bushed....

after yesterday's time at Friends and then two (one unexpected) sessions. Came home at around 7 and collapsed. No work today---the first day off from Friends that I have had since Wednesday April 20th. Kind of like it, a vast expanse of time and thought at my disposal. Need a little space.
 About the past weekend, did not get out of Manhattan, even though the plan was to go to Brooklyn both days. But with a lot of time on my hands Saturday early afternoon, found myself taking 145th crosstown bus to the Bronx, and standing on 149th street and Grand Concourse. Bronx Museum which is located on 165th street and Concourse was my destination---so a long walk was in order. Actually stopped by newly built "mall" adjacent to Yankee Stadium (really packed and cramped) and then walked down Walton Avenue, the block one block west of the Concourse. Of course, memory took over, tried to imagine the street as it had been in the fifties and early sixties, when the neighborhood was all white and mostly Jewish. Tried to pinpoint the moment that change had begun. When? Around 66 or 67? Remember being bowled over when I heard that an elderly man was murdered in the neighborhood during a robbery, and that there were now "patrols" during the night to keep the area safe. This was in March of 67, and I was startled by this; could not believe that this area which I had always assumed so peaceful and safe was being stalked by predators, or undergoing change. Anyway continued my walk up Walton to 165th, all the people I passed were black and hispanic; thought about what it might be like to live in the neighborhood now. Arrived at Museum and had some coffee and cookies---not much to look at in the exhibits, then walked east a bit to Sherman and Sheridan avenue to see what that was like. About the same as Walton, remember that in camp Merrimont in 1954, made a friend named David Arnauer, visited him at his home on Sherman, right where I was on Saturday, in May of 55, we played stick ball in the school yard by his house, again all were Jewish at that point. Returned home to find out that in Cleveland, Gil MacDougald had just hit a line drive that knocked out very promising Cleveland pitcher Herb Score. MacDougald said that if Herb Score was blinded by hit (he wasn't) that he would quit baseball. Strange memories, seem so vivid, can't seem to get rid of them.
  Took D and C home, stopped to rest on benches opposite West 81street apartments, ran into Friends student Evan, we stopped and talked for a while, good conversation, glad we met up, then returned home feeling very tired. Slept and then challenged myself to go out to Bushwick to see Flako's project, but just could not make it. Ended up watching movie of Reflections in a Golden Eye, at Bunin---kind of obvious in the beginning but very fascinating and intense as the movie progresses.
Liz Taylor is all over the place, Brando seems to be doing a parody in the beginning of the movie, but his performance gets more believable as the movie moves closer to its end. Looks about 30, can't believe this was only about 6 years before he made Godfather. Interesting scene between Taylor and Julie Harris (a stage icon at that time)---you can see the different techniques of the two actresses: Taylor---just out there---Harris, receiving more and relating from that, more quiet, but the two actresses really jell nicely. Tired after the movie, just went home.
  Sunday, uneventful, had a session in the morning, thought that I would go out to Crown Heights for a program entitled Anthology, but again, found myself tired---rested in afternoon, decided around 6 that the only movie I could see should be in the neighborhood, settled for A Hologram for the King, Tom Twyker movie starring Tom Hanks. Very competently made, many shots of Saudi Arabia and its environs. All things equal glad that I saw it---returned home and prepared for day at Friends.
  Not sure about tonight, see how much energy I possess as the day continues, will let you know...