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.