just got the news...

that exterminating crew will return to my apartment on Saturday morning (had to talk them out of Friday) to continue spraying. Wendell, the exterminator chief is very brusque, seems like he gives me orders, really annoyed by this. The woman upstairs who has also had her apartment sprayed by his people seems to get along with him okay-----maybe he just relates better to women then to men, but am really annoyed by his insistence on things, no asking, really irks me. Again will have to leave the apartment for a few hours (I would do this anyway) but will come back to some things thrown around, that I am sure of. Have to take all my valuables (card, statements etc.) with me.
   Yesterday, saw The Royale. I saw this as an obligatory visit since I know Rachel and John (she directed it and he is in it) but to my surprise, I was blown away by it---amazing performances from the five actors---great subtlety as well as rage from Khris Davis---the play is extremely well written. Rachel allows her actors to create freely, also was amazed by the scenery by my friend Nick and the sound by Matt, also someone that I know. The play really confronts the pain of racism and the ambivalence of black success outside of the community. The fascinating thing was that the audience was almost completely white and middle aged, a group that in my opinion is rather passive on racial matters, yet a majority of the audience was deeply, deeply moved at the curtain, they stood spontaneously---there was a real hunger in this audience to show its appreciation. An odd pairing, but nevertheless a totally truthful one. How do we resolve all these contradictions? How can serious "white" people show more rage and frustration at what is happening racially in this country.
   Waited for John afterwards, we spoke briefly, he had to go somewhere, shared my feelings with him, his companion, a woman who knew both he and Rachel from their days at NYU  kind of deflected my passion. But John was very warm, maybe can talk to him or others involved in the play again.
  Afterwards, decide a full meal, (not a pizza slice) was in order; headed to Irish bar that used to be All State Cafe---kind of expensive, stuffed myself with Buffalo wings (I was hungry but this was the cheapest thing on the menu) and watched ends of Yankee and Mets game. Had a nice time, but no real contact with anyone there (that is par for the course for this bar---if I wanted contact would have had a better chance of getting it at the Dive Bar on 96th and Amsterdam, just did not want to travel that far.
Tonight, after sessions, am free, just heard about a meeting for SOS Crown Heights on Eastern Parkway, would love to go, but may have session at that time, we will see----otherwise feel that I am played out, as far as seeing things goes, should spend some time hanging out with people, maybe, if I am not too tired will go to Brooklyn...we will see...