bartender-raconteur, barista who has been at South fourth the whole eleven years of its existence. A really great guy--the party was really to celebrate his wife's becoming citizenship (he will become an American citizen soon, as well) I arrived about 3 and stayed until 5:45. Had a nice conversation with my friend Kathy---we talked about the plays that we were going to see in the next few weeks. Lots of food (I overate, of course) but nice to be there. Another party there on July 4, Marshall, the bar's owner will bring his wife and five month old child to the bar---should be fun.
Finally did get to see Dance Nation last night---after I returned to the apartment, I called Ticket Central and asked them if they had one $59.00 ticket for any of the five last performances. They had only one, for last night, so I bought it (actually $66.00 with fees) and went. Why did I spend so much money for a theater ticket---my limit is usually around $40.00 or a little lower? Because I really enjoyed the conversation with the playwright last Saturday, and felt that it would be cheap of me not to see her work, if I was so into our conversation. Turns out I was right---her play is open, original, full of life---a great cast really endows the piece with a warm energy. As I was watching the play, I thought: "I can't believe this play can't find a future in New York. It should simply not end this weekend" But can it? The way the theater economy is set up now, the only route for a much praised play or musical at a non-profit theater is a short continuation at that space. Simply nothing else. There is really no off Broadway for profit "engine" to move it to another off Broadway theater for an unlimited run. If a producer who produces on Broadway becomes infatuated with a play (like Indecent, two years ago) they might move it to Broadway, probably in the spring. Could this happen with Claire's play? Possibly. It is so full of energy and warmth that it should continue in New York.
Plans for the rest of the day: not sure---I would like to watch the Yankee-Red Sox game tonight, probably at La Flaca--that is at 7. Before that---maybe a trip to South fourth to just hang out. Should buy some new sneakers, these ones that I have on now are pretty warn. Not really in the mood for an afternoon play or movie. So we will see how the day develops. Will report soon.
Saturday, June 30, 2018
Friday, June 29, 2018
where do we go....
from here. Just read about a young woman challenging an incumbent in parts of Brooklyn that are in the midst of gentrification. She reminds me a lot of the winner in the Corona House of Representatives primary. Should I pay her more attention---give so money, or some time to her campaign. This is for State Senate. Something to think about. There are so many pertinent events happening in NY at this time, both concerning the city and state, I am beginning to wonder if my "escapist" vision of this summer (or at least a partial one) is valid. More of that to come.
Last night-well, after the late night on Wednesday, found myself tired after the visit to the library where I made my last post. Slept for a while as the day turned to night, then had just a little energy, so any plans to visit either bar in Brooklyn were scrapped. Just enough energy to head to the new Dive Bar on Amsterdam just north of 106th street. They had the Red Sox-Angel game on, so I watched for about a half hour while I nursed a beer. Not much happened, no conversations, but a good way of passing some time. I like that place; it has a laid back vibe. I feel relaxed when I am there. After that, simply grabbed a slice of pizza and went home.
Today is the beginning of a ten day stretch that has the July 4th holiday right in its middle. Have no real plans, though an amazing amount of options exist. Checked out the Dance Nation web site; the $59.00 tickets that I saw available yesterday are no longer there. Looks like I will be going down to the theater about an hour before to try my luck.
Tonight begins with a party at South fourth for my friend Jimmy, the terrific day bartender there. A super guy, very genuine, I hope to "hang out" a few times in the morning while the bar is still opened. Then, cityboy thinks he will take a break from "the horror" that is engulfing us on all sides by watching the first of three Yankee Red Sox games. Unreal, huh? Well, that is the plan, will probably sign in tomorrow with some results and more passions.
Last night-well, after the late night on Wednesday, found myself tired after the visit to the library where I made my last post. Slept for a while as the day turned to night, then had just a little energy, so any plans to visit either bar in Brooklyn were scrapped. Just enough energy to head to the new Dive Bar on Amsterdam just north of 106th street. They had the Red Sox-Angel game on, so I watched for about a half hour while I nursed a beer. Not much happened, no conversations, but a good way of passing some time. I like that place; it has a laid back vibe. I feel relaxed when I am there. After that, simply grabbed a slice of pizza and went home.
Today is the beginning of a ten day stretch that has the July 4th holiday right in its middle. Have no real plans, though an amazing amount of options exist. Checked out the Dance Nation web site; the $59.00 tickets that I saw available yesterday are no longer there. Looks like I will be going down to the theater about an hour before to try my luck.
Tonight begins with a party at South fourth for my friend Jimmy, the terrific day bartender there. A super guy, very genuine, I hope to "hang out" a few times in the morning while the bar is still opened. Then, cityboy thinks he will take a break from "the horror" that is engulfing us on all sides by watching the first of three Yankee Red Sox games. Unreal, huh? Well, that is the plan, will probably sign in tomorrow with some results and more passions.
Thursday, June 28, 2018
can't pull the trigger...
and pay $66.00 for Dance Nation. And yet I want to see it so much. Should I go down to Playwrights and by the ticket for (I hope) $59.00. Somehow that seems more palatable to me, but hell, it is only $7.00, and I find myself in pretty good shape financially. But in my gut I just can't do it now. Well, I will see how I feel when the session at the computer is over.
Yesterday, spent from 6:30 to 8 picketing outside Empire Boulevard address very near Prospect Park, with the BAN folk. Carried a placard for 1,5 hours, not tired at all. Made our statement, not sure what was accomplished but I am glad I participated. If only a few more people are made aware of the brutal gentrification vision that exists in Brooklyn, and how to hold it back, it is better for that. When it was over, I walked over to Rogers where the Bedford Avenue bus stop is, and took the first one north on Rogers and then Bedford. Not sure exactly what I wanted to do, but the bar, Do or Dive is right on Bedford, (a teacher from school told me she spends a lot of time there) , so I thought I would check it out. I was nervous (as I am mostly when I go to a bar where I am not "known") but went in.The patrons were entirely 20 or 30 somethings, and cityboy immediately felt out of place. But, I told myself that once I entered, I would stick it out, see what happens, so I found a place at the bar. I ordered a bud light (no food though I needed some) and then luckily, the male bartender turned on the Met game on a small black and white tv that faces the bar seats. Since no one was talking to me, this made me feel a little better--I drank my beer slowly and watched a few innings of the game. Left shortly after---will probably not return unless I am with someone (possible?)---but one never knows, that could change. Took the G (half a block away) to Fulton, had a nice slice of Pizza and bought a ticket for First Reformed, the Paul Schrader movie that I had wanted to see for a while.
It is a remarkable movie; every moment is deliberate, not a moment of screen time is wasted. The plot, about a lonely Priest in a small Parrish in upstate NY, and what happens to him when he is asked to comfort and advise a young man who sees global warming as destroying the world in close to 30 years. The man commits suicide, but leaves his will to the Priest, who has become close to the man's widow. Of course, the main funder of the church is the owner of a plant nearbye that has a reputation of being a high polluter. What will the Priest do---what feelings does this revelation bring out in him. That is the movie.
Many parallels in this; not going into them now, but as i left, I was confronted with the new skyline of downtown (or BAM centered) Brooklyn, and its ravenous buildings that mirror the aggressiveness of the developer class. It is an overwhelming vision, but who backs it, and how do these people affect my life, and why are they invisible? If I find them repugnant, as the Priest finds the Church benefactor repugnant---what is my role. Is being part of BAN enough? What action to take, can't mediate between my desire to make change, and my need to be "on my own".
Well, it is going to be a long summer, and from the looks of things, cityboy will have enough time to find out. Many conversations are needed.
Today, free for the rest of the day---maybe check out Five Brothers, the bar in which I had a nice time last Saturday, or maybe...? Not sure, don't really feel like processing another movie, but still it is a long time before bed. Will let you know tomorrow.
Yesterday, spent from 6:30 to 8 picketing outside Empire Boulevard address very near Prospect Park, with the BAN folk. Carried a placard for 1,5 hours, not tired at all. Made our statement, not sure what was accomplished but I am glad I participated. If only a few more people are made aware of the brutal gentrification vision that exists in Brooklyn, and how to hold it back, it is better for that. When it was over, I walked over to Rogers where the Bedford Avenue bus stop is, and took the first one north on Rogers and then Bedford. Not sure exactly what I wanted to do, but the bar, Do or Dive is right on Bedford, (a teacher from school told me she spends a lot of time there) , so I thought I would check it out. I was nervous (as I am mostly when I go to a bar where I am not "known") but went in.The patrons were entirely 20 or 30 somethings, and cityboy immediately felt out of place. But, I told myself that once I entered, I would stick it out, see what happens, so I found a place at the bar. I ordered a bud light (no food though I needed some) and then luckily, the male bartender turned on the Met game on a small black and white tv that faces the bar seats. Since no one was talking to me, this made me feel a little better--I drank my beer slowly and watched a few innings of the game. Left shortly after---will probably not return unless I am with someone (possible?)---but one never knows, that could change. Took the G (half a block away) to Fulton, had a nice slice of Pizza and bought a ticket for First Reformed, the Paul Schrader movie that I had wanted to see for a while.
It is a remarkable movie; every moment is deliberate, not a moment of screen time is wasted. The plot, about a lonely Priest in a small Parrish in upstate NY, and what happens to him when he is asked to comfort and advise a young man who sees global warming as destroying the world in close to 30 years. The man commits suicide, but leaves his will to the Priest, who has become close to the man's widow. Of course, the main funder of the church is the owner of a plant nearbye that has a reputation of being a high polluter. What will the Priest do---what feelings does this revelation bring out in him. That is the movie.
Many parallels in this; not going into them now, but as i left, I was confronted with the new skyline of downtown (or BAM centered) Brooklyn, and its ravenous buildings that mirror the aggressiveness of the developer class. It is an overwhelming vision, but who backs it, and how do these people affect my life, and why are they invisible? If I find them repugnant, as the Priest finds the Church benefactor repugnant---what is my role. Is being part of BAN enough? What action to take, can't mediate between my desire to make change, and my need to be "on my own".
Well, it is going to be a long summer, and from the looks of things, cityboy will have enough time to find out. Many conversations are needed.
Today, free for the rest of the day---maybe check out Five Brothers, the bar in which I had a nice time last Saturday, or maybe...? Not sure, don't really feel like processing another movie, but still it is a long time before bed. Will let you know tomorrow.
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
surprised, this morning...
that so many of my facebook friends whom I considered not to city politically savvy were happy about the House of Representatives primary in Queens, where the younger and more progressive (that is an understatement) candidate won. Really important, a message to more "establishement" Democrats that they can be beaten and that their centrist views are turning people off. I just wish some of those friends would also take an interest in what is happening in the city, as I have.
Last night, my stomach was a little crazy and I was tired, but attended the Community Board meeting on Empire Boulevard, which dealt with the new real estate projects that one developer is trying to push on Franklin Avenue near the park. The developer has presented a plan that they feel does not create a shadow on the park, while members of the community spoke vehemently against the project. One wonders why anyone would join a group advocating for this, or represent this kind of developer. But of course, it happens all over the city, and especially now in Crown Heights south of Eastern Parkway. From what I saw, we are talking about a complete redevelopment of the neighborhood with housing that would bring in mostly affluent people into a primarily working class neighborhood.
I arrived a bit late, and did not hear the developer's lawyer make the presentation; then stayed through the beginning of the total community board meeting (the first was just the land use) and saw the developer's lawyer again (in a mild mannered way) present the project. This was followed by two more proposals, at which point I felt extremely tired and my stomach was a bit weird as well. So I left, took the 4 to Atlantic, checked e-mail at the Apple store, then walked over to Fulton and sat in the coffee place across from the bookstore. Always like that place---feel comfortable there. Toyed with the idea of staying in Brooklyn for a movie ("First Reformed, which I have been promising myself to see for a long time) but was tired, just took the 2 back to the upper west side.
Today, another trip to Empire Boulevard, this time a little west of the school where the Board meeting was held. There will be a protest against a vicious landlord who is trying to get lower rental people out of his buildings on the Boulevard. That will be around 6:30, my plan is to get to Brooklyn early, maybe stop by the library and then head south to the apartment houses that are being picketed. After that, do hope to be in better shape then yesterday, maybe check out a new bar somewhere in the area, or whatever---will report tomorrow.
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
a new vision....
after attending BAN meeting last night. Let's get down to serious business. Lots of discussion re September march and a possible forum in August. Today, there are two possible demonstrations that I might attend, will probably choose the one in Brooklyn, against the aggressive development of the buildings across from the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. Again, it is like a juggernaut that won't stop and the city seems to be in league with it. So what does this have to do with your "passion for theater", cityboy? Don't know, maybe the two are totally separate. Sometimes I feel like Hamlet (I know this is kind of pretentious) "the time is out of joint...that ever I was born to set it right". Yes, why me, why get involved with this problem? Because it is so ugly, and is so unfair to so many people simply living a decent life. Anyway, the protest is tonight, and I will try to be there.
Not much else to report. Another aspect of the meeting was planning the september march---I think we have pretty much decided on a route. Next meeting, two weeks from today will be in Sunset Park. Looking forward to it.
After the meeting, interested in what was happening in Baseball, but longed for a cheese danish, not a beer, so ended up in the Greek diner, one block away from the meeting (23rd a little east of 7th). Great (and very filling) danish, with some coffee, watched about three innings of the latest Met debacle. Then went home.
This seems to be where I am now, will report on whatever I do or wherever I go tonight in tomorrow's blog.
Not much else to report. Another aspect of the meeting was planning the september march---I think we have pretty much decided on a route. Next meeting, two weeks from today will be in Sunset Park. Looking forward to it.
After the meeting, interested in what was happening in Baseball, but longed for a cheese danish, not a beer, so ended up in the Greek diner, one block away from the meeting (23rd a little east of 7th). Great (and very filling) danish, with some coffee, watched about three innings of the latest Met debacle. Then went home.
This seems to be where I am now, will report on whatever I do or wherever I go tonight in tomorrow's blog.
Monday, June 25, 2018
Did not attend....
the SOS party Saturday afternoon, but did go to Target Margin's workshop in the evening. Trains were running slowly on the way, so cityboy got off at 36th and 4th, and walked (with great haste) to the theater space at 52nd betweeen 2nd and 3rd. He shouldn't have hurried, though, because when he arrived, many were standing outside the theater and the doors had not opened as yet. Finally a little later they opened, and the project: an immersive experience into the Muslim ceremony entitled yogibogeybox began. Non-narrative, totally immersive, it was meaningful to experience and a nice "third" to the other two workshops that were part of this festival. Many people I knew were in the audience, so it was good to see and chat with them after the performance. My friend Sarah, who had worked closely with the creator of this piece, Moe, invited me to join the group at a nearby bar. A really lovely open place on 47th between 2nd and 3rd, a fascinating oasis in an area that still mostly consists of warehouses. Lots of good conversation; it was nice to talk with Claire B, a very laid back and decent playwright , plus the bar had a terrific ambiance (would like to visit there again) . Came home late, trains were a little slow, but it did not matter.
Yesterday, three visits to three different bar restaurants---beginning with Cobra---no baseball, just soccer on the screen, then on to South Fourth where the final soccer game was finishing up so I could watch the end of the Yankee game (thank goodness) and finally, on to La Flaca on Grand in Manhattan. Bobby, the owner who is my friend was not there, but Tom, the evocative bartender was on, and we had several good conversations while I was watching the Sunday night baseball game (thankfully soccer was over!) Glad I went, a nice way of ending the day.
Today, basically free, but there will be a BAN meeting tonight. We will see how that evolves. No work tomorrow, so might "hang out" after that, but have to see what the fatigue factor will be. Also, should start the library book I took out last week: Jerzy by Jerome Charyn, one of my favorite writers, one who was born and raised in the Bronx, around Crotona Park. In his eighties, as are most white people (or in their seventies) who were raised in that area. How it changed and evolved is another story that cannot be told today. Should take a journey back to the Bronx soon; of course it is so much easier to visit Brooklyn. Let's see what happens after the meeting.
Yesterday, three visits to three different bar restaurants---beginning with Cobra---no baseball, just soccer on the screen, then on to South Fourth where the final soccer game was finishing up so I could watch the end of the Yankee game (thank goodness) and finally, on to La Flaca on Grand in Manhattan. Bobby, the owner who is my friend was not there, but Tom, the evocative bartender was on, and we had several good conversations while I was watching the Sunday night baseball game (thankfully soccer was over!) Glad I went, a nice way of ending the day.
Today, basically free, but there will be a BAN meeting tonight. We will see how that evolves. No work tomorrow, so might "hang out" after that, but have to see what the fatigue factor will be. Also, should start the library book I took out last week: Jerzy by Jerome Charyn, one of my favorite writers, one who was born and raised in the Bronx, around Crotona Park. In his eighties, as are most white people (or in their seventies) who were raised in that area. How it changed and evolved is another story that cannot be told today. Should take a journey back to the Bronx soon; of course it is so much easier to visit Brooklyn. Let's see what happens after the meeting.
Saturday, June 23, 2018
afternoon and evening....
Tentative plan is to go to celebration hosted by SOS, at Bergen and Kingston Avenue towards the end of the afternoon. Then off to the Doxcee (Third out of four saturdays) to see the last of their take on Sinbad. Some mixed feelings about going---could have gone to La Flaca and watched the latest Met game with (possibly) my owner friend Bob---that would be nice and relaxing, but instead decided to make the final trip to Target Margin (they inhabit the Doxcee)---to be "part of the community". May see some people that I know there---hopefully.
So, how does one get from Kingston and Bergen---deep in Crown Heights, to Sunset Park due south and far west of Bergen and Kingston. Good question. Maybe find a bus going south and then one going west---but probably would be best to jump on the C, take it to around BAM, then maybe pick up the R at a station near there. Most practical. Also, try to remember, cityboy, that the returning R's usually run express from 36th street to Pacific Street. That means they over run Prospect Avenue, where you have to get off to go to Freddy's, or any other bar on the fifth avenue strip. Last week did not know about the switch, and had to settle for a beer at fourth avenue Pub near Pacific. Not bad, but really wanted to check out Freddy's Well, maybe tonight.
Yesterday, returned from the library, then slept, then headed to the Dance Concert that Debbie and her group called Shift were doing. A very intense and focused group of dancers, worked their heads off with great conviction on the five short ballets that were presented. Debbie moved easily from one ballet to another---had major roles in all. I don't see how she does it. None (as far as I know) of the dancers are supported by their work as dancers, yet their skill and musicality was incredible. Will have coffee with Debbie and her husband, who seems like a very nice guy, in August when they return from a trip.
That will be all now, a report on the day's activities and maybe tomorrow's will be posted soon.
So, how does one get from Kingston and Bergen---deep in Crown Heights, to Sunset Park due south and far west of Bergen and Kingston. Good question. Maybe find a bus going south and then one going west---but probably would be best to jump on the C, take it to around BAM, then maybe pick up the R at a station near there. Most practical. Also, try to remember, cityboy, that the returning R's usually run express from 36th street to Pacific Street. That means they over run Prospect Avenue, where you have to get off to go to Freddy's, or any other bar on the fifth avenue strip. Last week did not know about the switch, and had to settle for a beer at fourth avenue Pub near Pacific. Not bad, but really wanted to check out Freddy's Well, maybe tonight.
Yesterday, returned from the library, then slept, then headed to the Dance Concert that Debbie and her group called Shift were doing. A very intense and focused group of dancers, worked their heads off with great conviction on the five short ballets that were presented. Debbie moved easily from one ballet to another---had major roles in all. I don't see how she does it. None (as far as I know) of the dancers are supported by their work as dancers, yet their skill and musicality was incredible. Will have coffee with Debbie and her husband, who seems like a very nice guy, in August when they return from a trip.
That will be all now, a report on the day's activities and maybe tomorrow's will be posted soon.
Friday, June 22, 2018
strange day...
lots of info to take in, not all of it pleasant. Now sitting in a new library, the business library on 34th and Madison--it is large and seems a bit underused. Still, nice air conditioning so all is not lost.
Yesterday, after my session, just came home and went to sleep, really early and did not leave the apartment during my few wake ups. That is understandable, since I was up at 4:15 and out of the house by 4;55 to go to Sibyl's project. During the wake ups, experienced my body as being lithe and free. That should lead into tonight's event---a dance project at the Ailey theater that my friend Debbie is participating in. She replaced the regular french teacher for a term at Friends and we got to know each other fairly well. She loves dancing---will be interesting to see her in three or four different short (I assume) ballets.
Not much else---I read in the Times this morning how well the finance system, especially the banks have come back from the 08 crash---now they are making tons of money. Should I have invested in a bank stock then? Of course, I never would have thought of it. Feel frustrated that there is so much money out there that I am missing, but have to admit I have chosen my own fate--I am satisfied with the world in which I function, which simply does not pay as much.
Got the contribution to the Rose Community Center off yesterday, want to let at least two friends of mine know about this movie, will report soon.
Yesterday, after my session, just came home and went to sleep, really early and did not leave the apartment during my few wake ups. That is understandable, since I was up at 4:15 and out of the house by 4;55 to go to Sibyl's project. During the wake ups, experienced my body as being lithe and free. That should lead into tonight's event---a dance project at the Ailey theater that my friend Debbie is participating in. She replaced the regular french teacher for a term at Friends and we got to know each other fairly well. She loves dancing---will be interesting to see her in three or four different short (I assume) ballets.
Not much else---I read in the Times this morning how well the finance system, especially the banks have come back from the 08 crash---now they are making tons of money. Should I have invested in a bank stock then? Of course, I never would have thought of it. Feel frustrated that there is so much money out there that I am missing, but have to admit I have chosen my own fate--I am satisfied with the world in which I function, which simply does not pay as much.
Got the contribution to the Rose Community Center off yesterday, want to let at least two friends of mine know about this movie, will report soon.
Thursday, June 21, 2018
tired at the moment...
got up around 4 to go to Sibyl's pageant at the Boat Basin in 23rd street. It was actually held on a boat ride, first time I have done that in a while. Sibyl's pageants, which I have been going to since they began in June of 16. are dense, layered, allow the audience to move in and out of the experience as they wish. This was especially true of today, since the boat had a lot of room. I always enjoy and appreciate her craziness, but this morning I spent a lot of time just looking at Manhattan and Brooklyn from the boat, trying to figure out where we were, and "putting things together" for myself. That was part of the "unique experience" these pageants offer. Still thinking about last night's movie.
It was Charm City a movie about a poor neighborhood in Baltimore. Very strong, some very beautiful people involved in taking a neighborhood with no resources and trying to create strength from it. In Baltimore the poor black community is really cut off from the rest of the city. The documentary showed how. over a period of years, the members of the community created a world for themselves full of dignity and strength. Also followed three Baltimore policemen on their rounds and tried to show how they cope with the demands of their work, and interact with the community. The movie was very strongly focused--good discussion afterwards, may be the most important artistic event of the year for me. I am going to make a small (because that is all I can do at this point) contribution to the Community Center on that block. Really glad I could do it.
For the rest, nothing much until a dance concert tomorrow evening at the Ailey Space. Tonight is unplanned, but don't know what the fatigue factor will be around 7.Will report tomorrow.
It was Charm City a movie about a poor neighborhood in Baltimore. Very strong, some very beautiful people involved in taking a neighborhood with no resources and trying to create strength from it. In Baltimore the poor black community is really cut off from the rest of the city. The documentary showed how. over a period of years, the members of the community created a world for themselves full of dignity and strength. Also followed three Baltimore policemen on their rounds and tried to show how they cope with the demands of their work, and interact with the community. The movie was very strongly focused--good discussion afterwards, may be the most important artistic event of the year for me. I am going to make a small (because that is all I can do at this point) contribution to the Community Center on that block. Really glad I could do it.
For the rest, nothing much until a dance concert tomorrow evening at the Ailey Space. Tonight is unplanned, but don't know what the fatigue factor will be around 7.Will report tomorrow.
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
the horror continues....
on the Federal front, but here in NYC, I get an e-mail about a terrible eviction on Ocean Avenue in Brooklyn. How long can this go on--when will it stop. Elected representatives must realize that they are responsible to the people who live in their neighborhoods, not the elite development class. Will do all I can to fight this horror!
With all this, should I even recount the events of the previous day? Well, anyway, after a session, took the A and the M to Williamsburg for South fourth's movie afternoon. The movie was Roma, by Fellini, but I had a great deal of trouble following it. Kind of scattered in vision----also, there was a lot of talking at the bar. I was in a grumpy mood, I was kind of tired---so did not really have an viable conversations with anyone--my friend Kathy was there---but only spoke to her briefly. After the movie ended, the baseball game came on---a great disappointment---a very slow game, that the Yankees finally broke open in the sixth inning. The Mariners, a team supposedly on the rise, only got 2 hits! Left the bar, grabbed an ice cream and went home. Needed the sleep.
Today, there is the movie, Charm City at the Bunin that I already have tickets for. I am really anxious to see it---it is a documentary about Baltimore and how the different strata of society there are processing and dealing with the Freddy Gray incident. Baltimore, is of course, where I went to college (Hopkins) and a city that I have visited frequently since my graduation, and a city that I am very concerned about. There is a great gap there between the middle class (black and white) and the poor black community. Hopefully the documentary will be enlightening---there will be a discussion afterwards that I will stay for.
Then it will be back to the apartment---tomorrow morning I should be up around 4, to get ready for my friend Sibyl's solstice pageant at the Skyport Marina (not the Whitney, this time) that begins at 5:30. One of the few times I will take an taxi to an event. Hope there is a lot of coffee there. Then, back to the apartment to crash? Well, we will see, meanwhile will try to make the rest of the day, productive.
With all this, should I even recount the events of the previous day? Well, anyway, after a session, took the A and the M to Williamsburg for South fourth's movie afternoon. The movie was Roma, by Fellini, but I had a great deal of trouble following it. Kind of scattered in vision----also, there was a lot of talking at the bar. I was in a grumpy mood, I was kind of tired---so did not really have an viable conversations with anyone--my friend Kathy was there---but only spoke to her briefly. After the movie ended, the baseball game came on---a great disappointment---a very slow game, that the Yankees finally broke open in the sixth inning. The Mariners, a team supposedly on the rise, only got 2 hits! Left the bar, grabbed an ice cream and went home. Needed the sleep.
Today, there is the movie, Charm City at the Bunin that I already have tickets for. I am really anxious to see it---it is a documentary about Baltimore and how the different strata of society there are processing and dealing with the Freddy Gray incident. Baltimore, is of course, where I went to college (Hopkins) and a city that I have visited frequently since my graduation, and a city that I am very concerned about. There is a great gap there between the middle class (black and white) and the poor black community. Hopefully the documentary will be enlightening---there will be a discussion afterwards that I will stay for.
Then it will be back to the apartment---tomorrow morning I should be up around 4, to get ready for my friend Sibyl's solstice pageant at the Skyport Marina (not the Whitney, this time) that begins at 5:30. One of the few times I will take an taxi to an event. Hope there is a lot of coffee there. Then, back to the apartment to crash? Well, we will see, meanwhile will try to make the rest of the day, productive.
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
nothing to be done....
re the border crisis and the separation of children from their parents? I have found a list of charities that I might support in response to this horror. Tomorrow I shall be better off than today. May try to make a contribution, though there are so many groups in the city that need my help as well. Will see how it plays out tomorrow.
Sunday: the day of the Forum at Bushwick, very well attended considering that it was father's day---I made my contribution by standing outside the hall from 3:30 to about 5, handing out flyers to passers by (I actually got two people to come who were not planning to), having a dialogue with some passers by and simply standing in front of the not too well marked hall, and welcoming people who were coming. I think this is what I do best in these situations, I look forward to continuing this over the summer.
Rest of the evening contained a visit to South Fourth, and returning home. Have to remind myself that I do not have to be back on the upper west side at any hour---really free at this point.
Yesterday, decided to see one Visconti movie from his retrospective, it turned out to be Conversation Piece, a movie he made in the late 70's. Burt Lancaster, in a very restrained performance plays a former professor, with a decent amount of wealth, living in isolation in Rome, whose life is invaded by a "sloppy" family, who break all the rules. Yet in the end, he understands why this was necessary for his life. Lots of mystery in people's background; the movie is beautiful to look at---the scenery sumptuous--a wonderful sense of control and focus dominates the whole movie. I was never bored, always felt completely involved as the movie progressed. Glad that I went--it is the first movie I have allowed myself to see in a long time. The Walter Reade was completely sold out for this showing---I was amazed at this, I thought a Visconti film (not his most famous by far) would attract about half a house---but no, the place was packed.
It was over around 8:30---not time to go home---I decided to check out the new Dive Bar, the one on 106th and Amsterdam. Had a nice time there, the bartender, Sam (Samantha) was very accepting. Lots of TVs to watch baseball on, the food is a little more expensive then at the Dive Bar on 96th, but somehow, even as the place became very crowded with guys and girls staying at the hospice nearbye, I liked the ambience. Will return at some other time.
Today, after a session, will probably go to South fourth for their Tuesday night movie, this week Roma, by Fellini, it will end in time to watch most of the Yankee-Seattle game, which should be very interesting. Have to prepare for tomorrow, when I see the movie at Lincoln Center at 9, then prepare for my Thursday morning adventure at 5:30 when I see Sibyl's summer solstice pageant, this time at the boat basin on 23rd street and Riverside Drive. It begins at 5"30 A.M. Good luck!
Sunday: the day of the Forum at Bushwick, very well attended considering that it was father's day---I made my contribution by standing outside the hall from 3:30 to about 5, handing out flyers to passers by (I actually got two people to come who were not planning to), having a dialogue with some passers by and simply standing in front of the not too well marked hall, and welcoming people who were coming. I think this is what I do best in these situations, I look forward to continuing this over the summer.
Rest of the evening contained a visit to South Fourth, and returning home. Have to remind myself that I do not have to be back on the upper west side at any hour---really free at this point.
Yesterday, decided to see one Visconti movie from his retrospective, it turned out to be Conversation Piece, a movie he made in the late 70's. Burt Lancaster, in a very restrained performance plays a former professor, with a decent amount of wealth, living in isolation in Rome, whose life is invaded by a "sloppy" family, who break all the rules. Yet in the end, he understands why this was necessary for his life. Lots of mystery in people's background; the movie is beautiful to look at---the scenery sumptuous--a wonderful sense of control and focus dominates the whole movie. I was never bored, always felt completely involved as the movie progressed. Glad that I went--it is the first movie I have allowed myself to see in a long time. The Walter Reade was completely sold out for this showing---I was amazed at this, I thought a Visconti film (not his most famous by far) would attract about half a house---but no, the place was packed.
It was over around 8:30---not time to go home---I decided to check out the new Dive Bar, the one on 106th and Amsterdam. Had a nice time there, the bartender, Sam (Samantha) was very accepting. Lots of TVs to watch baseball on, the food is a little more expensive then at the Dive Bar on 96th, but somehow, even as the place became very crowded with guys and girls staying at the hospice nearbye, I liked the ambience. Will return at some other time.
Today, after a session, will probably go to South fourth for their Tuesday night movie, this week Roma, by Fellini, it will end in time to watch most of the Yankee-Seattle game, which should be very interesting. Have to prepare for tomorrow, when I see the movie at Lincoln Center at 9, then prepare for my Thursday morning adventure at 5:30 when I see Sibyl's summer solstice pageant, this time at the boat basin on 23rd street and Riverside Drive. It begins at 5"30 A.M. Good luck!
Monday, June 18, 2018
and so he walked....
a long walk on Saturday, on his way to the Doxsee. How long? Well, cityboy got off the subway at the Prospect Park section of the Q, he made his way south on the beginning on the northern boundary of Ocean Avenue. Continued on Ocean to Parkside Avenue, then east on Parkside to Flatbush and south again on Flatbush to Church Avenue. The streets filled with people, mostly of color with a smattering of whites around. Church Avenue at Flatbush (actually about East 21 Street) is also filled and this crowded street continues until about East 18th street. On the side streets, apartment houses as far as the eye can see. Are the apartments in these houses the ones I would have been raised in had my parents taught in Brooklyn instead of the Bronx? Stickball games, hide and seek, running bases, transistor radios tuned tot the Dodger game on every street. Was that at some point an all (or mostly)
Jewish neighborhood. At East 18th a remarkable change happens. We are entering Ditmas Park---the apartment houses lessen considerably, on the streets are the large private houses, the almost private streets that go from Church south to Cortelyou Road. And Church avenue almost immediately quiets down, one sees a fairly large Pakistani community around the streets. But it is the contrast---the crowded streets east of East 18th street to the placid streets west of East 18th that really comes to attention. Cityboy continues his walk, west on Church, looking in at a few bars and restaurants, and finally boards a bus that will take him west on 39th street to about 5th Avenue. 39th between about 12th to sixth avenue is a strange corridor, it seems almost non-traveled, some factories and small buildings on the street. If the city wants to build new housing, that seems like a perfect place for it, yet, as far as I know, it has not been mentioned in rezoning plans. A really interesting ride.
Now south on 5th as I walk towards 52nd street and the theater. Lots of 99cent stores, the area seems overhwhelmingly hispanic---cityboy is hungry, stops at a bagel place, is told that a small roast beef sandwich will cost $8.66---he rebels, refuses to pay, and instead orders some cream cheese on a bagel for a little more than $5.00 less. Then on to the theater.
The one act play, based on stories from Sinbad the Sailor, is an inventive piece about 4 men in a prison cell, who pass the time recreating the stories of Sinbad and his travels. Why are they in prison? As the play progresses, the audience learns that the jail is in Egypt, that this current regime, very autocratic has systematically persecuted gay men, and that these guys were all taken off the street by the police, their only crime, it seems was being gay. So the play continues that way, contrasting the regressive world of Egypt and the expansive world of the Sinbad stories. Was it good? Very effective, sometimes a little slow, but really well acted by the four male actors and one women. Incredible conviction---these actors give so much of themselves and it is only for five performances. A very strongly conceived piece.
Afterwards, cityboy, determined for a little "adventure" stops at the Cherry Tree bar on fourth avenue near Bergen street in Park Slope; it is on his way home. Not much exciting going on there, cityboy has a light beer and watches a bit of the Met game, then goes home.
Tonight (I will discuss yesterday's events. probably tomorrow) cityboy may attend a film at Lincoln Center by Visconti; it may not be one of his bests (not sure) but should show some homage to this great director, so possibly I will go. Will report on all tomorrow.
Jewish neighborhood. At East 18th a remarkable change happens. We are entering Ditmas Park---the apartment houses lessen considerably, on the streets are the large private houses, the almost private streets that go from Church south to Cortelyou Road. And Church avenue almost immediately quiets down, one sees a fairly large Pakistani community around the streets. But it is the contrast---the crowded streets east of East 18th street to the placid streets west of East 18th that really comes to attention. Cityboy continues his walk, west on Church, looking in at a few bars and restaurants, and finally boards a bus that will take him west on 39th street to about 5th Avenue. 39th between about 12th to sixth avenue is a strange corridor, it seems almost non-traveled, some factories and small buildings on the street. If the city wants to build new housing, that seems like a perfect place for it, yet, as far as I know, it has not been mentioned in rezoning plans. A really interesting ride.
Now south on 5th as I walk towards 52nd street and the theater. Lots of 99cent stores, the area seems overhwhelmingly hispanic---cityboy is hungry, stops at a bagel place, is told that a small roast beef sandwich will cost $8.66---he rebels, refuses to pay, and instead orders some cream cheese on a bagel for a little more than $5.00 less. Then on to the theater.
The one act play, based on stories from Sinbad the Sailor, is an inventive piece about 4 men in a prison cell, who pass the time recreating the stories of Sinbad and his travels. Why are they in prison? As the play progresses, the audience learns that the jail is in Egypt, that this current regime, very autocratic has systematically persecuted gay men, and that these guys were all taken off the street by the police, their only crime, it seems was being gay. So the play continues that way, contrasting the regressive world of Egypt and the expansive world of the Sinbad stories. Was it good? Very effective, sometimes a little slow, but really well acted by the four male actors and one women. Incredible conviction---these actors give so much of themselves and it is only for five performances. A very strongly conceived piece.
Afterwards, cityboy, determined for a little "adventure" stops at the Cherry Tree bar on fourth avenue near Bergen street in Park Slope; it is on his way home. Not much exciting going on there, cityboy has a light beer and watches a bit of the Met game, then goes home.
Tonight (I will discuss yesterday's events. probably tomorrow) cityboy may attend a film at Lincoln Center by Visconti; it may not be one of his bests (not sure) but should show some homage to this great director, so possibly I will go. Will report on all tomorrow.
Saturday, June 16, 2018
Saturday morning...
not sure how the day will lead up to my visit to the Doxee to see the third installment of the Sinbad labs at Target Margin. Don't get lost again, cityboy, remember the address is 232 52nd street, not a little further east. And the doors won't open until 7, and please, no key losing tonight!
Yesterday evening, went to see the musical with lyrics by Sami H, a graduate of Friends 2008 (can it really be that long?) I came, hoping to "grit" my way through it, instead I was pleasantly surprised by how professional the whole project was, a very talented cast, and a musical that, if not earth shattering, did show a lot of potential for its two creators. The plot deals with three Amish girls, trying to find themselves when finally given a year of freedom, was predictable, but the three girl characters were all drawn well, and the plot that followed was nicely constructed, moved easily through time, and never forced anything. A great band and some very good music as well. There were a lot of positives there.
The west village around MacDougal street really looked like a zoo as I approached the theater at about 7:30. Hordes of people going in all directions, with no purpose. Still the same when I exited. Went to Formerly Crows the bar run by the owner of South fourth, which is usually pretty un crowded. Last night, however, they were packed, so I did not stay. Finally decided on a pizza slice at Two Boots near what was once the hospital, and then headed home. On the platform met Mike I from ERS and his partner, and spent the rest of the trip with them. Lots of good conversation.No bar after that, as I was tired, and did not want to spend an extra $8.00. Instead I settled on some ice cream from the neighborhood grocery. Returned home.
Today, now am feeling tired, but at some point would like to explore the area around the Botanical Gardens in Brooklyn, see if anyone is flyering about the meeting to explain the conflict which will be held on Wednesday. Did not contact Alicia B about committing to flyering this afternoon, did not want to get locked in to doing it when I felt ambivalent about doing it. Still, I will go out and maybe participate while I wait to go to Sunset Park and the play. After the play would like to visit a bar in Park Slope maybe the ( "always cool") Freddys, or somewhere near there Looking for some "adventure", cityboy? It would be nice to visit Sonnys, in Red Hook, I always liked the vibe there, but it is a long way from any transportation and I am not inclined to take a taxi these days. Still, I would like to "hang" there at some point in the summer.
Tomorrow, may meet my friend for a breakfast, then off to Bushwick to watch baseball and then participate in the forum at Mayday space. Hopefully some good conversation will come out of it, will report on it next time.
Yesterday evening, went to see the musical with lyrics by Sami H, a graduate of Friends 2008 (can it really be that long?) I came, hoping to "grit" my way through it, instead I was pleasantly surprised by how professional the whole project was, a very talented cast, and a musical that, if not earth shattering, did show a lot of potential for its two creators. The plot deals with three Amish girls, trying to find themselves when finally given a year of freedom, was predictable, but the three girl characters were all drawn well, and the plot that followed was nicely constructed, moved easily through time, and never forced anything. A great band and some very good music as well. There were a lot of positives there.
The west village around MacDougal street really looked like a zoo as I approached the theater at about 7:30. Hordes of people going in all directions, with no purpose. Still the same when I exited. Went to Formerly Crows the bar run by the owner of South fourth, which is usually pretty un crowded. Last night, however, they were packed, so I did not stay. Finally decided on a pizza slice at Two Boots near what was once the hospital, and then headed home. On the platform met Mike I from ERS and his partner, and spent the rest of the trip with them. Lots of good conversation.No bar after that, as I was tired, and did not want to spend an extra $8.00. Instead I settled on some ice cream from the neighborhood grocery. Returned home.
Today, now am feeling tired, but at some point would like to explore the area around the Botanical Gardens in Brooklyn, see if anyone is flyering about the meeting to explain the conflict which will be held on Wednesday. Did not contact Alicia B about committing to flyering this afternoon, did not want to get locked in to doing it when I felt ambivalent about doing it. Still, I will go out and maybe participate while I wait to go to Sunset Park and the play. After the play would like to visit a bar in Park Slope maybe the ( "always cool") Freddys, or somewhere near there Looking for some "adventure", cityboy? It would be nice to visit Sonnys, in Red Hook, I always liked the vibe there, but it is a long way from any transportation and I am not inclined to take a taxi these days. Still, I would like to "hang" there at some point in the summer.
Tomorrow, may meet my friend for a breakfast, then off to Bushwick to watch baseball and then participate in the forum at Mayday space. Hopefully some good conversation will come out of it, will report on it next time.
Friday, June 15, 2018
who would have thought that...
Dimbo is full of young women? That is one of the things that I found out when I visited there, on my way and after the TEAM benefit. Dumbo--it has been a long time since I have been there. What is it? A collection of high rises, some bars and neighborhood places---not (from what I can see) much else. Most of the younger women that I know live in Bed Stuy or Bushwick or now south of Eastern Parkway. It is much cheaper there (if it is much cheaper anywhere in the city) Yet here I was in Dumbo at 7:45, and the F train subway stop seemed to be spewing out many many young women, and some men. How do they all pay for their places to live? Roommates? Boyfriends? Families? Quite astounded by what I saw. Should return there at least once during the summer, just to further check out the energy. Of course, there are so many places that I should check out this summer. Enough said.
The TEAM party was fun; I had already participated in the party for the Friends faculty and had a good time there, at the Dumbo loft (for that is where the party was held) there were many people that I knew---many good and meaningful conversations ensued, and it was great to hear Moonlight from Natasha, Pierre etc. sung brilliantly by the women who played the role on Broadway. Very glad that I went, reminds me of how many friends I have in the community, and how important that I not forget that. Left when my friend Kristen came in, and seemed to bring in her whole cast from The Band's Visit. It was time to go.
Just ordered my ticket to the Sinbad lab for tomorrow evening; glad that that is set. In the afternoon, I may volunteer to flyer in Crown Heights re a meeting about the Botanical Gardens and the trees that might be blocked if high rises are allowed to be built across the street. Don't want to stand right in front of the garden, but would like to move around the streets on Eastern Parkway and south of it. Not set yet, we will see how it evolves. Sunday there is a meeting re rezoning in Bushwick near Cobra that I will attend.
Tonight is the musical that a former Friends student has created---I am going to support her--I know nothing about the musical--hope that it is good, will report tomorrow.
The TEAM party was fun; I had already participated in the party for the Friends faculty and had a good time there, at the Dumbo loft (for that is where the party was held) there were many people that I knew---many good and meaningful conversations ensued, and it was great to hear Moonlight from Natasha, Pierre etc. sung brilliantly by the women who played the role on Broadway. Very glad that I went, reminds me of how many friends I have in the community, and how important that I not forget that. Left when my friend Kristen came in, and seemed to bring in her whole cast from The Band's Visit. It was time to go.
Just ordered my ticket to the Sinbad lab for tomorrow evening; glad that that is set. In the afternoon, I may volunteer to flyer in Crown Heights re a meeting about the Botanical Gardens and the trees that might be blocked if high rises are allowed to be built across the street. Don't want to stand right in front of the garden, but would like to move around the streets on Eastern Parkway and south of it. Not set yet, we will see how it evolves. Sunday there is a meeting re rezoning in Bushwick near Cobra that I will attend.
Tonight is the musical that a former Friends student has created---I am going to support her--I know nothing about the musical--hope that it is good, will report tomorrow.
Thursday, June 14, 2018
sad days continue,,,
as cityboy reads again another article about the frightening insensitivity of the current Federal administration as it can't find any compassion to protect the immigrants running from the violence that is in Central America. Here am I, in my what might be considered poor, but totally stable environment, living with ease, while these people are faced with unspeakable horrors and their children are totally separated from them. Can something be done? If not..what is one without any power to change things to do. Tonight is the staff party for Friends faculty, followed by my visit to DUMBO to the party for the socially and politically minded the TEAM. But in the past, these benefits have been somewhat self-congradulatory, will they be so today, and if so, can I deal with them? Sometimes I wonder when, in situations and environments like these, whether theater has any value at all. Or baseball. But, one can't shut them out.
Yesterday, after a session, went to watch baseball at Standings the baseball bar on east 7th street that I often visit. Very quiet there, just Sam, my bartender buddy, his brother Aaron, and one or two others. Watched for a while, then moved next door where my friend Errin was bartending. Burp castle, a beautifully quiet bar, a perfect place to come with a friend or someone. Love the soft energy there. Spoke to Errin for about a half hour, chatted about life in Bushwick, and I invited her to a forum at Mayday space on Sunday about redevelopment in Bushwick. Hope that she can make it.
Not much else to say, this will be the "final farewell" before the summer vacation to my Friends friends, then off the Dumbo to the TEAM party. Will report tomorrow.
Yesterday, after a session, went to watch baseball at Standings the baseball bar on east 7th street that I often visit. Very quiet there, just Sam, my bartender buddy, his brother Aaron, and one or two others. Watched for a while, then moved next door where my friend Errin was bartending. Burp castle, a beautifully quiet bar, a perfect place to come with a friend or someone. Love the soft energy there. Spoke to Errin for about a half hour, chatted about life in Bushwick, and I invited her to a forum at Mayday space on Sunday about redevelopment in Bushwick. Hope that she can make it.
Not much else to say, this will be the "final farewell" before the summer vacation to my Friends friends, then off the Dumbo to the TEAM party. Will report tomorrow.
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
very sad article...
in this morning's Times about a woman who came here from Honduras because of a violent boy friend and might be deported back because of Attorney General Sessions' recent decision re immigration. Really sad and frightening. What can one do? I wish we could eliminate all self-congradulations re arts groups. I guess that is a reference to the TEAM benefit that I will attend tomorrow night. I like that group and over the years have made several friends there, but is it the time for self praise, as most of these benefits are. Where is humility? Well, we will see, perhaps the tone will be a little more humble this time around.
What else? Well in the personal world, went to South fourth yesterday, only to find out that it would be closing on July 31. Very sad, it has been a great place for me, even if in the last few years, I spent less time there then in the first couple. In the period between summer 2007 and say, 2010, I might have averaged a couple of days a week there. Made many friends. Again, a free enterprise system without any commercial rent control rears its ugly head. That's all.
AT south fourth yesterday, I had a very warm and feeling discussion with my friend Kathy. She works in publishing, and has lived in the southern part of Williamsburg since 1993 ( a long time). Talking to her I felt very involved and protective. And then she was gone.
For myself, I decided that after a hero from the nearbye grocery that I brought over to south fourth to eat, I would enjoy a cheese danish from the old diner that sits under the 7 tracks in Long Island City. So I took the 62 bus, that goes right there. Of course, I passed numerous new buildings, some already opened, others still in progress, but all luxury. The cheese danish and the coffee were good, not great, as I would have hoped. Took the 7 train back to Times Square, a very easy trip, will be a nice alternative when the L is closed next year---Wait! the prime reason that I take the L was south fourth, now that is closing. Well, I will need to it go to Cobra in Bushwick as well. Got home early, thought that it would be easy to go to sleep because I was tired, but that was not the case. Did not sleep well, probably the coffee at the Dinrer and the large amount of sugar in the cheese danish kept me up. Oh well, is that really important, given all the other things going on?
This afternoon may go to the Stanley Kubrick photo exhibit at the Museum of the City of NY. hard to get to, but today might be the best day to try it. Will let you know tomorrow.
What else? Well in the personal world, went to South fourth yesterday, only to find out that it would be closing on July 31. Very sad, it has been a great place for me, even if in the last few years, I spent less time there then in the first couple. In the period between summer 2007 and say, 2010, I might have averaged a couple of days a week there. Made many friends. Again, a free enterprise system without any commercial rent control rears its ugly head. That's all.
AT south fourth yesterday, I had a very warm and feeling discussion with my friend Kathy. She works in publishing, and has lived in the southern part of Williamsburg since 1993 ( a long time). Talking to her I felt very involved and protective. And then she was gone.
For myself, I decided that after a hero from the nearbye grocery that I brought over to south fourth to eat, I would enjoy a cheese danish from the old diner that sits under the 7 tracks in Long Island City. So I took the 62 bus, that goes right there. Of course, I passed numerous new buildings, some already opened, others still in progress, but all luxury. The cheese danish and the coffee were good, not great, as I would have hoped. Took the 7 train back to Times Square, a very easy trip, will be a nice alternative when the L is closed next year---Wait! the prime reason that I take the L was south fourth, now that is closing. Well, I will need to it go to Cobra in Bushwick as well. Got home early, thought that it would be easy to go to sleep because I was tired, but that was not the case. Did not sleep well, probably the coffee at the Dinrer and the large amount of sugar in the cheese danish kept me up. Oh well, is that really important, given all the other things going on?
This afternoon may go to the Stanley Kubrick photo exhibit at the Museum of the City of NY. hard to get to, but today might be the best day to try it. Will let you know tomorrow.
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
so I just....
returned from my dentist, who told me that there is more plaque on my teeth than previously. Had my teeth cleaned and examined---a next cleaning scheduled for end of september, but there may be problems. She is right. I have neglected cleaning at home for a while---but my teeth feel so strong. Should buy a new electric tooth brush, don't want to have any extra expenses in the coming year.
Yesterday, attended my first BAN meeting in a while.The action was fast and furious. a lot o discussion about the route for the anti-gentrification march in September---also a couple of commitments in the immediate future---a forum in Bushwick on Sunday, and perhaps I will do some flyering for a meeting about the proposed high rises directly across from the botanical gardens that might destroy the sunlight there and encourage more gentrification and displacement. How long can this go on? I am tired of seeing people be made victims. I am somewhat ambivalent about getting out and flyering, but in my Brooklyn is not for Sale tee shirt, I should be able to stimulate some dialogue. Coming home on the subway, a gentleman pointed to my shirt and gave me a hands up salute. That felt good, but I did not talk to him about what BAN was about. More cautious now.
Today, after a session, will head to South fourth and their free movie, (don't know what it is) then possibly to the bar-restaurant Smooch for a discussion about a book that describes New York in the seventies. Do I remember NY then? Of course---one year during that time was a very passionate one for me. Did I feel safe? Yes, but I had a very strong sense of boundaries during that period. I think everyone did. But there were definitely places that one could feel at home in.
A memory. April 1980---I desperately want to go to BAN to see a production of the Winter's Tale. But there is a transit strike. What to do? On that Saturday afternoon, I walk from my apartment to 37th and 3rd, have my bananas and yogurt (I had a lot of that in those years) then walk south on third avenue until the Brooklyn Bridge, cross the Bridge on foot, and voila, I am in Brooklyn. First time in a long time---I have plenty of time before the play, so I wander around Brooklyn Heights and later a neighborhood south of the Heights, now called Cobble Hill--everything seemed safe and orderly. Finally east on Atlantic to BAM. How was the play? Not great, but the trip itself was exhilirating; and I did take an express bus back to 59th street. After that, walking home to 76th was easy.
That's all for now---the adventure continues---will report soon.
Yesterday, attended my first BAN meeting in a while.The action was fast and furious. a lot o discussion about the route for the anti-gentrification march in September---also a couple of commitments in the immediate future---a forum in Bushwick on Sunday, and perhaps I will do some flyering for a meeting about the proposed high rises directly across from the botanical gardens that might destroy the sunlight there and encourage more gentrification and displacement. How long can this go on? I am tired of seeing people be made victims. I am somewhat ambivalent about getting out and flyering, but in my Brooklyn is not for Sale tee shirt, I should be able to stimulate some dialogue. Coming home on the subway, a gentleman pointed to my shirt and gave me a hands up salute. That felt good, but I did not talk to him about what BAN was about. More cautious now.
Today, after a session, will head to South fourth and their free movie, (don't know what it is) then possibly to the bar-restaurant Smooch for a discussion about a book that describes New York in the seventies. Do I remember NY then? Of course---one year during that time was a very passionate one for me. Did I feel safe? Yes, but I had a very strong sense of boundaries during that period. I think everyone did. But there were definitely places that one could feel at home in.
A memory. April 1980---I desperately want to go to BAN to see a production of the Winter's Tale. But there is a transit strike. What to do? On that Saturday afternoon, I walk from my apartment to 37th and 3rd, have my bananas and yogurt (I had a lot of that in those years) then walk south on third avenue until the Brooklyn Bridge, cross the Bridge on foot, and voila, I am in Brooklyn. First time in a long time---I have plenty of time before the play, so I wander around Brooklyn Heights and later a neighborhood south of the Heights, now called Cobble Hill--everything seemed safe and orderly. Finally east on Atlantic to BAM. How was the play? Not great, but the trip itself was exhilirating; and I did take an express bus back to 59th street. After that, walking home to 76th was easy.
That's all for now---the adventure continues---will report soon.
Monday, June 11, 2018
time of troubles......
horrible facebook post about children being taken away from their parents at the Border. Then we have the Times article this morning about the two buildings on East Broadway adjacent to the co ops that have been there for years, and how the developers seem completely arrogant in their vision of what they are entitled to. These people lack any moral compass. How long must this go on---most of the people in the city don't want to recognize this problem. At least tonight I am going to the BAN meeting---some place where issues like these can be discussed. No complacency. Would really like to do something about this, but what? Let's see what the meeting offers.
Saturday evening: very disappointed in the Virginia Woolf take at Abrons Arts. I felt there was no real vision there at all. But seeing the play did give me a chance to say hi to Lindsay and have a nice talk with Mike I. We talked about supporting our friend Sibyl, who is having her solstice pageant on the morning of the 21st. If Mike goes, since he is actually a neighbor, maybe we can share a cab. Will work on it.
Yesterday a "normal" Sunday---visited Cobra in the early afternoon. Nice to see bartender Olivia again and had a nice baseball "check in" with my friend Kyle. Then it was back to South Fourth to visit with Clint and enjoy some good conversation, then back to Bushwick (believe it or not) where I hoped to hear some opera at the Starr Bar, but the opera people never appeared. So I had a nice conversation with the bartender Tatiana and left it at that. Was tired so headed home "early" (around 8:30) fell quickly asleep.
So in the end, what do we have? A world where ugly aggressiveness must be stopped, but also a world where it can all be forgotten as we talk of baseball or theater or movies or whatever. I meet so many people who seem to have "enough" so that issues of action are unimportant to them. Art and action---do the two really ever meet? That is all for now., will continue as the summer progresses.
Saturday evening: very disappointed in the Virginia Woolf take at Abrons Arts. I felt there was no real vision there at all. But seeing the play did give me a chance to say hi to Lindsay and have a nice talk with Mike I. We talked about supporting our friend Sibyl, who is having her solstice pageant on the morning of the 21st. If Mike goes, since he is actually a neighbor, maybe we can share a cab. Will work on it.
Yesterday a "normal" Sunday---visited Cobra in the early afternoon. Nice to see bartender Olivia again and had a nice baseball "check in" with my friend Kyle. Then it was back to South Fourth to visit with Clint and enjoy some good conversation, then back to Bushwick (believe it or not) where I hoped to hear some opera at the Starr Bar, but the opera people never appeared. So I had a nice conversation with the bartender Tatiana and left it at that. Was tired so headed home "early" (around 8:30) fell quickly asleep.
So in the end, what do we have? A world where ugly aggressiveness must be stopped, but also a world where it can all be forgotten as we talk of baseball or theater or movies or whatever. I meet so many people who seem to have "enough" so that issues of action are unimportant to them. Art and action---do the two really ever meet? That is all for now., will continue as the summer progresses.
Saturday, June 9, 2018
woke up this morning....
feeling very restless---lots of thoughts in my mind. Yes, the moments and the planning of your life, cityboy, are very different with the school year over. The world is wise open! Or is it? A little calmer now, sitting in the lincoln center library, one session this afternoon, then off the see the ERS take on Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf at Abrons Arts. Will stop in at La Flaca, actually I spent most of yesterday night there having some guac and watching most of the Yankee-Mets game. Nice to know it is a place I can come to and feel welcome. Will probably stop by there again, after the play.
Interesting morning interlude, at the coffee shop in the hotel where I go to get my coffee in the morning a man a little older than myself introduced himself and for about 45 minutes we engaged in a conversation. A very nice guy, here for his 65th reunion from Music and Art (M and A---that is what we called it then) He's retired, lives in the Albany section of NY state, but was raised near the Concourse in the forties and fifties, which of course at that time, was mostly Jewish. We talked about the area---about growing up in it---coincidentally he is also the son of the camp owner whose camp I went to in 58 and 59. Lots of memories there. Anyway we discussed our pasts (basically his) and said our goodbyes. Conversations like these are interesting to me---I seem to find them everywhere--I recommended two books about the Bronx to him, Random Family and South Bronx Rising---I wonder whether he will read them. He is a retired psychologist. Not much more to say. Nice to know that there are people my age and backwards who remember their neighborhoods in the Bronx and Brooklyn vividly.
Today, as I said, the play---saw a workshop of it a year ago, found it a bit pretentious, but I am sure they have worked on it a good deal---a tough assignment, to do a "take" on one of the most important plays of the last century. Still remember sitting in the last row of the Billy Rose theater (now the Nederlander) and watching with awe and awareness the four actors: Uta Hagen, Arthur Hill, George Grizzard and Melinda Dillon go at it with a rawness and passion that was amazing. Will there ever be anything like it? Well, let's see what our buddies at ERS come up with.
The day continues--I had hoped to see La Terra Trema at the Bunin---a Visconti film I have never seen, being shown as part of his retrospective, but the session with one of my favorite students takes precedence. So it will be up to Washington Heights soon to work with the young woman. Tomorrow at this point, is another "talk" day at Cobra and South fourth. But remember, cityboy, there will be no work possible on Monday, therefore tomorrow evening you are free as a bird.
Interesting morning interlude, at the coffee shop in the hotel where I go to get my coffee in the morning a man a little older than myself introduced himself and for about 45 minutes we engaged in a conversation. A very nice guy, here for his 65th reunion from Music and Art (M and A---that is what we called it then) He's retired, lives in the Albany section of NY state, but was raised near the Concourse in the forties and fifties, which of course at that time, was mostly Jewish. We talked about the area---about growing up in it---coincidentally he is also the son of the camp owner whose camp I went to in 58 and 59. Lots of memories there. Anyway we discussed our pasts (basically his) and said our goodbyes. Conversations like these are interesting to me---I seem to find them everywhere--I recommended two books about the Bronx to him, Random Family and South Bronx Rising---I wonder whether he will read them. He is a retired psychologist. Not much more to say. Nice to know that there are people my age and backwards who remember their neighborhoods in the Bronx and Brooklyn vividly.
Today, as I said, the play---saw a workshop of it a year ago, found it a bit pretentious, but I am sure they have worked on it a good deal---a tough assignment, to do a "take" on one of the most important plays of the last century. Still remember sitting in the last row of the Billy Rose theater (now the Nederlander) and watching with awe and awareness the four actors: Uta Hagen, Arthur Hill, George Grizzard and Melinda Dillon go at it with a rawness and passion that was amazing. Will there ever be anything like it? Well, let's see what our buddies at ERS come up with.
The day continues--I had hoped to see La Terra Trema at the Bunin---a Visconti film I have never seen, being shown as part of his retrospective, but the session with one of my favorite students takes precedence. So it will be up to Washington Heights soon to work with the young woman. Tomorrow at this point, is another "talk" day at Cobra and South fourth. But remember, cityboy, there will be no work possible on Monday, therefore tomorrow evening you are free as a bird.
Friday, June 8, 2018
Friday morning...
after a "rigorous" Thursday. First: down to the public to participate in the lottery for tickets to Othello. I got one (actually so did most of the people who participated) then a long walk around the east village and soho, until I met the former Friends graduating senior and now my friend Camilo. We found a great coffee house on MacDougal and had a long and interesting talk while having a great cup of cappacino. Other places like that on the street as well---still a kind of mock-bohemian feel to the street. That is where in 1963, summer, I took my first acting classes with Gene Frankel. A long time ago, yet I remember them very vividly. How hungry I was for recognition then! Returned that fall to Hopkins as the President of the theater group there called the Barnstormers, filled with "method" visions. Now it is less then a year to the next reunion for the class of 64. Will anyone remember? Should they? Well, enough of this, let's move on to Othello at the park last evening.
It is an amazing play---so powerful, so insightful Why did Shakespeare go all the way with the destructiveness of jealousy,when, in an earlier and a later play, Much Ado About Nothing and the Winger's Tale respectively, he brought back the wronged woman, so that there could be at least some reconciliation.It is a descent into hell. That you can get just from the language. The production, for all of its problems, illustrated the play. The Othello looked a bit young and unwarrior like for the role, but the actor, Chikwuji, always gives one hundred percent and his passion really carried things through. The Desdemona was amazing in her final scenes, the Emilia, albeit with an english accent through most of the play that annoyed me, was very strong in her final confrontation with Othello.
Iago was well played by the skillful Corey Stoll. I think the most interesting scene in the play came just before the first act break---the encounter between Othello and Iago---the two actors played beautifully off each other---the only time in the play where I felt Iago was living through a moment that he was not in control of. Again, amazed by the play's power. Want to read a few scholarly visions of the piece---trying to understand its religious vision and also why is the word "heaven" used so frequently. What does it all mean in terms of the context of the time it was written in?
When I leave this library I will go to Friends for the final assembly. It begins at 12:30. Important for me to say goodbye for the summer to the many upper school students that I know. After that.../
Not sure if I can handle a movie today...will report tomorrow.
It is an amazing play---so powerful, so insightful Why did Shakespeare go all the way with the destructiveness of jealousy,when, in an earlier and a later play, Much Ado About Nothing and the Winger's Tale respectively, he brought back the wronged woman, so that there could be at least some reconciliation.It is a descent into hell. That you can get just from the language. The production, for all of its problems, illustrated the play. The Othello looked a bit young and unwarrior like for the role, but the actor, Chikwuji, always gives one hundred percent and his passion really carried things through. The Desdemona was amazing in her final scenes, the Emilia, albeit with an english accent through most of the play that annoyed me, was very strong in her final confrontation with Othello.
Iago was well played by the skillful Corey Stoll. I think the most interesting scene in the play came just before the first act break---the encounter between Othello and Iago---the two actors played beautifully off each other---the only time in the play where I felt Iago was living through a moment that he was not in control of. Again, amazed by the play's power. Want to read a few scholarly visions of the piece---trying to understand its religious vision and also why is the word "heaven" used so frequently. What does it all mean in terms of the context of the time it was written in?
When I leave this library I will go to Friends for the final assembly. It begins at 12:30. Important for me to say goodbye for the summer to the many upper school students that I know. After that.../
Not sure if I can handle a movie today...will report tomorrow.
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
yesterday night....
returned to South Fourth, the first time in a long time I have been there on a weekday evening. Turns out it was a smart choice. I had a very good time. Bartender-manager Mark was showing Sullivan's Travel's, a film by Preston Sturges; ironically I had seen the film for the first time about a year and a half ago at another small film screening. Great dialogue, in this venue it was very enjoyable. Followed this up by some good conversations with some old and one new friend--and a watchable Mets game. Left feeling very fulfilled.
Not much else to say---on the way home I read on the subway one of Grace Paley's essays (I think they are actually better than her short stories)--this one about a first assignment that she gave to her writing students. It is to write a short story in the first person, and this person must be someone that you feel in conflict with. A great idea---I could almost feel the story focusing in my mind. The person that would narrate my story would probably be a 70 something Jewish hedge fund manager---someone who, unlike myself has made a lot of money, feels good about it and has no trouble in believing in his own "eleteness". Will I write it? Possibly, just one of several things to do in the near future.
Nothing much else, have two sessions today, afterwards there is a rally to save a hardware store in northern Crown Heights which, if I am not too tired, I will go to. And from there.../ We will see, will report tomorrow.
Not much else to say---on the way home I read on the subway one of Grace Paley's essays (I think they are actually better than her short stories)--this one about a first assignment that she gave to her writing students. It is to write a short story in the first person, and this person must be someone that you feel in conflict with. A great idea---I could almost feel the story focusing in my mind. The person that would narrate my story would probably be a 70 something Jewish hedge fund manager---someone who, unlike myself has made a lot of money, feels good about it and has no trouble in believing in his own "eleteness". Will I write it? Possibly, just one of several things to do in the near future.
Nothing much else, have two sessions today, afterwards there is a rally to save a hardware store in northern Crown Heights which, if I am not too tired, I will go to. And from there.../ We will see, will report tomorrow.
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Tuesday morning....
looks like yesterday was my final day this year at Friends. I mean, I will return for the final assembly on Friday, and for the staff party on Thursday a week, but as far as being in front of a class, this was probably it. I fifth grade environment class---I approached it with a little trepidation, one or two of the students had, in the past, been a little "frisky' but all went well, and two of the girls were very committed to the assignment, which made me feel very good. Yes the "frisky" students were challenging, but it was not too difficult to work with them. Left on a good note. now what?
Well, a great deal is opened to me---actually a different sense of time and space--a lot of choices in a lot of different areas--in my mind, time and space have exploded. Of course, I have to be careful with my money---at home, I am always figuring things out money wise. And I am hard on myself in that area. Now, sitting in the library, I feel an intense sense of freedom---we will see how far this goes.
And what of the weekend? Well, on Saturday, I made my first trip to the Doxee, the Target Margin space on 52nd between second and third, in Brooklyn. A great space, seating on various kinds of chairs surround the circular space-it gives the viewer an incredible opportunity to watch the creativity of the actors and creators. And in this case, it was a very warm and open take on the Sindbad legend---beautifully performed. Really glad that I went---there are three more projects in this presentation. I will try to see two of them, not one this week. The event was marred by a loss of my apartment key, and a fear that the one that I had left on me (I always carry two) might buckle. So instead of continuing my Brooklyn "adventure" I manically went home, feeling very anxious on the subway, only to find that my remaining apartment key opened the door easily. So next time it will be back to Manhattan via Freddy's are another bar, probably in the south slope.
Sunday, was the two stops at Cobra and South Fourth that I did the Sunday before. It is nice-friendly bartenders, mostly good conversation, a real sense that I "belong" in both bars. Tiredness cut in early, and I returned home by about 9, but it was a good day.
Today, after a session, will probably head out to South fourth where one of the managers, Mark is showing a movie (free) series. Do not know what it is, but have the time, so might as well go. After that......?
Well, a great deal is opened to me---actually a different sense of time and space--a lot of choices in a lot of different areas--in my mind, time and space have exploded. Of course, I have to be careful with my money---at home, I am always figuring things out money wise. And I am hard on myself in that area. Now, sitting in the library, I feel an intense sense of freedom---we will see how far this goes.
And what of the weekend? Well, on Saturday, I made my first trip to the Doxee, the Target Margin space on 52nd between second and third, in Brooklyn. A great space, seating on various kinds of chairs surround the circular space-it gives the viewer an incredible opportunity to watch the creativity of the actors and creators. And in this case, it was a very warm and open take on the Sindbad legend---beautifully performed. Really glad that I went---there are three more projects in this presentation. I will try to see two of them, not one this week. The event was marred by a loss of my apartment key, and a fear that the one that I had left on me (I always carry two) might buckle. So instead of continuing my Brooklyn "adventure" I manically went home, feeling very anxious on the subway, only to find that my remaining apartment key opened the door easily. So next time it will be back to Manhattan via Freddy's are another bar, probably in the south slope.
Sunday, was the two stops at Cobra and South Fourth that I did the Sunday before. It is nice-friendly bartenders, mostly good conversation, a real sense that I "belong" in both bars. Tiredness cut in early, and I returned home by about 9, but it was a good day.
Today, after a session, will probably head out to South fourth where one of the managers, Mark is showing a movie (free) series. Do not know what it is, but have the time, so might as well go. After that......?
Saturday, June 2, 2018
the class never....
happened, that request that got me so upset at the beginning of the blog, turned out to be false---a time change in the schedule meant that the regular teacher could be present---Thursday did turn out a little different, as I was asked to finish a last period seventh grade science class---which I did, a rather detached group, but I got through it. Yesterday was a much easier day---two language classes with students very friendly and apt. At this point I have only one more assignment before the school summer break---this Monday for a fifth grade class. Should be fun (I hope) and then we will see if there is one or two more days work for me before the final day on Friday.
So the summer commences---finally lots of free time in front of me. Hopefully a lot of trips out to different parts of Brooklyn---actually there is a protest in Bed--Stuy today that I should be going to, but other things interfere.
No new events to report on---Wednesday evening did go to Lansdowne Road and visited with my friend Mel, nice to see her---then I walked all the way home. Checked out a bar named Gaf, right off 48th street and ninth avenue---one of the graduates at the Friends reunion said that she and her sister often hung out there. Very quiet and a little smaller then I expected when I looked in. Only men in the bar. Maybe I will take a fling there later in the month. In the meantime, my "regualar" places will sustain me---you, who are reading this blog, know where they are. I find that no matter how interesting a new bar is described to me, I am always nervous about entering---how I will be received etc. Often the wait staff and bartending staff is very friendly (Mullane's a sport bar near BAM is an example of that) but one never knows. Several bars from the outside, or from word of mouth seem of interest, but going in there by myself is a different issue. In the meantime, there are always the reliables (like Starr bar in Bushwick) to hang out in.
Tonight is open, but it looks like I will go to the Target Margin workshop in Sunset Park. That means a visit to their new theater space on 52nd street near 2nd Avenue in Brooklyn. Should be an interesting adventure just going there. Not sure what exactly or where I will go afterwards. Will report soon.
So the summer commences---finally lots of free time in front of me. Hopefully a lot of trips out to different parts of Brooklyn---actually there is a protest in Bed--Stuy today that I should be going to, but other things interfere.
No new events to report on---Wednesday evening did go to Lansdowne Road and visited with my friend Mel, nice to see her---then I walked all the way home. Checked out a bar named Gaf, right off 48th street and ninth avenue---one of the graduates at the Friends reunion said that she and her sister often hung out there. Very quiet and a little smaller then I expected when I looked in. Only men in the bar. Maybe I will take a fling there later in the month. In the meantime, my "regualar" places will sustain me---you, who are reading this blog, know where they are. I find that no matter how interesting a new bar is described to me, I am always nervous about entering---how I will be received etc. Often the wait staff and bartending staff is very friendly (Mullane's a sport bar near BAM is an example of that) but one never knows. Several bars from the outside, or from word of mouth seem of interest, but going in there by myself is a different issue. In the meantime, there are always the reliables (like Starr bar in Bushwick) to hang out in.
Tonight is open, but it looks like I will go to the Target Margin workshop in Sunset Park. That means a visit to their new theater space on 52nd street near 2nd Avenue in Brooklyn. Should be an interesting adventure just going there. Not sure what exactly or where I will go afterwards. Will report soon.