the long weekend begins.....

plans for today and Sunday a little up in the air. Saturday, as I have already posted, will see the first part of the Henry VI plays at NAATCO. The second part? Well, let's see how they present the first part.
  Just learned that the play at JACK that sounded very interesting has been sold out for the next two nights.
Can join the waiting list if I wish, but don't think I will. Probably a movie tonight---may hang out at either of my two lower east side bars: Standings and La Flaca and watch the games. Still, might actually decide to venture to Yankee Stadium tonight to watch the real game there. Still not sure.
  Last night, first meeting with the Liveable City group---they want a rally and possible march a few Saturdays from now that would include a brief speech from a BAN leader or representative. . Not the warmest group---I felt the hostess showed a great deal of self-entitlement, still, she was very aware of what was happening in the city. Will take the offer back to BAN, see what they say. Then went to Brooklyn where I joined the tale end of a march protesting an blatantly large building on Flatbush Avenue---as if there is not enough building going on there already. Gave out some BAN flyers; the people in that group seemed much more involved, genuinely nicer. Some of them may come to the march on the 15th.
  What next? Decided to take a bus that goes east on Halsey, all the way through Bed-Stuy into Bushwick. Interesting trip. those blocks in Bed-Stuy between Franklin and Saratoga, where the street meets Broadway, are really long. Lots of beautiful brownstones. After arriving at Wycoff-Myrtle, headed to the Starr Bar for a beer---I feel comfortable there, so I arrived, only to find that I was in the middle of a mostly gay crowd. (probably because the entertainment that night was gay themed) No one to talk to, nevertheless, ordered my beer, drank it, and left.
 Then something interesting happened. Instead of going right into the L train entrance on Starr and Wycoff, I decided to walk two blocks and check out the scene. I passed Cobra, another place I am comfortable in, and, to my surprise, was called out to by the woman who runs the trivia game at Sweet Janes. My trivia partner, Lindsay, had not come to the night before's trivia, but there she was at Cobra, so I went in and "hung" awhile, A very nice group, Lindsay and her friends made me feel very welcome. I stayed for about a 45 minutes of good and warm conversation. Shows you how arbitrary my "adventures" around Brooklyn are. One moment, nobody knows me; pass another bar, and everyone is your friend or at least a friendly acquaintance. A strange world; maybe I should just go back to Cobra this evening and see what happens. A possibility.
  So cityboy enters the last weekend of summer on a bit of an upbeat. Will probably next report on Tuesday, should have some interesting anecdotes to describe. Brooklyn or Manhattan? We will see.

talking about the...

possible colonoscopy on 10/15 (that was not so hard to say, wasn't it) with my friend Robin, a doctor, whose brother died of colon cancer, after avoiding some changes in his bowel movements. She feels strongly that I should have the colonoscopy, although she realizes that her brother and myself are different physical entities. I suspect he drank a lot, or at least more than I have. Does that matter. All my other tests (blood and urine) came back negative. Does that mean I can disregard other problems? Lots of questions, still to be answered. And what if I am asked to work on the 15th?  Should I just accept the sub job and put off the procedure until later? Well, let's take it one day at a time, nothing else to do. I believe in the strength of my body; but that should not make me feel I can do without the procedure. Anyway, enough of this.
  This afternoon, will go to a meeting and represent BAN. Apparently another group wants to get all the protest groups together and plan an even larger and more detailed protest for later in the year. Should be interesting. After that, well there is another protest about a large apartment house near BAM, which is taking place a little after the meeting. May go there, depending on how things go earlier.
  Just made a reservation for the first part of the NAATCO presentation of the three Henry the Sixth plays. They really are my favorites; I savor that history with its ins and outs, and unstable kings, and ruthless nobles.That will be Saturday afternoon, the only structure so far that I have for the weekend.
For the rest, all sorts of choices appear before me. Too many to go into now; I would like to see the play at Jack, which would probably be either tomorrow or Saturday. Lots of interesting ball games to watch on tv as well. We will see.
  Yesterday evening, headed to Syndicated bar for the televised debate between the gubernatorial candidates. Very, very crowded; when I left about 40 minutes into the debate, I had to really fight my way through the crowd that had gathered there. I was turned off by the content of the answers, even the challenger, who I will vote for, was too "snipy" for me. I felt that staying for the whole debate would be a waste. So I headed east to Sweet Jane's the Ridgewood bar where they were having a trivia night to see if my friend Lindsay was going to be there and be my partner. It turns out she was not---still, in the hour or so that I was there, I had a nice time, the bartenders were friendly, I could watch some baseball, and the overall energy of the place was good. Left before 10, which meant that I could catch one of the last L trains leaving from Myrtle Wycoff. Returned home, tired.
 So, the weekend awaits---always find something sad about this weekend--the end of summer, the end of "hope" (hope for what, cityboy?) --well, let's go on.

much relieved...

after a visit with my new pcp, a really nice and understanding guy. We talked at length about the colonoscopy; he made it very clear that the decision was up to me. Good dialogue between the two of us. Should I do it? Not sure, there is still time to consider the pros and cons. He complimented me on my good health; the blood tests show no other problems at all. So what to do? Right now, I just want to see how things evolve.
  Yesterday, did go to MOMA to see the Irene Fornes documentary. Sold out, but since I got in early on the cancellation line, I had no trouble getting in. A nice documentary that demonstrates Ms. Fornes' imagination and feelings about art. Also a charming look at an older woman, who is struggling with memory issues. But I was disappointed that there were not more scenes from her work. Here I felt the movie was really lacking. This is a playwright much esteemed by her colleagues, Edward Albee, for one, says some really nice things about her, but just a few short scenes from her work might have really demonstrated her uniqueness as a playwright---and this did not happen. Still, and interesting look at this woman---I just wanted more.
After the movie, made one of my rare trips to the upper east side. Interesting, during the seventies I knew a lot of women who lived along the 79th street crosstown route---now, and for the past twenty years, no one. Even in this heat, I walked east to 2nd avenue and 58th street, then north on 2nd to 79th street. I thought it would be interesting to stop in a bar along the way, but none of the ones that I passed looked appealing. Somewhat disappointed, I took the 79th street crosstown bus to Amsterdam, and had a beer and watched the end of the Yankee game at the new bar on Amsterdam near 80th street. Not very crowded and beer was expensive, but the bartender was nice, and no one bothered me while I watched the game. Not the greatest, but would go back there if I needed to.
 Later today will go to syndicated in brooklyn to (hopefully) watch the Cuomo-Nixon debate, and then, if I am up to it, go to Sweet Janes for trivia. That is the plan so far, but like everything else, it is somewhat open to change..will report tomorrow.

things are heating up....

in many ways---first, the heat outside---grueling, at best. Want to attend the Maria Irene Fornes movie at MOMA, but that is this evening, how to keep cool for the rest of the day? Not sure, but now have more concrete plans for tomorrow and Thursday, tomorrow, if I want,can go to Syndicated in Bushwick, and watch the Nixon-Cuomo debate, maybe after that, I can head to Sweet Jane's and play Trivia with my friend Lindsay, then on Thursday, there is group meeting to fight gentrififction in Downtown Manhattan, that I will attend. That is in the afternoon, which should let me do something interesting, if I am up to it, in the evening.  The structure of the week is becoming more defined, which is good for me. Not sure about the weekend though, with the exception of Monday, when I will probably attend the West Indian Day Parade and flyer for the BAN march.
 Yesterday, not much to report except the BAN meeting, which was productive, we helped define the march and where the stopping points were. Afterwards, as usual, decided not to check out a bar, but go to the Greek diner for coffee and a cheese danish (yes, you can still get them in NYC, but they are much more expensive then before). Watched the end of the Yankee-White Sox game (amazingly the White Sox won) and then went home.
 That is all for now, I have my meeting with the PCP at the Ryan clinic tomorrow, and probably will discuss the procedure. Still feel ambivalent about it---things have definitely improved...will report all tomorrow.

lots of stuff has happened...

between now and the last post. Again, cityboy faces his last week "off" before labor day. It is going to be hot--not exactly the way he had hoped August would end. Also, putting a lot of pressure on myself to keep to my proposed budget---while this might be a time for many ice coffees and fruit drinks. Oh well, will have to see how it all works out.
Saturday evening--my first visit (with my friend John) to a Brooklyn Cyclone game in probably ten years. Actually I had a very good time, seats were close to the field, and it was nice to watch a game with my own eyes, meaning not guided by the tv, which is how I usually see baseball. Place was extremely crowded, but that did not interfere with my enjoyment, particularly as John and I tried to piece out who the players were with the most potential. Also, so much "garbage" between innings (races, games for children) but that still did not bother me. So what did I really like about it?  I don't know, just the fact that I could lose myself in the rhythm of the game---watching it still excites me. Will I return again, for one more game? Only about a week left---will depend on what else I decide to do, but I would like to. Cyclones won by the way, something like 10-3, the Connecticut Tigers had very poor pitching (like major league, like minor league) but their infield played very well.
 Afterwards, we took the F train back to the city. I got off at Prospect Avenue station with the idea of possibly heading to Freddy's, or one of the other fifth avenue bars in Park Slope. Walked along Prospect Park West from 16th to 17th street, a few bars and restaurants, some people on the street, but ended up at the only pizza parlor on the street, and felt too tired to hit a bar after that. So I returned home. The F moves very quickly through Brooklyn--it did not take a long time to get the upper west side.
  Yesterday, as I had planned, headed to Cobra around 12, to "hang" with my friend, bartender Olivia and watch some baseball ( a boring Met game). Got to read the paper, and watch the teams play scoreless innings. After that, headed to nearby Maria Hernandez park (named for the brave woman who had confronted drug dealers in the park in 1990, and was shot by them)  where a four hour neighborhood party was planned. It started slow, and cityboy held back, but some nice things happened towards the end. I stopped at the Starr bar, just as it opened, and had a really nice talk with the bartender there named Katie. Then I returned to the park, just as the open mike performances were beginning. Many of my friends from the Bushwick Starr were there---I had a nice chat with Vanessa, a super actress who works with the children's group that the Starr sponsors, and then was approached by a young woman named Niki, who wrote and photographed for the Bushwick Daily.She took a photograph of me in my Brooklyn is Not For Sale shirt, and asked me to state a caption for the photograph---it being: "A true NewYorker fights for everyone" That was my gut statement, I think it is good, though it does not mention the march or BAN. Niki said that the Instagram has about 20,000 followers. Will all of them see that picture?  Comments? Won't find out because I still have a flip phone. It is probably better that way, cityboy is possessive of his anonymity.
 Really miss the lack of South fourth, have not been to the Bedford part of Williamsburg since it closed. I should try to make contact with some of my friends from there: Kathy, Harlo et. al. Maybe soon.
 Tired after the park, decided just to head home. Took the L to Bedford, walked north to the Bean there, had coffee and a desert (I was having a real sugar fit) and then waited for the 62 bus---too tired to take the four block walk to the L----and took it through Greenpoint, Long Island City, to the 7. It came very quickly, moved easily to Times Square, and then I took the 3 home. I like going home this way.
Tonight the BAN meeting, then.......

hangin out in the village

around Hudson street, after seeing my friend Zach in a play. Many restaurants, some bars, much night life on the street. What I find amazing is that the majority of people that I saw eating at these restaurants (mostly outdoors) seemed to be between the ages of 22 and 45. These are expensive places (or relatively so) and yet so many people seemed to have enough "extra" money to spend there. Amazing! Cityboy thought about going into one of the bars, after the play, but most of them were just about filled to capacity, and you know that cityboy still feels a little nervous going into a new bar. So it did not happen, instead he took the subway home, after a fairly long walk through the west village, and settled for a small ice cream cup to take back to his apartment rather than hanging out. Not the greatest, but cityboy was tired, did not particularly feel like a beer, so this may have been for the best. Who knows what adventures the next few nights will hold.
  Yesterday's play, Worse Than Tigers, which his friend Zach was in, was a strange, somewhat indulgent piece. In Act I, a bourgeois couple who seem to be on the rocks, await an old friend's visit, he does not arrive, instead a wild man cop, who may be the wife's lover, comes in, fleeing from a real tiger who has been let loose from the zoo. If the husband is laid back and extremely passive, the cop is all id and brutal strength. But he is gone by the end of the act, act ii is a duet for the husband and wife as they thrash out their differences an end up (ofcourse) in love.
  Its all a little too much like Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and sometimes this seems fairly obvious, yet the playwright knows how to write sharp dialogue, which, at least in the first act, keeps the energy of the play pretty strong. The second act is erratic, a lot of passionate work for the two actors, but ultimately just strokes the playwright's indulgence. Not really a bad evening---I am happy for Zach because he is involved, but a lot of issues in the play are messy and inconsistent---and should have been resolved before the play hit the stage. I can see why the actors playing the husband and wife wanted to do it; there are terrific challenges for them in the script. Still, I left feeling kind of cold---annoyed at the play's calculation.
  Today, cityboy makes what I think will be his one foray into minor league baseball, he and his friend John are heading to Coney Island to watch the Brooklyn Cyclones play the Detroit Tigers minor league team from Connecticut. This is something that I wanted to do earlier in the summer, indeed it would be nice to have spent some time seeing a few minor league games, but it just did not happen. Lots of choices for cityboy. Anyway, this afternoon is the time, and I am looking forward to it.
  That is it for now---just a week until labor day weekend---the "true" end of summer. Where has it all gone? Will report on tonight's "adventure" soon.

happy because I received an e-mail...

from Murray, my actor friend, complimenting me on my theater knowledge. Murray and I met by accident when he sat next to me (assigned seating) at Passover, the intense play presented upstairs at the Clara Tow Theater in above the Beaumont. We had a good conversation before the play began, I remembered his performance in the Landscape of the Body at the Public in September of 77, and we spoke a lot about that, also about Shakespeare. At any rate, his e-mail made me feel good---and strangely enough, a kind of vindication  for my year at Yale. Of course that was over 50 years ago, nevertheless, somehow this heals some of the residual pain (yes I still have it) from that year. When I leave the library, that whole experience (the Yale one) will seem like a novel or movie from my past, yet now it burns. Now, all sorts of memories of that time invade me,  the summer of 65 as I wondered aimlessly and sadly through the streets of the upper west side, trying to figure out how I had arrived at this sad and alienating moment. A year before I had just graduated Hopkins in triumph; that summer I worked in a playground, read and saw as many plays as possible, and essentially thought my future was one of great passion for the theater. Now, a year later, I had left home, was working for the department of welfare, traveling around sad and depressed areas of the Bronx, completely by myself. My parents were stunned by my leaving (although we had talked about it during the year) and the support that just being part of my family had given me, had disappeared. And of course, there was J, the woman I thought should be my girl friend, who had rejected me, somewhere in New Jersey, preparing for her Junior year at Goucher. Lots of thoughts about her as I wandered the streets of the west side. At that time, the area had a reputation for being unsafe, but to my surprise, lots of people were on the street at all times, and I could move around carefully, but freely. Well, it is time to leave the past.
Last night, attended the Crown Heights Tenants Union meeting, described the march on the 15th, got the endorsement for the march from the group. Nice group, I felt I had a lot of things to say and was proud of my contribution to the discussion and training sessions that was part of the evening, in addition to describing the march. A different energy from BAN---the BAN group is  a little more intense, and their anger is much more palpable. Left the meeting by myself, feeling very strong and focused And arrived..? Well, actually no where for me to go---stopped off at the Brooklyn Museum (still opened around 9) and grabbed a sandwich, then looked for a pizza place on Vanderbuilt, passed all the bars on that street--nothing that made me want to go in---had a nice slice of pizza and walked from Vanderbuilt and Dean through the four buildings that have been built as part of the Atlantic Yards project, caddy-corner to the Barclay's Center arena. Finally hit Flatbush---looked at the possibility of going into two bars for a beer before taking the train back to the upper west side, but thought better of it, simply got on the train at Bergen street and returned home. For all of cityboy's wanderlust, a bar where he is not known, still appears a little alienating if he is by himself.
  Tonight, will see my friend Zach in a play at the Ohio Space, maybe "hang" with him afterwards, if not...we will see; report tomorrow.

a little adventure last night...

as cityboy roamed the streets of WIlliamsburg and arrived at: Basik, a bar he had visited a few years earlier. How did this happen? Well, cityboy was on his way to Sweet Jane's in Ridgewood for some trivia, but by the First Avenue stop on the L, he realized that he was too tired to make it there. Nevertheless, he could not get himself to leave the L then, and so the train careened across the river and cityboy got off at the Bedford stop. But then where? His first thought was to have some coffee at the nearby Bean, but, his feet moved east, past Driggs, past Havemeyer, past Roebling and then to Lorimer. He thought he might stop in at Pete's Candy Store, but the place looked a little over crowded so he proceeded to Graham and to Basik, not that crowded and bartender Russell remembered him from his previous journeys there and was very welcoming. The next two hours were spent relaxing, watching the Met game (only one tv in this bar) and in some brief conversations. But this was different---when he left at about 9:30, cityboy felt that he had fulfilled his promise to himself to do something "interesting". Basik, when it is not too crowded is very laid back and easy to function in, and their snacks and food are good. Still, for someone who thought he was tired, a lot of walking, actually cityboy thought that, after he finished his stay at the bar, he might walk south to the J, checking out the scene on Graham Avenue, about 12 blocks. But he was too tired for that, so he settled for a few blocks north on Graham, then the easy three block walk to the Lorimer stop. An arduous return on the 1 to his apartment, but that did not prevent him from getting some solid and interrupted sleep, which was really the point of the whole "adventure".
  Earlier in the day, cityboy visited the Museum of the City of NY and specifically checked out the Stanley Kubrick photography exhibit. Among the photos, a really beautiful one of Montgomery Clift, playing with the son of actor Kevin McCarthy. Clift was incredibly sensitive---all the pictures show that. When one comes to the ticket table of the museum, the words,  "suggested admission" almost seem hidden. Another fraudulent move by a not for profit. So New York, these days, feel very sad about it.
 Tonight will visit Brooklyn and join the Crown Heights Tenants Union discussion, mostly to get the group to endorse the September 15 march. Should be interesting, will report on all tomorrow.

only two weeks...

until the "end of summer". Then what? At night, cityboy goes over his "income plan" sometimes obsessively, during periods of unrest. And there is the "rub". In those night hours, mostly between 12 and 5, cityboy is "trapped" in his apartment---alone with his thoughts. If nothing really exciting has happened the night before, sometimes those thoughts get pretty intense. Do they go away in the morning? Well mostly. Again, a lot depends on the structure of the day ahead. But in two weeks,  most of this will change. Friends will be back in session, my students will be mostly back, and there will be some money coming in. Until then? Austerity budget in place---but cityboy accepts the challenge in that. And life goes on.
Yesterday, awoke from an afternoon nap feeling a little weak, But things got better, and cityboy made the decision to spend the evening at La Flaca watching baseball. A good decision---bartender Sam (Samantha) was on, and she and I spent a pleasant few hours of interacting, while I watched the two baseball games on the TV (Yankees-Marlins, Mets-Giants) and had a nice large BLT and salad, Not the most exciting evening, but economical, and pleasing. With south fourth gone, La Flaca may play a larger role in my life. Remember, Bobby, the owner, has been my good friend for eighteen years.
  Evenings for the rest of the week through Saturday seem pretty well set. Tonight, if physically up to it, will go to Sweet Jane's the bar in Ridgewood and play trivia, hopefully with Lindsay, the woman from Bushwick who has twice been my partner. Thursday will go to the Crown Heights Tenants Union monthly meeting and ask them to endorse the march against gentrification that BAN is having on the 15th. Friday the play at Ohio Space with my friend Zach, and Saturday I will finally get my chance at watching a minor league baseball game, as my friend John and I go to a Cyclones game. Looking forward to that.
  No movies in that plan, though possibly one or two might sneak in. Also, try at some point to get to the Museum of the City of NY and look at the Kubrick exhibit (photos) that is ending soon. Will report tomorrow.

lazy day....

or is it? Already got a hair cut this morning. Rest of the day after I leave the library up for grabs. Just took out a book from the library that seems to be a detailed account of Portland Oregon and its policies that have lead to a very segregated city. Want to get started on it. Also, reading The Wars of the Roses--that has kept me busy up to now---I am fascinated (but also repelled) by the bloody ups and downs of the power struggles in England between the party of York and the party of Lancaster. A nice way of adding on the the three parts of Henry VI by Shakespeare, one of his early group of plays which covers this world. I remember (somewhat fondly) seeing the trilogy performed in one long night in 1970 with my girl friend Susan at the Delacorte. Joe Papp came out before the first play aand encouraged us to stay for all three, ---also saying that it would be okay for us to get through it by "smoking some dope" A far cry for the current artistic director's telling his audience to thank a certain bank at the beginning of each performance. Well, times have changed.
  Movies, movies, movies, great opportunity to see many interesting movies today and in the next few days. Only problem is, I don't feel like spending money---so there is the contradiction (I don' have movie pass, since I don't have a smart phone) Still, an evening at Metrograph is always kind of a lure---they have a fascinating movie that Truffaut made in the mid-early part of his career, called Mississippi Mermaid, and also a documentary called  Mind the Gap, which sounds very interesting. The former appeals to the romantic escapist that still exists in me, the latter much more a documentary which apparently explores some current issues. Very tempting---either.
  Just confirmed plans to attend a Brooklyn Cyclones game this Saturday, also on Friday seeing a friend of mine in a play. Should be interesting. Not clear about the rest of the day, will report tomorrow---not much to say about last night-BAN meeting very good, then a trip to the Dive Bar on 101st and Broadway---my friend Brittany the bartender was not there, apparently she has left the Dive Bar establishment. Stayed anyway, watched some baseball, boring group of people---not my favorite place, that is what happened.

just read an article on..

Brooklfield Management---run by a very aggressive guy. Won't go into the details now, but the idea of amassing all that money, and doing things with it. Compared to that, Cityboy operates on a very small scale. Why? What makes my needs different from the man who runs the company that is buying much of homes around Barclays? Save for another time.
 Saturday---a rediculously hot day---met my fellow marchers as planned at about 12 at the appointed place. Parkside and Ocean, where the 9/15 march will begin. The five of us walked north on Franklin and then Washington--and while we did we hung up flyers. Somehow, cityboy was not good with this---I think he just wanted to walk---found that stopping for hanging up flyers annoyed him. By Brooklyn Museum and then the Grand Army Plaza, cityboy felt out of it---the heat absorbing him, it seemed impossible to complete the rest of the practice march. And yet what to do, cityboy was still coordinating with Antoinette who was to meet us at the Old Stone House on 3rd street and 4th avenue. He told the group he was splitting from them, then cut across the plaza and south on Prospect Park West until Garfield Place. West on Garfield, by this time he was really tired and depleted, yet he remembered to look for the brownstone where, in 1968, his friend Jon Green and his wife Sasha were living---the first time he ever went to Park Slope. What an odd journey that evening---the N to 34th and then the F on that winding trip around Red Hook and into the slope. Walking down seventh avenue for the first time, noticing how quiet and small townish it was. The first of many trips to the Slope that year, and of course in years to come. If I were to stop here, and just tell you my Park Slope adventures between 68 and 76, it would take up a whole blog. So I will stop here, and continue on Saturday's journey.
  Finally reached 4th Avenue and 3rd Streetm Antoinette came soon after---so did the group that had walked the regular way. They went on with Antoinette to Sunset Park and Industry City, while, I, much too tired, went my own way. A yogurt and coffee afterwards, and then I returned home as the afternoon came to its end.
 Not much else to say,  I was incredibly tired--did not leave the apartment once I returned, needed no food, just an awful amount of rest.
 Yesterday, first stop Cobra to hang with my friend Olivia, and watch the farce of a baseball game between the Yanks and the hapless Blue Jays. Then walked across the Bushwick grid from Wycoff ot Broadway vis DeKalb. Met friend Clint later for coffee, first time seeing him since South fourth closing---good conversation--ironically he had an extra ticket for the closing night in the park. I was tempted to use it, but I was tired, and the stomach was a little crazy---decided not to. Returned home, stopped off on Rivington Street for some good hummus, and that was all. Restless night, not much sleep, put a lot of things together in my mind---today, after a tutoring session (the first all summer) and seeing my apartment cleaned, feeling much more relaxed and alive.
  Tonight the BAN meeting---after that...?

a very hot day..

I have already been out and bought shoes at the Payless on 6th Avenue and 18th street. Actually did not get the ones that I hoped were there--sneakers at 8 or 8.5. But they did have some strong support sneakers at 7 and a half, and I am wearing them now. Felt in light of the brutal heat, and that I need good walking shoes for tomorrow's practice walk through Brooklyn, I had to make a move. I am wearing the sneakers right now---a very strong base on the feet, but some pushing against my upper foot. Can I survive this and not return them? I have to have strong shoes for tomorrow's walk. I think this will probably work.
 Yesterday, yes that intense walk down fourth avenue made me tired in the afternoon, but I recovered and decided to see Generation Wealth at the Bunin. A strange movie---not too satisfying, L. Greenfield, the director chronicles the existence of four or five subjects who were drowning in money at one point (a porn star, hedge fund stud, a woman hungry for a face lift) and shows how ultimately they dealt with the emptiness at the end of their wealth cycle. Very specific choices, I don't know if they were really valid---also, too much about Ms. Greenfield, herself without a great deal of insight. Left the movie feeling a bit cheated.
  After that, I was not in a bar mood (or anxious to spend money in a bar) so I opted for the Greek diner that I sometimes go to on Broadway near 95th street---the one of the three of four on Broadway that I feel most comfortable in. I had a nice blt, not too expensive (but of course, I only ordered water with it) and then returned to the apartment. During the night, woke up feeling kind of annoyed and empty---the diner may have been a good choice at the moment, but somehow, I could have used more excitement---if I don't have that, I feel restless and frustrated when I wake in the early part of the morning.
  And today, for the rest of the day, what? Might check out the play Love at the Ohio Space, but have to make the decision soon. Maybe I should try MOMA in the evening, when it is free; I very rarely get a chance to go there. There is always my friends at La Flaca, or Standings---should check in with my friend Erin at some time soon (she is at Burp Castle next door). Well, still a lot of choices and decisions---should not be too frenetic this evening because I will definitely need some rest before the long walk tomorrow.
Should be able to report.

finally a break....

from the usual morning pattern: that is going to the library and using the computer---finished by about 12:30 and then left to my own devices. Today I ventured out to Brooklyn around 9:00 A.M. to deliver flyers to UpRose, the service center for Sunset Park. For a while, I had wanted to do something different---so this was a good opportunity to do that. But how to get there? Had to get to the R, somehow--but when I arrived in Brooklyn (DeKalb avenue) the R train was not due for 14 minutes. Should I take the Q one stop to Atlantic and then try for the 5th avenue bus? Seemed like a good idea at the time, but at the bus stop (by now it was very hot) the clock announced a 10 minute wait. Not good. Well, cityboy simply decided to walk---at Union Street, moved west to 4th avenue, and looked at the R time clock, but another 14 minute wait was due. Stubborn as I am, I figured the best thing to do was just to walk. And that is what I did. From the Barclay's Center to 22nd and 4th, carrying the flyer envelope. But cityboy did it! In the heat! Good for you!
   At UpRose, Ting Ting (who is their head) was very gracious, then I went up to  5th in search of an ice coffee. The rest of the journey is not important, now I am back at the computer at Lincoln Center trying to plot out the rest of the day.
  Yesterday, a really enjoyable conversation with Camilo, the young man who just graduated from Friends---then a return home, then rest then another visit to Lansdale Road, the bar on 44th and 10th. This time, my waitress friend Mel was there, as was her twin sister Sinem. It was good to see them---Sinem, who was just visiting, told me she was in an acting class--I complimented her again on her and her twin's work in the Summer One Acts of two years ago..They were quite wonderful---on the level of any of the terrific young actresses that I see at any off off Broadway theater in the city. And that is saying a lot.
 Tonight, not sure, may check out NYTW's play, A House that Can Not Stand, but then again, might opt for a movie. Feeling strong after the long walk, but might need some rest. Will report tomorrow.

kind of hassled....

by experience last early evening at the Central Brooklyn Public Library at Grand Army Plaza. The man sitting next to me called me out. Felt very hurt---it happened for no reason, he was just being nasty. I tried to talk with him (confront him, actually) but he would not respond. For a while, I was feeling really shattered, left the computer soon afterwards, and wandered around the large library. Finally I took at a book about The Wars of the Roses (English History) and left. Very upset. Then came a long walk through north Park Slope. Interesting, I had not wandered through that area in a long time. It seems like an all white never never land. As I passed the Brownstones between the Park and 8th, then 7th avenue, I wondered was this ever a world, where one could rent an apartment, a floor through for something like $180.00 a month. Amazing what it has turned into. Still, a very interesting walk; I should try to do it again soon.
  Finally ended up in Manhattan at Lansdowne Road, in search of my waitress friend Mel. Sadly she was not there (her cousin, a cool girl herself, was) but I stayed anyway, had a nice sandwich and salad (a bit overpriced, but what isn't these days)  and watched the somewhat simplistic Yankee game and the end of the Philly-Red Sox game, which, of course the Red Sox won.
  Today, will meet my friend and graduate of Friends Camilo in the afternoon, not sure what will evolve in the evening. I usually go to Sweet Jane's and play trivia with my friend Lindsay on Wednesdays. Will I make the trip out tonight. Might be too tired---we will see, and will report tomorrow

a bit of a letdown....

a scheduled coffee appointment with Camilo, one of my favorite graduates from the class of 2018 had to be rescheduled for tomorrow. No real problem, except my vision for the day was dominated by this possible meeting. Oh well, this gives me time for something else, maybe my first movie at the now refurbished film forum, or maybe a $5.00 movie at AMC. I must go down to the bank to work out the money that was taken from my debit card, a day after I checked in at the Ryan Center, Maybe that will be enough for the day.
  Yesterday's BAN meeting was important---final plans were made for Saturday's practice walk, which I will be one of five people doing. Also got to coordinate by text my with Mike, who is representing FUREE and planning the action at the Wycoff projects. All very interesting.
 So where do we go from here? After the bank, which is on 14th and 5th, might head to Film Forum, but might take a trip to Brooklyn instead. What is more interesting.? Also a chance to finish Rachel Kushner's novel, The Mars Room. It seems like I have been reading it for weeks, but if it is a slow read, it is only because the tone is so specific, harsh and unyeilding. Possibly will finish it today.
  Tonight, the tentative plan is to visit Lansdowne Falls and check in with my waitress friend Mel; it is a sports bar, so I would have a good chance to watch most of the Yankee game, and I hope, the Boston Philly game, which is a very interesting match up. After that, who knows? A small part of me thinks I should actually venture to the Stadium tonight to watch at least some of the Yankee-Ray game (should not be hard getting in) so that is another option. '
  All this and more will be revealed tomorrow. Stay tuned for results.
 

interesting day yesterday...

after an uneventful Saturday evenng (tired, finally went to the Dive Bar on 95th---kind of loud and boring), as cityboy broadened his horizons, discovered some new neighborhoods and had a great conversation with a bartender.
  No Bushwick for cityboy yesterday (the normal Sunday drill) because the L was down. Also, a friend from BAN was supposed to be flyering against an abusive landlord in Spanish Harlem, an cityboy said he would join him. I arrived at the arranged place (117th and Park) only to find my friend missing---still, even getting there from the subway stop at 116th and Lexington was revealing--some new high rises, many restored brownstones, still a lot of a hispanic population, but many white people walking around. Not really disappointed when my friend did not show (no telephone number for him) and about half a block in from the corner we were supposed to meet at was a garden, and a very young and pretty garden member sitting on one of the benches. Her name was Christina, and we had a fun conversation about the neighborhood, rent prices, her apartment (In Schomburg Towers on 110the and fifth) and a few other things. When she closed the garden at 3, it occurred to cityboy that rather then just returning south, this might be the time to look around the tip of the south Bronx. So cityboy grabbed the 15 bus; it sped over the Willis Avenue Bridge and let him off at 137th and Willis Avenue. Very heavily Hispanic and working class, but a few blocks west on Alexander Avenue, some lovely brownstones existed, and a conversation with a guy who liked my Brooklyn is Not For Sale shirt, directed me to a bar on Bruckner Boulevard about three blocks west. Around there are much stronger signs of gentrification, indeed the bar I entered, the old Bruckner's now rechristened as Mott Haven bar had an eclectic mix of all the ages and races. I sat at the counter, looking for some interesting conversation, but, alas, the others at the bar were into themselves, and I had to content myself with watching the end of the Yankee game and having some cider. Nice bartender though, made me feel comfortable. Probably not the best time to go the bar---the tail end of brunch. When it was over, I walked to the 6 train on 138th and third---and looked at that street (138th) east from the concourse. Four or five luxury high rises on those blocks; seemingly out of context with the rest of the neighborhood. These buildings never end. Would like to return to the area at some point, maybe early evening when the bar patrons might be more oriented to conversation.
   Last stop: Standings, my favorite baseball bar--anxious to figure out how the Oakland A's were making a pennant run, seemingly with a nondescript group of ball players. I watched a decent amount of the game, which they won from the Angels, but the highlight of my time there was a conversation with bartender Sam, about many issues including places to drink, his mother, finances, the pennant races and a few other things. Sam is a very nice guy, and this was the first long talk we have had. It took place between 7 and 8, when the bar was empty except for the two of us. By eight, a few other regular customers had come in, Sam turned his attention to them, and I watched some of the Nationals-Cubs game before leaving. Felt that this was a very satisfactory stay at the bar.
 Finally read a bit at the Bean near 8th street (the largest Bean)  while gorging myself on a chocolate Gelato dish and coffee.
 Tonight, the BAN meeting, then maybe visit my friend Brittany at her job at the Dive Bar at 101st street (there are four dive bars, in case you are interested). Remember last week, after the meeting, I wandered west, hung out a little bit on the high line, looked into the half moon bar and that was it. Would still like to do that again, but well...lets leave everything open, will report tomorrow.

a little bit more relaxed...

today, re the colonoscopy. Still not clear if I have accepted it---different feelings at different times. Yesterday at the play at Jack, I ran into an old friend, Eric, really good to see him. He has had a few, including one about two weeks ago. Like everyone else that I have spoken to who has had one, he said it was no trouble and he has emerged from it exactly as he entered. He certainly seems normal. Well, let the conversation continue. Actually I found out yesterday that my debit card, the one that I had used to pay for my appointment with the specialist, was used against my will yesterday. Who is to blame.? Well, Thursday was the only time I have actually paid for something with the card for the last two years or so. It is possible that someone in the Ryan Center took the card off the computer, and paid for some stuff. The fraud people caught up with it, and the money will be returned to my account---I have to visit the bank on Monday to make this happen. Made sure of that this morning.
 Yesterday evening as mentioned, I went to Jack, a great place to see a play---you are so close, and saw my friend Amina's play, called Hunter, Jack and Jane. A fanciful piece---her last play, which I really liked called Ducklings was totally realistic, and for my mind, a really terrific piece of writing.
It was about 5 black women (one middle class the other four working class) competing in a "booty'
dance contest. Here she uses a mixed race cast, the play takes place in a park, and for the first hour has a gentle presence about it---as several characters reveal their hopes and fears. I was very happy with it---admired that she was trying something completely different from Ducklings stylistically---but as the play went on, I became frustrated. The final half hour seemed merely to repeat past moments---the playwright fell in love with her characters and vision, but brought only repetition to the play, Glad it was over, but good to see Eric, there with his daughter Sophia, who has just graduated college and is a would be film maker, and of course, good to be in Brooklyn.
  Afterwards, rejected the bar near the theater High Hops (not sure why) and instead opted for a beer and some french fried at old reliable Mullanes. Not very crowded, much baseball to watch, not a lot of contact until the end. I know I will never find "excitement" at Mullanes, but go there anyway---just an easy place to be, and the bar staff seems to know me, which always helps. Headed home reading Rachel Kushner's intense and brutal novel, the Mars Room, which I will continue today.
  It is afternoon, saw Rushmore at IFC this morning---a charming and alive movie that everyone should see once. Not clear about evening plans, may go back to the apartment to rest after this, will report on Monday.

No dialogue, just an appointment

for October 15, a Monday--that was the result with yesterday's meeting with the Internal Medicine Specialist. He did not take "no" for an answer---told me that I would feel better once the procedure was over. I feel trapped. October 15 is a long time from now, and the fact that the prep day is on a Sunday makes it easier to get support from friends, but I feel completely locked in. The doctor was not interested in my point of view. I try look at it from the point of view from the two doctors who saw me, and I suppose their demand that I get the colonoscopy makes sense.After all, it was me who came to them with the problem (since last night, much relieved) And others that I know of all ages have easily come through the procedure, and are exactly the same (maybe better) then when they took it. Still, imagining the day before is difficult for me. What if I am overcome by hunger? How will I deal with all the "evacuation". I was just given instructions and told to report the next morning. Already friends have offered me support. I still have a lot of time to process and discuss this. Let's see what happens.
  Last night--despite the gloomy feelings, I went to La Flaca to watch part of the Yankee-Texas game and to hang out among friendly bartenders and waitresses. That turned out to be a good deal as bartender Sam (Samantha) and Giselle, the night waitress were very warm and friendly. The game got pretty boring early (no surprise in this year's American League pennant races) so I left around 8:30 and walked around. My body was tired but needed the exercise---not ready to return home. I walked  north on Essex, then east to first, then east again to second avenue, and stopped off at the Bean for some coffee. This gave me a chance to continue reading Rachel Kushner's novel the Mars Room, which continues to impress me with its vision and control. The Bean is a good place to stop; I like the young energy that comes from the people around and the baristas who work there. Walk continued to Broadway and 8th street where I finally took the subway, and returned home pretty tired.
  This evening I will try to see Amina Henry's play at JACK---might be the only play I see in a while, even though there are some interesting ones out there. Let's see how this plays out---rest of the weekend pretty open, lots of movies around-also might join a friend named Robert who goes out every Sunday to 117th street and Park Avenue to distribute flyers detailing vicious tactics of a landlord who has bought several buildings in the area and of course is harassing his low paying tenants into leaving. Will this kind of thing never end? Will the young people every rise up and walk away. But where will they go?
Will report tomorrow.

Today's the day....

and in a few hours I will meet with the doctor (I think it is an internist) and discuss the possibility and possible date for the colonoscopy. Do I want it? Things have improved since yesterday; in my head I feel I am home free. I feel really good in all other areas. Is it necessary?  Hopefully the doctor will allow some dialogue...
Well, let's face it.....
Last night, a really good night. Decided to  go to Sweet Jane's in Ridgewood, and am glad that I did. Bartender and friend Olivia was really happy to see me, and then continued to participate in Trivia game with my friend-partner Lindsay. The whole evening was like a breath of fresh air. Much better idea then going to a movie by myself. Now I know there is a place where I can go on Wednesday nights and have some contact. And the long trip back (it is long) does not really bother me.
The novel I am reading is The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner. Very intense about a white woman in her late twenties, living in prison for what may be the rest of her life. What happened? After about 40 pages, not quite clear. The author gets the brutally closed atmosphere of the prison and prison life very well. Looking forward to continuing it.
 Have just read that Baltimore's Center Stage has just selected its new artistic director. She comes from the Public. It will be interesting to see what she brings to the theater. I think there is a lot of room for change there---more than in the New York not for profit theater. Let's see what happens. 
  So, we move closer to the moment. No plans for tonight, have to see how I feel first after my visit to the doctor's office. Will report tomorrow.

cityboys countdown....

to his meeting with the internist tomorrow is happening. He still would like the doctor to tell him that the colonoscopy is not necessary---that, if all other medical tests that he took two weeks ago, and the stool sample come back negative, we can wait and see. But then again, after a day on Sunday when the situation with his "gut' seemed to improve, yesterday and still this morning, the cityboy still feels that something has changed. At the same time, the rest of his body is "easy", relaxed, for want of a better world. Why do I feel that the preparation for the colonoscopy and the procedure itself will be devastating? Others who I know have had it, some many times, and come out of it just as they went in. What does it signify to you, cityboy, that is so different from those that you know?
  Yesterday, followed up on my decision to catch the movie "Blindsided" and went to the cineopolis theater on 23rd street to see it. Theater was fairly empty---the movie has a fierce determination about it and deals with serious issues about race, but there are problems. Coincidences that move the plot forward seem false, and the while character is too disastrous to be true. It is hard to believe that Colin, his black friend, who seems to be searching for a new part of himself, would not, at some point move away from him. I left somewhat disappointed, returned to the apartment in the intense heat.
  At that point in the afternoon, I felt very tired. Came home and slept for a while, awoke around 7:30 and finally headed for the Dive Bar on 95th street. When I got there it was packed---trivia was still going on, (something to remember when you go on other Tuesdays) and Brittany, my bartender friend was no where to be found. I grabbed a slice of pizza next door, and headed to the newer dive bar on 106th street---things were much more mellow there. Many seats at the bar were available. Had a beer, then some roasted peanuts (needed a snack, not necessarily the peanuts but it was the only small item on the menu that was affordable) and for about an hour, watched the Yankee White Sox game, the Sox actually challenged the Yanks in this game (good pitching by the Sox starter) No conversations to speak of, but was able to focus on the game, which was good.
 Tonight, if possible, will head to Sweet Jane to play trivia and hang with my bartender friend Olivia.  Sweet Jane's is in Ridgewood,(Queens) a long trip, but last time there I  enjoyed myself. I teamed with a woman named Lindsay, she is from Bushwick, also a friend of Olivia, and a nice person. Will all this happen again? We will see.
  Tiredness is setting in, I am getting sleep. Perfectly understandable, since I did not sleep well last night. Have to put the whole thing together in the next couple of hours,; I long for change, will report tomorrow...

just when I thought that I had seen and heard...

everything, cityboy comes upon a new name for theater company, Egg and Spoon theater company.Amazing! What will they think of next? A friend of mine is performing in a group of their one acts in early September. Might be interesting, but then again....
  Yesterday, a restless afternoon (too much time) followed by a good solid meeting of BAN. More work done on the September 15 march. Cityboy's plan, when it was over, was to head to the Dive Bar on 101st and Broadway and "hang' with his bartender friend Brittany. But cityboy was tired, after the meeting and his stomach was full (chicken, yummy!) still, it was a little too early to go back to the apartment. So cityboy went to the Greek Diner on 23rd and 7th, ordered an ice coffee, and watched the Yankees obliterate the White Sox on the Diner's TV. A good way for cityboy to clear his head. And then? Home? No, the kid is restless. So cityboy embarks on a journey west---on 23rd street, past 8th, to ninth, past ninth to tenth---on the south side of the street are a really interesting set of brownstones, opposite the large apartments on the streets north side. Not much traffic which has its share of new buildings, finally cityboy reaches tenth, looks in to the Half Moon Bar (very mellow that night, but cityboy does not enter) and to his surprise runs into the High Line. Cityboy's only other voyage on that high strip of road was on a Friday afternoon, and the journey was very off putting. At night, the High Line seemed more human, less traveled, more "decent", a place where cityboy might gather his thoughts re this frenetic time. Once off, cityboy travels west on the last block of 23rd street, near Chelsea Peers, and what does he find? On the street's north side, several luxury apartments (naturally), where there once was none. Finally, it was time to return home; a long wait for the 11 bus (they run about every 20 minutes at that time)  was actually very pleasant (the weather had gotten a lot cooler by then)  and then the trip home in what was almost an empty bus. Time to go to sleep.
  It was not the night to socialize in a bar--instead the solitary walk and wait for the bus after the BAN meeting seemed just the right thing to do. Tonight should be different, I will try to go to Dive Bar on 95th street to hang with my bartender friends. It should be very crowded though. Before, not sure, will report on all (and possibly a movie to keep away from the very hot day) tomorrow.

hoops for justice...

was not canceled...and cityboy went to it. The rain gave way to incredible heat and humidity. Cityboy knew enough to take the 2 to Church, but then the reasonable move would have been to take the bus that runs east on Church (and runs pretty often) to East 49, then walked the four blocks to Tilden Avenue. But of course, that is not what our hero did: instead he walked one block south to Snyder, followed the latter to Brooklyn Ave and then headed south to Tilden. Only thing was, that once at Tilden there is a cemetary that cannot be crossed. The result, in the incredible heat, was that cityboy was forced to walk a long two more blocks south to Cortelyou Road, and then make the trek, about 12 blocks to East 49 street. Heat, heat heat, sweat---finally he made it. The park was full of people, and luckily Imani , the leader of BAN was there and greeted cityboy warmly.  I (now changing from he) remained at the park for about 2 hours, watching the crowds, having interesting discussions with some of the people there, and actually finding out that one of the women nearbye was experiencing lack of services from her landlord. I took her name and info; at the meeting today, I will find out how BAN can help her. Left after about two hours in the heat.
  The park is situated in an almost all private house neighborhood, call it East Flatbush, very mellow from what I can see. The residents are mostly black---the neighborhood is very quiet and mellow. I walked to Utica Avenue a few blocks east of East 49 street and took the train to the 3 station. From there, I headed to the Brooklyn museum to stop for some  much needed cold coffee and to use the bathroom. A movie, next? Well, not really, on the 3 going north, cityboy  began to crash---that meant that the rest of the evening (early and late) would have to be spent at home. And that is what happened.
  Yesterday, a nice visit to Cobra and my friend Olivia, followed by a return to Manhattan and a trip to Metrograph to see The Last Movie, one that Dennis Hopper made, immediately after his success with Easy Rider. It is a kind of crazy movie---beautifully photographed---with a crazy bizarre plot---not a great movie but a good curiosity.  Again tired after that, returned home to try to sleep.
  Now the main issue: The summer is about three fifths over. Four weeks until labor day. What did cityboy find out from his voyages this weekend?
 1, That the loss of South Fourth as to place to hang on Sunday evenings, may be more difficult then imagined. Replacing it with a movie was really not a good answer---of  course the fact that I was tired afterwards may have inhibited the rest of the evening.
2, Still figuring out the colonoscopy situation---things have improved considerably since seeing the internist---I have an appointment on Thursday to further things along, will see what my dialogue with the doctor turns into.
3. Travel, non-travel, baseball games, theater, visiting my bartender and waitress friends,  travels in other boroughs, how do they all hold together---what kind of "fulfillment" does this crazy quilt of interests ultimately provide.?  Always moving from one event to another.
 That is about all I can put together now. There is always the possibility of joining one of the campaigns of the two or three progressive candidates for state office. BAN meeting tonight---will see what plays out, report tomorrow..

the rain continues....

which means that Hoops for Justice, in East Flatbush, may be canceled, That means cityboy has some extra time on his hands. Two movies? Possibly. Got to catch up.
Speaking of movies, I just recommended to Jason, who heads the Diversity Department at Friends a heads up about a movie that I really love. It is Losing Ground, written and directed by a wonderfully talented black woman named Kathleen Collins, and it stars Bill Gunn (an incredibly talented man who dies too young) and Seret Scott. This is the kind of movie he might really enjoy, and I am kind of on a high for reaching out to him. Will see how he responds.
 Last night, tired though I was, headed for the ART theater space to see my friend Eliza's play the Beyonce--a take on a Chekhov short story. It is a strange and ultimately meaningful mash up of the Chekhov story, except that this version takes place (most of the time) in suburban Connecticut. Very well acted, I was not sure at the beginning if it would take hold, but after a time it did.Some of Eliza's
writing seems very ambitious. Most of the time she brought it off. Glad that I went.
  Not much else to say; let the weekend proceed on its own steam. Still ambivalent about the possible colonoscopy. Will see how it goes...

crazy morning, after a nice...

night last night---just went to La Flaca and watched the whole Yankee Red Sox game, while eating a filling blt. Good companionship with bartender Tom---a very nice time. Leaving at about 10:30 cityboy did not want to go immediately home, so I walked west on Grand Street to a new ice cream shop, and had a cup of chocolate ice cream then continued walking west until Forsyth, north on Forsyth to Houston. Right before Houston, almost touching the projects on Forsyth and Stanton is a new luxury apartment house and hotel. The friendly doorman outside told me that all in all, six bars exist in the hotel-apartment house. Six bars! Unbelievable. This is what New York has become. La Flaca was kind of relaxed yesterday, but on my wanderings I passed many bars that seemed full.  On Houston, as one walks west, the "Italian streets" (Elizabeth, Mott and Mulberry) are far more quieter, cityboy disdained getting into the subway at Broadway-Lafayette and instead walked to the Film Forum, in the hope of getting some schedules, unfortunately there were none outside. Into the subway (the one train) finally, ten minutes to the train, heat and sweat was unbearable. Cityboy, however stuck it out, and finally the train came, local all the way.
This morning, after the usual coffee, cityboy felt restless as he waited for 10:00 (Library openings) , and then became very tired. When he awoke from a short nap, he felt weak, yet was able to get to the Ryan Center on West 97th street to return some important medical material. Weakness, why? Well, did not sleep well last night, and a lot of exercise in the last two days. Now, feeling better, may need some food soon.
  This afternoon, may try to visit bartender Olivia at one of the Dive Bars, then rest, maybe before seeing my friend Eliza's play the Beyonce, on 53rd street and ninth. Tomorrow would like to attend Hoops for Justice in East Flatbush, should be exciting, since I rarely go there. After that, hard to say, about four movies that I would find interesting, and of course a few plays as well. Nothing clear, at this point, for cityboy.
  That is all for now, I will report tomorrow and tonight's "adventure".

crisis over

is what I asked myself this morning, regarding the possible colonoscopy that I am supposed to have in a few weeks. My "condition" has improved, and I wonder if it is necessary. I see the internist a week from today in the morning, I suppose we will have to see what he says. At this point....at any rate, things are better.
 Last night, first went to pick up my material for the action in the Botanical Garden. I walked from the Franklin Avenue station to the house of the woman organizing the action; she lives on Sterling Street about 7 blocks south.  I walked along Washington Avenue, which fronts on Prospect Park and later the Botanical Garden, then moved around the surrounding streets. Again, and I have posted this before, something about the architecture of the apartment houses around there mesmerizes and fascinates me. Again I see a art deco houses that during my childhood (or really, the first 20 years of my life) were part of the world that I grew up in, a world that was mostly Jewish and crime free. Why do I feel the story of those houses are my story--I long for someone to tell me exactly what it was like, exactly when the change from an all Jewish to substantially black and west Indian neighborhood take place. When was the last time a string quartet was played on a phonograph in those apartment houses.?  Walking around in that area, I feel like I am in an art museum (really!)  Must return soon.
  As for the action, it was easier then I expected.  The Garden (very beautiful, I had never been there befrore)  was full of couples, young families with children from months old to around 8, many lesbian couples, and older couples. Very few visitors on their own. I felt uncomfortable with being what I felt was intrusive, but, to my surprise, the eleven or twelve people I spoke to were very receptive, and concerned about the effect that the tall buildings that might possibly be built on Franklin Avenue might have on the garden, the shadow blocking the appropriate amount of sun necessary to keep the plants thriving. Grinded my way through it, in retrospect, I think I could have offered this information to a few other couples, who, for some reason, I avoided. Still, this morning I felt proud of myself for committing to it.
 This evening, tentatively I plan to go to La Flaca and watch the first (and possibly most important) Yankee-Red Sox game---that is my theater for today---and that might be enough. When I woke up this morning, my body seemed to ache in a way it hadn't before--now, as I sit in the computer at Lincoln Center Library, I am yawning, this seems like it will be very much a "rest" day. Hopefully, I will feel good enough to venture to the lower east side, where La Flaca sits or somewhere else where I can watch most of the game. Anyway, will report tomorrow.

cityboy feels a brutal sadness...

after reading the New York Magazine article in the library about persons trapped by ICE. Horrible! For cityboy, everything stopped---he felt a tremendous sense of sadness and total frustration at only being to do small things to help. For cityboy, it is so easy to take refuge in anything else, any other interest, but the horror of what he read is excruciating. Leaving the library, I determined to give myself to "service', that is helping others. At least that is what I planned. And then what about art, theater art, music art, whatever. In the face of this sadness does it have any meaning? While this is going on, there is more art, more ways of escaping the horror, in this city, then ever before. Some questions are unanswerable. The longing for power when one does not have any.
    Cityboy's main event today will be joining other BAN and MTopp members in confronting the Brooklyn Botanical Garden re its acquiescence to a large residential building that could be built on land one block away that would cast an enormous shadow on the garden. Of course, the developers will do whatever they please, and the city does not want to stop them. More totally aggressive behavior from the development class. I am reading High Rises, a history of Cabrini Green, the project that stood in Chicago for many years. Same thing---the city is irresponsible in protecting its poorer residents---they were hurt and their lives made worse by the Green's tear down. And the city behaved despotically in breaking down any strengths that the tenants showed. Same thing going on here, as the current mayoral administration allies itself with developers to harass lower paying tenants (mostly people of color) and champions high rises in all neighborhoods that will include much market rate housing. Despotism all around. Can I make a difference tonight? Will I be responded to, will my arguments be cogent and convince Botanical Garden members that they should fight against the irresponsible development on Franklin Avenue that will blot out much needed sun?  Can't tell, I am approaching this assignment with some trepidation, but must go and do it.
  Yesterday evening, did spend a few hours at Dive Bar 96th street---kept my activism quiet (checked it at the door) and had some good conversations and touched base with my friend, bartender Brittany.
A nice way to spend the evening.
 So here we are, morning of August 1st. Summer half over--everything changing very quickly, lots of challenges...