two events for....

cityboy...Last night, tired, but went to forum on Bedford Armory---arrived to find the energy very welcoming and low key---de Blasio was not coming, so there was no tension in the air. As a matter of fact, a little too little tension as the discussion did not begin until about 7:15, and people seemed to be loping with no regard for the time. When it finally began, the usual thoughts about the resistance to the Armory were stated--nothing new for cityboy, and then, I felt the same ideas were being thrown out over and over again. There is still something too friendly about the whole business--as if the leaders of the resistance to  the armory really did not want to confront the barbarity of the developers. At least that is my take. But the meeting was very well attended, the auditorium, which is a school auditorium, and hence pretty large was almost totally filled. After about a half hour, I left, I was tired, there was a lot of repetition, and I felt that I had heard enough. And so, into the Flatbush night cityboy went. Jumped on a bus that was going north on New York Avenue and figured I would either take it to Eastern Parkway, or Fulton---got a chance to look at a lot of the New York avenue architecture for those blocks. Pretty amazing, mostly beautiful one family houses and small apartment  houses, very few people on the streets. Again, my mind is amazed at how this was an area that, until about 12 years ago, was considered undesirable. Why? What stories do the streets and the houses have to tell? How did the neighborhood evolve, and how did it change from the fifties and sixties? Ah, if only cityboy could find out--unlock the key? But to return to reality, I got off on Fulton, then the C to Lafayette, and a nice cup of coffee at the place on Fulton, right across from the bookstore. Then I grabbed the Cinematheque calendar from BAM, and took the 3 home.
   This morning, up bright and early to volunteer for the city wide high school climate change forum. Arrived at the Union Theological Seminary around 7:50---found very little organization, but with a small group of volunteers, found things to do (serving breakfast---showing people where to go) and had some really good conversations with the other volunteers, giving out information about BAN---and educating one recent graduate of Tufts about some good web sites that will give him insight into what is going on in the city. Got very hungry around 11 ( I had committed to stay until 12) and when the supervisor of the volunteers told me that there were only bagels from breakfast to eat (she did not mention that lunch was in the offing in about an hour and a half) I left (on good terms with everybody, I thought, and at a time, when there was very little need for volunteers) and headed across the street to a grocery store, for what I thought would be a $5.00 roast beef sandwich. I ordered, did not look at the prices, and to my surprise (and rage) was charged $7.00. Once again, taken by overpriced food ( the sandwich was good, but should not have cost that much), I ask, How Long Can We Allow this to Go ON? No commercial limits will ultimately be destructive to all but the wealthiest people of the city.
  After this stay in the library, which might end soon, city boy is not sure where he is headed. I could go back to the forum and resume my volunteer activities, but I really don't want to. Then what should I do? Where will the night find me?
   Two more days to the DC trip---can't feel the excitement yet, but will soon, will report tomorrow.