Great evening.....

at the Met, last night---a complete performance of Nabucco, Verdi's third opera, conducted brilliantly by James Levine and performed by a great cast. What an opera! More comprehensive and detailed than I ever expected---I thought that like a lot of Verdi's early operas, I would find a brilliant moment, followed by a kind of "oom pah pah" stretch, but it never happened. The music is inspired from beginning to end. The opera also fascinates because its two parts (as performed at the Met last night) seem like two different operas, the first battle focused and intense, the second, meditative and redemptive. It all focuses around Nabucco being struck by a bolt of lighting, towards the end of the first part---then from all powerful and vengeful he becomes disoriented and later full of peace and forgiveness. It is known that Verdi always wanted to make an opera out of King Lear----but scenes from the second part of the opera, almost seem like Lear scenes. It made me want to listen carefully to all of Verdi's other operas, that he wrote before Louisa Miller, which, I think precede Verdi's three "early" operas, Trovatore, Rigoletto and La Traviata. Much to think about---really a transcendent experience!
Not much else to report since last post-----tonight, the long awaited New Year's Eve; I expect to repeat last year's pattern: begin around 8:30 at South fourth and probably around 11, jump on the J crossing to Essex, where La Flaca is. Will celebrate New Year's there---however I am keeping things open and everything is subject to change. Will let you know...

here in Brooklyn..

I sit in the big library at Grand Army Plaza. First visited the Weeksville Center, looking for the Bric Biennielle that they have there. But the place was closed---very cold, nevertheless interesting just walking around the area---from Utica and Fulton to Buffalo and Bergen. A few really interesting bus trips that I should take that could show me more about that area---hope to have the time to do that. But there is so much to do. Tonight I am going to see Nabucco at the  Met---very anxious to hear this early Verdi (his third opera) piece. Essentially this will be my first time seeing it.
Yesterday, an interesting day---went down to Metrograph and saw Point Blank, the 1967 film directed by John Boorman and starring Lee Marvin. The movie has a cult following---a great reputation---I enjoyed it and found it engrossing, but was not overwhelmed by it. Lots of violence, though possibly justified---the first part of the movie takes place both in real time and flashbacks, this changes in the second part, which seems to be straight  narrative. I wonder if the producers panicked at the idea of too many flashbacks and insisted during production (or after an early screening) that the plot be clearer. Anyway, enjoyed my stay at Metrograph, despite the upuscale vibe of the dining room, every time I go there I feel more at home.
After that, went to La Flaca, very glad that I did, had a good talk with Bobby, my friend the owner (this is our seventeenth year of freindship, unbelievable)  and also some good interaction with Jim, the father of the boy friend of Sam, the bartender. We went over several topics, he seems to be a very open person. Maybe some more contact in the future. Bobby reinerated his invite for tomorrow night, will probably show up there at some point, though my plan is now to start off at South Fourth.  Last year I had a nice "mini-adventure" there between 10 and 11, maybe this will repeat itself this year.
After La Flaca, went to Elephant and Castle, a village restaurant without a TV (and no bar), so it is easy to read there. Had their tuna fish and guacamole sandwich; it is good, but $12.00 (actually $13.07 with the tax.) After the tip to waiter Tony, and very nice guy who knows me from the restaurant, it came to a little over $15.00. Wow! What is New York's future, if prices remain this high? We must discuss Commercial Rent Control in this election. Despite that, I returned home feeling upbeat---I had given myself a good day.
That is all for now...will report on the opera and other things tomorrow.

what to do....

cityboy the idealist planned to go to Brooklyn this morning, specifically Weeksville (Buffalo Avenue and Bergen, for the uninformed) where part of the BRIC Bienielle is taking place, this one more focused on the effects of gentrification in the Bed Stuy-Crown Heights neighborhoods. It should be photographs, paintings, some musings, I expect---sounded like something that I really wanted to do, but woke up without a lot of energy, and now, at around 11, feel the same way. Will I make it? Well, there is always tomorrow and the exhibit runs until next week. We will see.
 Also today the Metrograph Cinema is showing Point Blank, a 1967 movie, with Lee Marvin, directed by John Boorman. The movie has become a kind of legend in its time, on paper about a theif who gets to Alcatraz, but behind that something more. Really want to see it, three chances today only,. hope that I make it.
 Yesterday, had one session, really productive with one of my students---he is a third grader who needs a lot of help with math concepts. I really enjoy the challenges of working with him. Besides that, not much. After Tuesday night's "adventures" , was tired so simply returned home and spent the rest of the evening there. Yesterday, however, did reveal one important revelation: There is a coffee place that just opened on Broadway, and 142nd street, west side. Just another coffee place, with everyone at their computers, etc. you get the picture. But wait! This coffee place has everything, and I mean everything, priced at $2.00. Yes you heard me right, two dollars. Had a nice omelet croissant there yesterday, really filled me up, I should be making many return visits.
That is it for now. The plan for tomorrow is to try to see Nabucco at the Met---that's Friday, and then The Eve. Will be moving around for that one...will report tomorrow...

interesting night....

last night, as the plan was to go to South Fourth and watch a free movie. But no movie this Tuesday because, Mark, the movie person-barista who chooses the movies was apparently off. Still all my
"regular" friends were there, and also a charming bartender named Melissa. so a good time was had by all. Friend H, offered me a computer (she apparently has many of them) but for the moment I said "no" Wonder what it would be like, would it open up a "Pandora's Box"  for my imagination. Will let it rest for now, though as the new year continues, might be ready to deal with it. But the important thing was that the conversation was strong, and I felt really wanted at the "fourth".
  Left at about 8:15, still had room in my stomach for a beer, the original plan was to go to the Starr Bar, the bar on Starr Street (of course) across the street from the Bushwick Starr, that is affiliated with Mayday Space, the Bushwick activist center that has its main spaces in a church near by on DeKalb. At first I thought I was too tired, but as I hit the L, I talked myself into it. Good thing I did, the bar was quiet (so were a few other bars in Bushwick that I passed on the way) but met a nice bartender named Sam, a puppeteer, who bartends. She also bartends at Jalopy, a  bar about as far away from Bushwick as possible (Columbia Heights)  and we talked about travel options from Bushwick to there, and from where she lives in Bed-Stuy. Then joined a conversation with a friend of hers , Paul, visiting from New Hampshire, where he lives. We talked about differences between the quiet and beauty of New Hampshire (which he has found he likes) and the city. Nice conversation, finally left and outside spoke to Anna, actually one of the founders of Mayday (both the space and the bar).
We briefly spoke about the upcoming Mayoral and City Council elections and how the activists of the  space might get involved. I briefly went through my litany of the Mayor's "giving and taking" which she agreed. I mentioned the sale of the Brooklyn Heights Library to create high rise condos, which the Mayor was good with; I was really surprised that she did not know about this. It's interesting what information people allow themselves to take in---I have always seen this event as a demonstration of  the power of the development class--its domination over the Mayor and other city elected officials. At any rate, this conversation made me feel more committed to get involved with Mayday activities---we will see where it leads.
Today, after a session, will probably visit "the twins", my acting friends who are servers at Lansdowne Road. I have not seen them for some time; I am assuming they will not be away for the holidays. Anyway, will report on all tomorrow.

And what of Monday.....

just lost a post (it disappeared somehow) which was all about travels through Brooklyn on Monday. Had to get out of Manhattan, too limited, so went early to South Fourth to have coffee with the terrific barista named Jimmy. Just what I needed, good conversation, lots of jokes, then joined by a few other customers who were very conversational. Left feeling very good, really "concretized"  (my possibly made up word)  enjoying what I had. A stay a little later at the Cave, a large coffee place on Flushing, on the Bushwick border) was less successful but did read the Times---place is very big, one can stay there and read forever (you probably don't even need to order anything) , but poor desert selection. Time to look for a Payless since in the morning I had discovered that my shoes had run out. But first I stopped at Cobra to say good by to barista Adam, and hang a bit there. Good conversation with Eric, who actually is a manager at South Fourth, about books that we are currently reading. No Payless in Bushwick (sounds like a good title for a short story) so took the DeKalb bus into Bed-Stuy, got off at Nostrand, then walked about 10 blocks north to Fulton where I knew I could find a store.
Ten block walk was fascinating (what walk in Bed Stuy isn't?)  Signs of gentrification on Nostrand are few, though as one gets closer to Fulton, brownstone streets do look amazing. Interesting, because Nostrand is part of western Bed Stuy, the closest to Clinton Hill---still prices of brownstones there are sky high---let's not talk about that right now.
  The Payless on Fulton had a poor selection of shoes for me, but must have the shoes. I knew that in the Church Avenue-Flatbush section of Brooklyn that I could find another Payless, so took the bus on Nostrand and segued from Bed Stuy to Crown Heights, to Flatbush, got off at Carleton and began my walk around this neighborhood, one that, if my parents had taught in Brooklyn, I might have easily lived in. Very quickly came to a Payless, found the shoes at the right price---then continued my walk west on Church, hit Flatbush Ave. very soon---determined to get to the Q train, about six blocks west. Stopped on East 21 street, a street with many art deco apartments---like the one I was raised in. Tried to imagine---what? An all Jewish neighborhood in the fifties? Stick ball in the street during the spring and summer. We get further and further away from these memories as we get older. But how to do it---that is how to tell the whole story of a generation that began there or began as I did in the Bronx. Mostly homogenius neighborhoods---at least 90 % Jewish, mostly middle class or lower middle class (mixed). So what is their story, where are they now, very few still living where they were raised, though some have returned very prosperous (that is another story)  Always haunted by these trips back into the "old" neighborhod, but can I do anything with it?  Will be determined at some later date, rest of the day was stopping by BAM, decided not to see a movie, then visited new Alamo movie house---found it very off putting---lost my hat (really annoyed by that---will buy a new one later today) probably lost among the new and obnoxious high rises that are all over downtown Brooklyn now. Returned home, and promised myself I would find a bar in the area to watch the last nfl game of the week, but when I entered the apartment found that I could hardly move--fell asleep quickly, and, unlike the other nights where I was restless---sleep was deep--I guess after those long walks really needed it.
 That is all for now---have some plans for the evening, but they are a little hazy---will report tomorrow.

so many ideas.....

are running around my head---the political, the personal, does one exist without the other? Just read a few articles in this month's Brooklyn Rail---all of them centered on the problems within the Democratic Party that lead to Hillary's defeat. Nothing that I did not know or suspect, but good to read them coming from the minds of other people. Yes, Hillary represented a kind of complacency for many "liberals" that got stronger as the other guy acted out. How many of us are discussing just what kind of people she would have brought into her cabinet---what would she really have offered? Well, let's watch carefully what form the new administration takes.
Three days have passed since my last blog was posted.  A strange three days, filled with contrasts. Saturday was about Salome at the Met. Excellent performances by all the singers in an eratic production that did not stop the opera's intensity. The orchestra really dominates, and I think it is impossible that an orchestra could have played better than the Met's did on Saturday. Great conducting made it a strong experience. Actually sat, not stood for this work---had no trouble getting  a ticket in the Family Circle, many foreigners seemed to be in the house. many around me.
The opera ended at 8 (it began at 6) and I was determined to simply not return home. Where to go?
Decided to check out the two back to back bars on Broadway and 148th street, Wallace's and Harlem Public. Wallace's was closed, Harlem public serving beer but not food, which was just what I needed. The bartender very nice, place filled without about 8 regulars, who were doing their thing. (If you are a bar person, you know what that is) One patron is a well meaning but annoying guy who bothered me, and has in the past---because of his presence and being tired, had to cut my stay short, but did have a nice conversation with two women sitting next to me, and nice greetings from others. Feel comfortable there.
Sunday, in the morning, determined to see Scorsese's movie Silence---went to the AMC Lincoln Center and got my ticket. Seats were narrow and one had to sit through seven annoying (and mostly violent) previews before the movie began. I know Scorsese has dreamed of making this movie for a long time, its plot is very clear---sometimes it moves slowly but its implications are very serious. Essentially a novice Jesuit in goes to Japan in search of converts, but the government is Buddhist and will kill any found Christian. As the young priest visits, he is greeted by the secret Christians warmly, but soon is discovered, and asked to relent. As he persists on keeping his faith, many of his followers are brutally murdered by the inflexible Buddhist government.  Those powers insist that he relent, and reject his Christian faith. Finally, a confrontation with a turned Priest who has now assimilated himself into the Buddhist way of life and is living comfortably, lets him do his blasphemy---and save four people close to being put to death. He remains in Japan as the other Priest did, assimilated into the Buddhist culture and living well.
    The movie proceeds deliberately until the confrontation scene, there is where the passion of the movie is it is a very strong moment. Many questions about faith and refusing to bend in the face of great pressure. No real surety in this world. Of course it is beautifully filmed, but the violence in the film is real as well. Glad that I saw it--the first of what I hoped would be many movies for this week, though now have only seen one.
  Rest of the day kind of ordinary, did try a new bar-restaurant on 142nd and Broadway, one of a group of four or five new ones on Broadway, which includes Harlem Public. Nice bartender, got to watch some sports, decent people to interact with at the bar, Will come back again. Returned home early, too tired to see another movie, just read and listened to music, successful..?Possibly.
 
 

so just learned,,,,,

that protest outside of the apartment house of the woman in charge of the mayor's economics took place last Sunday---I could have been there, but something tells me that this is too close for comfort. Also very cold, but admire the group for doing this---ironically, when I have the most time, there seems to be the least "activism" to do. Well, there is another protest a week from Wednesday, will probably go to that, because I do not see any conflicts.
Last night, had hoped to go to see the work at Abrons Arts, but was simply too tired. Probably all the activity from Wednesday weighed me down, and so by 6 it was clear that I had to rest. So I slept from around 8 to 12---then awoke, and as often happens, felt extremely active. But what to do? Stomach told me not to have a beer at a bar, so stayed inside---what followed was a long night's journey into day. Lots of thoughts, trying to figure out where to go from here, dealing with the "no plan" of the holiday.
No real plan for the afternoon or evening, a lot of options, just found out about a Leonard Cohen concert in Brooklyn, (at Jalopy, a place that I have never been to in the Columbia Heights area of the borough---a little north of Red Hook. Kind of an event I would love to take a "date' or a well liked companion to, but if I go it will be by myself.
  I am continuing to read Malamud's The Assistant. The more that I get into it, the more I am taken by the writer's creation of the universe of the novel. A drab, closed and depressing street in (I assume) south Brooklyn in the late 40's. You get a  real sense of enclosure from the world Malamud creates. This will be my reading project for the weekend, I also have an anthology of new writing from Pushcart that will counter that if necessary.
 At  Barnes and Noble, found the poem that I was looking for last week at Friends. Very powerful, it is called Holy Night and is by Dan Albergotti. Must not forget it.
 Salome tomorrow at the Met? Possibly, one of what seems to be a million options for the next few days. But hard to single in on any one that really draws me in.
 May not report again until Tuesday, since that is when the libraries reopen, but if something is important, may post from a different spot. Have a good weekend (holiday)

yesterday (continued)...

went to the Christmas Assembly at Friends. Okay, but did not see as many graduates as in the past. Those that I did see were very warm and friendly, however. Then "freedom!" which essentially meant going home and sleeping until I was ready to go to the party in Williamsburg.
  Got to the party at around 7:30. John and his wife's new apartment is in "the burg", near Lorimer, a small apartment house that is surrounded by several of the new buildings that have been built in the last couple (really 10) of years. Some good conversation with John, some friends, and a gentelman who lives in Inwood, and we talked about his neighborhood and what is happening there. Left around 9, nice conversation with another couple from the party with whom I walked to the L train. Felt good about the whole evening, even if I did stuff myself a little too much. I am paying for it now.
  Tonight will go to Abrons to see this project that looks interesting and probably stop in at La Flaca afterwards and see what is happening there.
 Have started to read The Assistant, by Malamud---this will be the second time, the first when I was in college, so far impressed by the way Malamud creates the scene of the poor Jewish grocer and his family, just barely making a living in a neighborhood in Brooklyn.
 Seems to be all I have to say now, will continue reports tomorrow...

have been up since....

4, probably earlier, as I got myself ready to leave for the Whitney where Sibyl was having her solstice pageant. Got out of the apartment around 4:55--took a taxi to the Whitney, maybe the second taxi I have taken all year (maybe the first)  and got there by 5:10. Interesting ride down 11th avenue, saw all the immense buildings that have been created in the last 15 years, an amazing (I guess) influx of money into the city. How did they do it? Or perhaps, how did I not do it?  More to ponder, anyway, the cab cost me $17.00 with tip (what I expected, with very little traffic) and arrived in plenty of time. Sibyl's solstice project was very well attended; I only recognized a few people---expected to see more of Sibyl's "tribe" (ERS etc.) but the project was something that definitely had to be experienced as a single person. How was it? Okay, but fascinating to stand on the Whitney Terrace around 7:10 and watch the sun come up---brilliant colors. Afterwards had some coffee in the lobby and a good conversation with friend Sarah and Susan B, (who runs New Georges) and one of the performers in the pageant. Spoke to her about the evolution of not for profit theater, how the Public got their $1.00 rent of the Astor Building from the city, in return for generating not just art but commerce (bringing people into the neighborhood) as well Am I surprised that this was news to her? Or to many others?  Probably, I just assume that all theater people know this. Anyway, left feeling kind of happy, headed east to find a coffee place (I needed some sugar) and read the Voice. Returned home,and here I am in the Amsterdam Library; will at some point head over to Friends for the Christmas Assembly.
    Last night, kind of odd, no sessions, felt tired from being up so much the night before, but had to do SOMETHING---could not go to far afield, it was cold and I wanted to be rested for the early morning trip, so I ended up at the Dive Bar, probably my "favorite" place on the upper west side.
Had their hummus plate, really very good and not overly filling, also a nice talk with one of the servers, Olivia, who goes to the theater a lot.Watched first half of Knick game there to. Came home and was pretty tired, the rest follows the beginning of this blog.
Tonight, there is a housewarming party in Williamsburg that I will attend---really looking forward to it, expect some really good conversation---they will be mostly "theater people" Then tomorrow, my real holiday begins. It will be nice to have space in front of me---feeling a sense of relief as I look forward to my "freedom" for the next two weeks.Maybe something different---some late night adventures, lots of movies to see, will keep you posted...

a strange and.....

fascinating night. Began with a trip to Franklin Avenue Brooklyn, to a bar called The Drink for a benefit for lawyers representing immigrants. Wanted very much to contribute, but when I arrived there the place was packed, and I saw no one that I knew. Very little room to move, groups seemed comfortable with themselves, so I decided to leave. But to go where? Maybe a bar that I had noticed on Labor Day on Rogers near Park Place, but decided to go with a bar-restaurant that I knew: Soda, the oldest bar on Vanderbuilt and an easy place to be. This meant a long walk from Franklin to Vanderbuilt, about 5 blocks, some of them very long, but, despite the cold, I did it. Only to find that Soda was closed, actually locked shut, so I went to my second choice, Plan B, a sports bar a little closer to Eastern Parkway. Glad I did, the bar tender was very cordial, made me feel at home, and while watching the football game, I met an interesting couple, Sarah and John, who lived in the neighborhood. Had a long talk with them, very productive, a good time was had by all. Around 10 I took the subway back to Manhattan, if the weather had been nicer might have walked around a bit, though the streets around Prospect Heights were pretty empty ( well, it was cold)  Coming home on the subway, felt a sense of excitement---a feeling that I had invented an interesting evening and could do it again. Love the idea of moving around the city and letting things happen spontaneously. Yes, a sense (even in these days) that everything was possible.
   Figured that I would go to sleep immediately, and that is what I did, but I awoke around 1, and found myself incapable of getting back to sleep.Why? Maybe the coffee they made me at Plan B was strong---but maybe I just did not want to sleep. Then I began to fantasize directing a production of West Side Story---trying to explain to the dancers that there were no steps for them to do---all the steps were life. How to do that--how to get back to the power and rage that I experienced when I watched it originally. How to translate that into today's dancers. Thought about breaking them down, interacting---stripping down everything to make them build from the beginning. And of course, as I did this, I thought about Robbins, thought about how West Side Story sits in the middle of Bells Are Ringing and New York export, Opus Jazz. Bells was directed with great efficiency---but no attempt to shape the material to Robbins's "genius"---then the groundbreaking West Side Story, and the NY Export, where the dancers never touched each other---contact seemed to be blocked, a strong comparison to West Side where there was so much physical contact between dancers and the love scenes between Tony and Maria had incredible physical being. Was this a dream I was having, or was it real thoughts in real time? Not sure, but then my mind went back to today's reality, (the Presidency, etc,) and what that meant. Did not get much sleep until around 4:30---worried that today I would be tired, but it does not seem so at this moment. No work today at Friends, possibly tomorrow, but no requests yet. Will go to the Christmas Assembly there anyway, and see all the alumni returning, etc.
   Should have one session tonight, then not sure,but tomorrow morning at 5 I will leave for the Whitney for Sibyl's solstice celebration. It would arrive just when my SS money is coming in, have to take it easy today. Also a house warming party in the evening in Williamsburg----if I don't work I should be able to do all of it, if I do---well might be tired. We will see, as the holiday approaches.

first post in almost....

a week---that is because I worked three days following Tuesday---and too tired Saturday to make much of a dent. Still, a lot has happened, and as we wend our way closer to the actual holiday, there are some meaningful events to report on.
    Saturday night, went to the Brick to see Target Margin's production of The Great God Brown, by O'Neill. Not sure what I expected, in the past, I have felt that there "explorations" have been very director indulgent. Not so here, however, The Great God Brown is a great play, very confrontative--and the four member cast played it straight and passionate. The play is about longing, jealousy, emotional displacement, obsession for the one elusive person that would make one happy. It takes no prisoners and the two male leads, the dreamer and the aggressive builder, were played by two incredibly committed actors. Nothing was spared, this WAS the play, Really glad I went, was mesmerized by it. Afterwards, went to a nearbye bar and chatted with the actors and director. Again, really a terrific theatrical experience.
 Sunday, the usual travels around Brooklyn, watching the football games through about 5, Then I tried out a film group in Chelsea---mixed results. The guest film maker chose a wonderful film---Preston Sturges' Sullivan's Travels---only my second Sturges film, I love his quirky choices, his immediate shifts between slapstick and seriousness, so quick you can hardly notice them. These films are totally unpredictable, I doubt if anyone made films like him. So really glad to see this one, Strange, but despite my enjoyment of the film, really no desire, at this given moment, to watch any of his others. Maybe some other time. Film was shown at the house of the son of two theater icons of the fifties---Rip and Gerry. The downer was the discussions both before and afterwards, the moderator needs more control of the group, and he encourages the participants to bloviate. I really had something important to say about the movie, once it was over, but the moderator kept asking the industry guest who chose the film, silly questions and seemed unaware that the rest of us might have had something to say, Annoying, but may still attend again.
    Today, no work, there is a party for one of the activist groups that is happening tonight in Brooklyn. Will try to attend, no other plans at this point. Tomorrow should be a normal day, and Wednesday is the busy one, starting at 5 A.M. Will explain more later....

calm down....

cityboy. Just got the word that I will be subbing in the English Department on Thursday. Just confirmed. A sigh of relief. Even if it has only been two days of not being called, can't help feeling a little restless. The irony is that yesterday afternoon I made a decision to return home and rest with the rest of the afternoon and evening free. Did not check my e-mail, and of course, I refuse to get a phone with e-mail in it. The offer came in about 5:45, and if I had gotten it and responded to it then, would have had a much easier night than the one that I had.
    And what was the night? Well, just one of reflection---a sort of commitment to "nothing" as it were. Not at all hungry, just tired, probably from the last couple of days--as I mentioned in the last post, the previous week and weekend were pretty hectic---all the moving around from place to place in Brooklyn on Sunday---and the sessions and play on Saturday, well quite a lot. Anyway, whether it was because there was nothing planned or whether it was from sheer exhaustion---I spent most of last night resting. A melancholy evening for sure---heard a nice recording of Beethoven's 1st piano concerto---really liked it--listened to some NPR stuff---felt a little bit in limbo. Strange, all that might have been different had I checked my e-mail, but......also shocked that having eaten very little I was not hungry---had to wait until about midnight to get some food, and even that was something light.
     Nothing much else to report---the week gets more structured starting tomorrow---might want to take a look at the Communist Manifesto, the work that the students will be working on when I sub on thursday. Also, might want to bring in a poem that I really like for the poetry workshop.
  So it seems there may be more to do then I had imagined. We will see.

Monday morning....

bad stomach---probably too much pizza in the last few days---actually that is three out of four meals beginning Saturday night. But what is one to do when out? Faced with the prospect of the "inexpensive" $13.00 bar salad, or the pepironi slice for $3.50. what would you do? That is NY today, no way of getting around it---maybe you can get out with about nine to ten dollars at a "Greek Diner", (if you can find one) but basically if you are cost conscious, pizza is your meal.
Last post Thursday, since then I have ---
1 Friday evening went to Metrograph to see I Am Not Your Negro, the James Baldwin film---obviously very telling---but I am afraid towards the end it gets a bit didactic and repeats the same vision. Surprised to see a short clip from Pajama Game movie as part of Baldwin's vision of a racist America (at least as interpreted by the film maker) but there it was. Afterwards had a beer at the bar in Metrograph's lobby---since I was the only one there, had a nice talk with the bartender--he was black, and he had not seen the movie, or the other movie that Metrograph is showing about music in 1964, the freedom summer, in the south. He seemed comfortable with the "upscale" prices of the restaurant on the second floor. Metrograph continues to stymie me, going there to see a movie seems like an exciting thing to do, but then am floored by its upscale vision of all other things than the movie.
Saturday a heavy session day, then went to see my friend Hannah (she is marvelous) in Elements of Oz, a take on the Wizard of Oz---that looks at the iconic movie from many sides. Really inventive technically---interesting at first, but ultimately for me it ran out of gas. The "thing" itself is fascinating, but does it go beyond that in any way? No real resonance beyond its creation. Said hello to Hannah, afterwards, she seemed happy that I came, will visit with her in January (hopefully).
The play was over by 9:30, thought about going to a bar near the theater (it was near South Ferry) but resisted, walked to Chambers Street from the theater (not a short walk) but could find no where there where I really wanted to go, ended up taking 2 to 14th street--then dilemma, Two Boots or Elephant and Castle, where I could read for a while while I ate. You know what was chosen---the pizza was good, and I was tired enough just to go home after that.
 Yesterday, no plans, but as usual on Sunday, Brooklyn beckoned. A little tired to begin the day, but made it out there anyway. First stop BRIC, to see there Biennial Exhibit---art, not political, by artists living in Crown Heights or Bed-Stuy, some of whom were white. Not bad, another part of the exhibit is at Weeksville, much deeper into Crown Heights, must go there soon, no weekend hours, so must go during the week. Not clear about plans after that, finally took the G to Metropolitan from Fulton (a very short trip as the train zooms through Brooklyn) and then the L to Jefferson. Time to go to Cobra Club and watch football. Got a nice welcome from bartender McKenna, had a nice talk with my friend Paul (who is beginning a new job today) and stayed for about 2 hours. Time to leave and go to South fourth for the end of the day, stopping off at the Pizza place (where else) on Graham, where the pizza is really unique. At South fourth, touched base with my friend Harlow and had a long talk with Todd, a film maker who invited me to see his place of work. May do that this week. Left around 9:30, glad I chose to visit the bar, rather than checking out a movie.
Today, not sure, a community group in Sunset Park is protesting the proposed light rail that will connect Sunset Park with Astoria, and I may join them. Not sure, will report soon.

first day since....

last Thursday not working at Friends, Tuesday was planned, Monday and Wednesday were surprises, one more day this week coming up tomorrow. Finally replaced my cell phone this morning. Not an easy thing to do---must hand copy all the names in my directory into the new phone, and usual anxiety about the new phone and how it works. Still, it gives me a chance to eliminate some names as well---needed to cut down anyway.
Saturday night the play at Friends, another really terrific effort from Steve and the actors. So much pure talent at Friends now, I cannot remember anything close to it since I began there. Great to hear the Midsummer verse again as well. Thought a lot about Balanchine's ballet and Brook's "classic" production while I was watching this one. Brook had one set of actors playing both Theseus and Hippolyta and Oberon and Titania---simply an efficient way of moving things along. Would I do it that way, if I had the chance..? Don't know. Anyway, really enjoyed it, left and went down to Burp Castle in the hopes of seeing my friend bartender Erin, but she was not working that evening. Stayed
anyway, grabbed a beer, read, spoke to no one (this is usually a good place to have a conversation)  and returned home.
Sunday a little more frenetic, began at South Fourth---terrible football game on the TV (they do not have the package)  but had a really good conversation with my friend Kathy---she is from the midwest and spoke of returning home to her parents who probably voted for the President elect.
After that not sure---62 bus to Park and Washington, then Lafayette bus to Bedford---stopped off at Black Swan for a beer; very crowded had to stand for a while---but felt welcome, watched some football and drank the beer, then headed to the Pizza place near BAM that i like very much. Could have stayed around and seen a movie at BAM, but had to return to the internet place on Bedford and North 6th to check plans for the next day. It was a good thing that i did, because there was some planning to do. Had a cup cake at the new place nearbye---very filling, would love to try one of their pies, but probably would bloat very quickly---then returned home.
Rest of the week not clear, should see the play that my friend Hannah is in, that is down by Wall Street, then an interesting work at Abrons Arts, and scads of movies---I really must see the James Baldwin film that will be at Metrograph this weekend and after.
Last night,a good time at the basketball game,(but Friends lost) and then stuffing myself with what I thought was a small portion of Chinese food---but looked like over eating this morning.
Will report soon on the rest.

Saturday morning.....

in the library, yesterday, first day back at Friends after two days off---came home, very tired---determined that I could not possibly go to either Bushwick function last night, simply stayed home and rested----now, feeling pretty energetic, prepared for a full day that should be interesting. Tonight I attend the school play, A Midsummer Night's Dream---with a cast whose work I know very well---they are a multi-talented group, maybe the best put together since I have attended these plays starting 2004. That was a matinee of, ironically enough, the same play---of course it was double cast then, and a little more less structured. Still, it was interesting--this production should be totally new.
   Thursday night I attended then South Fourth tenth anniversary party. Not as much fun as last year's but still nice---great food, Jimmy, the day bartender made some amazing lasagna. Left early, probably happy to get back to the apartment and rest due to the next day's Friends commitment.
   I remember well my first visit to South Fourth, on New Year's eve afternoon, around 4 o'clock. The bartender was the owner, and with very few people at the bar, we were able to have an interesting discussion about why the place was opening, what the community felt, etc. It made me think that this would be a cool place to hang out, but did not return for the Eve, think that I spent it downstairs with a friend and two of her friends. After the visit, I walked around the area, the south side, which had had a reputation pre- 2005, of being very bloody and violent. Here, I found it extremely picturesque and mellow, made me think of some areas of Boston---anyway, got a really nice vibe from the area. Did not return to become a regular at South Fourth until that June, but really grateful that the place exists, many interesting evenings and afternoons there. Sure, I don't come there as often as I used to, but at the same time, my life has changed a great deal. Still grateful for its presence in my life.  
   After tonight, much to come, not sure about Sunday, on Monday, have been invited to my friend Zach's monologue evening at the Cornelia Street cafe. and Tuesday is the BAN meeting, which hopefully I will have enough energy for, after a day at Friends. After that..? Much depends on what work there is---impossible to have a night life if I have a day at Friends and sessions after that.
Well, we will see, and I will report as soon as possible.

great time last....

night at Cowgirls, the bar on Hudson Street where the Asssembly has it monthly hang outs. Able to be there because no work at Friends. Many terrific discussions with members Ben, Jess, Emily and others. Lots of energy both artistic and political. The crossroads of art and activisim. Where is it?  That seems to be the main question that we discussed. We will see how it develops, Glad to tell Ben about deBlasio's 45 Rivington Street problem and others. Best evening out that I have had in a long time. Great to have the time to do it. Two more evenings to follow---today, the 10th anniversary of South 4th street bar, and tomorrow the Bushwick Starr party, and then (if I am not too tired) across the street to the Mayday bar activist discussion world. Will I be able to do both, after a (not too long) day at Friends, and with a full day of sessions and the fall play coming up the next day.? Hopefully yes.
Walking down Hudson Street from the A on 14th to the Cowgirls bar, brought back memories of a girl named Zita (truly that was her name) whom I had a serious crush (maybe hunger for is a better way of putting it) on in 1968. Her apartment was on Hudson, slightly south of 14th, something like 621. Only went there once, a kind of heavy date, but I remember the walk to her house, trying to take everything in the neighborhood in. It was August of that year, we went to Yonkers Raceway, then went back to her apartment and made out for a while. I left feeling a sense of triumph; I had been interested in her for a couple of months, and it looked like after this, we might become a couple. but it did not happen; she very heartlessly broke our next date (with almost no warning) and from then it was all over. What happened to her? I think she married some guy and settled in the DC area. Like me, she was a big opera fan. A good fantasy is being at the Met and having her run into me. She would probably recognize me now, not the opposite. I probably would be curt but not that interested.
Speaking of that, had a nice talk with ___. someone I have liked for a while. Will anything happen from that? Don't know. Confused about closeness, huh cityboy? Well let it happen.
Nothing else really to report---many movies to see, but a bit turned off by the idea of sitting in a movie theater, at this point cityboy prefers real life. Well, the party tonight should be fun, will report on that and other things next time.