depressed, of course.....

due to usual facebook feeds about the current situation---no need to really go into them here---they are well known---still, the worst are depressing and somewhat scary. I truly believe that the system of checks and balances will ultimately work to stop the intensity---interesting that now even the financial giants are coming out against the administration---everyone pushing towards the left. Must, I remind  myself, take it day by day.
   Yesterday, a somewhat remarkable day for cityboy---beginning with a morning and afternoon subbing for a second grade class---far more hands on then being with the  middle and upper school. Things started off a little wobbly but by late morning the class had congealed and I ended up liking the kids a lot.
After that there were two events that I hoped to attend if I was not too tired, and amazingly enough I was able to attend them both. First a basketball game that the Friends varsity played against Grace Church, at Grace Church school. This was the first time I had ever been in the school---it looks like a castle in the middle of fourth avenue, and actually going in there was very similar---I found the atmosphere to have almost a hermetically sealed grandeur---though I only visited the gym which is way down below the first floor and the rooms off the lobby, nevertheless that is the vision that came to me. I watched most of the game, then left to go to a BAN meeting on 24th and 7th; it seemed the easiest way to get there was to walk---I did that---stopped off at the Strand to browse a bit and then, despite my fatigue, made it to the meeting. A good meeting, a lot was discussed---everything in terms of the city and its problems, no Federal carping, but no action was immediately decided. Lots of talk about City Council races that BAN might get involved with or try to influence. Ironically, the very industries who are being so aggressive in taking land from the city or now rushing to stand against the new President's ban on Muslim countries.  So it will be continued; I am very glad that I was strong enough to go---a slice of pizza that was offered (there is food at every meeting) did not help my already filled stomach, but I took it anyway---not the greatest idea---I really have to make an effort control my food intake, even if I wanted to congratulate myself for a day of hard work I should not have overeaten---my stomach is small and needs to be protected.
   Sunday was a good day, nice conversation at South fourth; I left not feeling it was necessary to see a movie to add to the excitement, and this evening, quite by accident, I am attending Wallace Shawn's new play at the New Group. This should be very interesting; the cast is amazing---several of the actors I have been following for almost forty years---from the time they were playing college kids. Somewhat amazing. This is the first performance in NY---had hoped to see a later one when the cast was more congealed, but this should be interesting as they try to find their way. That's it for now---my personal pride at feeling strong because of yesterday is of course muted by the events we are all following.