just rsvp'd....

for a discussion on racism to be held tomorrow night at a synagogue in Park Slope. Sponsored by the Council Person from that area. I of course, don't live in Park Slope (slept over a few times there in the seventies) but I assume I can come anyway. Will I be turned away if I reveal I am from the upper west? I doubt it, but if so, can always get in on a trivia game at a bar in Williamsburg. But I hope to participate.
Yesterday, turned out to be a very odd day and evening. By 6:30 felt tired, and so made no attempt to go to see anything, yet by 7:30 revived. Where to go, how much stamina left for the evening? Checked out movies around Lincoln Center, some possibilities, but not too excited. Saw a bus going east on 65 street. Why not take it across town and visit the world of the upper east side, a world I very rarely visit. So I did--got off at 5th and 66th street. Immediately walked east. Before Madison, saw some small apartment houses with mail boxes. Thought to myself: "In 65, or 66, you could have gotten a very cheap apartment there, and under certain logic, could still be living there to this day, depending on the history of the building. Amazing concept! Yet still a possibility. Rents even in that area in the mid to late sixties were accessible to young people (this would end soon after) and the rent control system meant that the low rentals would remain in place. Strange vision, yet it remains in my mind.
Continued east to first---wandered down first to 72nd street. First avenue all high rises and luxury in that area now. As I walked east, still wondered at the "tenements" that still remain on the side streets. Again, people my age probably moved in around the late sixties or seventies and have still remained there as rent stabilized tenants. Interesting contrast on the whole upper east side from 59th to 96th between the luxury and the tenements that sometimes sit side by side. Who lives there now? Could not get a bead on that from the trip last night. Anyway, hopped a first avenue bus at 72nd street to about 83rd. Made my way west, again checking out the architecture on the side streets until I hit the Barnes and Noble on 86 street and Lexington. Remained there for about an hour, browsing until the store closed. Saw some books I would really like to read, but since money is a bit tight now, refrained from buying them (would have to have used my credit card---want to keep that low for now)
Last part of trip: Lexington from 86th street to 79nth. Street fairly quiet---not a great deal of foot traffic- when I returned to the upper west around 79nth and walked home to 76th, could feel the contrast between the upper west and the upper east. Broadway not too crowded either, but a very different energy.
Today, not much happening until BAN meeting at 6:30, Will try to occupy myself fruitfully until then---afterwards, depending on how much energy that I have left, will determine where to go.
That's all for now....