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...