so I will take....

my friend Bob's advice and (possibly) extend this blog. But first, the meeting with two old friend, Bob, whom I first met in 1957, and Jim, my first (and only) college roommate, whom I first met in 1960. Both men are happily married, both live in a suburb of Washington DC, both were staying at hotels or bed and breakfasts that were within two blocks of each other and within four blocks of my apartment. This lead to a lot of walking through the neighborhood.
First, Bob, a really good conversation about Medicare benefits, among others (conversations, that is), he appreciated my suggestion for a rebate for those receiving benefits who only see their doctors once a year with no referrals after the first visit. Spoke a lot about other things going on as well. Wandered through the eastern part of the upper west side, where we went over the history of it commenting on the blocks that we wandered through, as I mentioned that many of the now beautiful brownstones that adorn each block were once rooming houses, often for addicts and criminals, and real estate on the upper west side was extremely cheap in the late sixties and early seventies.
Sunday morning, a brunch with Jim, both of us have solid memories, spoke a bit about our Hopkins experience, talked a lot about the state of the theater, which, to my surprise, Jim was very aware of. Also discussed politics, "faux liberalism" or perhaps a better way of saying it would be entitled liberalism, or narcissistic liberalism. Again, ended the visit with a walk through the very same streets that the night before I had strolled with Bob.
Sunday afternoon, headed to cobra club in bushwick, Dorian, the bartender is always friendly, watched a bit of the football game, and had an interesting conversation with Lauren and Steve, a couple who live near the bar.
Debated whether to see a play by a playwright whom I casually know at Brick, after much self-debate went to see it---glad I did, not so much because I liked it (did not really) but because it is now out of my way in terms of things to see. Just going through what is out there that has interest (amazing!)
Today, will go to party at Bushwick Starr (benefit that is). No subbing today makes it totally possible for me to attend. Before that my go to graduate center at CCNY to see project of seven black playwrights writing monologues about being stopped and frisked. Should be interesting.....