relax, cityboy....

this should be a day of rest. Two days of work at Friends, and some sessions afterwards, have left me kind of tired. Need a day to chill out. This should be it. Some work later, but now I can take my time. Can you do it? My mind is always frenetic. We will see.
Reading the latest time out, figured out there are several plays running that sound interesting: The Low Road, The Amateurs, Relevance, Is God Is, Platanov-the New Georges project at the Flea. Will I see any,---all of them? Who knows? It seems I am living totally in the moment at this point. Nothing is real until it happens And though all of the plays mentioned above sound interesting---I am not really compelled to see any of them. Maybe, in terms of theater, I am played out! Am I finding it easier to see movies, and think about them (example: The Silence at the Film Forum)  What about just hanging out, as I did on Sunday evening. To become knowledgeable about the arts in a city like NY is important, but now I feel "over-knowledgeable" Well, we will see.
  Just donated $10.00 to Equity for Flatbush, the organization that fights to protect tenants from what i like to call "predatory gentrification". Harassment of people of color, so that they will leave their apartments, not my thing. My ten dollar contribution makes me feel helpful.
  Sunday was a strange day---got the offer to be at Friends early in the morning. Most of the day spent tracking down a book on Paul Robeson, by an enthusiast of his (who is white) named Jeff Sparrow. Kind of interesting. Finished Alice McDermott's novel The Ninth Hour, about a constricted neighborhood in Brooklyn, circa early 1900's (or maybe a little later)  and the very strong role the Catholic Church played in the lives of its citizens. Very strong and powerful writing. The neighborhood seems to be what is now Cobble Hill, and of course, is very different. After picking up the Robeson book from the Jefferson Market Library (one of the few libraries that are open on Sunday) had the opportunity to go to a movie at the Quad (one directed by Ozon) but even as I was very close to the box office, decided against it. Why? I guess I just did not want to see a movie, Instead, opted to get on the train uptown at Sixth Avenue, then to the C and off at the 86 Street station. Why? I thought it might be interesting to wander south on Columbus between 86th and 79nth and just see what is there. And of course, this being NYC, there were lots of changes on the block. I noticed a lot of restaurants from different countries (Amsterdam Avenue, one block west, has all the bars) ---everything seemed kind of new. Really enjoyed just challenging myself to walk and observe a different block. When I left the station I walked up the stairs to 87 street and looked west. I remember when this street could have been classified as "dangerous", now it abounds in beautiful brownstones. Oh well, more walks are necessary.
Finally went to the Dive Bar on 96th street for some hummus---had a nice chat with one of the bartenders, and watched some basketball, The place was kind of quiet, which was nice. Was invited to "hang out" at another Dive Bar by a bartender who is at that one on Friday afternoons. Will I do it?
Stay tuned.