Three days at Friends....

Cityboy gets to come in contact with his practical, meaningful side. Lots of work, lots of energy, lots of really good connections with students---and with some staff as well (that is always the case). I reminder that the restlessness and rootlessness you sometimes feel, cityboy on the days when you are not called to work---is eliminated on the days that you do come to Friends (always early) and work. You are like a whole different person. We have a lot to be proud of---so keep that in mind when you are not called.
 Stayed home all three nights after work, just rested; at Friends I am always in motion---good to take it easy once it is over, and I prepare for the next day.
 The call to confirm my unemployment was much easier then I expected. All was accomplished in a very short time.
  This afternoon, will join a protest outside the Brooklyn Botanical Garden (a builder wants to build a large building that would cast a shadow over the building)  and then use my ticket to Scraps, the play at the Flea, that amzingly enough I got tickets for about three weeks ago---a long time for cityboy, but it looks like that will be necessary for a few plays this Fall.
  Still ambivalent about the scheduled colonoscopy with two weeks to go. Can't say no; can't say yes. Something tells me I am okay, but things are a little different in the stomach area. Will just let it happen, until I spontaneously make a decision. My niece will be in that weekend, so if I need her support, she will see me through. But cannot make a decision yet.
That is all for now, will report soon.

frustrated....

because having just completed my online unemployment claim, I still have to call the claims office. That is rough, because in the past it has been hard to get through to them---you spend a long time on the phone waiting, or being re-sent to other places on the line, that don't relate. Hopefully this time it will be better, but for the last two years, I have not had to use the claim line---really don't understand why I have to do it this time. Well, let's hope for the best.
  All this colors how I feel now---yesterday the BAN meeting---a lot of people who are important at BAN did not attend. We went over some issues---talked about the success of the march, and made some plans for other activities. Afterwards, my stomach was full, but still went to the Greek diner nearby and had an ice coffee while I watched the end of the Yankee game (not very interesting). Then went home, but was full of energy.
  Lots of ideas in my head---played out a sketch of a one act play, but doubt that I will ever write it. Can't seem to harness some of the energy that I feel.
  If my unemployment is stalled, it will not be terrible, since there is not a lot coming in, but hate the thought of dealing with the machine that directs you to the telephone prompts.
 One session this afternoon, after that not sure---money is tight, so that will be a consideration. Have not seen the "South fourth" people since the bar closed---Wow! actually close to two months ago. Maybe will check out another bar in Williamsburg tonight to see if any of them are hanging out there. (Might be East River).
That is all for now---will report tomorrow, and hopefully will have completed my unemployment duties so that the money coming in can begin.

the weekend continued...

Saturday afternoon: basically rested---got ready for my visit to the Whitney to see Sibyl's pageant celebrating the Fall solstice. Got to what we now call the Meatpacking district very early, wandered around the museum area, tried to figure out who was living in all the luxury housing that had recently been built. One building, directly parallel to the Museum on Horatio Street seems enormous, does it stretch backwards north to Gansevoort Street? Cityboy could only find one entrance. Anyway, entered the Whitney and prepared for the pageant. It was the usual Sibyl vision---statements filled with earth pronouncements with a little whimsy added. It took place on one of the platforms outside on the Whitney's sixth floor. A perfect night for it---soft and cool, the beginning of Fall. And yet I could not really give myself to it--as the pageant unfolded, I found myself considering my own energy--what it was, what I wanted. I payed attention as much as I could, but my mind wandered. I spent a lot of time looking at my fellow revelers, curiously I only saw one of the "Indie theater practitioners" who know and have worked with Sibyl over the years, at the pageant. Apparently she has built her own audience for this---really good.I participated in the final moment, when we were invited to lie down on the floor of the Whitney and remember our bodies, but again, I could not really get into it. Still, I expect to go to the next (and last) one in December. Will enjoy it if it is an early morning event.
  Afterwards, I was hungry, but instead of looking for a place around the Museum (would be expensive) I, for some reason entered the High Line, which begins caddy corner to the Museum and walked on it all the way up to 23rd street. Not very crowded, a few couples, some making out (it is a great make out space at that time) and a few small groups. All food complexes closed. Not sure why I chose to do this---seemed propelled by some energy that was pushing me towards 23rd street. Could look into some of the luxury apartments that were right on the High Line's boundaries. When I arrived at 23rd, I thought of going into the bar Half Moon, right next to the High Line, (usual bar food, all over $10.00) but it seemed "not of my kind", and instead, opted for a piece of cheap (and not bad) pizza on Ninth Avenue. After that, it was just home.
  Yesterday, did the usual Sunday trek to Cobra in the late morning---watched some of the Yankee game and later the football game---had a nice salad at a nearby place-then took the DeKalb bus to BAM and decided to see the Michael Moore movie. Very intense---beautifully edited--it skillfully gives out a great deal of information---some parts of it seem overblown--but generally a very strong experience. I wonder how many people will allow themselves to see and contemplate its issues---it really is about apathy and acceptance of a really dismal political order that exists now. But so many people have "insulated' themselves against really dealing with these issues. They have accumulated enough money---are sports freaks or theater freaks or whatever. And how does this pertain to the issues that I am fighting against in the city now?  A lot to think about and deal with.
  Tonight the first BAN meeting after the march. I have a feeling it will be pretty easy---should be over pretty early--not sure what (if anything) I will do afterwards. Will report tomorrow.

very sad news....

about the project at 80 flatbush---again the city council representative seems to have caved to the real estate industry. so that a few "affordable" apartments can be built. How far can this go? It is incredibly depressing to me---how much power we are allowing the people who represent the real estate industry. It makes me want to not report on the few other experiences I have had in this blog. And they were interesting.
 Thursday: After a hectic day in the library at Friends, decided not to go straight home but to see a movie. It was Hale County, the morning, the evening at IFC. Another documentary, like the one about John McEnroe, that has no "talking heads" but simply puts the viewer in the middle of the action, and lets him or her figure it out. In this case, the subject is a poor black community in Georgia and how it functions. A distance in the way the information is delivered. We are left to make our own conclusions. I was surprised at the abruptness of the movie's ending, and I wish the director-conceiver of this movie could have been at a talk back---I have a lot of questions for him. A cold, but interesting experience.
 On the way home, stopped off at the Cornelia Street Cafe---where I "hung out" a lot in the early nineties, and curates some new play readings. The owner Robin, was there, and since he was an old friend, we chatted for a while. He is nervous about the future of the place, and his life, should the cafe have to close. Again, a real estate battle---the new owners have no respect for the history or warmth that the cafe offers.
 Friday, after a shorter day at Friends, was restless in the evening---should see a movie---since I was tired and did not want to travel, it was either the Moore movie at AMC, or a Czech revival at the Walter Reade. I chose the latter--not wanting to sit through a million trailers, among other things. The movie at the Reade, called Daises, was a superficial, sometimes quirky, other times repetitive look at two young Czech women during the Iron Curtain days, who like to wreck havoc on all things. They do, with bizarre results. The movie is colorful and inventive, but I left a few minutes before it ended because it was just repeating itself. That is all.
 Today, after a session, some free time before Sibyl's project at the Whitney at 9.
  How does on put all of these things together: the horror of the builders, against the excitement of the other "non-political" events of the city. Not enough people are concerned about this, or they just take a passive, "what can you do" stance. It is not enough.

another quiet night....

for cityboy, as the combination of rising early for the day at Friends, and one session in the afternoon, seemed to make it impossible for him to do nothing but relax at home in the evening. And that is what he did, listening mostly to the Yankee-Red Sox game. They have another game tonight---this time will try to hit one of my "hangouts" (i.e.bars) where they are showing the game. As I am near the stadium now (145th street) might even try to get a cheap ticket for tonight, but that is doubtful. No movie yet, do not think I can combine the two this evening, so it will either be a game or a movie.
  After this, there is not much more to say. Life seems to returning to the normality of the "real world" (as opposed to the openness of the summer)  where I tutor and sub at Friends. So far, so good. Not sure what the weekend will bring. I should at some point, try to get tickets for Sibyl's project at the Whitney, if it is not sold out by now. Might have the afternoon (Saturday) open, so it might be good to catch up on a play. We will see.
 Tomorrow a full day at Friends (library duty all day) and Friday  a shorter day, so far. Not much else to report---no memories (at the moment) haunting me. Will return soon.

another short day at...

Friends, a Spanish class full of "rambunctious" ninth graders. Got through it, and touched base with several teachers whom i had not seen before. I will be in the school on Thursday (full day) and Friday(half, maybe full) and already I have two assignments for next week. All kind of quiet on the money front.
 Yesterday, after a session just returned home, and stayed there for the rest of the evening. Tonight, not sure of the agenda---tomorrow is off, so do not have to be home early, but with more work coming at Friends, chances to rest seem a bit more desirable. If I see a movie, it should be Hale County, morning and evening---that is the most important movie for me to see at this time.
 The rest of the week is kind of up in the air. No plans until Saturday when maybe I will take part in Sybil's Fall solstice celebration at the Whitney. Have not got a ticket yet---might go down there tomorrow.
 That is all for now, after yesterday's very vivid  blog about the march, am a bit understated.Will report soon.

well, the BAN

march finally happened--and an amazing and painful march it was. We met at Ocean and Parkside (the southern base of Prospect Park) and immediately the speeches began. At least three were from loved ones who had lost their children, siblings etc to police gun violence or police negligence. Much attention was given to the fact that in this neighborhood--a neighborhood few white people wanted to live in ten years ago, back, but is now the newest place for the young people looking for not too expensive housing---police are harassing people of color, just for listening to music on the street. The activists feel that since this neighborhood is the newest outposts of gentrification, the cops are being told to harass the longer time, mostly Caribbean residents. Much anger and sadness, The march continued and this theme was played out at all the stops.
  A great moment occurred when the group of about 60 stopped at the Brooklyn Museum. Could we all get in? First the guards said no, but the leader of the march insisted that the lobby of the museum was free space, and we all walked in with out anti-gentrification signs. We all took bathroom breaks. I have never experienced anything like it. While there, I explained to a couple who were sympathetic, the meaning of the march, and the aggressiveness of the housing market, aided and abetted by the Mayor. A total shame. But the taking over of the museum's lobby was a meaningful moment.
  I marched with the group to the Wycoff Projects, another stopping point, where several people spoke. At that point I was dehydrated and starving. As the march took off towards Sunset Park, and more specifically, Industry City, I remained, then pulled myself up, and walked towards Threes Brewing, an upscale coffee and food place near the projects (but very different from them). There, I had an ice coffee and used their bathroom, and got some real interest in the march and the group from a patron and a host there. After that, a slice of pizza at the nearby Pizza place (Union Street) and finally a bus ride from 5th and Union to 41st and fifth: the park, where the final speeches would take place.
  I rejoined the march right before the climb up the steps to Sunset Park. The speeches given there were heartfelt and also scary. Industry City is trying to rezone and get more space for a hotel and more retail, but the jobs they claim they will offer are low paying jobs. IC looms like a juggernaut attacking the neighborhood. Then a Chinese woman in her twenties, who had been raised in the Chinese section of Sunset Park, spoke of a whole block being turned into a hotel and retail. She feared that she would not be able to remain in her home, as this development would spur aggressive displacement. It was sad.
 I left feeling a sense of sadness but also horror. So many different areas that need protection are not being given it, while this Mayor seems oblivious, indifferent, or downright hostile to the needs of the people living in the neighborhoods under siege. I don't understand it, does not the man have a heart?  At some point we must fight for a City Council that is free of development money---that, I fear is the only chance the relatively middle and lower class people have to exist in the city. What will it be like in ten years?
The dam is bursting. Something must be done.
 A nice conversation with one of the marchers, Mackenzie, who started talking to me at the end of the march. We went to the afterparty at a bar named Xtasy, and continued talking. Then yesterday, on my travels through Brooklyn, I had some other conversations with people who seemed concerned. This must go on.
Tomorrow, one period so far---this evening may go to a forum about the world of JACK, the new theater in Clinton Hill, that I attend regularly. Will report tomorrow or soon.

the "dual life" of cityboy

Cityboy has just returned from a short stay (one period) at Friends, but oh what a difference a short period makes. A really warm and friendly group of seventh graders, lacking the usual seventh grade "weirdness" had a study hall and though a little rambunctious, were incredibly congenial. Cityboy felt happy, relaxed and alive in the group---which did not ask him for help as they studied---and focused in on enjoying the moment, and the class' appreciation for him.
So why do I say "dual lives? At Friends I live completely in the moment--life is interesting, vibrant and care free. Outside, well as you know, cityboy loves to contemplate the existence and contradictions in all things---and also loves wandering through different neighborhoods, ---trying to reconcile the story of each neighborhood from its past to the present---this is a very different world from the one he inhabits at Friends.
  Can the "duality" be reconciled? Should it be? Hard to say, cannot really answer that question right now. Tomorrow is the BAN march---should be a very nice day for it---cityboy will try to do the whole march. Last year's was a breeze. This year, fatigue might enter at some point. Still, last year's esprit was quite wonderful. Made me feel that my passion for changing the city is not alone. Will report on it as soon as I can.
  Leaving tonight open---maybe trek out to Cobra to see if any of my friends are hanging out there. An interactive play at La Mama sounds interesting, but may wait until next week to check it out. Sunday will be a day to relax after the march---hanging out at Cobra in the afternoon and checking out the Jet game, does not seem like such a bad idea. Also, there is the movie at BAM, that half documentary: Hale County, the Morning, the Evening. Might try to see it at some point before the weekend is over.
  Last night, too tired after my first "trek" to Brooklyn to go back---I ended up at the Dive Bar on 96street---had an interesting talk with a neighborhood guy---youngish (almost 40, I would think) , he did not vote, but when I challenged him on why, instead of withdrawing, he seemed to want to talk about why he did not. Actually he was quite decent and likeable, but you wish that he would understand that his vote is not only about his own vision, but could help others.
  Heartened by the victories of 5 of the seven challengers to the ID members for State Senate. Let's hope change is coming.

structure returns....

things change quickly when cityboy gets an assignment at Friends. And now, even before next Thursday, he has two. Tomorrow morning and Tuesday morning. And so, normalcy returns!
  Yesterday, did have to cope with a bit of "emptiness" in the middle of the afternoon, but decided, before I left the library yesterday to reserve a ticket to my friend Eliza's play, Indeed, Friend, getting a workshop production at 440 Lafayette, courtesy of Clubbed Thumb.
  It was wonderful! Full of life. A great cast of young actors, playing college students with total truthfulness brought the play to meaningful life. Eliza has created six characters, who are totally real---nothing in this rueful "comedy" seems forced. Granted, in the larger scheme of things, the stakes are not terribly high, but it doesn't matter. This is a play about 5 students at a Catholic school who run a literary magazine. Their dialogue was very fresh and invigorating.Really made me leave the theater on a high, so high that I could not even go right to the subway---I had to walk south on Broadway to Houston Street and then west past the new Film Forum to the Houston Street station on the 1. Really a great choice for the evening---I sat next to Grieg, an actor friend who is a member of ERS. Good guy, it really made the evening even more meaningful.
  Not much else to say, Not sure about this evening---I am a little tired right now; earlier I had toyed with the idea of going to Cobra to check out my friend Lindsay, among others, but wonder if I have the stamina for this now. Will go back to the apartment and rest, then make the decision. Will report tomorrow, if I can.

Do you know what day...

it is today, cityboy?  Hey, it is your birthday! So what? Strange, that today I feel totally defined by the moment--by what is happening in my life now. And today, it isn't much! No work no sessions, in other words, the day is mine. Is that a good thing? Hard to say. Where will cityboy spend his evening (always a crucial question when he has a free day) Not sure, the simplest thing would be for me to go to La Flaca, where I know I will have a nice, relaxed time, be treated warmly by the very friendly staff and watch some baseball games. Other options---well, too many to name, but none that really resonates. Somehow I feel that seeing a movie would be a cop out---not a good feeling, especially seeing it by myself. No, I prefer to "think and wander" which means consider all that is happening in my life, and mostly the life of the city. But where will this be? Not sure. Anyway, enough of this---must get on with real life!
  Yesterday, two sessions, some very good work with the students, then returned home, really tired, Remained home for the rest of the night. That is all.
  Looking forward to the BAN march on Saturday, which looks as though it will take place on a sunny day. Probably not participating in the banner and placard making meetings---I think that there are already enough people there; I am kind of clumsy (still) and would probably just get in the way.
  For now, lets just leave it---will report tomorrow or soon.

Tuesday morning...

no work at Friends, some sessions this afternoon. Not that much to report. BAN meeting last night, very well attended, the group went over the final plans for Saturday's march---I expect to be there at the beginning and hope that I can stay for the whole route. Really admire Imani, the who runs the meetings (most of them, anyway) and keeps the flow and structure going with very few problems.
 Not much else to report. After the meeting, I went into the Greek Diner on 23rd (I always do that after the meeting) and had a blueberry muffin (fair) and a large ice coffee. The bill was less than $7.00, which was pretty good, all things considered. Went right home after that---after all it was a long day.
Not sure about this evening, or even about plans for the rest of the week. Kind of wait and see. Just read that the Real Estate Industry is giving money to those candidates who oppose Zephyr Teachout for state AG. Figures, this is the problem, those people feel their needs are constantly above the "normal people" of the city. Something must be done. The march is a step, others, I hope, to follow.

the weekend....

How did it go? Hard to say---two movies, a football game watching, a very angry meeting at Mayday, and today, have already renewed my driver's licence and filed for unemployment.
Where to begin:
After the library on Saturday, cityboy took the 3 and then the L to Mayday space, where an open house on the city's rezoning plan for Bushwick was being discussed, Actually shouted about was a better way to put it, for there were many fiery moments (I really don't do justice to those moments  by calling them "fiery' as if I were reviewing a movie or something like that; they came from the rage and frustration that the people of Bushwick feel because of the intense gentrification they have experienced and along with that the displacement of former Bushwick residents), as people from the neighborhood and around it expressed their concerns. Since I live on the West Side of Manhattan, I came as a supporter, but remember, that cityboy is safe from the horrors that people living in Bushwick, Crown Heights, Flatbush et. al are experiencing. It is still easy to detach. But I left feeling the frustration that this endless battle, dominated by the complicity of many city council members who are torn between the needs of their constituents, and the contributions of the real estate industry.
Stopped in Williamsburg for a nice slice of pizza and then returned to Manhattan and saw the John McEnroe documentary at the Film forum. My first time there since the renovation---seats are really comfortable and screens are large.The film is really a meditation on a tennis player---no interviews or talking heads to describe experiences with the subject, instead, it observes and follows his tennis skills, sometimes repeating them, so that, by the final moments of the film, which is about his major match with Ivan Lendl at the French Open, I was engrossed in the drama of the match.
 Sunday, went to Cobra where the Giant game was on---found myself really enjoying the vision of the football game---loved the movements, really relaxed me at the time, which was what I needed. Left right after the game ended, about 4, and then wondered what the plan would be. No South fourth to make my next stop---so time and place were open---decided to take the L to Myrtle Wycoff, then the Gates avenue bus into BAM country. That bus is an interesting trip---Gates is one of the few avenues in Bed-STuy that seems to be made up of more projects then brownstones. I saw very few brownstones until the bus reached Classon, which is essentially Clinton Hill. Felt good after the walk; happy that I had really exercised my imagination and seen some more of Brooklyn. On the spur of the moment decided to see Sorry to Bother You at BAM. Jewish Holiday--did not matter, the theater, for a 7:00 showing was filled. It is a very strong work, full of imaginative surprises--sometimes too cold and garish for me, but always inventive. Much stronger than the other Oakland made movie that I saw called Blindspotting. Anyway, left BAM feeling pretty tired and headed home on the 3.
  And that's it! BAN meeting tonight, final prep for Saturday's march, which I hope to be at. Will report tomorrow.

nice day at Friends,

....yesterday---good to see everyone, both staff and many of my favorite students. Everybody very "cheery"---a lot of warmth. A few other dates are now spoken for, so I should be there fairly often. I hope so, my day is really enhanced when I am there. 

 After returning from Friends, decided to stay in--physically kind of tired---also some of the old "stomach" problems were cropping up. Still do not know if I will take the colonoscopy procedure on 10/15. I know, I know, everyone tells me to take it, and no one of the many people that I know who have had one, people of all ages, have suffered any ill effects afterwards. Still...have my doubts. Well, will continue to self-dialogue, and see how it plays out. 

 Monday is the Jewish holiday and Friends is closed, so there is no chance of my being called. So a long weekend awaits. This afternoon will probably go to Bushwick to show support for some of the BAN group---they are having an open house at Mayday to discuss the pernicious rezoning that the city wants to do in their neighborhood. After that, not sure. Toyed with the idea of getting a TDF ticket to Athena, a play that I want to see at Jack, but did not go ahead with it..Can always visit cobra, or find a movie, anywhere in this vast city. What about Five Brothers, the thought just occurred to me? Well, Sunset Park is on the other side of the world from Bushwick (though still in Brooklyn)  and I don't have anything really fascinating to read, which would be beneficial if I was there. But it is an idea. Anyway, we will see. Tomorrow I will go to cobra in the afternoon, maybe stay for the whole football game, maybe for both games, not sure. But I enjoy being there on Sundays, still a lot of people who I am friendly with. But I miss South Fourth, still have not seen most of the "regulars" with whom I interacted with almost every week. I did meet one of them, Harlo, on the subway on Wednesday, we had an interesting conversation, and I hope to see her again soon. Nothing etched in stone, though. 

  Monday is open, though I should go to the Motor Vehicles Bureau to renew my drivers licence. Question: If I don't renew, can I still use the licence for identification? I don't see why not, since I could only be penalized if I was driving, which I have not done in a long time. 

Kind of down at this moment; I think so much of the news is depressing, from the Federal world, to the city world---well, that is why we much keep fighting and spreading the word.

Will report on Monday

just got the news....

I will be at Friends tomorrow. Did not expect this, but very glad that it is happening. Creates a focus for cityboy that is not normally there. It will be nice to see both staff and students as well. So now my vision is very pointed towards tomorrow. After I leave the library, might go to Old Navy to buy a new pair of jeans for the occasion.
Last night: well, a little different. "A Town is a Lonely Town", the song from the Bernstein musical On the Town goes. Did cityboy explore this "lonely town" last night? Here is what happened.
Cityboy decided to have dinner at La Flaca, the bar-restaurant owned by his friend Bob, where he is always welcome. Nice time, stayed there for about an hour and a half---actually met my friend Harlo on the subway on the way there. But it was 8:30 and cityboy feared that is he simply returned home, if he fell asleep immediately, he would get up at around 12:00 and get that restless feeling. So, how to extend the evening without paying for anything? While at La Flaca,the thought came to him: what about Smith Street in Carroll Gardens?  Cityboy had not been there for a while---a nice walk between subway stations might be very interesting. So that is what he did: jumped on the F, got off at Bergen, and began his walk towards the numbered streets. Smith street was relatively quiet last night---many bars and restaurants, somewhat moderately filled. Cityboy was not particularly hungry or wanting a beer, so he did not enter in any of the bars that he passed. Also some streets, at one point, walking east on President street towards Hoyt Street---very quiet, only a few people on the streets, beautiful brownstones in front of him. Hoyt Street, for the one block that he traveled, seemed pretty mellow--is this the beginning of Gowanus? The architecture on Hoyt is slightly different than on President Street---the homes seem a little more "simpler". Remember when Hoyt near Carroll was a real "no man's land"? Not any more. At any rate, by second place, cityboy rejoined the F, this time taking it to the 4th avenue elevated stop. And then cityboy decided not to switch to the R and return to Manhattan, rather to walk up the newly gentrified 4th avenue until the Union, or possibly even the Pacific Street stop. So the walk began, cityboy had been on that avenue recently, but until last night did not really how many new luxury buildings lined the avenue. Amazing, and most of them seemed filled; lots of lights in the window. Bloomberg up zoned this avenue during his term, and this is the result. Even after first street, where a slew of those buildings seems to end, there are still a few more. Not many people on the streets, the few bars cityboy passed before the three bar strip near Bergen Street were pretty empty. The Sackett, a bar that cityboy had heard was pretty mellow, was empty---might try it at some point. Finally, cityboy, somewhat sweaty, reached the Pacific Street stop, and admitted to himself that it was time to return to Manhattan. The rest was silence.
Tonight, in this heat, may head to Cobra and see if my friend Lindsay is hanging out there---it might be nice to touch base with her and compare notes. That is one idea; the heat is dominant--will report soon.

kind of betwixt and between....

did Friends start today? Really thought it was tomorrow. I contacted Elle, the middle school secretary, and she got back to me immediately, so it does not look like it will be long before I will be contacted. Still, feel a little bit out of it. Again, cityboy occupies an odd place in the school, neither part of it completely, or not outside of it either. But that could change at any minute if I get an e-mail, so let's just see what happens.
 Yesterday night, the BAN meeting, next to the last meeting before the march.Lots of high energy and decisions made. Still don't know if I will be able to go, but I would like to. Have to see what my schedule is for that day. There are some events this weekend pertaining to gentrification and its protests, that I might attend this weekend if I can.
  The "lowlight" of the evening was after the BAN meeting, going for a fruit cup and coffee at the Greek diner around the corner on 23rd street. What was frightening? The bill, before the tip was about $9.58! Unbelievable! Something must be done; our elected officials must do something to control this "madness". Where will it end? In five years,will the same fruitcup and coffee cost $13.00?  Is this the legacy we are leaving our children and the younger citizens of the city? What can one do? Frustrating!
  Rest of the day "unclear". It is very hot, need to stay indoors in a cooling place. Maybe a movie, maybe going to La Flaca, have not been there for a while, and the energy their is very accepting. Will report tomorrow.

sitting here, in the library...

after two successful sessions seems to have gotten the "fall" season off to a good start. Very different feeling from yesterday, when, despite spending about two hours at the West Indian day parade celebration and handing out flyers, there was a lot of anxiety in me. Why? I think just the long weekend and what it stands for..Somehow, feeling very strong and "unperturbed" at this moment.
I just provided focus for an uncle and his nephew who are trying to determine what high school the young man should go to next year. They really had no direction or vision about this at all, and I really got them started. Good for you, cityboy, keep up the good work!
  Now, briefly, the weekend. Friday: Tired in the evening, decided to see Andrei Rublev at the Walter Reed in Lincoln Center. A beautiful, slow moving movie with lots of great moments in it, yet it left me strangely detached. It is three hours; I left after the second---it ended with a long scene in which a whole community is dislocated and many of its citizens slaughtered. Hard to take, I was exhausted after that, and when the next scene began very slowly, I felt that I had seen enough, and left.
  Saturday: in the afternoon, the Wars of the Roses at the A.R,. T. theaters. Not very interesting, left after part 1. Very few actors really showed the range that was needed for Shakespeare's early plays,  A kind of "dutifulness" about the whole thing. A review in the New York Times that morning, praised it, but I think the writer was just being kind to a not for profit theater.
  That evening, wanted to see the MacEnroe doc at Film Forum, but missed it, ended up seeing The Wife at the Angelica. Not bad, kind of contrived, the most interesting part of it was the way the camera reacted to the leading lady's face. Still, enjoyed being at the Angelica.
 Sunday, baseball at Cobra Club then baseball at Standings and some good conversation with my friend Sam, the evening bartender there. Left early enough to slog my way through the outdoor film of Der Rosenkavalier at the plaza at Lincoln Center---hard to sit through, except for the final ten minutes, which were, of course, amazing!
  Monday, the BAN flyering at the West Indian Day parade---really hot there, then went to large coffee place near BAM to watch some baseball, then finally again to the center to see the film of the Madama Butterfly performance. I have never appreciated Puccini's music so much! Ms Opalais in the lead role was amazing. Also amazing---the number of people on the plaza watching the movie.No empty seat when I arrived. Then the night---somewhat difficult, and then the lessons today. I feel stronger financially then I have in a long while.
  Let's see how the rest of the week plays out---BAN meeting tonight---we are now very close to the march (eleven days). Will report tomorrow.