just looked at...

to sections of Baltimore on googlemaps. First the Fallsway, outside a homeless shelter where a murder happened yesterday. The second, East Pratt and South Exeter, what looks to me like a newly gentrified section of the city near Fells Point. Must admit I loved the calm and ease that I saw in the second picture. Certainly a place in Baltimore that I might want to be in---nothing to remind me of the chaos and intense poverty of  Sandtown Winchester or several other poor neighborhoods in the city.But is not that the problem (or one of them, anyway). Who are we, who are not involved in the day to day life of that city, who are not part of the power structure that created and allowed these terrible neighborhoods to live this way. Who are we? What can we do?
Strange day, very warm, not much humidity, easy to enjoy. Have work on Friday at Friends, but will there be more? Hard to accept after the much varied activity there of the first few weeks after the break. Subs (or at least me) have a tendency to think, especially after being used a lot, that there is no such thing as a day when all teachers are present. So if one is not called, there must be others who are.  Now that is just the vision---not saying it is true. We will see what happens.
Yesterday, two good sessions, especially with the first student Robert. One session today. Since I am not subbing, this means that I might be rested for tonight, and might finally visit Merlin on his late shift at South Fourth. Have not since first Tuesday of the Spring break. Would be nice just to "hang" there for a while.
Last night, very tired, after the two sessions, did not do much but rest, took a nice walk down to Lincoln c
Center and enjoyed the weather.
Made a reservation to visit Baltimore on the weekend of June 6th (right before graduation). Will see Marley, the musical that my friend Michael is in, and visit with Robin, probably not much time for anything else, will consider where to stay as the weeks get closer, wonder if there will be lower rates for hotels and others because of the activity taking place.
Will be worked out soon...