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.