Saturday night..at

Porto, Kate Benson's play that I saw last year at the Bushwick Starr and is now being produced by the Women's Project and playing just a block away from my apartment. Same cast and production--very effective. The play has a cutting edge to it--it really zeroes in on a kind of "yes" "no" feeling of commitment. It also illustrates (for want of a better word ) the excitement of the one night stand. Of it all happening, so quickly. Still, the ending is very sad. When I saw it first at the Starr, afterwards, walked around the Wycoff part of Bushwick feeling very sad and alone. Same feeling this time--really needed a bar experience (most of the play takes place in a bar) to continue the play's vision. Sadly, the bar I chose, the one right around the corner from the theater, I think it is called Amsterdam Ale House did not fulfill my sense of adventure. Foolishly ordered a beer first, thinking that I would get my food somewhere else, watched the NBA game on TV, but found myself hungry soon after. So I ordered a Caesar Salad (it was cheap) and continued watching the game. The salad was good, but there was no contact with other bar members, a strange group, middle aged men, some young women---no one to talk to. And the check was (as I had expected) enormous. To make matters worse, when I left, more hunger pains made themselves present, so it meant going to Fairway to bring back some mack and cheese to the apartment. Money well spent? I doubt it, but everyone has a bad night once in a while. Chose this bar because I was tired---when one seeks out a "bar adventure" one has to take the good with the bad. And accept it.
   Yesterday, tired for most of the day. Decided to see a movie at Metrograph in the afternoon, around 5. Took the D, running on the A to Canal and decided to walk to the movie theater, that meant walking across Manhattan on Grand Street. Long and fascinating trip. Like most of soho, and little Italy, this area has been built up, as one approaches the Bowery from the west, there are three hotels on the street. Finally I arrived at the theater, only to find that he 5 P.M movie that I wanted to see, an independent called The Golden Circle was sold out. Might go today around the same time. Sat in Metrograph for a while, lots of opportunity for people watching at that place. Then decided to go to La Flaca for a meal. Friends Bobby and Kelly are in Florida for a little r and r, but the wait staff was nice---watched some of the Celtic-Cavalier game---could not believe how the Celtics allowed themselves to be dominated. Not a lot of conversation. Left in time to make the seven o'clock showing of the movie at Metrograph, but soon after felt very tired---decided to skip it and return home to rest. Lots of tiredness yesterday, probably fall out from the heavy week at Friends and Saturday's adventures--feeling good today. The director of The Golden Circle made a movie called Listen Up Philip, which I saw several years ago---not too impressed, although it got good reviews. An indy disregarding priviledge, among other problems. Still, this movie is about Brooklyn, have to give it a try, right?
At any rate, if it happens, will report soon.