an improvement yesterday night---was able to sleep better with less protection and only one heater on. Should be better tonight, as the snow has actually warmed up the city. And the heat in the apartment is a little stronger. Still somewhat anxious on the effect all this will have on my electric bill, but things are much more in control.
Yesterday, after the library, did attend the colloquium on gentrification in the library at Division street in Williamsburg. Glad I did, met lots of people. Some discussion, some presentation--at times, there was a ponderous sense, but some strong interaction as well. I always feel better after attending one of these, I always manage to have at least one interesting conversation with another participant, in this case a young man named Khalil, who was raised in Flatbush---attended Dalton and Amherst,and now lives in Bed Stuy. Trying to figure out what his role was in all this. He lives in an apartment house that has been redone---all the tenants, whether black or white or basically young people. So where does he fit in in the "probblem"? Can't say, all I can say is that gentrification has many sides and comes from many angles. Each of us must conceive of it in his or her own way. After the forum, headed over to South Fourth to hang out for a while. Met my friends, Alison and Bill, a couple that I had not seen in a long time---it was really good catching up. Then I returned home to check on the heat, and found myself too tired to check out a movie. Stayed in and rested.
Tonight, there should be a movie that will interest me--tomorrow is the "dreaded" New Year's Eve.
Must give my life some meaning on that day. But how? If the cold is strong, will probably simply go to La Flaca and wait it out (perhaps with some really nice people). Otherwise could move around a bit. Reading some interesting essays by Ta-Nahisi Coates--should be able to report back on Tuesday.
Saturday, December 30, 2017
Friday, December 29, 2017
the horror and the...
beauty---probably is the best way to sum up the last 24 hours. First the beauty: The concert last night at Carnegie Hall---my friend Richard gave an amazing performance of Mozart's Piano Concerto no 20---ably backed by the conductor's precision and the beautiful playing of the young orchestra. Richard seems to be getting better and better--the piece itself is amazing---so many contrasts--from dark to light, from intense to somewhat funny---there are so many ideas going through the music. I really believe that Mozart's piano concerti from numbers 9 to 27, stand alongside the plays of Shakespeare---they have remarkable depth and variety of ideas. Again, Richard was so comfortable with the piece---he moved so easily between its contrasts. I felt so good watching him. Remember, he and I played box ball together, outside the apartment house where he and his parents lived on Arnow Avenue (in the Bronx). Yes, it is the same person. And the orchestra was great---after the intermission they gave what I feel was a great performance of the Mendelssohn symphony number 3. Just taking the whole thing in, made me feel really alive and passionate.
Afterwards, decided not to stop off at a bar (I was hungry) but instead, opted for the nearby Greek diner for a blt and coffee. I wish I could tell you it was pleasant- the place was practically empty, and the food was adequate. But the price---after the tip, I had paid about $13.00. Can you believe that! Frightening! What will trying to survive in this city in ten years be like, if a simple BLT costs that much? I am not so worried for myself---I am a "canny" guy and know how to survive, but how can we have any decent kind of society for people not making that much money with these prices? Something must be done!
Now the horror! The cold, coming through the large bay window in my apartment. Had to use two heaters yesterday to stabilize things. But that will add to my light bill. Did not sleep well, lots of anxiety---and of course, my life has been set up so that I have no real "close" friend--just many friends in all different places. But none whom I could ask to put me up in an emergency. So there we go---a lot of anxiety--my health is what supports me---cannot afford to get sick. So far, after a very restless night, I am feeling okay, but how do I completely protect myself in this weather? May see a lot of movies, just to keep warm. This is where I am at now--want to go to that conference on gentrification in the library in Williamsburg when I leave here, and I think I can do that, but at this point, anything goes. Got to keep warm.
I spent the last hour, prior to the library opening at the Barnes and Nobles on 83rd and Broadway. Lots of interesting and tempting books to read. Would love to explore Paul Auster's memoir on the death of his father, but I am currently reading the Coates essays about the years of Obama's presidency, so that will come first. Also, an interesting history book about Lincoln and the slave trade, as he was building his vision. Want to concentrate on these, so will put the Auster book aside for now.
So that's it---will report tomorrow, and hopefully stay warm.
Afterwards, decided not to stop off at a bar (I was hungry) but instead, opted for the nearby Greek diner for a blt and coffee. I wish I could tell you it was pleasant- the place was practically empty, and the food was adequate. But the price---after the tip, I had paid about $13.00. Can you believe that! Frightening! What will trying to survive in this city in ten years be like, if a simple BLT costs that much? I am not so worried for myself---I am a "canny" guy and know how to survive, but how can we have any decent kind of society for people not making that much money with these prices? Something must be done!
Now the horror! The cold, coming through the large bay window in my apartment. Had to use two heaters yesterday to stabilize things. But that will add to my light bill. Did not sleep well, lots of anxiety---and of course, my life has been set up so that I have no real "close" friend--just many friends in all different places. But none whom I could ask to put me up in an emergency. So there we go---a lot of anxiety--my health is what supports me---cannot afford to get sick. So far, after a very restless night, I am feeling okay, but how do I completely protect myself in this weather? May see a lot of movies, just to keep warm. This is where I am at now--want to go to that conference on gentrification in the library in Williamsburg when I leave here, and I think I can do that, but at this point, anything goes. Got to keep warm.
I spent the last hour, prior to the library opening at the Barnes and Nobles on 83rd and Broadway. Lots of interesting and tempting books to read. Would love to explore Paul Auster's memoir on the death of his father, but I am currently reading the Coates essays about the years of Obama's presidency, so that will come first. Also, an interesting history book about Lincoln and the slave trade, as he was building his vision. Want to concentrate on these, so will put the Auster book aside for now.
So that's it---will report tomorrow, and hopefully stay warm.
Thursday, December 28, 2017
Had one session....
today, a lot of challenges in it, and somehow, it took me out of my "funk" that I was in yesterday. The problem came from the cold--it limited where I could go---maybe a lack of excitement of reading materials. The plan was to try to join a trivia game at South Fourth, but the cold made a trip to Williamsburg---with a long walk in addition to the subway ride to Bedford, pretty impossible. In the end, I opted for a movie at the soon to be closed, Lincoln Plaza cinema, and while I would have liked to have seen 1945---the movie about Poland right after the war ended, it was already on and so I opted for Happy End, the latest movie from the much respected Michael Hanneke. Like most of his movies, it drips with interesting detail---about five interlocking stories of a connected family---found myself involved and feeling things for the characters most of the way, and the movie is certainly interesting to look at--no problem there--the ending, for me, was a little abrupt---ultimately he seems to be saying the same thing in many of his movies---there is rot at the center of the bourgeois experience. Is that anything new? Left the movie feeling a little disappointed, nevertheless, because the cold had made traveling so impractical, it filled up the time, and not in a bad way. Grabbed some chicken wings at Fairway before returning home.
This evening I am going to the concert at Carnegie Hall. My friend Richard is playing the Mozart number 20, and the concert will also include the Scotch Symphony of Mendelsohn. The final three movements are very familiar to me since they are the ones that Balanchine used for his ballet, Scotch Symphony, which I have seen many times, but the first movement--one filled with passion, is the one that I am looking forward to hearing.
That should do it for today---tomorrow I hope to attend a forum in Williamsburg on gentrification---should be interesting, and perhaps spend the whole day in Brooklyn. Will see, will report tomorrow...
This evening I am going to the concert at Carnegie Hall. My friend Richard is playing the Mozart number 20, and the concert will also include the Scotch Symphony of Mendelsohn. The final three movements are very familiar to me since they are the ones that Balanchine used for his ballet, Scotch Symphony, which I have seen many times, but the first movement--one filled with passion, is the one that I am looking forward to hearing.
That should do it for today---tomorrow I hope to attend a forum in Williamsburg on gentrification---should be interesting, and perhaps spend the whole day in Brooklyn. Will see, will report tomorrow...
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
a change....
now sitting in the library on 83rd and Amsterdam, had to break from the Lincoln Center routine, Surrounded by too many plays---actually looked at a lot of unknown Ibsen work---like Emperor and Galilean, or Pillars of Society---tempted to take them out---would love to know what Ibsen's earlier writing was like---but stopped short of doing it. For some reason, not the right time and place. Now in this "regular" library, maybe I can find some serious books to read for the rest of the vacation. Am currently approaching Act III of The Male Animal, a hit twice in its lifetime---once in 1940, and then once, when I was growing up in 1951. Two Broadway runs for this "serious" play, It is ludicrous--totally obvious as its plot creaks to its conclusion. Heft comes from the main character---an English professor at a football obsessed mid western college---who is determined to read his students a letter from Vanzetti, written right before he died. College benefactors are up in arms about this, naturally. Well what will happen. That is what Act III will tell me. Can't wait---but have to finish it.
Yesterday: did go to see a movie---The Reagan Show---a documentary about the former president playing at Metrograph. Really love that place--have never seen it so empty---but going there makes me feel that there is something meaningful in seeing a movie---maybe part of a larger community that is turned on by movies. The movie is a documentary about Reagan--it is in a large part complimentary to him---it avoids discussion of his tax "reform" and his role in the Iran Contra affair. A lot of it has to do with his meetings with Gorbachov, as they discuss nuclear disarmament. In the end, his call for world peace seems meaningful---also that he was not afraid to alienate his conservative base by calling for disarmament. Glad I went---but I left and it was only a little after 7. I was determined not simply to return to the apartment. The plan was to go to the dive bar on Amsterdam and 96th---glad I followed it. Two bartenders, Howie and Brittany are very nice and welcoming, also had an interesting talk with the man sitting next to me--who turned out to be a theater person teaching theater in High School in northern California. Some good conversation; I also knew a teacher that he studied with and revered. Also got a chance to watch the Nets play the Spurs---a kind of boring game, but interesting to observe the difference in the two teams--the Spurs play a terribly controlled game of basketball--the Nets are younger--trying more things out--nice contrast, but a slow game. Anyway, left around 10 to go home, feeling more fulfilled then I had the last two nights.
Today, not sure---plan is to play trivia at South Fourth---have not done that for a while---between then and now---not sure---maybe a movie, maybe...well, will report tomorrow or soon after.
Yesterday: did go to see a movie---The Reagan Show---a documentary about the former president playing at Metrograph. Really love that place--have never seen it so empty---but going there makes me feel that there is something meaningful in seeing a movie---maybe part of a larger community that is turned on by movies. The movie is a documentary about Reagan--it is in a large part complimentary to him---it avoids discussion of his tax "reform" and his role in the Iran Contra affair. A lot of it has to do with his meetings with Gorbachov, as they discuss nuclear disarmament. In the end, his call for world peace seems meaningful---also that he was not afraid to alienate his conservative base by calling for disarmament. Glad I went---but I left and it was only a little after 7. I was determined not simply to return to the apartment. The plan was to go to the dive bar on Amsterdam and 96th---glad I followed it. Two bartenders, Howie and Brittany are very nice and welcoming, also had an interesting talk with the man sitting next to me--who turned out to be a theater person teaching theater in High School in northern California. Some good conversation; I also knew a teacher that he studied with and revered. Also got a chance to watch the Nets play the Spurs---a kind of boring game, but interesting to observe the difference in the two teams--the Spurs play a terribly controlled game of basketball--the Nets are younger--trying more things out--nice contrast, but a slow game. Anyway, left around 10 to go home, feeling more fulfilled then I had the last two nights.
Today, not sure---plan is to play trivia at South Fourth---have not done that for a while---between then and now---not sure---maybe a movie, maybe...well, will report tomorrow or soon after.
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
Day number 5....
of the vacation---still somewhat at odds with all the free time. Just got an e-mail that included the Bronx Science Year Book of my senior class. Many students lived in the Bronx, in areas that are now all black and hispanic. Did some searching on google maps---looked at the old art deco apartments again. Lots of feeling. But what can I do? To do what---to bring back the neighborhood, to bring back the now seventy something students into their youth---all I know is that these images evoke a tremendous amount of feeling from me. Leave it at that.
Reports: Saturday evening---good time at La Flaca with bartender and friend Tom, and my waitress friend. Watched the complete Nets-Indianan game---two teams that are very similar at this point. Game was decided in Indiana's favor by one point. Mostly a quiet night at the bar. Nice way of spending Saturday evening.
Sunday---Cobra was closed, so headed to South Fourth for Jet football watching, around 1. Not a great time, a very nice new bartender had a very obnoxious, bombed out friend there, so I spent a lot of time avoiding him and feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Left around 4, figured that a movie was next---slowly moved towards BAM, got on the Nostrand Avenue bus, and opted not to get off at DeKalb, rather to view the avenue south to Fulton. Found, to my surprise, not a lot of new stores on the avenue, unlike Bedford, one block over, which seems to be crawling with them.Then Fulton Avenue bus to BAM, only to discover that the one movie playing there that I wished to see had just started, and I was starving. Felt that food was more important, headed to Juniors for a large tuna fish sandwich, and some of the add ons---pickles and coleslaw. All this should have been good except that at this point, Junior's is charging $11.95 for the sandwich, then a dollar tax, and then a tip to the nice waitress--it all came to $15.00---simply for a tuna fish sandwich. Where will it end? Headed into the city, with the thought of catching a movie in one of the west side movie theaters, when I seemed to get very tired. Decided that rest was the better part of valor, and headed home. Asleep by around 8, but then up around 2, at full force. Well, that is the way I have been sleeping at this point. Don't exactly know what to do about it.
Yesterday, Christmas Day---the plan was to see 2 movies. First up was Limelight, made by Charlie Chaplin in the early fifties. Saw it at the Walter Reade, a great place to see a movie. And what an incredible movie it is! So rich with ideas, visions---it seems to cover every aspect of performing :: ageing, dependence and so many other things. Chaplin, wrote, directed, wrote the songs for it--even helped choreograph some of the ballet scenes. And yet the piece is totally ego-less. The man looks at everything---loved the ideas about the irony of fame, public appreciation and how quickly it can melt into oblivion. There is so much feeling in the movie, and Claire Bloom is totally beautiful. I left the theater feeling terribly fulfilled, but what next? It was only about 4,. It was then that I decided that after Limelight, it would be impossible to absorb another movie. I did not want anything to juxtapose with it in my vision. It was getting really cold, I retreated to the apartment, got some chicken at Fairway ( a little too expensive and filling) and stayed home the rest of the late afternoon and night, reading, listening a bit to the radio, and, as usual, "putting things together" in my mind.
What about tonight? Well, I am really interested in checking out the Nets-Spurs game that starts around 8:30. Where? My gut tells me at the Dive Bar, where I am friendly with a waitress and bartender, but can't be sure. As usual, everything is tentative. Will report tomorrow.
Reports: Saturday evening---good time at La Flaca with bartender and friend Tom, and my waitress friend. Watched the complete Nets-Indianan game---two teams that are very similar at this point. Game was decided in Indiana's favor by one point. Mostly a quiet night at the bar. Nice way of spending Saturday evening.
Sunday---Cobra was closed, so headed to South Fourth for Jet football watching, around 1. Not a great time, a very nice new bartender had a very obnoxious, bombed out friend there, so I spent a lot of time avoiding him and feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Left around 4, figured that a movie was next---slowly moved towards BAM, got on the Nostrand Avenue bus, and opted not to get off at DeKalb, rather to view the avenue south to Fulton. Found, to my surprise, not a lot of new stores on the avenue, unlike Bedford, one block over, which seems to be crawling with them.Then Fulton Avenue bus to BAM, only to discover that the one movie playing there that I wished to see had just started, and I was starving. Felt that food was more important, headed to Juniors for a large tuna fish sandwich, and some of the add ons---pickles and coleslaw. All this should have been good except that at this point, Junior's is charging $11.95 for the sandwich, then a dollar tax, and then a tip to the nice waitress--it all came to $15.00---simply for a tuna fish sandwich. Where will it end? Headed into the city, with the thought of catching a movie in one of the west side movie theaters, when I seemed to get very tired. Decided that rest was the better part of valor, and headed home. Asleep by around 8, but then up around 2, at full force. Well, that is the way I have been sleeping at this point. Don't exactly know what to do about it.
Yesterday, Christmas Day---the plan was to see 2 movies. First up was Limelight, made by Charlie Chaplin in the early fifties. Saw it at the Walter Reade, a great place to see a movie. And what an incredible movie it is! So rich with ideas, visions---it seems to cover every aspect of performing :: ageing, dependence and so many other things. Chaplin, wrote, directed, wrote the songs for it--even helped choreograph some of the ballet scenes. And yet the piece is totally ego-less. The man looks at everything---loved the ideas about the irony of fame, public appreciation and how quickly it can melt into oblivion. There is so much feeling in the movie, and Claire Bloom is totally beautiful. I left the theater feeling terribly fulfilled, but what next? It was only about 4,. It was then that I decided that after Limelight, it would be impossible to absorb another movie. I did not want anything to juxtapose with it in my vision. It was getting really cold, I retreated to the apartment, got some chicken at Fairway ( a little too expensive and filling) and stayed home the rest of the late afternoon and night, reading, listening a bit to the radio, and, as usual, "putting things together" in my mind.
What about tonight? Well, I am really interested in checking out the Nets-Spurs game that starts around 8:30. Where? My gut tells me at the Dive Bar, where I am friendly with a waitress and bartender, but can't be sure. As usual, everything is tentative. Will report tomorrow.
Saturday, December 23, 2017
a sign of the times....
here I sit, in the Lincoln Center Library, where I usually do my reporting, and check my e-mails, etc. and I am very hungry. There is a cart a few feet away, where I could buy many kinds of sandwiches, quiches etc. Yet I won't. Why not. Their prices are for me, a little too expensive; there is nothing at the cart that I find reasonable (5.50 down). So at this point, I think I will deal with my hunger and wait until I leave the library to get some food. Don't want to do it; it would be so simple to just wander over to the cart and grab a decent tuna fish sandwich, but it would be $6.80, and I have just payed $3.25 for one of their croissants. Too much, city-boy; while we are not on a strict money watch, I won't simply shrug my shoulders and "bear it". So I will continue to write this blog with an empty and demanding stomach---then visit some other sites and finally go out and find a cart where I can buy something for around $5.00. So what is another $1.80, you ask, what is the big deal? I don't know, just want to do it that way.
Yesterday, did make my trip to the Whitney in the evening. Got in for a dollar---found myself really involved in the Laura Owens wall--she really seems like an amazing artist---love the way she puts together objects and colors. I also found myself enjoying looking at art in a way that I have not experienced before. Maybe during the vacation I will make some more visits---the Met is free, or close to it. Yes, something changed for me during my time at the Whitney.
After visiting a few other floors, decided to check out the bar on the eighth floor. Found a seat, ithe place has a rather upscale vibe to it---took a long time for the bartender to notice me---did not like that--but I ordered a beer and read The Feud, an interesting look at the relationship between Edmund Wilson and Vladimir Nabakov. Have not read much of the latter, but the book is keeping my interest. No one seated next to me, until a young woman sat down. We chatted a bit, her name is Susannah, and she is taking a medical literature grad course at Columbia, prior to starting med school full time. Nice conversation, which covered the much admired Ladybird (like me, she found it very overrated) some Beethoven sonatas for piano (she used to teach piano), and some discussion about Alzheimers. I was surprised at how well the chat was going---finally it was time for the check---we said our goodbyes, and separated. Would enjoy talking with her again, but I did not ask for her e-mail, nor did she ask for mine, so I don't think that will happen---ofcourse, in this city, one can always bump into another person, so it is not impossible, but no real even "friendly" commitment. Oh well, life goes on. Will look forward to making another trip to the Whitney or to one of the other museums around.
After that, again hungry, but decided to simply return home and get some cheap stuff at Fairway; now my only choice for late night home bringing food. Really miss the utility of the West Side market, having Fairway as my only choice is a terrible inconvenience, but if it is hard for me, what is it like for older people using walkers or canes to move around. Fairway, even at the late hours, is always incredibly crowded. Will just have to cope.
Today: not sure, may go to La Flaca later to watch what seems like an interesting Net game, and hang out with bartender Tom, a really nice guy---that's about 7, a movie in between? We will see.
Yesterday, did make my trip to the Whitney in the evening. Got in for a dollar---found myself really involved in the Laura Owens wall--she really seems like an amazing artist---love the way she puts together objects and colors. I also found myself enjoying looking at art in a way that I have not experienced before. Maybe during the vacation I will make some more visits---the Met is free, or close to it. Yes, something changed for me during my time at the Whitney.
After visiting a few other floors, decided to check out the bar on the eighth floor. Found a seat, ithe place has a rather upscale vibe to it---took a long time for the bartender to notice me---did not like that--but I ordered a beer and read The Feud, an interesting look at the relationship between Edmund Wilson and Vladimir Nabakov. Have not read much of the latter, but the book is keeping my interest. No one seated next to me, until a young woman sat down. We chatted a bit, her name is Susannah, and she is taking a medical literature grad course at Columbia, prior to starting med school full time. Nice conversation, which covered the much admired Ladybird (like me, she found it very overrated) some Beethoven sonatas for piano (she used to teach piano), and some discussion about Alzheimers. I was surprised at how well the chat was going---finally it was time for the check---we said our goodbyes, and separated. Would enjoy talking with her again, but I did not ask for her e-mail, nor did she ask for mine, so I don't think that will happen---ofcourse, in this city, one can always bump into another person, so it is not impossible, but no real even "friendly" commitment. Oh well, life goes on. Will look forward to making another trip to the Whitney or to one of the other museums around.
After that, again hungry, but decided to simply return home and get some cheap stuff at Fairway; now my only choice for late night home bringing food. Really miss the utility of the West Side market, having Fairway as my only choice is a terrible inconvenience, but if it is hard for me, what is it like for older people using walkers or canes to move around. Fairway, even at the late hours, is always incredibly crowded. Will just have to cope.
Today: not sure, may go to La Flaca later to watch what seems like an interesting Net game, and hang out with bartender Tom, a really nice guy---that's about 7, a movie in between? We will see.
Friday, December 22, 2017
FREEDOM!
yes, it is true, for the next two weeks, cityboy is free. How do I feel? Very opened to things--to be frank, I have never felt this sense of "my life is my own" in such a way that I feel now. It is hard to describe in words a feeling of "openness" a sense of just a stream in front of you which one could follow---but that is what it is. I have come to a point of "no commitments" to anyone (at least while the vacation is on), Is this what I always wanted? A life totally my own? Will it change the late night feelings of loneliness that I sometimes feel when I am awakened from sleep in the early hours in the morning? Really can't say--it all seems in front of me. In a way, the fact that this was such a good year at Friends is causing all my upbeat feelings. So we just move on, like an arrow---movies, walks, discussions whatever. The city will find me anywhere I want to be in the next two weeks.
Yesterday, did receive a call from Friends to sub during the day, prior to the Assembly. Really good, a hectic day with one rambunctious seventh grade class and a collaboration with fifth graders ready to leave for the vacation. Not the most sensitive group . But it game me a chance to see many faculty members and students whom I like, and wish them happy holidays. Also, one more day of money from the work, helps.
What does cityboy want to be?
Yesterday, fatigue set in as I was leaving Friends, and normally I would have simply returned to the apartment, but at the Whitney, my friend Sybil was having her once every four months solstice pageant, and I had to support her.. I arrived at the Whitney and joined Sybil's world around 4, the sun fully up and the window of the space, facing the Hudson River outside in all its sunlight. I realized that if I remained, I would watch the complete change from the sun in all its glory, to pure darkness in about 40 minutes. Could not believe this would happen, looking at the beautiful picture in front of me, filled with luminous yellow light, but sure enough, in a strange and quiet way, the sun left, and by the time I left Sybil' space, the Hudson was enshrouded in darkness. Have I ever done this before---watched as the light became dark? If I did, I don't specifically remember it. As for Sybil's pageant, it is contemplative and often removed. Arriving from the frenetic world of the school, itsquiet and removed vision was sometimes difficult for me to take. Yet I tried to understand Sybil's way of giving her audience things. Sometimes I marvel at her inventiveness, other times the distancing is difficult for me to handle. But going to her solstice celebrations at the Whitney has become part of my life, and I expect to continue supporting her, as long as she does it. Besides, it is really the only time I visit the far west side of Manhattan around 14th street. That is a trip in itself.
Speaking of the Whitney, it is possible that I will return there tonight, when they have their free (or by contribution) Friday evenings. As I looked around, yesterday, I saw several exhibit statements that I might possibly like check out. Cannot pay that rediculously expensive (at least for me) fee (18.00) again, so tonight, or the other Friday nights, seem to be the best time to visit there Of course, there is an interesting basketball game at the same time (Nets-Wizards) that it might be fun to check out as well, at one of my many sports bars, but will probably steel myself to go to the Whitney.
So the holiday approaches, Christmas has always been a kind of difficult day for me, since most places are closed---but this year an enormous amount of movies that I have not seen are playing just about everywhere. Must get some interesting books to "hunker down" with as well. Absorbed in Paul Auster's novel The Palace of Illusions, but should be finished with it soon, Then....
Yesterday, did receive a call from Friends to sub during the day, prior to the Assembly. Really good, a hectic day with one rambunctious seventh grade class and a collaboration with fifth graders ready to leave for the vacation. Not the most sensitive group . But it game me a chance to see many faculty members and students whom I like, and wish them happy holidays. Also, one more day of money from the work, helps.
What does cityboy want to be?
Yesterday, fatigue set in as I was leaving Friends, and normally I would have simply returned to the apartment, but at the Whitney, my friend Sybil was having her once every four months solstice pageant, and I had to support her.. I arrived at the Whitney and joined Sybil's world around 4, the sun fully up and the window of the space, facing the Hudson River outside in all its sunlight. I realized that if I remained, I would watch the complete change from the sun in all its glory, to pure darkness in about 40 minutes. Could not believe this would happen, looking at the beautiful picture in front of me, filled with luminous yellow light, but sure enough, in a strange and quiet way, the sun left, and by the time I left Sybil' space, the Hudson was enshrouded in darkness. Have I ever done this before---watched as the light became dark? If I did, I don't specifically remember it. As for Sybil's pageant, it is contemplative and often removed. Arriving from the frenetic world of the school, itsquiet and removed vision was sometimes difficult for me to take. Yet I tried to understand Sybil's way of giving her audience things. Sometimes I marvel at her inventiveness, other times the distancing is difficult for me to handle. But going to her solstice celebrations at the Whitney has become part of my life, and I expect to continue supporting her, as long as she does it. Besides, it is really the only time I visit the far west side of Manhattan around 14th street. That is a trip in itself.
Speaking of the Whitney, it is possible that I will return there tonight, when they have their free (or by contribution) Friday evenings. As I looked around, yesterday, I saw several exhibit statements that I might possibly like check out. Cannot pay that rediculously expensive (at least for me) fee (18.00) again, so tonight, or the other Friday nights, seem to be the best time to visit there Of course, there is an interesting basketball game at the same time (Nets-Wizards) that it might be fun to check out as well, at one of my many sports bars, but will probably steel myself to go to the Whitney.
So the holiday approaches, Christmas has always been a kind of difficult day for me, since most places are closed---but this year an enormous amount of movies that I have not seen are playing just about everywhere. Must get some interesting books to "hunker down" with as well. Absorbed in Paul Auster's novel The Palace of Illusions, but should be finished with it soon, Then....
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
something amazing...
happened yesterday morning. I was sitting drinking coffee at the hotel where I go in the morning, at about 7:55. All hope of subbing at Friends had vanished---in my head I had resigned myself to a basically free day, and was considering my options for the evening, when I received a text message from the lower school secretary, asking me if I wanted to come in to sub for a fourth grade class. Would never had expected it---nevertheless, said yes--school for the fourth grade begins at 8:25---left my apartment at about 8:05---height of the rush hour---yet amazingly enough trains were not brutally crowded---and with some luck, and a lot of fast moving, got to Friends at 8:30. Then had a wonderful day with a really good fourth grade class---as I was in motion with the class felt so involved and committed to the present moment. JUST THERE. Its as if everything else in my life vanished! Anyway, the class was focused and cooperative---really pulled through to a great day. What now? Well, no work today, though I think I will go watch the basketball team play against Saint Ann's in Brooklyn Heights this afternoon. Tomorrow is Friends' last day before the winter break. May have some work, but will definitely go to the Christmas Assembly---looking forward to seeing last year's graduates, many of whom come back for this.
Also tomorrow is another of my friend Sybil's presentation at the Whitney celebrating the solstices. Two out of the last three were early morning ceremonies--loved the idea of getting up early and getting there---but tomorrow is an all day happening. So, if I don't get called to Friends, the plan is to get there at 10:30, then stay until around 12, then head over to Friends. Maybe even return to the Whitney for the end of the ceremony--it is possible. If I do sub tomorrow, will simply have to catch the end of ceremony at the Whitney. Anyway, that is the plan for now.
Monday evening: Went to the Bushwick Starr holiday celebration at Starr Bar---very glad I did. Lots of people there whom I knew, lots of good theater conversation---I actually won a raffle for a free beer, any time I go to a Bushwick Starr project. Except that I don't drink when I watch a play, and if I do, it is usually at a bar nearby---to hang out a little. Kind of ironic---also, the raffle person said that I could have one free beer each time I went to the Starr Bar (at the Bushwick Starr venue) I first interpreted this to mean that I could have a free beer every day at the bar where the celebration was taking place, the Starr Bar. Thought I would be riding the L train every other day to get my free beer, but alas, that is not the case--so I am stuck with a prize that I don't need too much. but no matter, I had a lot of fun at the party.
And so, after tomorrow, I am virtually free for the next two weeks. What does that mean---how will I spend my time---enough books to read---enough money to see several movies?---enough moderately mild weather to take my walks in Brooklyn (and perhaps in the Bronx?)---enough "hang out" activities. We will see. Even today, with no work at Friends, I am feeling restless---somewhat unsettled---I need the structure that my days at Friends offers me. Well, let us see what happens.
Also tomorrow is another of my friend Sybil's presentation at the Whitney celebrating the solstices. Two out of the last three were early morning ceremonies--loved the idea of getting up early and getting there---but tomorrow is an all day happening. So, if I don't get called to Friends, the plan is to get there at 10:30, then stay until around 12, then head over to Friends. Maybe even return to the Whitney for the end of the ceremony--it is possible. If I do sub tomorrow, will simply have to catch the end of ceremony at the Whitney. Anyway, that is the plan for now.
Monday evening: Went to the Bushwick Starr holiday celebration at Starr Bar---very glad I did. Lots of people there whom I knew, lots of good theater conversation---I actually won a raffle for a free beer, any time I go to a Bushwick Starr project. Except that I don't drink when I watch a play, and if I do, it is usually at a bar nearby---to hang out a little. Kind of ironic---also, the raffle person said that I could have one free beer each time I went to the Starr Bar (at the Bushwick Starr venue) I first interpreted this to mean that I could have a free beer every day at the bar where the celebration was taking place, the Starr Bar. Thought I would be riding the L train every other day to get my free beer, but alas, that is not the case--so I am stuck with a prize that I don't need too much. but no matter, I had a lot of fun at the party.
And so, after tomorrow, I am virtually free for the next two weeks. What does that mean---how will I spend my time---enough books to read---enough money to see several movies?---enough moderately mild weather to take my walks in Brooklyn (and perhaps in the Bronx?)---enough "hang out" activities. We will see. Even today, with no work at Friends, I am feeling restless---somewhat unsettled---I need the structure that my days at Friends offers me. Well, let us see what happens.
Monday, December 18, 2017
Monday morning...
oh, my tummy! Yeah, can't seem to get that together--will have to wait it out.
Saturday: rest of the day---good conversations with Ben B when we met at the Public---went through all the theater reports and opinions of the last few months, while Ben has been away performing Small Mouth Sounds. Very fulfilling. Returned to the apartment in plenty of time--then walked to Ars Nova---from where I live---76th street and West End, to the theater at 54th and 10th. I really think walking is the best way to get there---maybe one can catch a bus on 72nd and West End that will drop me off at 10th and 57th, but oh, that waiting---seems like walking is a better alternative. Anyway, play be my friend (maybe acquaintance is a better word) Christine was a haphazard group of scenes, some realistic, some fantasy--that never quite congealed. Good and sensitive intentions but the work needs a lot more discipline and focus, and never gets around to saying what it really is about. Still, I like going to Ars Nova, and had a nice talk with my friend Jess who was in the play (the real reason I went) after it was over. Actually the longest talk we have had. When it was over, got a slice of pizza, then toyed with the idea of going home---did not--instead went to Lansdowne Road, where I was warmly treated---had a beer, and then became hungry.Prices there are expensive---still did not want to go anywhere else, so chose the only item that was reasonable---a large guacamole plate. Very good, and had some fun watching the football and basketball game on their large and clear televisions---but still overspent by about $11.00. Left about 11:20, luckily a number 11 bus was coming through, just as i was leaving---so got home quickly afterwards. That was Saturday.
Sunday---most of the day spent preparing for my "date" with my friend Jenni, the young woman I had met at Standings the Sunday before. An avowed Sea Hawk fan (she was raised in Seattle), our plan was to meet about 3:45. grab a place at the bar, and enjoy what I thought would be a close game between the Sea Hawks and the Rams. Well,it turns out Standings was packed, so Jenni and I had to stand by the door, and look up at the screen. At the same time, the Rams ravished the Sea Hawks--it was really no game at all. But Jenni and I talked constantly for about two hours---it was fun, but she is leaving for Seattle to live on Wednesday. Still, it was nice to hang with her---will return to Standings for other games, and friendly bartenders, Sam and Aaron.
Stomach was bothering me, but I was hungry---stopped off at the old Greek diner on Broadway near 8th street for a fairly decent BLT. The cost, with tip---$11.50---where are we going with this? Then headed home, went to sleep early, but woke up around 12, had trouble returning to sleep---you know what that means, cityboy. Yeah, a tough night. But here I am, ready to go for the rest of the day--at least one session and then (hopefully) off to Bushwick for a party at Starr Bar with the Bushwick Starr group. Looking forward to it.
One more thing. Yesterday I made a strong decision not to picket outside the apartment house of the Mayor's Deputy Commissioner on Housing. I usually support BAN on all their actions, but this one I could not---why? A little too close to home---perhaps I disagreed with targeting the woman, even though she represents an odious vision of housing for the future of the city. Well, hope to participate in other BAN events (maybe even one this evening) during the year, with all my passion. We will see.
Saturday: rest of the day---good conversations with Ben B when we met at the Public---went through all the theater reports and opinions of the last few months, while Ben has been away performing Small Mouth Sounds. Very fulfilling. Returned to the apartment in plenty of time--then walked to Ars Nova---from where I live---76th street and West End, to the theater at 54th and 10th. I really think walking is the best way to get there---maybe one can catch a bus on 72nd and West End that will drop me off at 10th and 57th, but oh, that waiting---seems like walking is a better alternative. Anyway, play be my friend (maybe acquaintance is a better word) Christine was a haphazard group of scenes, some realistic, some fantasy--that never quite congealed. Good and sensitive intentions but the work needs a lot more discipline and focus, and never gets around to saying what it really is about. Still, I like going to Ars Nova, and had a nice talk with my friend Jess who was in the play (the real reason I went) after it was over. Actually the longest talk we have had. When it was over, got a slice of pizza, then toyed with the idea of going home---did not--instead went to Lansdowne Road, where I was warmly treated---had a beer, and then became hungry.Prices there are expensive---still did not want to go anywhere else, so chose the only item that was reasonable---a large guacamole plate. Very good, and had some fun watching the football and basketball game on their large and clear televisions---but still overspent by about $11.00. Left about 11:20, luckily a number 11 bus was coming through, just as i was leaving---so got home quickly afterwards. That was Saturday.
Sunday---most of the day spent preparing for my "date" with my friend Jenni, the young woman I had met at Standings the Sunday before. An avowed Sea Hawk fan (she was raised in Seattle), our plan was to meet about 3:45. grab a place at the bar, and enjoy what I thought would be a close game between the Sea Hawks and the Rams. Well,it turns out Standings was packed, so Jenni and I had to stand by the door, and look up at the screen. At the same time, the Rams ravished the Sea Hawks--it was really no game at all. But Jenni and I talked constantly for about two hours---it was fun, but she is leaving for Seattle to live on Wednesday. Still, it was nice to hang with her---will return to Standings for other games, and friendly bartenders, Sam and Aaron.
Stomach was bothering me, but I was hungry---stopped off at the old Greek diner on Broadway near 8th street for a fairly decent BLT. The cost, with tip---$11.50---where are we going with this? Then headed home, went to sleep early, but woke up around 12, had trouble returning to sleep---you know what that means, cityboy. Yeah, a tough night. But here I am, ready to go for the rest of the day--at least one session and then (hopefully) off to Bushwick for a party at Starr Bar with the Bushwick Starr group. Looking forward to it.
One more thing. Yesterday I made a strong decision not to picket outside the apartment house of the Mayor's Deputy Commissioner on Housing. I usually support BAN on all their actions, but this one I could not---why? A little too close to home---perhaps I disagreed with targeting the woman, even though she represents an odious vision of housing for the future of the city. Well, hope to participate in other BAN events (maybe even one this evening) during the year, with all my passion. We will see.
Saturday, December 16, 2017
what now, city boy....
Saturday morning---the past three days at Friends, very full days, both in terms of work, but also feeling very happy about the great appreciation that I experience there. Really in a good place. Four more school days to go--no work scheduled yet---but whatever happens, will definitely go to the Christmas Assembly--always fun, and really looking forward to seeing some of last year's graduates, who usually return. Should be good.
Last night---returning from the full day at Friends, found myself physically very tired, so that precluded any movies, plays, or visiting bars. Stayed in the apartment, felt very restless--body tired, mind wanted to be somewhere else. Finally got to sleep around 11. Two full dreams, in one, I was at a Stadium event, when a loud explosion happened, and I saw the top of a layer of the stadium fall off. I immediately went under the table for protection--But the danger ended, that is all I remember of dream 1.
Dream 2; far more potent---I have, for some reason, taken a bus from around 125th street over a bridge that goes into the Bronx. I am very aware that I am moving into a mostly black and hispanic neighborhood, and a neighborhood of poverty. It is the day, the sun is out, probably a Sunday. The bus enters the Bronx, then takes me to my destination---a large art deco apartment house on the Grand Concourse, near 161st. I am very aware that this is an area that in my growing up years was all white and Jewish, and that I could have gone to parties or dated women my age in that apartment house. Now, however, I enter the courtyard, a large rectangle, fronting on the street. It is filled with many hispanic families---they seem to me to be middle class, all playing with their children, they line the courtyard, all the playing is friendly---still I feel like an outsider---what am I doing there? Finally I hit the center of the courtyard, sitting there in the center is an older white woman--it is very clear that she is not hispanic---looking straight ahead. I turn to face her---I think, wow! this older woman, obviously Jewish, is someone whom I could have dated when I was in high school or thereabouts. I try to understand what she is doing there---she shows no sign of discomfort at being the "other"> She says nothing to me, I don't speak to her, outside, the sun is shining on the Concourse---the dream stops.
What to make of it---not sure---realize that in some way I am fascinated by the changes in that neighborhood, trying to understand how one reality replaced another. Whenever I see one of those art deco houses, in pictures, or on google maps, my mind immediately snaps back to my childhood and the way there neighborhoods were part of my family reality. So what was the dream telling me---am I only myself in the dream. Recently at a forum at Bronx Documentary Center I ha a conversation with white woman photographer, about my age, who had just bought a co-op on the Concourse, near where I had the dream--she had been priced out of Greenpoint, was raised in Flushing, and was adjusting to this change. She was not the woman in the dream, but----
This morning: firmed up my appointment to meet my friend Ben, an actor now on hiatus from a tour, at the Public. Should be fun, I always enjoy my conversations with him. Tonight, go to Ars Nova for a play that a friend of mine is in. Should see many that I know.
Will report on all of that soon.
Last night---returning from the full day at Friends, found myself physically very tired, so that precluded any movies, plays, or visiting bars. Stayed in the apartment, felt very restless--body tired, mind wanted to be somewhere else. Finally got to sleep around 11. Two full dreams, in one, I was at a Stadium event, when a loud explosion happened, and I saw the top of a layer of the stadium fall off. I immediately went under the table for protection--But the danger ended, that is all I remember of dream 1.
Dream 2; far more potent---I have, for some reason, taken a bus from around 125th street over a bridge that goes into the Bronx. I am very aware that I am moving into a mostly black and hispanic neighborhood, and a neighborhood of poverty. It is the day, the sun is out, probably a Sunday. The bus enters the Bronx, then takes me to my destination---a large art deco apartment house on the Grand Concourse, near 161st. I am very aware that this is an area that in my growing up years was all white and Jewish, and that I could have gone to parties or dated women my age in that apartment house. Now, however, I enter the courtyard, a large rectangle, fronting on the street. It is filled with many hispanic families---they seem to me to be middle class, all playing with their children, they line the courtyard, all the playing is friendly---still I feel like an outsider---what am I doing there? Finally I hit the center of the courtyard, sitting there in the center is an older white woman--it is very clear that she is not hispanic---looking straight ahead. I turn to face her---I think, wow! this older woman, obviously Jewish, is someone whom I could have dated when I was in high school or thereabouts. I try to understand what she is doing there---she shows no sign of discomfort at being the "other"> She says nothing to me, I don't speak to her, outside, the sun is shining on the Concourse---the dream stops.
What to make of it---not sure---realize that in some way I am fascinated by the changes in that neighborhood, trying to understand how one reality replaced another. Whenever I see one of those art deco houses, in pictures, or on google maps, my mind immediately snaps back to my childhood and the way there neighborhoods were part of my family reality. So what was the dream telling me---am I only myself in the dream. Recently at a forum at Bronx Documentary Center I ha a conversation with white woman photographer, about my age, who had just bought a co-op on the Concourse, near where I had the dream--she had been priced out of Greenpoint, was raised in Flushing, and was adjusting to this change. She was not the woman in the dream, but----
This morning: firmed up my appointment to meet my friend Ben, an actor now on hiatus from a tour, at the Public. Should be fun, I always enjoy my conversations with him. Tonight, go to Ars Nova for a play that a friend of mine is in. Should see many that I know.
Will report on all of that soon.
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
here we are...
my second day off----first time since October I have had two days in a row where I am not called. But I will be back there tomorrow; either for a half or full day. Will hear soon. So what now? Stay at the library then have to kill time while my apartment is being cleaned. Tonight: not sure---South fourth has the Hitchcock showings (I don't know which one) or possibly visit my bartender friends at the Dive Bar (they also have trivia there tonight, which might be fun). I have one session later in the day, how I feel after that will probably determine where I choose to go.
Last night---did go to my friend Zoe's comic project at the Pit, an improve place on 29th street near Penn Station. Sort of disappointed. Zoe has incredible range, but her monologues did not show it---instead, they got bogged down in (what is best called) "messy internal junk". Do you know what I mean? But saw several friends there, including an old buddy from South Fourth, Will. We compared notes---he has renounced South Fourth, as he no longer lives in the area, but it was good to talk to him. Saw many other people I know there as well---nice to touch base---one of the actors was telling me he is "supering" at the Met---an interesting way of spending one's time. Maybe I will see him in one of the operas that he is appearing in.
Have not been to the Met this year. Why? Certainly part of it is the banal group of operas they are presenting this year, but also there is something else. What? Not sure, maybe the whole experience might be a little too overpowering for me at this time. But in terms of repertory, what is there to see?
Saw the first two acts of "Nozze de Figaro" two seasons ago---really hated the staging---now it is back. Maybe should go for the last two acts. Nothing else in the next couple of weeks really calls out to me. When The Merry Widow seems like an avant-garde piece, you know you are in trouble.
Not much else to say---will discover soon what the next day will be like, and will report soon
Last night---did go to my friend Zoe's comic project at the Pit, an improve place on 29th street near Penn Station. Sort of disappointed. Zoe has incredible range, but her monologues did not show it---instead, they got bogged down in (what is best called) "messy internal junk". Do you know what I mean? But saw several friends there, including an old buddy from South Fourth, Will. We compared notes---he has renounced South Fourth, as he no longer lives in the area, but it was good to talk to him. Saw many other people I know there as well---nice to touch base---one of the actors was telling me he is "supering" at the Met---an interesting way of spending one's time. Maybe I will see him in one of the operas that he is appearing in.
Have not been to the Met this year. Why? Certainly part of it is the banal group of operas they are presenting this year, but also there is something else. What? Not sure, maybe the whole experience might be a little too overpowering for me at this time. But in terms of repertory, what is there to see?
Saw the first two acts of "Nozze de Figaro" two seasons ago---really hated the staging---now it is back. Maybe should go for the last two acts. Nothing else in the next couple of weeks really calls out to me. When The Merry Widow seems like an avant-garde piece, you know you are in trouble.
Not much else to say---will discover soon what the next day will be like, and will report soon
Monday, December 11, 2017
Monday. no work....
at Friends---a good thing? Kind of relieved, as there are a few things I want to do this evening, and without a full day of subbing that will be possible. Still, there is an odd feeling that comes from the "freedom" of not working. Definitely a little different. Well, we will see how it all pays off in this evening's activities. First a weekend report:
Saturday: returned to the Flag project at the Brick---sat through nine monologues, all beginning with the same idea, and many including the same exact dialogue. Quickly felt a sense of exhaustion with the text, nevertheless experienced several really strong and individual interpretations of it. Went primarily to catch my friend Jessie's performance---I had seen several other friends perform last Saturday. She brought her four year old son along, and believe it or not, was able to incorporate him into her monologue. Much needed change from the others. Also got to see my friend Merlin do his for the second time, and it's great to see how much he has grown as an actor in the past few years. Will not return for the final Saturday, which I thought I would---yet it is meaningful to watch actors live through a monologue that really challenges them, and forces them to use endow the monologue with nothing but their own instruments. Not much afterwards, was tired so did not try to stay around Williamsburg or explore a bar. Returned home via subway.
Yesterday: attended the Friends Seminary Winter play, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Whew! Quite an evocative afternoon! Steve, the director, created an amazing space at the Baruch Center. many different levels with the audience seated in different places. Great use of space, and great collaboration between Steve and his setting, costume and lighting designers. The student actors, many of whom I have been watching for all four years of their time at Friends, basically gave professional performances. Great energy and early nineteenth century authenticity from the all of them Script, written by a woman whose work I do not know, gets a little hammy at times, but its structure is solid, and scenes are brief enough so they do not get bogged down. Basically, I am awed by the strength of the vision of the piece---something very close to a professional production.
Did not wait around to congratulate the actors, many of whom I know pretty well---will talk to them when I return to Friends---instead, in the face of many bar choices---headed to Standings, the sports bar on 7th street a little west of 2nd Avenue. I was a regular their in the late 00's, but have been there less recently. Usually I go to one of my two bars in Brooklyn for the end of Sunday, either South Fourth or Cobra, but both only get one game on TV, and at Standings I could watch the two (or even three) most important football games of the day. Really glad that I did---got a warm welcome from bartenders Aaron and Sam, watched the games in detail, and had really good conversations with a few friends of Sam, who were hanging around the bar. One of them, Jenni, a Seattle Sea Hawk fan, invited me to spend next Sunday at the bar with her, watching the next Seahawk game, a very important one against the Los Angeles Rams, I will certainly try to meet her there. Sounds like fun.
Nice to be at a bar where I am remembered--maybe I have found another "home". Will see how this plays out in the next couple of weeks, particularly the vacation, where I will have lots of time.
Anyway, it all looks interesting---will try to catch my friend Zoe's project at the PIT tonight, will report soon.
Saturday: returned to the Flag project at the Brick---sat through nine monologues, all beginning with the same idea, and many including the same exact dialogue. Quickly felt a sense of exhaustion with the text, nevertheless experienced several really strong and individual interpretations of it. Went primarily to catch my friend Jessie's performance---I had seen several other friends perform last Saturday. She brought her four year old son along, and believe it or not, was able to incorporate him into her monologue. Much needed change from the others. Also got to see my friend Merlin do his for the second time, and it's great to see how much he has grown as an actor in the past few years. Will not return for the final Saturday, which I thought I would---yet it is meaningful to watch actors live through a monologue that really challenges them, and forces them to use endow the monologue with nothing but their own instruments. Not much afterwards, was tired so did not try to stay around Williamsburg or explore a bar. Returned home via subway.
Yesterday: attended the Friends Seminary Winter play, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Whew! Quite an evocative afternoon! Steve, the director, created an amazing space at the Baruch Center. many different levels with the audience seated in different places. Great use of space, and great collaboration between Steve and his setting, costume and lighting designers. The student actors, many of whom I have been watching for all four years of their time at Friends, basically gave professional performances. Great energy and early nineteenth century authenticity from the all of them Script, written by a woman whose work I do not know, gets a little hammy at times, but its structure is solid, and scenes are brief enough so they do not get bogged down. Basically, I am awed by the strength of the vision of the piece---something very close to a professional production.
Did not wait around to congratulate the actors, many of whom I know pretty well---will talk to them when I return to Friends---instead, in the face of many bar choices---headed to Standings, the sports bar on 7th street a little west of 2nd Avenue. I was a regular their in the late 00's, but have been there less recently. Usually I go to one of my two bars in Brooklyn for the end of Sunday, either South Fourth or Cobra, but both only get one game on TV, and at Standings I could watch the two (or even three) most important football games of the day. Really glad that I did---got a warm welcome from bartenders Aaron and Sam, watched the games in detail, and had really good conversations with a few friends of Sam, who were hanging around the bar. One of them, Jenni, a Seattle Sea Hawk fan, invited me to spend next Sunday at the bar with her, watching the next Seahawk game, a very important one against the Los Angeles Rams, I will certainly try to meet her there. Sounds like fun.
Nice to be at a bar where I am remembered--maybe I have found another "home". Will see how this plays out in the next couple of weeks, particularly the vacation, where I will have lots of time.
Anyway, it all looks interesting---will try to catch my friend Zoe's project at the PIT tonight, will report soon.
Saturday, December 9, 2017
so, three days at Friends....
have come and gone. Should feel grateful for a;; the warmth that I am experiencing from the students. It goes all the way from seventh to 12th grade. Tomorrow I go to the school play, Dracula---apparently it is interactive---and that should be fun; I am friendly with many of the students who are performing. At the same time, I am tired from all the work. Only one day scheduled for next week so far---Friday---but I am sure there will be others. Friends has taken over my weekday life--not a bad thing---I am totally integrated into its world. But two theater friends of mine have small projects set for Monday. Will I be able to attend both or either? Not sure. Only time will tell.
Tuesday night: BAN meeting, the first in a long time. Preparations for the March on next Sunday outside the apartment house of DeBlasio's head of city planning. Do I want to be part of it? On one hand, really feel committed to the vision of BAN---I have just read another post of how the DOB allows aggressive developers to pray on Brownstone owners (particularly those of color) , and does nothing to stop it. It's frightening! So I should want to commit myself to his march. But something about where it is--close to where I live on the UWS, and some other issues, scares me off. Not that I have to go. There will be plenty of people there without me. Or should I watch from afar? A block away? Nothing is certain at this point, so just let the time pass, and see how you feel as it happens. Right, cityboy? Nothing else you can do, I guess.
Yesterday, came home from Friends and slept--then got myself out to see the 9:00 showing of the documentary about the life of Arthur Miller, made by his daughter, Rebecca. A fantastic documentary--really a must for anybody teaching his work or who has grown up watching and thinking about his plays. Miller's bio covers the whole story--from his father's arrival in NY about the turn of the century to his death in 20007. Lots of details about the three marriages that Miller lived through---and also about his life as a father to his three ( a fourth was institutionalized) children. The auditorium at Cinema Village only had seven people in the audience. Strange. I wonder how many theater people are going. A cold night, but one worth going out on to see this film.
So where are you in this, cityboy? From the time you were nine, Miller was a household word in your apartment. You saw the first off Broadway revival of The Crucible (August, 1958) and the revival of A View From the Bridge (1965) that put the play back on the map. You were at the first production of After the Fall, and saw it four times (Once with Robards playing the lead, then three times with Hal Holbrook) --put together the many issues that the play deals with, into a comprehensive vision of Miller---at 21--then also the first versions of Incident at Vichy and the Price, a play that seemed outmoded when it opened in the spring of 1968--family issues had been overwhelmed by the Vietnam War and its opposition.
Miller wrote the first act of Death of a Salesman in one long day, in isolation in a small work shack that he had built himself. He separated himself to create the play. That's what you feel incapable of doing, cityboy---simply creating one world by rejecting another. That dynamic, so far,does not suit you. Still, your mind works fast--you can see a conflict quickly. Can you do it, at some point? no sure. And that is where we must leave it.
Tonight, weather permitting (if it is still snowing, I will try my best to go) I want to return to the Brick to see more of William Burke's series of Flag monologues. Know them well by now, after seeing all nine of them last Saturday. Want to see my friend Jessie perform, as well as some new people. It is going to be interesting. Let's see what happens, as the time approaches.
Tuesday night: BAN meeting, the first in a long time. Preparations for the March on next Sunday outside the apartment house of DeBlasio's head of city planning. Do I want to be part of it? On one hand, really feel committed to the vision of BAN---I have just read another post of how the DOB allows aggressive developers to pray on Brownstone owners (particularly those of color) , and does nothing to stop it. It's frightening! So I should want to commit myself to his march. But something about where it is--close to where I live on the UWS, and some other issues, scares me off. Not that I have to go. There will be plenty of people there without me. Or should I watch from afar? A block away? Nothing is certain at this point, so just let the time pass, and see how you feel as it happens. Right, cityboy? Nothing else you can do, I guess.
Yesterday, came home from Friends and slept--then got myself out to see the 9:00 showing of the documentary about the life of Arthur Miller, made by his daughter, Rebecca. A fantastic documentary--really a must for anybody teaching his work or who has grown up watching and thinking about his plays. Miller's bio covers the whole story--from his father's arrival in NY about the turn of the century to his death in 20007. Lots of details about the three marriages that Miller lived through---and also about his life as a father to his three ( a fourth was institutionalized) children. The auditorium at Cinema Village only had seven people in the audience. Strange. I wonder how many theater people are going. A cold night, but one worth going out on to see this film.
So where are you in this, cityboy? From the time you were nine, Miller was a household word in your apartment. You saw the first off Broadway revival of The Crucible (August, 1958) and the revival of A View From the Bridge (1965) that put the play back on the map. You were at the first production of After the Fall, and saw it four times (Once with Robards playing the lead, then three times with Hal Holbrook) --put together the many issues that the play deals with, into a comprehensive vision of Miller---at 21--then also the first versions of Incident at Vichy and the Price, a play that seemed outmoded when it opened in the spring of 1968--family issues had been overwhelmed by the Vietnam War and its opposition.
Miller wrote the first act of Death of a Salesman in one long day, in isolation in a small work shack that he had built himself. He separated himself to create the play. That's what you feel incapable of doing, cityboy---simply creating one world by rejecting another. That dynamic, so far,does not suit you. Still, your mind works fast--you can see a conflict quickly. Can you do it, at some point? no sure. And that is where we must leave it.
Tonight, weather permitting (if it is still snowing, I will try my best to go) I want to return to the Brick to see more of William Burke's series of Flag monologues. Know them well by now, after seeing all nine of them last Saturday. Want to see my friend Jessie perform, as well as some new people. It is going to be interesting. Let's see what happens, as the time approaches.
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
cityboy at rest.....
so it seems---after a pretty frenetic day at Friends yesterday---three eighth grade classes and an eighth grade collab---enough said, and then a session around 125th street and Broadway. I left my sweater behind in the library during that session---but it forced me to buy a new one and voila---it turned out to be one that I liked. But I hate losing things---a lot of agitation, but it is over now.
Saturday: did head out to East Flatbush to table for BAN, only to find out that there was no table at the conference being held in the church on Avenue D. But so what! It gave me a chance to wander through a neighborhood that I never really go to, and do some exploring. This is the area directly east and a little south of Nostrand and Beverly Road. Near the station, mostly private houses and a few small apartment houses---they become less and less as one walks east. Walked mostly on Clarendon Road---very quiet---I would assume most if not all of the private houses that I passed were owned by black families. Long walk from Nostrand (about East 30 street) to East 44th Street: I finally found the church on Avenue D, where the housing forum was taking place. Left soon after, since there was nothing for me to do there, but was not frustrated---I had to be in Williamsburg (not terribly close) in a few hours, and again, I always feel that a walk through a new part of Brooklyn is a viable way of spending time. What to do in the interim? Well, there is a bus on Avenue D that goes west to Ditmas Park; I took it, then wandered over to the Connecticut Muffin on Cortelyou Road for coffee and some marble cake. After that, took a circuitous route to the Brick Theater--arrived at Lorimer and Metropolitan early (of course) and waited to take my place at the Flag Project, written by William Burke a friend of mine.
And it was quite an amazing evening. Nine actors perform a variation of the same monologue while they sow and take apart an American Flag.The monologue is non-realistic---it really challenges the actors instrument to make choices, but in this case, the nine actors that I saw were really able to create something different each time. By the fourth monologue, I was familiar with the material, comfortable with it, and able to really enjoy the commitment of each actor. And I really saw some amazing choices being made. There are about 18 actors participating in this project; I will return Saturday evening to see one other actor whom I know, and watch another round of the monologues. Feel that I should make this commitment.
Sunday, a slow day---too tired from the enormous amount of walking that I did the day before to go to Brooklyn, so I stayed around the apartment until dinner time, then off to La Flaca (after some deliberation) to see what was going on there. Very quiet, but did have a good chat with bartender Tom, about the money that can be made from commercials---also watched a bit of an important football game and made friends with a new patron, John, who actually works in the armed forces where he collaborates with the city anti-terrorism unit. Did not ask him about that---we stuck to football, but I had a very good time. Will probably go to La Flaca again, soon.
Today, a BAN meeting this evening, that I will finally be able to go to--will see what happens from there. Will report soon.
Saturday: did head out to East Flatbush to table for BAN, only to find out that there was no table at the conference being held in the church on Avenue D. But so what! It gave me a chance to wander through a neighborhood that I never really go to, and do some exploring. This is the area directly east and a little south of Nostrand and Beverly Road. Near the station, mostly private houses and a few small apartment houses---they become less and less as one walks east. Walked mostly on Clarendon Road---very quiet---I would assume most if not all of the private houses that I passed were owned by black families. Long walk from Nostrand (about East 30 street) to East 44th Street: I finally found the church on Avenue D, where the housing forum was taking place. Left soon after, since there was nothing for me to do there, but was not frustrated---I had to be in Williamsburg (not terribly close) in a few hours, and again, I always feel that a walk through a new part of Brooklyn is a viable way of spending time. What to do in the interim? Well, there is a bus on Avenue D that goes west to Ditmas Park; I took it, then wandered over to the Connecticut Muffin on Cortelyou Road for coffee and some marble cake. After that, took a circuitous route to the Brick Theater--arrived at Lorimer and Metropolitan early (of course) and waited to take my place at the Flag Project, written by William Burke a friend of mine.
And it was quite an amazing evening. Nine actors perform a variation of the same monologue while they sow and take apart an American Flag.The monologue is non-realistic---it really challenges the actors instrument to make choices, but in this case, the nine actors that I saw were really able to create something different each time. By the fourth monologue, I was familiar with the material, comfortable with it, and able to really enjoy the commitment of each actor. And I really saw some amazing choices being made. There are about 18 actors participating in this project; I will return Saturday evening to see one other actor whom I know, and watch another round of the monologues. Feel that I should make this commitment.
Sunday, a slow day---too tired from the enormous amount of walking that I did the day before to go to Brooklyn, so I stayed around the apartment until dinner time, then off to La Flaca (after some deliberation) to see what was going on there. Very quiet, but did have a good chat with bartender Tom, about the money that can be made from commercials---also watched a bit of an important football game and made friends with a new patron, John, who actually works in the armed forces where he collaborates with the city anti-terrorism unit. Did not ask him about that---we stuck to football, but I had a very good time. Will probably go to La Flaca again, soon.
Today, a BAN meeting this evening, that I will finally be able to go to--will see what happens from there. Will report soon.
Saturday, December 2, 2017
cityboy relaxed (I thinnk)
...after averting a crisis at Friends, where yesterday afternoon, at the end of the day, he left a class' quizzes on the desk. But did not discover (or remember this) until I was sitting, somewhat comfortably at the Bunin, waiting for the movie, The Cool World to be shown. That last period was difficult, anyway, this only added more fuel to the fire. So what was to be done. Earlier this morning, I went to Friends, was able to get in because the security man was someone who has known me over the years, and went up to the room where the class was held, and voila! there were the quizzes---they had never been touched. Retrieved them, then deposited them on the appropriate desk in the history department. Whew! Have never done that before---had fantasies of trying to explain why the quiz was lost---very embarrassing, now that will not happen. Good to get that off my mind.
Wednesday, did get to see Jesus Hopped the A Train (or at least its first act). Left because I had a heavy day the next day, and wanted to get some sleep. The act of the play that I saw had some riveting moments---some of the writing goes very deep, and the acting was amazing. Still, did not feel compelled to stay---besides the needed rest---perhaps the play is ultimately a little too intellectual for me---that sounds strange after the way I described it---but at times, for all its well meaning and savage moments, it gets a little too polemical. Should read the second act at some point.
Yesterday, at Lincoln Center saw The Cool World, by Shirley Clark---poverty stricken Harlem in the early sixties. Story centers around Duke, a sixteen year old who wants to be the leader of a gang, and wants to prove his worth, even if it means killing the opposite gang leader. It is a picture of Harlem (around 5th Avenue and 119th street) that shows very little hope of a young person escaping. Excellent camera work and music--a great cast. Two of the actors who played the young gang members were at the Bunin, and spoke before the movie began---both very solid and eloquent gentlemen, now in their seventies. Despite my agitation (see above) I was able to enjoy the film.
Tonight, the Brick "Flag" show, with several actors that I know doing monologues--should be interesting, before that may head to Brooklyn to do some tabling for BAN. Want to get involved again---this would be a good way since I have missed the last three meeting. Will report soon.
Wednesday, did get to see Jesus Hopped the A Train (or at least its first act). Left because I had a heavy day the next day, and wanted to get some sleep. The act of the play that I saw had some riveting moments---some of the writing goes very deep, and the acting was amazing. Still, did not feel compelled to stay---besides the needed rest---perhaps the play is ultimately a little too intellectual for me---that sounds strange after the way I described it---but at times, for all its well meaning and savage moments, it gets a little too polemical. Should read the second act at some point.
Yesterday, at Lincoln Center saw The Cool World, by Shirley Clark---poverty stricken Harlem in the early sixties. Story centers around Duke, a sixteen year old who wants to be the leader of a gang, and wants to prove his worth, even if it means killing the opposite gang leader. It is a picture of Harlem (around 5th Avenue and 119th street) that shows very little hope of a young person escaping. Excellent camera work and music--a great cast. Two of the actors who played the young gang members were at the Bunin, and spoke before the movie began---both very solid and eloquent gentlemen, now in their seventies. Despite my agitation (see above) I was able to enjoy the film.
Tonight, the Brick "Flag" show, with several actors that I know doing monologues--should be interesting, before that may head to Brooklyn to do some tabling for BAN. Want to get involved again---this would be a good way since I have missed the last three meeting. Will report soon.
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
cityboy (but not his money)...
is on a roll today---first day off from Friends since November 6th (a long time)---but in the last hour have donated some money to Johns Hopkins (where I went to college) and bought a ticket to Jesus Hopped the A Train at Signature, tomorrow evening. Glad about the latter---have wanted to see the play, and getting a ticket on TDF makes it reasonable. So far only half a day scheduled at Friends for tomorrow, so should be rested for the play.
About Hopkins, every year I receive a call from an undergraduate (usually a freshman) asking for a donation. This year's freshman was named Bentley---we had a nice conversation---I asked a lot of questions, and I ended up giving the university $25.00. Interesting, many years later, Hopkins remains a strong part of my life narrative--the place that allowed me to feel I could "make it" in theater. If that exactly did not happen, I am still able to put that year---my last year as an undergraduate---in perspective. Yes, it was an amazing year---I was President of the Barnstomers---at that time the only performing theater group on the campus---at least the only undergraduate one. As President, I implemented an extended program, adding two more full productions and two evenings of one act plays in collaboration with the drama group, Masks and Faces, of Goucher. Lots of feelings from that time---a sense of strength and uniqueness that I never expected as a Freshman, but also a sense of being overwhelmed by all the praise and already at a young age, being at "the top". But it happened, cityboy, and is part of your past, even if it does not play a great role in your life at this moment.
Some reports: Saturday night, after some deliberation about choices, opted for the film Ladybird at the Angelica. Unlike most people I have spoken to or read, I found it kind of empty and self important. The script is "passable"; the camera work ordinary---yes, there is some interest in this senior in high school trying to find herself, and separate herself from a domineering, overfeeling mother, but ultimately "so what"? She gets what she wants---an acceptance from Barnard, and after all, she becomes the star she is now. Is that important? Towards the end, I felt like yelling at the screen: "All right, grow up and become famous, already!" Really surprised at how ordinary the movie seemed to me. How does it merit such praise? Well, reviewers are strange.
Sunday, spent the first part of the afternoon at Cobra, watching the Jets-Panthers game. Had some good conversations with two people---one, an aspiring actor and film maker, and two, my friend Paul, whom I have known through Cobra for about three years now, and who is a regular there. Just some good back and forth banter as the game came to a close. Will I return there next Sunday? Not sure---the only game to watch is not that interesting, but if not there---where? Sunday, as long as there is no protest activity, are still kind of vague to me in terms or organizing. Did not stop off at South Fourth afterwards, as it was cold, and I was underdressed, but simply returned home and went to bed, awakened by a text from Kristen, head of the history department at Friends, that I was needed the next day.
Today, a kind of freedom, maybe will visit La Flaca---I really owe my friend Bobby, the owner, a visit--or maybe some other "Saloon". Three more days at Friends, but will report soon.
About Hopkins, every year I receive a call from an undergraduate (usually a freshman) asking for a donation. This year's freshman was named Bentley---we had a nice conversation---I asked a lot of questions, and I ended up giving the university $25.00. Interesting, many years later, Hopkins remains a strong part of my life narrative--the place that allowed me to feel I could "make it" in theater. If that exactly did not happen, I am still able to put that year---my last year as an undergraduate---in perspective. Yes, it was an amazing year---I was President of the Barnstomers---at that time the only performing theater group on the campus---at least the only undergraduate one. As President, I implemented an extended program, adding two more full productions and two evenings of one act plays in collaboration with the drama group, Masks and Faces, of Goucher. Lots of feelings from that time---a sense of strength and uniqueness that I never expected as a Freshman, but also a sense of being overwhelmed by all the praise and already at a young age, being at "the top". But it happened, cityboy, and is part of your past, even if it does not play a great role in your life at this moment.
Some reports: Saturday night, after some deliberation about choices, opted for the film Ladybird at the Angelica. Unlike most people I have spoken to or read, I found it kind of empty and self important. The script is "passable"; the camera work ordinary---yes, there is some interest in this senior in high school trying to find herself, and separate herself from a domineering, overfeeling mother, but ultimately "so what"? She gets what she wants---an acceptance from Barnard, and after all, she becomes the star she is now. Is that important? Towards the end, I felt like yelling at the screen: "All right, grow up and become famous, already!" Really surprised at how ordinary the movie seemed to me. How does it merit such praise? Well, reviewers are strange.
Sunday, spent the first part of the afternoon at Cobra, watching the Jets-Panthers game. Had some good conversations with two people---one, an aspiring actor and film maker, and two, my friend Paul, whom I have known through Cobra for about three years now, and who is a regular there. Just some good back and forth banter as the game came to a close. Will I return there next Sunday? Not sure---the only game to watch is not that interesting, but if not there---where? Sunday, as long as there is no protest activity, are still kind of vague to me in terms or organizing. Did not stop off at South Fourth afterwards, as it was cold, and I was underdressed, but simply returned home and went to bed, awakened by a text from Kristen, head of the history department at Friends, that I was needed the next day.
Today, a kind of freedom, maybe will visit La Flaca---I really owe my friend Bobby, the owner, a visit--or maybe some other "Saloon". Three more days at Friends, but will report soon.
Saturday, November 25, 2017
three sessions.....
(pretty fruitful) have finished, now, kind of exhausted, have the rest of the day to myself. Must leave the upper west side--maybe La Flaca, maybe some place in Brooklyn, will let it happen. A lot depends on how strong I feel for the rest of the day.
Last night--got to see the movie at the Bunin---the South Korean one that was shown at the Film Festival. It is beautiful to look at, very well composed, excellent sense of color. Film concerns an actress trying to find herself---feeling at times, very empty--lots of conversations with friends that seem to simply fill up space---there is a slow and static feeling to the movie. Finally, at the end, a confrontation with a director who had used her in his movies, and with whom (we think) she recently ended a tumultuous affair. That goes very quickly, and the movie ends with her possible suicide. I daydreamed a lot through it then returned to its essence. Some reviewers found it amazing--I really don't understand why---one can truly admire it---but it is so static. Well, it was a movie that I wanted to check out---will I see one today, or tomorrow. Can't say.
Nothing else really happening---the long weekend ends tomorrow---a BAN meeting on Monday, which I will attend if there is no work.
Did read a very interesting non fiction work by a guy named Brandon Harris. His book, Making rent in Bed Stuy, is a very well written memoir about the several places in that area that he survived in between 2004, and 2015. Some very perceptive comments about the changes in that area as it gentrified. Actually, I had met him at Soda Bar about seven years ago, when he was dating one of its bartenders (she is actually in the book), and from those encounters, never expected this kind of telling statement. He really has a lot to be proud of. Maybe I can find him at one of the Brooklyn bars that he probably hangs out in, and continue our conversation. Something to look forward to.
Had to get that statement in---will report soon on everything else....
Last night--got to see the movie at the Bunin---the South Korean one that was shown at the Film Festival. It is beautiful to look at, very well composed, excellent sense of color. Film concerns an actress trying to find herself---feeling at times, very empty--lots of conversations with friends that seem to simply fill up space---there is a slow and static feeling to the movie. Finally, at the end, a confrontation with a director who had used her in his movies, and with whom (we think) she recently ended a tumultuous affair. That goes very quickly, and the movie ends with her possible suicide. I daydreamed a lot through it then returned to its essence. Some reviewers found it amazing--I really don't understand why---one can truly admire it---but it is so static. Well, it was a movie that I wanted to check out---will I see one today, or tomorrow. Can't say.
Nothing else really happening---the long weekend ends tomorrow---a BAN meeting on Monday, which I will attend if there is no work.
Did read a very interesting non fiction work by a guy named Brandon Harris. His book, Making rent in Bed Stuy, is a very well written memoir about the several places in that area that he survived in between 2004, and 2015. Some very perceptive comments about the changes in that area as it gentrified. Actually, I had met him at Soda Bar about seven years ago, when he was dating one of its bartenders (she is actually in the book), and from those encounters, never expected this kind of telling statement. He really has a lot to be proud of. Maybe I can find him at one of the Brooklyn bars that he probably hangs out in, and continue our conversation. Something to look forward to.
Had to get that statement in---will report soon on everything else....
Friday, November 24, 2017
The Day after....
Thanksgiving.....kind of an easy day---maybe will go to La Flaca tonight, to check on my friend the owner, Bob. Of course, he may not be there---still, like the idea of an improvised day. Could have checked out a movie this morning---but of course. ended up here in the Lincoln Center Library, where I visit the computer. A few reports.
Wednesday, Describe the Night, at the Atlantic---finally, a play in three acts and two intermissions---wow!---unfortunately, I was gone after Act II. Why, did I hate the play? No, on the contrary, I admired its scope and its ambition--trying to take a theme through a hundred years of history. But the playwright's dialogue was arid---for me it simply could not sustain the power of the vision. The production---the usual "Atlantic" delivery---the actors in that space, really don't perform the play, they seem to "deliver" it---that is, although the actors are very good--there is a mechanized, closed quality to their performances. As I left, I saw the playwright in the downstairs lobby---too bad, he seems like a nice guy---I have liked some of his other work---but something in what I saw was so (I hate to use this word) "deadly". Well, it will be interesting to see how the critics receive it--there have been other plays at the Atlantic that I have not liked--and they have done well.
Yesterday--the traditional Thanksgiving dinner with my relatives in Prospect Heights Brooklyn. I have been going to the house of my cousins Kayla and Stan for 26 years now, and I am really greatful for their invite. I usually have a good time, but yesterday did not end well. Why? A small group, rather limited in conversation---and to add to that, for some reason, after the turkey (which I really enjoyed) I felt completely stuffed. Three participants were of the same family, and they yakked endlessly about people they knew--I simply lost interest---actually became frustrated was a better way of putting it---and felt I had to leave. Plus, if I took even a morsel of food in my tummy (desert had not yet been served) I felt that I would burst. So I left quickly, hopefully not alienating anyone, and, after toying with the idea of checking out a movie, had a "crash" moment on the Q train---felt very tired. So I took the train to 57th and 7th, and found my way home--asleep very quickly. Still, I must admit, I am getting less and less tolerant of listening to conversations that, in my opinion. lack "depth". How will it play itself out at the next party I attend. Dont't know, will find out at some point.
So again, tonight is a bit of a mystery---some interesting theater to check out, but most of it begins next week. Will report on all, tomorrow
Wednesday, Describe the Night, at the Atlantic---finally, a play in three acts and two intermissions---wow!---unfortunately, I was gone after Act II. Why, did I hate the play? No, on the contrary, I admired its scope and its ambition--trying to take a theme through a hundred years of history. But the playwright's dialogue was arid---for me it simply could not sustain the power of the vision. The production---the usual "Atlantic" delivery---the actors in that space, really don't perform the play, they seem to "deliver" it---that is, although the actors are very good--there is a mechanized, closed quality to their performances. As I left, I saw the playwright in the downstairs lobby---too bad, he seems like a nice guy---I have liked some of his other work---but something in what I saw was so (I hate to use this word) "deadly". Well, it will be interesting to see how the critics receive it--there have been other plays at the Atlantic that I have not liked--and they have done well.
Yesterday--the traditional Thanksgiving dinner with my relatives in Prospect Heights Brooklyn. I have been going to the house of my cousins Kayla and Stan for 26 years now, and I am really greatful for their invite. I usually have a good time, but yesterday did not end well. Why? A small group, rather limited in conversation---and to add to that, for some reason, after the turkey (which I really enjoyed) I felt completely stuffed. Three participants were of the same family, and they yakked endlessly about people they knew--I simply lost interest---actually became frustrated was a better way of putting it---and felt I had to leave. Plus, if I took even a morsel of food in my tummy (desert had not yet been served) I felt that I would burst. So I left quickly, hopefully not alienating anyone, and, after toying with the idea of checking out a movie, had a "crash" moment on the Q train---felt very tired. So I took the train to 57th and 7th, and found my way home--asleep very quickly. Still, I must admit, I am getting less and less tolerant of listening to conversations that, in my opinion. lack "depth". How will it play itself out at the next party I attend. Dont't know, will find out at some point.
So again, tonight is a bit of a mystery---some interesting theater to check out, but most of it begins next week. Will report on all, tomorrow
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
two days at...
Friends---good, hardworking days---kind of hard to do anything in the evenings with that work load. Too bad, last night there was a rally at an apartment house on Rutland Road, protesting a landlord's treatment of his tenants. Would have liked to be there---as I would have liked to go to the Tank, on Monday evening, to see a project that my friend Zoe was doing. But too tired. Zoe's really sharp---I am sure this was a work in progress, and that there will be other times that I can check this project out. Same thing with yesterday, would have liked to travel out to Brooklyn to stand with the BAN people and others against this predatory landlord. Always find that meaningful, usually have some good chats with the others who are there. Next BAN meeting is Monday---will go possibly, depending on how much work I have.
Interesting moment yesterday at Friends. I was at the Thanksgiving Assembly where a number of songs are sung by all. One, a hymn that begins "We Gather Together". was particularly moving---why? Well, first of all, I love the music---but more important, we sang this song at my elementary school, PS 96 in the Bronx, when I was growing up. As the song played, memories of sitting in the auditorium there, absorbing the song, rushed through me. There we were, all of us children in the fifties, listening to this song, now I sit, almost seventy years later, sitting in the meeting house of Friends Seminary, letting the song and its memories seep through me. Quite an experience.
Saturday evening, journeyed to the Brick, which usually programs adventurous plays, to see my friend Rolls in a play there. Very disappointed, the play, actually written by an artist, never caught fire. The playwright's vision never go off the ground, scenes were repetitive, and the direction was paceless. Nice to say hello to Rolls afterwards, and to give him support, but sitting through the play was difficult. This is a group that does a lot of work at the Brick, so there is a kind of indulgence there, but seriously, this play should have been stopped and worked on after the first reading.
Afterwards, wanted to check out a bar in the neighborhood, but the one bar that I was interested in Basik---on Graham avenue, was packed, and looking in from the outside, everyone seemed to know each other. So I was intimidated and did not go in. Settled for the Pizza House, a little further north on Graham, I like their pizza--and I was getting tired. Afterwards, figured it was best for me to get on the L at this time, (around 10:30) when they were running pretty regularly, and if I was going to check out a bar, do one in Manhattan. In the end, I settled for returning to the apartment---I figured there would be enough action the next day. This did not actually turn out to be true, Sunday was kind of a mess, with me returning home from Williamsburg fairly early, but going home on Saturday evening, seemed like the right thing then.
Tonight, hope to see the play at Atlantic. I made the reservation and paid for the (inexpensive) ticket about a month ago, yet when I checked my e-mail today, for the receipt, did not find it. Usually the theater sends you an e-mail on the same day, reminding you that you are supposed to go--but I have not received one yet. Will check right after this. Tomorrow is the traditional Thanksgiving dinner with my cousins in Prospect Heights. Hard to believe that this started in 1991---and here we are, all doing it again. The apartment house where my cousin Kayla and her husband Stan live is one block east of Flatbush on Park Place. I remember in the early nineties, that as I walked east from Flatbush, I would look behind me---and walk carefully. Well, no longer.
Rest of day, not sure, will report on Friday...
Interesting moment yesterday at Friends. I was at the Thanksgiving Assembly where a number of songs are sung by all. One, a hymn that begins "We Gather Together". was particularly moving---why? Well, first of all, I love the music---but more important, we sang this song at my elementary school, PS 96 in the Bronx, when I was growing up. As the song played, memories of sitting in the auditorium there, absorbing the song, rushed through me. There we were, all of us children in the fifties, listening to this song, now I sit, almost seventy years later, sitting in the meeting house of Friends Seminary, letting the song and its memories seep through me. Quite an experience.
Saturday evening, journeyed to the Brick, which usually programs adventurous plays, to see my friend Rolls in a play there. Very disappointed, the play, actually written by an artist, never caught fire. The playwright's vision never go off the ground, scenes were repetitive, and the direction was paceless. Nice to say hello to Rolls afterwards, and to give him support, but sitting through the play was difficult. This is a group that does a lot of work at the Brick, so there is a kind of indulgence there, but seriously, this play should have been stopped and worked on after the first reading.
Afterwards, wanted to check out a bar in the neighborhood, but the one bar that I was interested in Basik---on Graham avenue, was packed, and looking in from the outside, everyone seemed to know each other. So I was intimidated and did not go in. Settled for the Pizza House, a little further north on Graham, I like their pizza--and I was getting tired. Afterwards, figured it was best for me to get on the L at this time, (around 10:30) when they were running pretty regularly, and if I was going to check out a bar, do one in Manhattan. In the end, I settled for returning to the apartment---I figured there would be enough action the next day. This did not actually turn out to be true, Sunday was kind of a mess, with me returning home from Williamsburg fairly early, but going home on Saturday evening, seemed like the right thing then.
Tonight, hope to see the play at Atlantic. I made the reservation and paid for the (inexpensive) ticket about a month ago, yet when I checked my e-mail today, for the receipt, did not find it. Usually the theater sends you an e-mail on the same day, reminding you that you are supposed to go--but I have not received one yet. Will check right after this. Tomorrow is the traditional Thanksgiving dinner with my cousins in Prospect Heights. Hard to believe that this started in 1991---and here we are, all doing it again. The apartment house where my cousin Kayla and her husband Stan live is one block east of Flatbush on Park Place. I remember in the early nineties, that as I walked east from Flatbush, I would look behind me---and walk carefully. Well, no longer.
Rest of day, not sure, will report on Friday...
Saturday, November 18, 2017
last night...
as promised, attended Uncommon Sense, a play about people living with autism, which featured my friends Jill and Jess among a cast of 8. The play is an interesting look at how some autistic people function---at its heart were two stories about autistic young people trying to come to terms with intimacy. This part of the play had some very authentic writing---the courtship between two twenty somethings living with autism and between a non-autistic jock and his autistic tutor was very well delineated. Two other autistic situations turned out to be a little ponderous, and by the time the play was over, I felt the two playwrights had exhausted the subject. Yet it was fascinating to watch the three actors (Jill and Jess and one other) playing autistic people---these challenges took their acting skills to a new level. I have seen Jess in many other projects--- she is always good, but it was awe inspiring to see her become the autistic young woman dealing with a non-autistic boyfriend. But I had not seen Jill perform in about three years-her performance and her commitment was a revelation. She has an amazing instrument. An incredible depth that goes from inside to out. I hope she continues to act and is cast frequently. So much talent going around now---really an amazing time to witness theater in the city. After the play, had a super organic chicken sandwich at the Been, then too tired for much else so went home.
I awoke this morning feeling angry---maybe frustrated. Why? Was I slightly envious of my two friends, who, I felt had taken their acting skills to a new high level? Just a feeling of rawness---probably feeling a little better now.
Rest of weekend: tonight will go to the Brick, a theater on Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg where my friend Rolls is doing a play, I know very little about it--but his description of it makes it seem interesting. What about tomorrow. Well Dylan, of the Friends class of 2006 is doing what looks like an interesting comedy show at Union Hall, a venue in Park Slope. If I go, it will be a break from my usual habit of spending early and middle Sunday evening at South Fourth. Will be interesting to be at the slope in the evening--something different. Not sure about the rest of Sunday---may check out south fourth around 1---or maybe visit other parts of Brooklyn. Do I need to change my Sunday routine? Possibly, will figure it out tomorrow.
And so we go on---in a few hours, into the Brooklyn night---will report soon.
I awoke this morning feeling angry---maybe frustrated. Why? Was I slightly envious of my two friends, who, I felt had taken their acting skills to a new high level? Just a feeling of rawness---probably feeling a little better now.
Rest of weekend: tonight will go to the Brick, a theater on Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg where my friend Rolls is doing a play, I know very little about it--but his description of it makes it seem interesting. What about tomorrow. Well Dylan, of the Friends class of 2006 is doing what looks like an interesting comedy show at Union Hall, a venue in Park Slope. If I go, it will be a break from my usual habit of spending early and middle Sunday evening at South Fourth. Will be interesting to be at the slope in the evening--something different. Not sure about the rest of Sunday---may check out south fourth around 1---or maybe visit other parts of Brooklyn. Do I need to change my Sunday routine? Possibly, will figure it out tomorrow.
And so we go on---in a few hours, into the Brooklyn night---will report soon.
Friday, November 17, 2017
finally a break!
Friends is open today, but only for parent teacher conferences. So I am free. Funny feeling last night, coming home from Paul Pinto's project at HERE, understanding that I would not be going in today, a kind of looseness in the air. So, worked at Friends for the last eight school days, also some sessions, mucho exhaustion, but it has got to be. Now I have two days of work for the two days prior to Thanksgiving---creating a kind of comfort zone for me financially. Happy about that.
What to report? Was it only on Saturday that I saw my friend Kendra dance at BAM in the David Dorfman project. She is a wonderful dancer---the choreography---a series of moves and encounters by the six dancers, also some monologues, seemed incredibly inventive Show ran about an hour---perfect timing---just enough to get everything in, but its shortness avoided repetition and a kind of "look at me" stance that often encourages artists to extend their work. Dorfman's work is about a kind of love and friendship---all hashed together in one group of six. No story but lots of ideas about intimacy. Ultimately a joyous feeling of comradeship among the six dancers. Nothing too heavy, but nothing too light. Really glad that I went; said hello to Kendra and her family afterwards,
Earlier in the day found cityboy at another place in Brooklyn, 60 Turner Place to take part in a protest against an aggressive super in a large building who seems to enjoy harassing the tenants of color who live in the building. Met of few of the tenants who are protesting; they are really lovely people, joined about 10 others who stood outside the building and chanted against the landlord and the tenants. There is something so important about doing this. Turner place is a small block, near the northern border of Ditmas park. Very quiet, the building at 60 is the only apartment building on the block. Would love to know the story of the block and its evolution for the past 50 years.
I spent the rest of Saturday wondering around Brooklyn while I was waiting for the Dorfman piece to begin. I was determined not to return to Manhattan, and that meant killing a lot of time between two and six thirty,when I got my senior ticket for the dance. The trip from Ditmas park to BAN included a visit to the much reviled (by BAN) Industry City food court--which turned out to be just another noisy consumer oriented stretch of land. Had a nice cup of coffee and some organic ice cream---they did not disappoint, but the cost---$7.75 was of course, bloated. After the "city', I walked through the southern part of Park Slope, then the train to the BAN area, and then the long round of bookstores and coffee shops while I was waiting for the dance. I love to browse in the bookstore on Fulton, everything looks very interesting.
Books: Just finished All Quiet on the Western Front by Remarque. I think it is an amazing book, the way he talks about how soldiers become killing machines, despite their better natures, is really strong. Hard to read---very little let up from the killing and the monotony of waiting in or near the trenches. The end is very hopeless. There are some great passages, that I think should be read to high school students, as they study war.
Last night, the Paul Pinto project at HERE---about Tom Payne, an intense, sometimes unintelligible piece---full of piercing cries and repetition--quite an assault on the audience---but very unique to itself. Met William and Julia, a playwright and actress couple and had a great talk with them before the opera. Nice to remember that I am part of that community---with all the work I think I had left that behind for a while. Tonight will see my friends Jess and Jill in a play about autism, then tomorrow night to the Brick for a fantastic piece that my friend Rolls is in. After that...well let's leave
it for now.
Hope to report again tomorrow, if not then soon...
What to report? Was it only on Saturday that I saw my friend Kendra dance at BAM in the David Dorfman project. She is a wonderful dancer---the choreography---a series of moves and encounters by the six dancers, also some monologues, seemed incredibly inventive Show ran about an hour---perfect timing---just enough to get everything in, but its shortness avoided repetition and a kind of "look at me" stance that often encourages artists to extend their work. Dorfman's work is about a kind of love and friendship---all hashed together in one group of six. No story but lots of ideas about intimacy. Ultimately a joyous feeling of comradeship among the six dancers. Nothing too heavy, but nothing too light. Really glad that I went; said hello to Kendra and her family afterwards,
Earlier in the day found cityboy at another place in Brooklyn, 60 Turner Place to take part in a protest against an aggressive super in a large building who seems to enjoy harassing the tenants of color who live in the building. Met of few of the tenants who are protesting; they are really lovely people, joined about 10 others who stood outside the building and chanted against the landlord and the tenants. There is something so important about doing this. Turner place is a small block, near the northern border of Ditmas park. Very quiet, the building at 60 is the only apartment building on the block. Would love to know the story of the block and its evolution for the past 50 years.
I spent the rest of Saturday wondering around Brooklyn while I was waiting for the Dorfman piece to begin. I was determined not to return to Manhattan, and that meant killing a lot of time between two and six thirty,when I got my senior ticket for the dance. The trip from Ditmas park to BAN included a visit to the much reviled (by BAN) Industry City food court--which turned out to be just another noisy consumer oriented stretch of land. Had a nice cup of coffee and some organic ice cream---they did not disappoint, but the cost---$7.75 was of course, bloated. After the "city', I walked through the southern part of Park Slope, then the train to the BAN area, and then the long round of bookstores and coffee shops while I was waiting for the dance. I love to browse in the bookstore on Fulton, everything looks very interesting.
Books: Just finished All Quiet on the Western Front by Remarque. I think it is an amazing book, the way he talks about how soldiers become killing machines, despite their better natures, is really strong. Hard to read---very little let up from the killing and the monotony of waiting in or near the trenches. The end is very hopeless. There are some great passages, that I think should be read to high school students, as they study war.
Last night, the Paul Pinto project at HERE---about Tom Payne, an intense, sometimes unintelligible piece---full of piercing cries and repetition--quite an assault on the audience---but very unique to itself. Met William and Julia, a playwright and actress couple and had a great talk with them before the opera. Nice to remember that I am part of that community---with all the work I think I had left that behind for a while. Tonight will see my friends Jess and Jill in a play about autism, then tomorrow night to the Brick for a fantastic piece that my friend Rolls is in. After that...well let's leave
it for now.
Hope to report again tomorrow, if not then soon...
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
in the middle....
this Wednesday morning; I am not at Friends, but I "am", that is I have one afternoon class to cover for today. Strange feeling---and irony of ironies, yesterday's coverage which had me visiting five lower school classes, was exhausting---I was on my feet focusing for every minute that I was in those class rooms, and today, all that I am being asked to do is to passively "monitor" a chemistry class-- I have been relegated to being a ghost. Well, that is the way it is---probably better for that--I will be at Friends for the next two days---and there will be plenty of involvement. Yesterday's program left me very tired. Much stronger now.
The mayor has won a second term. Very disappointed that one or two of the City Council candidates whom I supported did not win. I particularly wanted to see the council person who represents Brooklyn Heights, and gave away the library there defeated---surprised that his challenger only garnered about 3,000 votes. All these incumbents. How closely will they follow the Mayor' s agenda? When I allow myself to think about it, I am frightened for the city. At the forum on Friday, the final question was: How would you like to see the city in twenty years? The answers were very innocent---and did not include any talk of the rising prices of goods and services. I am worried for that.
Just got word that there will be two protests on Saturday. That is usually a busy day for me, but with the library closed, I might be able to make one of them. That would be good, as I missed the last BAN meeting and may miss the next one on Monday. I would really like to participate in at least one of them.
More about that later---time to get ready to go to work, and also get some things done in the apartment.
The mayor has won a second term. Very disappointed that one or two of the City Council candidates whom I supported did not win. I particularly wanted to see the council person who represents Brooklyn Heights, and gave away the library there defeated---surprised that his challenger only garnered about 3,000 votes. All these incumbents. How closely will they follow the Mayor' s agenda? When I allow myself to think about it, I am frightened for the city. At the forum on Friday, the final question was: How would you like to see the city in twenty years? The answers were very innocent---and did not include any talk of the rising prices of goods and services. I am worried for that.
Just got word that there will be two protests on Saturday. That is usually a busy day for me, but with the library closed, I might be able to make one of them. That would be good, as I missed the last BAN meeting and may miss the next one on Monday. I would really like to participate in at least one of them.
More about that later---time to get ready to go to work, and also get some things done in the apartment.
Monday, November 6, 2017
where to begin
three straight days of work at Friends, then impossible to blog on Saturday. Not much to report---don't even remember what I did on Tuesday evening---probably just rested up for the next three days.
Will have four (probably) more days at Friends coming up, and then the library will be closed on Saturday---will try to get a blog in somewhere.
So what is new?
Most interesting evening of the weekend was Friday. Went to Abrons Arts for their Perfect City series---not a play or a ballet but a discussion about what is going on---basically the gentrification crisis, but it also included a section (very serious) on female harassment. First we were asked to draw a map of a trip that we take, showing what streets we avoid on that trip, what streets we go on, ad why? I was stumped for a minute, then chose my route to Bronx Documentary project, where I travel on the more commercial streets of 149street and Courtlandt street to the 151st destination, rather than the two sides street that go west from third avenue to courtlandt. After we all made the map, the leader asked for volunteers, Very few, but I showed mine. No real comments. Afterwards the groups expanded into a full fledged discussion mode, lots of talk about displacement and gentrification, but also about harassment experienced by women as well. I liked the openness of the discussion and made a few comments that I felt were pertinent. These are open discussions--may continue going to them, but in a way, I like the BAN discussions better---more pointed and more about taking action. Afterwards, I went to the bar at La Flaca and had a really interesting talk with the bartender, a black woman who owns her own apartment in Flatbush and sees the neighborhood rapidly changing. She seemed very interested in the discussion, and I willingly gave her the literature that was given out by the group.
Last night I attended a play that my friend Sarah directed. Completely language based with a lot of repetition---a lot of the audience found it meaningful, I really did not, but I try to support Sarah in everything that she does, and it was good to talk to her afterwards. On the street (8th avenue and 37th) was an English bar that I would have liked to go into, have a salad and watch the football game, but the cheapest salad would have cost around $14.00, that is before tax and tip. Interesting, that now with so much work, I am far more financially secure, I tend to think less and less of the high cost of food and living in the city, but the lessening of the value of a the dollar was still there. I looked into a few more places, but ultimately decided to buy my own food at the supermarket that sits around the corner from me, and kept the money expenditure under $10.00. I was tired, so it did not matter, but the gouging of prices in the city continues--and most of us turn a blind eye towards it.
Where will it end?
Lots to say about the "election" tomorrow---so many villains, no heroes, should write a longer version of this say, on Daily Kos, but feel ambivalent about it. Hard to say what the city will look like in four years, if the mayor has his way, but the pockets of rage in the neighborhoods hold on---so there is some hope. In the meantime, I can always think about theater in the city. Why not?
Will try to post in the next couple of days.
Will have four (probably) more days at Friends coming up, and then the library will be closed on Saturday---will try to get a blog in somewhere.
So what is new?
Most interesting evening of the weekend was Friday. Went to Abrons Arts for their Perfect City series---not a play or a ballet but a discussion about what is going on---basically the gentrification crisis, but it also included a section (very serious) on female harassment. First we were asked to draw a map of a trip that we take, showing what streets we avoid on that trip, what streets we go on, ad why? I was stumped for a minute, then chose my route to Bronx Documentary project, where I travel on the more commercial streets of 149street and Courtlandt street to the 151st destination, rather than the two sides street that go west from third avenue to courtlandt. After we all made the map, the leader asked for volunteers, Very few, but I showed mine. No real comments. Afterwards the groups expanded into a full fledged discussion mode, lots of talk about displacement and gentrification, but also about harassment experienced by women as well. I liked the openness of the discussion and made a few comments that I felt were pertinent. These are open discussions--may continue going to them, but in a way, I like the BAN discussions better---more pointed and more about taking action. Afterwards, I went to the bar at La Flaca and had a really interesting talk with the bartender, a black woman who owns her own apartment in Flatbush and sees the neighborhood rapidly changing. She seemed very interested in the discussion, and I willingly gave her the literature that was given out by the group.
Last night I attended a play that my friend Sarah directed. Completely language based with a lot of repetition---a lot of the audience found it meaningful, I really did not, but I try to support Sarah in everything that she does, and it was good to talk to her afterwards. On the street (8th avenue and 37th) was an English bar that I would have liked to go into, have a salad and watch the football game, but the cheapest salad would have cost around $14.00, that is before tax and tip. Interesting, that now with so much work, I am far more financially secure, I tend to think less and less of the high cost of food and living in the city, but the lessening of the value of a the dollar was still there. I looked into a few more places, but ultimately decided to buy my own food at the supermarket that sits around the corner from me, and kept the money expenditure under $10.00. I was tired, so it did not matter, but the gouging of prices in the city continues--and most of us turn a blind eye towards it.
Where will it end?
Lots to say about the "election" tomorrow---so many villains, no heroes, should write a longer version of this say, on Daily Kos, but feel ambivalent about it. Hard to say what the city will look like in four years, if the mayor has his way, but the pockets of rage in the neighborhoods hold on---so there is some hope. In the meantime, I can always think about theater in the city. Why not?
Will try to post in the next couple of days.
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
so much to write about,,,,
where to begin...missed the BAN meeting last night because I was tired after a day of subbing and a session. Have not heard any feedback yet---hopefully will get a report soon. It is hard for me now to join any groups, will have to just learn about an action or protest and jump in. Still I want to remain involved.
Read one page in Alberto Gonzalez's book on the Mayor. The saddest part of that is that one of the Mayor's advisors, one who did not believe that the real estate industry should have so much power, died before the election. He might have influenced the Mayor to hire a much more liberal Director of City Planning then the current one. Sad. Yes, the Mayor has done some constructive things, but his vision of re-development---well you know. Nice to hear that the challenger to City Council person Levin has some strong things to say about displacement and the aggressiveness of the development class. Will she win? Should I flyer for her? Possibly, I certainly would be heartened by some change.
Reports from the weekend. Saturday, off to Bushwick for Heather Christian'ss piece at the Starr. A confessional---starts off kind of coy and anecdotal, then descends into a kind of heaven-hell place that is really all consuming. As the liturgy for her dead grandparents continues, the audience is put into 19 minutes of darkness. An amazing choir and some musicians play while this is going on. The music is complicated, but they do it anyway. At first, I hated the darkness---almost panicked, but as it continued and the music became more and more intense, I understood why it had to be. Effect was striking---a theater event defined completely in and of itself.I felt like I was being pulled into a new reality---and really was happy, as the lights slowly reappeared. It was striking.
After the play, though that I would go to Starr bar, but the latter was packed with Halloween revelers (many dressed as Socialists, if you can imagine that) ---and most of Bushwick seemed filled with costumed people. Is this necessary? Is this the height of superficiality? So many millennials are buying into this, why? I suppose I will have to face this again this evening---I should not go far from the upper west side. Anyway, had my pizza slice and simply headed home---looking forward to Sunday.
Sunday afternoon, had a very easy time getting a free ticket for Illyria, playwright Richard Nelson's take on the Joe Papp---Robert Moses conflict that might have destroyed the Public (then the New York Shakespeare Festival) but actually was the turning point in the Festival gaining stamina and publicity. It is an interesting play-filled with 50's theater minutia that I knew completely, but that I wonder, how many others in the audience were aware of. A nice cast does good ensemble work, yet as I separated myself from it, I felt more and more annoyed with it. Why does every cast member---as good as they are--look alike, as if they had all arrived from the same acting school. The actor George C Scott, who got his first break from the Festival, and performed with them later, is spoken of a great deal, but never appears. Why? Is his galvanic and gut-brute presence too "hot" for the playwright to handle. His absence and Nelson's unwillingness to put him on stage, almost defines what is wrong with the play. Each character seems to have one trait that never changes: Papp: feistiness; Debuskey: Friendship; Vaughan: ambition---the others see their parts whittled down, and two of the four women remain nothing but cyphers. Still it has the trappings of a serious play. Maybe I am angry because as a "theater expert" of that time, I was not called in to tell my recollections, which I think might have interested the cast members. But how could I, since I don't know Nelson or any one involved in the production. At any rate, the more I considered it, the more angered I was by its existence. The Public seems to have appointed Nelson its historical genius---I think this history, filtered through his sensibility, fails very badly.
It was raining, when I left the Public; I did not feel like going to Brooklyn and taking the chance that the subways might be shut down or the tunnels connecting the two boroughs would blink out (they wern't) Instead had a nice time at Formerly Crows, and a good talk with Sloane, an old South fourth denizen, who now cooks for the bar. After that, I was tired and returned home.
Not sure about this evening---possibly the Bernstein concert at the Philharmonic, but will wait for the early evening to decide. Will report soon.
Read one page in Alberto Gonzalez's book on the Mayor. The saddest part of that is that one of the Mayor's advisors, one who did not believe that the real estate industry should have so much power, died before the election. He might have influenced the Mayor to hire a much more liberal Director of City Planning then the current one. Sad. Yes, the Mayor has done some constructive things, but his vision of re-development---well you know. Nice to hear that the challenger to City Council person Levin has some strong things to say about displacement and the aggressiveness of the development class. Will she win? Should I flyer for her? Possibly, I certainly would be heartened by some change.
Reports from the weekend. Saturday, off to Bushwick for Heather Christian'ss piece at the Starr. A confessional---starts off kind of coy and anecdotal, then descends into a kind of heaven-hell place that is really all consuming. As the liturgy for her dead grandparents continues, the audience is put into 19 minutes of darkness. An amazing choir and some musicians play while this is going on. The music is complicated, but they do it anyway. At first, I hated the darkness---almost panicked, but as it continued and the music became more and more intense, I understood why it had to be. Effect was striking---a theater event defined completely in and of itself.I felt like I was being pulled into a new reality---and really was happy, as the lights slowly reappeared. It was striking.
After the play, though that I would go to Starr bar, but the latter was packed with Halloween revelers (many dressed as Socialists, if you can imagine that) ---and most of Bushwick seemed filled with costumed people. Is this necessary? Is this the height of superficiality? So many millennials are buying into this, why? I suppose I will have to face this again this evening---I should not go far from the upper west side. Anyway, had my pizza slice and simply headed home---looking forward to Sunday.
Sunday afternoon, had a very easy time getting a free ticket for Illyria, playwright Richard Nelson's take on the Joe Papp---Robert Moses conflict that might have destroyed the Public (then the New York Shakespeare Festival) but actually was the turning point in the Festival gaining stamina and publicity. It is an interesting play-filled with 50's theater minutia that I knew completely, but that I wonder, how many others in the audience were aware of. A nice cast does good ensemble work, yet as I separated myself from it, I felt more and more annoyed with it. Why does every cast member---as good as they are--look alike, as if they had all arrived from the same acting school. The actor George C Scott, who got his first break from the Festival, and performed with them later, is spoken of a great deal, but never appears. Why? Is his galvanic and gut-brute presence too "hot" for the playwright to handle. His absence and Nelson's unwillingness to put him on stage, almost defines what is wrong with the play. Each character seems to have one trait that never changes: Papp: feistiness; Debuskey: Friendship; Vaughan: ambition---the others see their parts whittled down, and two of the four women remain nothing but cyphers. Still it has the trappings of a serious play. Maybe I am angry because as a "theater expert" of that time, I was not called in to tell my recollections, which I think might have interested the cast members. But how could I, since I don't know Nelson or any one involved in the production. At any rate, the more I considered it, the more angered I was by its existence. The Public seems to have appointed Nelson its historical genius---I think this history, filtered through his sensibility, fails very badly.
It was raining, when I left the Public; I did not feel like going to Brooklyn and taking the chance that the subways might be shut down or the tunnels connecting the two boroughs would blink out (they wern't) Instead had a nice time at Formerly Crows, and a good talk with Sloane, an old South fourth denizen, who now cooks for the bar. After that, I was tired and returned home.
Not sure about this evening---possibly the Bernstein concert at the Philharmonic, but will wait for the early evening to decide. Will report soon.
Saturday, October 28, 2017
much to write about..
after two days work at Friends. Just read about a program set up by the city called Neighborhood Pillars, which is designed to stop the predatory gentrification in its tracks, bu allowing not for profits to buy apartment houses with rent stabilized apartments to keep them away from vicious landlords. Will be helpful, but will it be enough. Also, liked the use of the term "turbo capitalism" to describe a vicious form of aggressive development that does not even remotely take into account the lives and feelings living in a certain neighborhood that developers find attractive.Glad to see that columnist Juan Gonzalez is criticizing the mayor re his housing head and her vision of the city.
So what else. Well, Wednesday evening, did go to Jack to see my friend Eliza and her "Kip Talk"
Really enjoyed Eliza's opening monologue; she is becoming a great raconteur.The second part of the evening, a discussion of "local theater" was a little more difficult for me to take---lots of opinions, and some good statements about how theaters like Irondale and Bushwick Starr are integrating young people from the near by neighborhoods--who don't have strong theater backgrounds, into their vision. That was good to hear. Somehow, I was angry when Eliza asked what was "local theater" when no one seemed to understand that the "downtown theater scene" (I don't like the term, but will use it for want of a better word) is made up of mostly artists between 20 and 40, and therefore reflects their vision of life, mostly an upper middle class vision with its strengths and discontents. Why is it so hard for anyone to say that, or to make note of the fact that theater in the last 15 years has undergone a radical transformation in terms of its vision. So many projects now are one group's reactions to already written (mostly major) texts and also the we see the liberation of the actor/actress from auditionee to in many cases, a major collaborator in the vision and text of a piece. Would like to make that statement, is it too obvious? I doubt it, yet nobody could, and I was not called upon. Would a statement like that have made a difference, or would it have been just an indulgence? Don't know, think about it?
Last night, wanted to go to Abrons to participate in a forum about the changing city, but was too tired, ended up going to the Bunin and seeing The Paris Opera documentary. Just what I needed after two hectic days of work--I could immerse myself into a world of art that I completely understood and enjoyed. A terrific documentary---showed the team work and support that is necessary to make an opera performance work---really good portraits of individual people from choristers to the artistic director of the opera. Really glad I went.
Tonight, going to Bushwick Starr to see Heather Christian's piece, should really be interesting, tomorrow a blank, as of now. Will report soon.
So what else. Well, Wednesday evening, did go to Jack to see my friend Eliza and her "Kip Talk"
Really enjoyed Eliza's opening monologue; she is becoming a great raconteur.The second part of the evening, a discussion of "local theater" was a little more difficult for me to take---lots of opinions, and some good statements about how theaters like Irondale and Bushwick Starr are integrating young people from the near by neighborhoods--who don't have strong theater backgrounds, into their vision. That was good to hear. Somehow, I was angry when Eliza asked what was "local theater" when no one seemed to understand that the "downtown theater scene" (I don't like the term, but will use it for want of a better word) is made up of mostly artists between 20 and 40, and therefore reflects their vision of life, mostly an upper middle class vision with its strengths and discontents. Why is it so hard for anyone to say that, or to make note of the fact that theater in the last 15 years has undergone a radical transformation in terms of its vision. So many projects now are one group's reactions to already written (mostly major) texts and also the we see the liberation of the actor/actress from auditionee to in many cases, a major collaborator in the vision and text of a piece. Would like to make that statement, is it too obvious? I doubt it, yet nobody could, and I was not called upon. Would a statement like that have made a difference, or would it have been just an indulgence? Don't know, think about it?
Last night, wanted to go to Abrons to participate in a forum about the changing city, but was too tired, ended up going to the Bunin and seeing The Paris Opera documentary. Just what I needed after two hectic days of work--I could immerse myself into a world of art that I completely understood and enjoyed. A terrific documentary---showed the team work and support that is necessary to make an opera performance work---really good portraits of individual people from choristers to the artistic director of the opera. Really glad I went.
Tonight, going to Bushwick Starr to see Heather Christian's piece, should really be interesting, tomorrow a blank, as of now. Will report soon.
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
have just finished the...
New Yorker article on Mike Pence. Very well written and documented---one thing that I learned that I did not know was how Pence was responsible for bringing in so many Christian Evangelical voters to the Trump ticket.Why oh why did the democrats choose such an uninteresting Vice Presidential candidate---when a firebrand---a good contrast with Hilary_--might have made the difference. Nothing more to be said.
Second day off from Friends---will be there for the next three days---there is a kind of freedom and relaxation in my body that I have not experienced before. I think it is just the openness of the morning. Tonight, just bought my ticket to Kipp Talk at Jack---I mentioned this in yesterday's blog---now it is a certainty---should be an interesting evening.
Last night, had some time in the evening, and so went to the Dive Bar, the one I frequent on 95th and Amsterdam. About the only bar on the upper west side that I feel comfortable in at this point---as usual, around 8 a large crowd present, lucky to find space at the bar. My two friends, the bartender and waitress were present, but with the large crowd, there was very little chance to have conversation.
Mostly I watched the Knick game (not very interesting as the Knicks were constantly behind) and a little bit of World Series game 1 (not really very interested at this point) and had a conversation with the gentleman sitting next to me---a legal aid lawyer in his sixties who is pro the Mayor. We shared some ideas, and I explained to him the anger that neighborhood groups feel towards the Mayor's policies. He accepted this, and acknowledged that this was a problem. A decent conversation, not anything to really fire me up---had the barbecue wings, which filled me up. Around 9:15, felt that it was time to leave---would have stayed if any more conversation was possible---and just went home. Not really tired, but surprisingly enough, had no trouble falling asleep.
Lots of plays out there that interest me---not sure how many I can see---time seems so compressed at this point, and I don't really want to give up my Sundays---a time when I like to just move around the city---to the plays. But what can I do?
Two more days at Friends--really looking forward to them---will report, probably on Saturday.
Second day off from Friends---will be there for the next three days---there is a kind of freedom and relaxation in my body that I have not experienced before. I think it is just the openness of the morning. Tonight, just bought my ticket to Kipp Talk at Jack---I mentioned this in yesterday's blog---now it is a certainty---should be an interesting evening.
Last night, had some time in the evening, and so went to the Dive Bar, the one I frequent on 95th and Amsterdam. About the only bar on the upper west side that I feel comfortable in at this point---as usual, around 8 a large crowd present, lucky to find space at the bar. My two friends, the bartender and waitress were present, but with the large crowd, there was very little chance to have conversation.
Mostly I watched the Knick game (not very interesting as the Knicks were constantly behind) and a little bit of World Series game 1 (not really very interested at this point) and had a conversation with the gentleman sitting next to me---a legal aid lawyer in his sixties who is pro the Mayor. We shared some ideas, and I explained to him the anger that neighborhood groups feel towards the Mayor's policies. He accepted this, and acknowledged that this was a problem. A decent conversation, not anything to really fire me up---had the barbecue wings, which filled me up. Around 9:15, felt that it was time to leave---would have stayed if any more conversation was possible---and just went home. Not really tired, but surprisingly enough, had no trouble falling asleep.
Lots of plays out there that interest me---not sure how many I can see---time seems so compressed at this point, and I don't really want to give up my Sundays---a time when I like to just move around the city---to the plays. But what can I do?
Two more days at Friends--really looking forward to them---will report, probably on Saturday.
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
One day off...
maybe another, then a lot of work at Friends. Had a good (if hectic) day there yesterday---also two session, after the last one, I was physically exhausted. Interesting library that I visited---the one on 125th and Amsterdam, really nicely set up for kids---more of a community center then a library, which I think is very effective. Not that the one that I usually work out of is not. They care about the students as well, but this seemed very different.
Saturday turned out to be very anti-climactic; no adventure at all---instead, after finding out that I could not get into the 5:15 showing of the Meyerowitz Stories (amazing, Lincoln Plaza was all sold out for that one) and seeing nothing near by that interested me, I headed home---and simply rested. Fall out from the two days before, I guess. I just lay in the darkness, listening to the final Yankee-Astro game. One great thing about baseball: if you know it, you can hear it on the radio, and enjoy it a great deal. That was my Saturday night, alternating between moments of drowsiness and energy, listening to the game, that, as most people know by now, the Yankees lost. The world series begins tonight--will follow it, but probably will not go out of the way to watch it---too many other interesting goings on to deal with in the next few days.
Tomorrow, if I don't sub, will go to Jack to see Kip Talk, the variety show-forum that I have seen a few times. Should be fun, with many people that I know there. Today, depending on how I feel later, and on the weather (supposed to be serious storms this afternoon) will probably go to the Dive Bar, and hang with my friends, bartender Brittany, and waitress Olivia. Maybe some trivia as well, but as I write this, I think--Wow! I would love to see a movie tonight! Well, who knows---the way things are now, everything changes in a minute. Or so it seems.
Sunday, I definitely set out to just travel---and visit. No movies or plays; I wanted to be with people. So I spent the first part of the afternoon at Cobra with my friend bartender Olivia---very slow there, probably because sports fans can go to the Sports bars and watch one of many games---whereas Cobra just shows one. Nice and easy time---had a salad nearby--very important, as my stomach had imploded from the night before (too much cheese!) then headed to South fourth. Got there around 4:30---my friend Harlo was there with her dog Frankie---we talked for a while, also, Jay, a somewhat loquacious teacher who was raised on the lower east side (not far from the school that I worked out of in the mid-sevenities--PS 4, on Ridge and Rivington Street) who can be interesting but bloviated me out of the bar somewhat early. When I was at the school, I knew of the area as an all black and hispanic poverty area, he lived on the edge of it, and did not seem threatened by it.
After leaving South fourth, i was hungry---thought it might be nice to go to Sweetwater, a restuarant in Williamsburg, where I had known some of the bartender-wait staff a few years before. I sat down, and looked at the menu---but just could not do it. Too expensive, nothing that seemed reasonable, so I excused myself. The bartender was very sweet about it, when I told her I would pass. Too bad, I have had some nice times at the place, but the prices are now just too much, even as the amount of work I am getting at Friends, makes me a bit more financially stable.
All right, that is the story for now...will report soon..
Saturday turned out to be very anti-climactic; no adventure at all---instead, after finding out that I could not get into the 5:15 showing of the Meyerowitz Stories (amazing, Lincoln Plaza was all sold out for that one) and seeing nothing near by that interested me, I headed home---and simply rested. Fall out from the two days before, I guess. I just lay in the darkness, listening to the final Yankee-Astro game. One great thing about baseball: if you know it, you can hear it on the radio, and enjoy it a great deal. That was my Saturday night, alternating between moments of drowsiness and energy, listening to the game, that, as most people know by now, the Yankees lost. The world series begins tonight--will follow it, but probably will not go out of the way to watch it---too many other interesting goings on to deal with in the next few days.
Tomorrow, if I don't sub, will go to Jack to see Kip Talk, the variety show-forum that I have seen a few times. Should be fun, with many people that I know there. Today, depending on how I feel later, and on the weather (supposed to be serious storms this afternoon) will probably go to the Dive Bar, and hang with my friends, bartender Brittany, and waitress Olivia. Maybe some trivia as well, but as I write this, I think--Wow! I would love to see a movie tonight! Well, who knows---the way things are now, everything changes in a minute. Or so it seems.
Sunday, I definitely set out to just travel---and visit. No movies or plays; I wanted to be with people. So I spent the first part of the afternoon at Cobra with my friend bartender Olivia---very slow there, probably because sports fans can go to the Sports bars and watch one of many games---whereas Cobra just shows one. Nice and easy time---had a salad nearby--very important, as my stomach had imploded from the night before (too much cheese!) then headed to South fourth. Got there around 4:30---my friend Harlo was there with her dog Frankie---we talked for a while, also, Jay, a somewhat loquacious teacher who was raised on the lower east side (not far from the school that I worked out of in the mid-sevenities--PS 4, on Ridge and Rivington Street) who can be interesting but bloviated me out of the bar somewhat early. When I was at the school, I knew of the area as an all black and hispanic poverty area, he lived on the edge of it, and did not seem threatened by it.
After leaving South fourth, i was hungry---thought it might be nice to go to Sweetwater, a restuarant in Williamsburg, where I had known some of the bartender-wait staff a few years before. I sat down, and looked at the menu---but just could not do it. Too expensive, nothing that seemed reasonable, so I excused myself. The bartender was very sweet about it, when I told her I would pass. Too bad, I have had some nice times at the place, but the prices are now just too much, even as the amount of work I am getting at Friends, makes me a bit more financially stable.
All right, that is the story for now...will report soon..
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Saturday morning...
beautiful day. Where do we go from here. Only one night to report on Wednesday, and quite frankly I don't remember much about it. I think that I toyed with the idea of going to a movie, but it did not happen. I probably stayed out until around 9, then returned home to get ready for the next two days.
What about the rest of the weekend? After one more session, I am totally free until Monday morning. Not quite clear about what my plan might be for the rest of the day. Yankee-Astro game on this evening, several possible places to watch it. But I really do want to SEE something before that, probably a movie, still anxious to see what the Meyerowitz Stories by Noah Baumbach is about. Nice, just feel like jumping into a movie---anywhere, just for a little relaxation. Will it happen? Well, we will see.
Tomorrow is the first performance at the Public of the play called Illyria, by Richard Nelson---apparently a re-telling of the feud between Joe Papp and Robert Moses in 1959 that threatened to close down Shakespeare in the Park---nip Papp's vision in the bud, you might say-but was actually settled in favor of Papp, and free Shakespeare in Central Park (an unheard of idea at that time) continued and evolved into what we have now. I could join the line for the lottery at the Public, but for some reason I don't feel ready to do so. I really want to "decompress" tomorrow, which means probably going to Cobra to visit my friend Olivia and watch the Jet game for the first part of the afternoon, and then returning to my "haunt" at South fourth for the early evening chatter and hanging out. With no scheduled work at Friend for Monday, will keep my eye on the phone, but somehow, rather than "seeing something" I want to be with people and interact.
Hey, I did not really finish my thought about Illyria,---the thought is, that as a teen-ager at Bronx Science, who had heard (but had never seen) Joe Papp's vision of free Shakespeare, I watched the conflict carefully. I wonder how faithful Nelson has been to the story---also how he presents it. I am not that comfortable with the story being told only by Nelson (and by default) Oscar Eustice, the artistic Director of the Public Theater. Yet somehow I am staying away from it for now. It is interesting, that in addition to the first preview, the Public will be giving away some free tickets for each performance---something it has not done for its other productions. I guess that seems fair---since the idea was free Shakespeare--it is very much in keeping with Papp's vision--but how much else going on at the Public is? A hard question to answer, as Papp had his own concept of what he wanted people to see at the public (sometimes very erratic) and the current artistic director has his. One must accept the two different sensibilities.
Okay, that is all for now--will report on my "adventures" the next blog.
What about the rest of the weekend? After one more session, I am totally free until Monday morning. Not quite clear about what my plan might be for the rest of the day. Yankee-Astro game on this evening, several possible places to watch it. But I really do want to SEE something before that, probably a movie, still anxious to see what the Meyerowitz Stories by Noah Baumbach is about. Nice, just feel like jumping into a movie---anywhere, just for a little relaxation. Will it happen? Well, we will see.
Tomorrow is the first performance at the Public of the play called Illyria, by Richard Nelson---apparently a re-telling of the feud between Joe Papp and Robert Moses in 1959 that threatened to close down Shakespeare in the Park---nip Papp's vision in the bud, you might say-but was actually settled in favor of Papp, and free Shakespeare in Central Park (an unheard of idea at that time) continued and evolved into what we have now. I could join the line for the lottery at the Public, but for some reason I don't feel ready to do so. I really want to "decompress" tomorrow, which means probably going to Cobra to visit my friend Olivia and watch the Jet game for the first part of the afternoon, and then returning to my "haunt" at South fourth for the early evening chatter and hanging out. With no scheduled work at Friend for Monday, will keep my eye on the phone, but somehow, rather than "seeing something" I want to be with people and interact.
Hey, I did not really finish my thought about Illyria,---the thought is, that as a teen-ager at Bronx Science, who had heard (but had never seen) Joe Papp's vision of free Shakespeare, I watched the conflict carefully. I wonder how faithful Nelson has been to the story---also how he presents it. I am not that comfortable with the story being told only by Nelson (and by default) Oscar Eustice, the artistic Director of the Public Theater. Yet somehow I am staying away from it for now. It is interesting, that in addition to the first preview, the Public will be giving away some free tickets for each performance---something it has not done for its other productions. I guess that seems fair---since the idea was free Shakespeare--it is very much in keeping with Papp's vision--but how much else going on at the Public is? A hard question to answer, as Papp had his own concept of what he wanted people to see at the public (sometimes very erratic) and the current artistic director has his. One must accept the two different sensibilities.
Okay, that is all for now--will report on my "adventures" the next blog.
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
still tired after....
two days work at Friends, with two more coming up. Also, a lot of sessions, which I did not expect.
Hardly remember what I did this weekend, after last post, but will try
Saturday: after leaving library attended my friend Liz' open studio in the Navy Yard. Always interested, Liz's paintings for me are so strong because of her amazing sense of juxtaposition and color. All mostly objects that don't have any connection with each other on the same painting. What is exciting and challenging to me is the way she juxtaposes color so that the viewer is assaulted with complexities. There is a harshness in her work---an unwillingness to reveal itself, that is very challenging. Anyway, I was glad I could visit the studio, after that walked south on one of the Fort Greene streets, my destination: Mullane's a bar where I could watch the first part of the Yankee game. Did so, even if my body was not that hungry for a beer---but strangely, after two innings, I felt restless, and left. What movie for the evening. Well, at BAM, in addition to the normal movies that had just been released, playing was a documentary called "For Akeem". I decided to check that out---it is a riveting documentary about a 16 year old living in a poor area of Saint Louis, who has just been remanded to an alternative school. An interesting school, run almost completely by black educators, who enforce strong discipline on the students, the young woman has some problems adjusting and with her temper, but essentially does well there. At the same time, she becomes pregnant, and decides to keep the baby. The baby arrives in the middle of the movie, and to my surprise, it gives her a purpose and a focus that she did not have before. The movie ends with her graduation in spring 2015; no statement at the end of the film about how things have turned out for her since then--hopefully well, but watching the movie made my sad; the film never tries to sugar coat the young woman's experience. For me it was intense, but I was glad I saw it. Afterwards, pretty tired, I would have liked to go into Junior's for a chicken salad sandwich, but at $11.95, it was, of course, too much. (It really would have been about $13.00, because the tax is never included on a menu), so I went home, and grabbed some chicken at the local supermarket.
Sunday---really interesting--I attended a rally outside a private house in Flatbush--really a protest and a talk-in---protesting the lack of protection for unregulated tenants living in private houses. In the area where the talk in took place, Flatbush, private home owners are evicting long term tenants, because of the influx of "young professionals" who can pay more then the current tenants. Some of those tenants have been living in those apartments for many years. The discussion that we had, and the information that was shared was for me, invigorating. Several people who live in the area told of older tenants---mostly people of color-leaving and being replaced by younger people. And so it goes. One neighborhood turns after another. One of the guys there who works for a displacement agency seemed almost cavalier as he described how he has moved further and further south in Brooklyn. I was a little disappointed that he did not seem to have a way of fighting this trend, but he did not.
I wish there were more discussions and talk ins with activists then there are now.
The rest of Sunday was ordinary---I ended the day at South fourth, always a good idea, discussing some football with two guys who live around there. Any yesterday evening, while watching the Yankee game at Wallace's a bar near the library where I tutor, I met two interesting guys, one a teacher at a charter school, and the other a principal at a Catholic school in the Harlem area. Good conversation about the city. But that is all for now--will report again probably on Saturday.
Hardly remember what I did this weekend, after last post, but will try
Saturday: after leaving library attended my friend Liz' open studio in the Navy Yard. Always interested, Liz's paintings for me are so strong because of her amazing sense of juxtaposition and color. All mostly objects that don't have any connection with each other on the same painting. What is exciting and challenging to me is the way she juxtaposes color so that the viewer is assaulted with complexities. There is a harshness in her work---an unwillingness to reveal itself, that is very challenging. Anyway, I was glad I could visit the studio, after that walked south on one of the Fort Greene streets, my destination: Mullane's a bar where I could watch the first part of the Yankee game. Did so, even if my body was not that hungry for a beer---but strangely, after two innings, I felt restless, and left. What movie for the evening. Well, at BAM, in addition to the normal movies that had just been released, playing was a documentary called "For Akeem". I decided to check that out---it is a riveting documentary about a 16 year old living in a poor area of Saint Louis, who has just been remanded to an alternative school. An interesting school, run almost completely by black educators, who enforce strong discipline on the students, the young woman has some problems adjusting and with her temper, but essentially does well there. At the same time, she becomes pregnant, and decides to keep the baby. The baby arrives in the middle of the movie, and to my surprise, it gives her a purpose and a focus that she did not have before. The movie ends with her graduation in spring 2015; no statement at the end of the film about how things have turned out for her since then--hopefully well, but watching the movie made my sad; the film never tries to sugar coat the young woman's experience. For me it was intense, but I was glad I saw it. Afterwards, pretty tired, I would have liked to go into Junior's for a chicken salad sandwich, but at $11.95, it was, of course, too much. (It really would have been about $13.00, because the tax is never included on a menu), so I went home, and grabbed some chicken at the local supermarket.
Sunday---really interesting--I attended a rally outside a private house in Flatbush--really a protest and a talk-in---protesting the lack of protection for unregulated tenants living in private houses. In the area where the talk in took place, Flatbush, private home owners are evicting long term tenants, because of the influx of "young professionals" who can pay more then the current tenants. Some of those tenants have been living in those apartments for many years. The discussion that we had, and the information that was shared was for me, invigorating. Several people who live in the area told of older tenants---mostly people of color-leaving and being replaced by younger people. And so it goes. One neighborhood turns after another. One of the guys there who works for a displacement agency seemed almost cavalier as he described how he has moved further and further south in Brooklyn. I was a little disappointed that he did not seem to have a way of fighting this trend, but he did not.
I wish there were more discussions and talk ins with activists then there are now.
The rest of Sunday was ordinary---I ended the day at South fourth, always a good idea, discussing some football with two guys who live around there. Any yesterday evening, while watching the Yankee game at Wallace's a bar near the library where I tutor, I met two interesting guys, one a teacher at a charter school, and the other a principal at a Catholic school in the Harlem area. Good conversation about the city. But that is all for now--will report again probably on Saturday.
Saturday, October 14, 2017
citiboy is tired...
after one day at Friends and a session after that. Nothing afterwards, just home to rest. Today might be interesting. At some point this afternoon, I will visit my friend Liz/ studio at the Brooklyn Navy Yard (really tough to get to, but plenty of time to improvise) then afterwards, I will try to find a place to watch the second Yankee-Astro game---then afterwards---well it looks like a movie would be appropriate. I would enjoy seeing The Meyerowitz Stories, the new movie that is directed and conceived by Noah Baumbach. Will it be hard to get in? It is only playing at two movie theaters---one, IFC, is pretty popular, the other Lincoln Plaza, is not my favorite place to go--something about the energy there annoys me. But I should give it a try, unless something else comes along. Tomorrow, I hope to have an "easy" day, beginning at Cobra, for some football action, and then possibly ending up at South fourth. Could be a little different, depending on a few things, but that is the way it looks now.
Thursday evening---I did go to see Eliza's one woman workshop of a new work at Ohio Space. Eliza the actress-performer is very engaging; she is always fun to watch. The work, which is a monologue, running about 80 minutes tells of a seventh grade project she put on video, and morphs, somewhat surprisingly into a meditation on race and sound. It is a strange mixture---I think it could use some tightening---what I find interesting is that "downtown theater makers", that is a group of mostly twenty or thirty somethings, who, in most of their work have avoided issues of class and race, seem to finally willing to (on some level) come to grips with it. Kind of interesting, as that group makes an attempt to become more and more involved. Not exactly sure where it is going, I would like to see more discussions, because there are a lot of issues to discuss.While I was at the space, I had a chance to talk to Ike, a performer who is running a few sessions with Eliza about artists joining community boards. I went to the first one, in Fort Greene (at Jack) and felt that though informative, there was a decent amount of avoidance of the real issues at stake in the city in the next four years. Right before Eliza's play began, I quickly enumerated some of those issues to Ike---he was very kind, and seemed very receptive to my ideas and input. The next meeting of this group is Tuesday in Bushwick, at the Bushwick Starr---I will not be able to attend it, but I made it clear that he and Eliza as Master and Mistress of Ceremonies should present themselves as being a little more informed. I think he bought that, and hopefully the presentation will be a little more serious and focused then the last one. Their final one is scheduled for Harlem and I think they have to take that one very seriously.
So that is it. Work at Friends Monday and Tuesday---on Monday I hope to not be too tired so that I have to miss the BAN meeting in the evening. Will report on all this soon.
Thursday evening---I did go to see Eliza's one woman workshop of a new work at Ohio Space. Eliza the actress-performer is very engaging; she is always fun to watch. The work, which is a monologue, running about 80 minutes tells of a seventh grade project she put on video, and morphs, somewhat surprisingly into a meditation on race and sound. It is a strange mixture---I think it could use some tightening---what I find interesting is that "downtown theater makers", that is a group of mostly twenty or thirty somethings, who, in most of their work have avoided issues of class and race, seem to finally willing to (on some level) come to grips with it. Kind of interesting, as that group makes an attempt to become more and more involved. Not exactly sure where it is going, I would like to see more discussions, because there are a lot of issues to discuss.While I was at the space, I had a chance to talk to Ike, a performer who is running a few sessions with Eliza about artists joining community boards. I went to the first one, in Fort Greene (at Jack) and felt that though informative, there was a decent amount of avoidance of the real issues at stake in the city in the next four years. Right before Eliza's play began, I quickly enumerated some of those issues to Ike---he was very kind, and seemed very receptive to my ideas and input. The next meeting of this group is Tuesday in Bushwick, at the Bushwick Starr---I will not be able to attend it, but I made it clear that he and Eliza as Master and Mistress of Ceremonies should present themselves as being a little more informed. I think he bought that, and hopefully the presentation will be a little more serious and focused then the last one. Their final one is scheduled for Harlem and I think they have to take that one very seriously.
So that is it. Work at Friends Monday and Tuesday---on Monday I hope to not be too tired so that I have to miss the BAN meeting in the evening. Will report on all this soon.
Thursday, October 12, 2017
lazy day.....
nothing planned until the evening---then will see my friend Eliza' s project at Ohio Space. No work today, so I should be very relaxed and set up well for the evening. Will possibly go out and "hang out" with some of the people there whom I know. Should be a decent amount of them. Back in "the community". Tomorrow a full day of subbing and then a session. High end exhaustion. Saturday will be easier and I can go slowly to visit my artist friend Liz' studio at the Brooklyn Navy yard. An almost impossible place to get to---all sorts of travel plans run through my head, but none really seem like they will help. Ultimately, either wait for a bus that comes once every 20 minutes (possibly) or walk a decent amount. Well, like I said, at least I have more time to do it on Saturday.
Strange evening last night. Went to the La Flaca birthday party in the hopes of watching the Yankee Cleveland game with a few people, but when I got there around 7:30, the place was packed. So I realized that staying there was impossible---payed my respects to Bobby and left to find a spot to watch the game. But where? Three possibilities ran through my head, but none of them seemed to work, and I was getting hungry. Finally grabbed a pizza slice and headed towards Standings, a sports bar that I go to from time to time. But I never made it. Instead, stopped at a bar restaurant that fronts on Allen Street right before it hits Houston. The game was on, and it looked very quiet---I figured if I went there, I could watch the game in peace and reflect on the events of it. I ordered a beer from the tap---amazed to find out that it cost $8.71---before the tip. Annoyed, at what I felt was a rip off, but I was there already--did not want to play the role of a bad sport--so I bought the beer, gave the bartender the rest of a $10.00 bill and sat and watched. Not bad, no one really talked to me, but I watched the first four innings without incident. Kind of a mellow place, could go back there again for the same experience---nice place to take a friend or a "date"---lots of room to talk.
So I left there, continued to walk north, crossed Houston, felt a little more room in my stomach. First stopped off at the Bean on 3rd street to check my e-mail (unnecessary) and then had a small piece of chicken at the fried chicken restaurant on 1st street and second avenue. Wow! Love those pieces of chicken. An inexpensive piece goes a long way towards filling me up. Finally I walked up to the 8th street subway and took the train home. When I got back the game was just finishing up---Yankees won, and amazingly enough will go on to the American League finals playing against Houston. Like most people, sports pundits and others, I did not expect this, but the team seems to be peeking now, so anything---even a world series place against the National League winner---is possible. The next round of playoffs against the well put together Houston Astros, should be fun to watch.
Still, it was a strange evening---a little less then I had hoped for--or maybe I really enjoy traipsing around the city by myself. Possible, will report soon.
Strange evening last night. Went to the La Flaca birthday party in the hopes of watching the Yankee Cleveland game with a few people, but when I got there around 7:30, the place was packed. So I realized that staying there was impossible---payed my respects to Bobby and left to find a spot to watch the game. But where? Three possibilities ran through my head, but none of them seemed to work, and I was getting hungry. Finally grabbed a pizza slice and headed towards Standings, a sports bar that I go to from time to time. But I never made it. Instead, stopped at a bar restaurant that fronts on Allen Street right before it hits Houston. The game was on, and it looked very quiet---I figured if I went there, I could watch the game in peace and reflect on the events of it. I ordered a beer from the tap---amazed to find out that it cost $8.71---before the tip. Annoyed, at what I felt was a rip off, but I was there already--did not want to play the role of a bad sport--so I bought the beer, gave the bartender the rest of a $10.00 bill and sat and watched. Not bad, no one really talked to me, but I watched the first four innings without incident. Kind of a mellow place, could go back there again for the same experience---nice place to take a friend or a "date"---lots of room to talk.
So I left there, continued to walk north, crossed Houston, felt a little more room in my stomach. First stopped off at the Bean on 3rd street to check my e-mail (unnecessary) and then had a small piece of chicken at the fried chicken restaurant on 1st street and second avenue. Wow! Love those pieces of chicken. An inexpensive piece goes a long way towards filling me up. Finally I walked up to the 8th street subway and took the train home. When I got back the game was just finishing up---Yankees won, and amazingly enough will go on to the American League finals playing against Houston. Like most people, sports pundits and others, I did not expect this, but the team seems to be peeking now, so anything---even a world series place against the National League winner---is possible. The next round of playoffs against the well put together Houston Astros, should be fun to watch.
Still, it was a strange evening---a little less then I had hoped for--or maybe I really enjoy traipsing around the city by myself. Possible, will report soon.
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
cityboy at large...
after a grueling day of work and a session in upper Harlem yesterday--got home and could barely move. No evening activity, rested all night, ironically while I was taking a long shower to chill out, I missed a call to sub at Friends today. Well, I miss going there, but maybe the break is necessary. We will see how it plays out in tonight's activity.
After the library Sunday: strolled down Vanderbuilt---stopped for lunch at Soda Bar, a place that I have long admired for its comradeship, however I have not gone there that often. This time, the comradeship was minimal; the bar consisted mostly of regulars who knew the bartender well. He was very nice to me, however, though I think the BLT that I had was not the greatest. Left feeling a little disappointed, but after all, that's life (or at least, that is bar life) A sugar fit ensued, so I stopped off at a coffee place on Bedford and Jefferson---I had been there before, and had a very rich donut. That seemed to do it for me eating wise for the rest of the day. From Bedford and Jefferson, found a bus that would take me into Williamsburg and spent the rest of the evening watching the Yankee Cleveland game (a well pitched duel for most of it) at South fourth, and chatting with my fellow bar mates. A nice talk with my friend Harlo, whom I had not seen in a while, while another old acquaintance, Seth, showed up and we chewed the fat for some time. Felt good leaving, headed home---then came Monday.
Monday was a strange day, my body felt tired during most of it.That could easily have been the result of the two long walks that I took this weekend: on Saturday from South Portland and Lafayette to the Navy Yard art studios (only to find out that the art exhibit I was trying to attend was really scheduled for the Saturday after) and then aforementioned one on Sunday. Toyed with the idea of going to the film festival, but could not find one film that I wanted to see that I felt I could afford. I ended up that evening having a Caesar Salad at the Irish pub on 72nd street (actually pretty good) and again, watching the Yankee Indian game. Once again found very little conversation at that bar---a lot of regulars who knew each other was the rule---but the bartender basically treated me nicely. Then home for a very restless night---all of which ended with my day at Friends, after which some of the moodiness which I experienced the night before seemed to evaporate into a sense of accomplishment.
Ironically, while I had some free time at Friends, I went to check on my bank balance which I thought was very low. To my surprise, I received some extra funds (Social Security, I think) which I had not been notified about. I wondered if I had known about these funds being present during the weekend, I might have changed my choices for Monday. Oh well, live and learn.
Two choices for tonight: My friend Eliza's play is performing tonight and tomorrow---would love to see it---but tonight is also a birthday for La Flaca Should go, and then watch the really important baseball game between the Yanks and Indians. If that is the plan, then will try to see Eliza's play tomorrow---hopefully the energy will be there to do it. Will report soon.
After the library Sunday: strolled down Vanderbuilt---stopped for lunch at Soda Bar, a place that I have long admired for its comradeship, however I have not gone there that often. This time, the comradeship was minimal; the bar consisted mostly of regulars who knew the bartender well. He was very nice to me, however, though I think the BLT that I had was not the greatest. Left feeling a little disappointed, but after all, that's life (or at least, that is bar life) A sugar fit ensued, so I stopped off at a coffee place on Bedford and Jefferson---I had been there before, and had a very rich donut. That seemed to do it for me eating wise for the rest of the day. From Bedford and Jefferson, found a bus that would take me into Williamsburg and spent the rest of the evening watching the Yankee Cleveland game (a well pitched duel for most of it) at South fourth, and chatting with my fellow bar mates. A nice talk with my friend Harlo, whom I had not seen in a while, while another old acquaintance, Seth, showed up and we chewed the fat for some time. Felt good leaving, headed home---then came Monday.
Monday was a strange day, my body felt tired during most of it.That could easily have been the result of the two long walks that I took this weekend: on Saturday from South Portland and Lafayette to the Navy Yard art studios (only to find out that the art exhibit I was trying to attend was really scheduled for the Saturday after) and then aforementioned one on Sunday. Toyed with the idea of going to the film festival, but could not find one film that I wanted to see that I felt I could afford. I ended up that evening having a Caesar Salad at the Irish pub on 72nd street (actually pretty good) and again, watching the Yankee Indian game. Once again found very little conversation at that bar---a lot of regulars who knew each other was the rule---but the bartender basically treated me nicely. Then home for a very restless night---all of which ended with my day at Friends, after which some of the moodiness which I experienced the night before seemed to evaporate into a sense of accomplishment.
Ironically, while I had some free time at Friends, I went to check on my bank balance which I thought was very low. To my surprise, I received some extra funds (Social Security, I think) which I had not been notified about. I wondered if I had known about these funds being present during the weekend, I might have changed my choices for Monday. Oh well, live and learn.
Two choices for tonight: My friend Eliza's play is performing tonight and tomorrow---would love to see it---but tonight is also a birthday for La Flaca Should go, and then watch the really important baseball game between the Yanks and Indians. If that is the plan, then will try to see Eliza's play tomorrow---hopefully the energy will be there to do it. Will report soon.
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