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.