beauty---probably is the best way to sum up the last 24 hours. First the beauty: The concert last night at Carnegie Hall---my friend Richard gave an amazing performance of Mozart's Piano Concerto no 20---ably backed by the conductor's precision and the beautiful playing of the young orchestra. Richard seems to be getting better and better--the piece itself is amazing---so many contrasts--from dark to light, from intense to somewhat funny---there are so many ideas going through the music. I really believe that Mozart's piano concerti from numbers 9 to 27, stand alongside the plays of Shakespeare---they have remarkable depth and variety of ideas. Again, Richard was so comfortable with the piece---he moved so easily between its contrasts. I felt so good watching him. Remember, he and I played box ball together, outside the apartment house where he and his parents lived on Arnow Avenue (in the Bronx). Yes, it is the same person. And the orchestra was great---after the intermission they gave what I feel was a great performance of the Mendelssohn symphony number 3. Just taking the whole thing in, made me feel really alive and passionate.
Afterwards, decided not to stop off at a bar (I was hungry) but instead, opted for the nearby Greek diner for a blt and coffee. I wish I could tell you it was pleasant- the place was practically empty, and the food was adequate. But the price---after the tip, I had paid about $13.00. Can you believe that! Frightening! What will trying to survive in this city in ten years be like, if a simple BLT costs that much? I am not so worried for myself---I am a "canny" guy and know how to survive, but how can we have any decent kind of society for people not making that much money with these prices? Something must be done!
Now the horror! The cold, coming through the large bay window in my apartment. Had to use two heaters yesterday to stabilize things. But that will add to my light bill. Did not sleep well, lots of anxiety---and of course, my life has been set up so that I have no real "close" friend--just many friends in all different places. But none whom I could ask to put me up in an emergency. So there we go---a lot of anxiety--my health is what supports me---cannot afford to get sick. So far, after a very restless night, I am feeling okay, but how do I completely protect myself in this weather? May see a lot of movies, just to keep warm. This is where I am at now--want to go to that conference on gentrification in the library in Williamsburg when I leave here, and I think I can do that, but at this point, anything goes. Got to keep warm.
I spent the last hour, prior to the library opening at the Barnes and Nobles on 83rd and Broadway. Lots of interesting and tempting books to read. Would love to explore Paul Auster's memoir on the death of his father, but I am currently reading the Coates essays about the years of Obama's presidency, so that will come first. Also, an interesting history book about Lincoln and the slave trade, as he was building his vision. Want to concentrate on these, so will put the Auster book aside for now.
So that's it---will report tomorrow, and hopefully stay warm.
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