tough day.....

yesterday, eighth period with eighth graders was difficult---a lot of acting out---but should give myself credit for reading some of Annie John and leading a short discussion of it for seventh period,
seventh grade. Have not posted since Thursday, Friday, got a surprise call to sub for sixth grade science, also worked yesterday (you know that)---but what happened on the weekend?
Saturday: All day at Friends---reunion, saw many students whom I knew from classes of 2010, 2009, and 2005 (my first class, actually) Nice to remembered by Sabrina from that class for the time when I "gave'
her sixth grade class answers to a vocabulary test, created by Heather Cross. Did not really "give' them the answer, but game them sentences that helped explain the word---ah well, a good time was had by all, I think. Nice to see some of the 2009 kids there, had some good conversations with students who did not come to their reunion last year.. Left feeling good--had other things to do, a play created by Jeremy at a Church on 86th street that Jake, a senior at Friends was participating in. Nice to see how committed he was, the play---or performance piece---can't really say what it was, was a little scattered. Finished about 8:30, tired but had to run down to La Flaca to wish my friend Bob happy birthday--a long trip and did not stay long, but really appreciate what friendship means, and know that even my just stopping in meant a lot to Bob, whom I have known now for just about 15 years, and who, in his own way, is responsible for bringing me back into theater (more about that some other time).
Sunday, day was my own, knew that I was going to Brooklyn that evening for discussion and short play about lynching at Jack, spent the afternoon in the Bronx, first at Bronx Museum of the Arts, and then walked from there (165th street and Concourse) to Mount Eden and Jerome (about 175th street). On those blocks, even on the Concourse, one could see and feel the poverty of the people walking the street.This neighborhood (which de Blasio seeks to upzone in his plan for affordable housing) was totally black and hispanic, did not see one white face on the whole journey. Take from that what you may. Photographer who was shown in Bronx Museum said parents lived in that neighborhood through 1982---would have been fascinating to hear his story of how they survived the brutal changes the neighborhood went through in the late sixties and seventies. But he died a few years ago, and photographs are not too revealing.
Tired after trip, very hot, but went to Jack (the performance space on Waverly and Fulton) anyway, took A to Nostrand, long walk to Waverly, had a good cup of coffee which perked me up---then the short anti-lynching play (read by some very good actors) and then a long and passionate discussion with the woman who has written about these plays, a professor from Ohio. Really felt focused re all the issues brought up, cruelty to people because of their color, my own place in the "battle"; what the whole civil rights history has brought us to now. Left feeling very invigorated, five hours earlier was exhausted, now, in the really beautiful Spring evening, could walk down Fulton from Washington to where the street bonds with Lafayette Avenue.
Pizza at normal Pizza place then returned home via subway.
Tonight, after session am planning to see the play at Here written by Sarah Farrnington---whose work I have seen and liked previously. Still a tremendous amount to see this week---also it will be over early, so time to check out some baseball, maybe visit Merlin at South Fourth. Later