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.
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)