One more day....

before I return to Friends, have a busy day tomorrow, around 6 periods---two teachers to cover, probably (given my luck) will have a few more, which I can't. Somewhat surprised at not being called today, because weather was said to be gruesome, but actually when I went outside, found it to be negotiable.
Just saw Keith Reddin in library, good guy---playwright, actor would like to check in with him.
Tonight is supposed to be really bad, though.
Just rejoined Audience Extras, they actually have some good stuff available today, and for the weekend, yet still ambivalent, maybe would prefer to see a movie.
Yesterday, balmy weather, visited cousin Kara in the slope (she has lived on Warren Street off fifth since 1991). Houses on that block seemed to have been redone, some are kind of beautiful, remember the early days of visiting her there while Eli was a kid, approached the block with some trepidation, kind of a no man's land then, fifth avenue kind of barren in the early nineties--still nothing ever happened, was totally safe.
Walking along fourth avenue, remember the days of walking there in the late eighties, pretty barren, low lying, safe but not a street you really wanted to be on, now at least four high rise apartment houses on the block, a few bars (that we knew), walked through it as I went to FUREE meeting on DeGraw.
   FUREE meeting centered around problems and feelings about living in NYCHA (the projects); not as involved as I was in the past, nevertheless, joined a committee to explore developers taking over parking lots on NYCHA ground---see how that turns out, don't have too much time for it, but will try to help.
Despite joining the extras, my gut tells me that I might enjoy seeing Spike Lee's latest movie more, time is good, as is location (Bunin theater). If it is cold, should be close to home....well, we will see, plenty to do in the next four weeks....

scenes from the....

weekend; Saturday night, went to William Greaves project at Film Center, interesting, solid documentary about emergency room in Montreal, around 1957, beautifully shot, then somewhat bland doc about America, then short about Harlem Renaissance, and brief discussion. Not bad, a little cold, then returned home---Sunday, freezing day, able to get in two movies, move around the city, wanted to see last Five Years, but train was slow, ended up at Angelica (conveniently near subway) and saw Inherent Vice---enjoyed it even if it somewhat (knowingly) copies other noir movies of the past, nevertheless Anderson endows the screen with full and bravura colors, so that every frame is basically vivid. Movie seems to have several places where it could end....after that up to Lincoln Center, faced with choice to go to another movie or go home, which I did not want to do. Chose to see Ballet 422, about the 2013 making of a ballet for City Ballet, by Justin Peck. Good choice, enjoyed the movie, still love the process of putting a work of art together, but the doc was a perfect complement to Anderson's movie, totally different stylistically, documentary instead of narrative, which was the contrast I needed.
Monday, not much, still cold, mind seemed to be filled with visions, did not want to see another movie, just read a bit--stayed home in the evening, chose a Greek place on Broadway and 94th Street rather than a bar to go in and have a sandwich. Some days just not very bar oriented.
Yesterday saw the massive performance of The Iceman Cometh---such a powerful and hungry play, overwhelming, final moment a picture of hell on earth. Very stong! Returned home around 1, slept right through to 7, very odd for me.
Return to Friends on Friday, maybe tomorrow, depending on if I am needed...not sure what next on "to see" list, a lot of interesting things out there, and friends who are doing plays all over the city.

the bad and the.....

the good.
The bad: see yesterday's blog.
The good: had enough energy to go to the games (basketball) and then the play at Columbia.IF I had subbed, probably would have only been able to go to the game, would have gone to play today, but yesterday was at the same performance as Lynn Nottage---playwright who came into my mind when I saw Losing Ground last week. Said hello to her and mentioned the film and the "Tell It Like It is"  festival at Lincoln Center. She wasn't aware of it, looked it up on the internet, and told me she would try to check Losing Ground out. Happy about that--it is such a wonderful movie---I am recommending it to everyone I meet, especially women. Also watched Lucy work (in the play). Always enjoy watching her perform, Eliza too, those were the two women I know in the student play, which is why I came.
Gym where Friends played its games is amazingly enough located on 109 street and first avenue. Never over there, even though it was freezing, pushed myself to look around, amazing how that far east, there are still some new buildings that cater to the "young professionals".  Should take some time later when it is warmer to wander around there a bit. Left the gym at 7; goal was to get to Columbia in an hour---avoided cabs on first.
Would you believe it! Walked in that freezing weather from 109th street and first to 110th street and fifth! Then took cab to Broadway, about six blocks but cost me with tip, $11.00 dollars! Ran in for some pizza before heading to theater.
Plans after afternoon are vague because of weather warnings for tomorrow, apparently will be a cold like we have never seen, certainly these last few days have been bad enough, must find some solid reading matter in library---nothing at home really turns me on---despite the cold, fantasizing checking out  a play tomorrow, maybe rushing Hamilton, which might be possible in frigid weather. But might be wiser to stay in...will tell all next blog...

disappointed....

when I got to Friends today to pick up my check, found out that one teacher whose classes I had taken during the big splurge of work I had in the last four weeks, was out and had asked someone else to sub for that person....why? Very disappointed, why is there often such a turn off as to what I mean to the school and what the school means to me?  Kids I spoke to were disappointed, I got up early this morning, hoping for a call, know at least two teachers who are out (including that one), what can I say...? Will have to deal with it, yes, I have had a really good run the past four weeks, but still.....leaves me very disappointed.
Yesterday, after library, went to see James Baldwin film at Bunin, very powerful, in the early eighties he predicted what we have now, realized that "tributes" to Dr. King in Atlanta, really hid the current racism and seemed to disarm most of the black (and white) people who fought for it in the sixties. Conversation ensued, but today's issues (police violence, displacement) were only hinted at,  far too many generalizations.
Decided not to see anything after that, came home and made some contacts---then faced with a trip to a bar in the cold, or having coffee and cake around the neighborhood, I chose the latter and brought a book with me to read. Finished quickly and returned home, told myself it was too cold to go up to 148th and Broadway and have a beer at a bar that seems interesting. Mistake...? Very restless for the rest of the evening. Might be faced with the same problem on Sunday, when it is supposed to be very cold. Don't feel like "locking myself up" in the apartment. Being a little too serious, I know, but....
Today's plans: will try to go to basketball games against Dwight, which, ironically enough are at their gym at 108 th street and first avenue. How to get there and stay warm...? Damned if I know, but will try, hopefully a little warmer by then, afterwards will try to shoot across town and see the play at Columbia theater program. Almost on the other side of Manhattan, but no bus goes straight through. A great problem to have on a fine spring day, but not a great one for this cold weather. Well, we will see.
Kara contacted me, money coming in, also might have a lot of tutoring during the week to come....

what to do....?

a report about the neighboring area around Barclays---Park Slope where a shop owner has seen her rent triple in the last couple of years---very depressing---wish something could be done.
Other reports: worked at Friends yesterday, long and hard (almost seven periods) wonder if there will be work there tomorrow, which from what I gather from weather reports will be a very cold day. Anyway, must go in and pick up my check.
Went to the play at Manhattan theater club that Eric directed, got a chance to say hello to him briefly afterwards---not wanting to criticize his work  an interesting playwright with the capability to write strong scenes---but the production was extremely cold---a lot of scenery moving---five out of six actors moving from role to role---but that just called attention to itself. Not sure if MTC actually "demands" a certain kind of production from its playwrights and directors.
Today, wanted to see Dillon's piece, but it is not on TDF---should I go down there and try to see it anyway, only $9.00 more, not so much---would like to show my support, but it is supposed to be extremely cold. Not sure.
Today is totally free---movie this afternoon? Lincoln Center is playing a film in which James Baldwin looks back on the civil rights struggle---should see it---always fascinated by that man---and the issues---not sure how it fits in with today's time being used.
That should be about it.....long weekend ahead, much to do and see, but apparently the cold is going to be brutal, so I doubt that I can visit South Fourth on Sunday, much too far away from the train. Where else...?

A little scared....

because I just answered a Hopkins Magazine questionaire, stating that a talk that I would give at a university would deal with the disconnect between accepting large contributions from alumni, and some of the deeds (not so pretty) that same alumni has done to innocent people. I know it is anonymous and the magazine is not connected to the university, it is independent, but...somehow still nervous.
Anyway, it is done, let's leave it at that---did attend Kristof and Charmayeff lecture at Friends, nice scenes from their movie, and talk about compassion, giving to others to change things---I definitely do that with my students---also movie had the presence of former President Clinton, I thought that was a little disingenuous, since fighting poverty and helping the disenfranchised is is antithetical to his demolishion of Glass Stegall.
Nevertheless, there he was in the movie, as was Mia Farrow (but not Philip Roth). Still, left feeling fired up about helping others, participating etc. No bar visits after that, it was very cold, all I could do was to grab a piece of Pizza and head home.
Today will finally see the play that Eric Ting has directed at MTC Wonder if he will be there, should be, it is still early in previews, hope to say hello. At this given moment there seems to be an inordinate amount of theater off and off off Broadway that interests me---won't go into the names,  wonder how much i will actually see. Must see Dylan's play and the play at Columbia that Lucy and Eliza are in. The less I work the more time in the evening that is available to me, but made a good deal of money in the last four weeks, so should be able to handle it...more info later.

strange two days.....

after lesson on Saturday afternoon, proceeded to Jack (performance space) in Brooklyn for play that was highly recommended to me by another playwright who I like and trust. Good idea for I saw lots of people there that I knew, and found out about another project at Columbia Grad school that will be next week. But the play was indulgent and overlong---last twenty or so minutes really got me angry, almost told them off while the play was going on, but did not. Anyway, afterwards, was intrigued by a new bar right around the corner from Jack, thought I would go in and have a beer, but was intimidated by large and mostly young crowd, decided not to, then not sure of what to do, finally took
Fulton Street bus west to around BAM, had a nice slice of pizza but then again decided not to top it off with a beer at Mullanes (a bar near there) Have been getting very uptight re going into bars that look intriguing from the outside, but then when it is time to explore......Anyway, returned home, had some cheesecake (really good but unnecessary) and went to bed.
On Sunday, had cancellations on my own, saw great movie, Losing Ground at Walter Reade, intelligent, beautifully acted (great performance by Seret Scott) very stimulating.
Afterwards not sure of what to do, how much to spend, Original idea was to return to Jack where they were having some readings of anti lynching plays, written in the early twentieth century. Did not do it, felt tired, rested a while, then when it was time to go out, opted for Toast, a bar restaurant near Columbia; I used to be a regular there around 2004-05. Bar was empty, watched basketball, bartender nice but distant, none of the other staff members seemed interested, second visit in a week, nice energy but kind of a cold place, though of course it all depends on who is sitting near you...can't control that, anyway spend most of time on my own. Must remember to push myself to go out to "my" bars in Brooklyn, where the people are more friendly, even if I am tired. Will be better as the cold lets up. Returned home, no calls from Friends, went to bed.
Had strange dream----I am tutoring in an apartment on Tremont Avenue and Grand Concourse, Bronx, an area where, when I was young, was all white. Now is mostly black and lower class, I am about to leave, aware that I will be waiting for a bus alone in an all minority area, not scared by the idea, but the mother of the child I tutor, suggests that I wait to get a lift from two friends of hers, one of whom I see is white. As I consider her request, I realize that I am not going back to Manhattan where I live now, but am planning to take another bus at Fordham Road (it runs perpendicular to Concourse) to the apartment on Thwaites Place that I was born in. Strange! What does it mean...?
Still kind of rocked by it.
Today, after Genesis, will go to Friends and see Kristof and Charmayeff speak at 7. After that....

amazing...have never....

done that---made a wrong reservation for a play. On Tuesday at Friends, thought that I was going to see the World of Extreme Happiness at MTC on Saturday, only today, did I realize that the reservation had been made for Wednesday past, I am now out of $33.00---really strange and uncomfortable, I have never done this before---well tonight at least is now free--will probably go to Brooklyn to Jack to see The Harpur Play---get that obligation out of the way, also like going to Brooklyn. Try not to be too angry at yourself, cityboy, the world has not come to an end, still I wanted to say hello to Eric Ting and will probably miss him if I see the play later in the run. Bummer!
Tired from the last few days, body has a few minor "aches" today before Brooklyn will probably be a simple day, only one assignment, so far. Last night, returned home from good two period work day at Friends, very tired, after staying for Middle School play---led  a good discussion of a Robert Browning poem, that is very interesting.
Tomorrow, not sure-------some free time after early session in Brooklyn, do not have to run back, might visit my "haunts" in Bushwick and Williamsburg, yet how do you get to Bushwick from southern Crown Heights, should be an interesting attempt, if that is what I choose to do. Have not been to South Fourth in two weeks, should check in, would like to see how everyone is doing there.
Not much else to say, David seems to be doing better, undergoing rehab, spoke to him briefly on Thursday, seems to be dealing with it well will call him early next week.

David is....

doing better, after an operation on Tuesday; I have yet to talk to him, will probably do so today---this is the first in five days that I have not worked at Friends, last three days mostly subbed for Bob Rosen, the Jazz teacher---heard a lot of jazz, interesting I seem to feel more comfortably immersed in the jazz idiom than ever before---exposure to it have been very positive. Will I visit some jazz places in the city...? Probably not, schedule is crowded enough as it is. Still, far too many things to do in the evenings.

After lesson today, may attend a reading in Brooklyn, or see a movie, not sure, the cold may enter into it. Tomorrow a short day (so far) at Friends, the weekend is as usual, fairly crowded. Not much else to say at this point....