than a few last stops on the Bushwick Open House program---looking back at it, really glad I did it, only sorry that it didn't last longer---artists were extremely open and
gracious---loved the way the maps helped me to learn the Bushwick geography. Later spoke to Andy and Alex who are doing a Beckett evening at the Brick a little later in the month---clued in Andy to some new theaters that he should check out. Later bumped into Sam S. (Class of 09) and friend on way back to station (after a short hang out at South Fourth) amd talked briefly.
Tonight probably go to Ken's petition party at Empire, meet some political types---got to get back into that...later....

feeling good....

excellent session with Alem (second grade, NEST) on math. They have a very advanced program; she is doing work that some fifthgreades are just getting to. Rest of day...? Thought I might try Nostalghia at BAM, but remembered this is Bushwick open house weekend. Probably will go out there later today (even with the heat) and wander around. After that find a place to watch one of the games.
Last night---baseball immersion at Standings--somehow it is always better in theory then what happens. By the time two hours rolls around pretty exhausted---I guess there is just so much the mind can take in.
Yet now have become accustomed to bars with televisions ad infinitum. Only one game on one TV?
Impossible!
One more tutoring scheduled for tomorrow---also the EST play, looking forward to seeing D. Margolies
act, feel very connected to him, even though we are not much more than casual friends. We will continue....