Wow! It has been...

a long and "multi-varied" week. First two days---continuing the readjustment to "freedom". Then the snowstorm, i.e. "isolation day"; and then the last two days (or day and a half. as it is just after one, now) as a prospective jury member. Glad that is over--if I was chosen for a certain jury, it might have meant canceling my two upcoming days at Friends, immediately after school re-begins. But that is all clear now---it is all about using time for the rest of the vacation.
Some quick reports:
Monday evening, went to community meeting re the gigantic apartment building that a developer is trying to finagle at Amsterdam and 69th street. Developer thinks he can have 40 floors; the community thinks it can be stopped at the "normal" rate of around 29. It interesting being at a meeting of upper west siders---the leader of the group that is fighting this---and a very determined leader she is---stated "West Siders want their sun", as if that was the be-all and end all of their fight against the developer. Kind of naive, right? Yes, but this woman is the one who has fought endlessly for the check against the developer. Still, it is frustrating to be with people who think that everything begins and ends with one place:the upper west side. Nevertheless an interesting meeting.
Tuesday afternoon" Sybil's next pageant, welcoming spring---at the Whitney---another strange cross section of all thing artistic, ending with a kind of dance---the first one I can remember--that might have developed, under other circumstances, into an orgy. It didn't, at least at this first of three performances one after the other. Glad I could come and support Sibyl---can't wait for the June solstice to be at the Whitney again, a place that intrigues me.
That evening, went to Dive bar for supper; got a chance to talk to my friend the  bartender Brittany. She is really nice---invited me to come to her other gig on Monday---will try to do it, even if I am coming from Sarah Hughes' project on the mid east side---wow, going there will be certainly very odd.
Wednesday, sort of trapped inside---everything closed or canceled, but finally was able to get out and see Paul Taylor's dance company---all live events at the Center were not canceled. And the supposed "Blizzard" that we were promised, really never happened. The snow fell a lot but most of it was pretty light and rainy. No big overwhelming winds or anything like that. Three ballets at the Taylor---the first Isadora Duncan by Sarah Mearns, was an interesting piece, its best moments were went ms Mearns showed that steps that imitated life worked well with the chosen music. I really admire her for doing this. A new ballet that seemed pretty generic followed, and the evening ended with Taylor's Pizziola etc--- a really well defined, striking ballet. The opening tableau looks like it could be taken from the roof  ":America" from the West Side Story movie (of course, Taylor fanatics will deny this emphatically and then probably call me a philistine) but then the choreography is very original and dynamic. You can feel the whole creative force behind this ballet, and it is incredibly strong.
Went home and "gorged" on a nice slice of mocha cake (kind of heavy for me, but I did it anyway) and prepared for my journey to the world of the law, the next morning.
About Jury duty, the less said the better---I thought my age would disqualify me, but it did not---so I was stuck there for the day and part of today. But not a total loss, a few interesting conversations and since I arrived in the area so early, some interesting looks at the buildings in the area directly west of the Courthouse. As you may have guessed--mostly luxury apartment, large and small---so New York.
And now I am out.
Tonight, finally made the commitment to see Flako's piece at Abrons Arts. Have already seen an earlier version, but must support Flako; he is my friend, Will report tomorrow.