travels after....

work; after leaving Friends, a lot of free time on my hands, so decided that this might be the best time to take a ride on the new second avenue subway. So I did it. What did I find? Not much, just three stations that seem very efficient but basically colorless. Got off at 94th and second, walked west to the library---browsed there a bit---then looked in a a movie from the thirties that was being shown in their auditorium in the basement. There was Henry Fonda---one of my idols growing up---he looked so young in this movie, cavorting with Lily Pons, the opera singer (coloratura) who I guess was moving into films. Stayed a while, not too interesting, the movie also had Eric Blore, an English character actor who played a gentleman living with a trained seal. (The seal, by the way, was terrific). Also in the cast was Osgood Perkins, the father of another of my idols, Tony Perkins---would have liked to see him, but had to move on.
   Rest of the day was kind of mellow, returned home and read a bit, not too eager to do much in the evening, but had to get out. Decided to go to Lansdowne Road, the sports bar I often attend at 10th and 44th Street. I wanted to touch  base with Melanie, a waitress there who is one of the "twins" , two waitresses who I have become very friendly with. When I arrived, however, Mel had gone, but I decided to stay anyway. Had a nice sandwich, but stuffed myself on French Fries that came with them---not a good idea, almost vomited them out when I left the bar. Stomach is very vulnerable, have to be careful cityboy. Watched the Utah---Toronto NBA game---two teams that were very similar, both will be in the playoffs, so why get involved? Did not stay until the end---before I left I had a nice conversation with Mike, the guy sitting next to me---he lives on 57th between 9nth and 10th---but this is his favorite bar--can't blame him---even when it is crowded, the staff is efficient and personable. He is thinking of buying his apartment, we went over possible prices---anyway, it was a solid conversation. After leaving I waited a bit for 11 bus, but when it did not come, I opted to walk down to 8th avenue to the A, which I took to 59th, then the 1 home. Despite the cold I would not take a taxi. That's just cityboy.
   Today is wide open, the plan is to go to the Public after 1, pick up a ticket to tonight's Under the Radar project (forgot the name) and then head back to Friends for a basketball game. If I have some extra time, might take in a movie (though that might be a kind of ovefload)  or visit a few other places.
  Then the project...will report on it tomorrow...