two days, three sessions...

no wonder cityboy is tired this morning. But what now? The weekend approaches and citybly's choices are many. Tired---already made a trip to the Friends business office to pick up my check---should my form of entertainment tonight be a movie or a play? Movie seems more reasonable---when one is tired---one is under no obligation to stay or can go to the bathroom during a showing. For a play, you have to remain where you are. But what of the "500" or so plays in the city that interest you, cityboy? Shouldn't you use this free evening to "catch up"? Oh, my, decisions decisions. Well, one thing is certain---tomorrow evening I am going to the Bushwick Starr (second Saturday evening in two weeks) to see the 10th anniversary celebration performance. Should be fun, and lots of people that I know will either be performing or in the audience. Then on Sunday, back to Bushwick to hang at Cobra and enjoy some of the 60 degree whether. Looks that way. And what about tomorrow afternoon, which it looks like you will have free. Do you go to the Flatbush Library on Linden Boulevard (where it begins) to participate in the anti gentrification energy or remain in the city with your "tired" body/ And if you do go to the meeting, remember cityboy, you must at some point travel from central flatbush to Bushwick (yes, the L is running, so that should be a little easier). All this will be revealed as the weekend progresses.
  Tuesday evening was a little weird. Returned home from a session, but felt very tired so I slept. When I got up, I was surprised that my energy was high---my stomach told me it could handle a beer, and after looking around at some choices, I decided to go to the new Dive Bar, the one on 106th and Amsterdam. Luckily it was not too crowded and the Knick game was on---the very one I wanted to watch. So I stayed there for about an hour and a half, the waitress named Alexandria was extremely nice, I gave her what I thought was a very nice tip. Left feeling contented.
   Not much else to report. Will check in soon, maybe tomorrow.

a quiet day...

that is, no work at Friends. Is just as well--really tired from yesterday's coverage (one extra) and a session at 145 street. Body need a rest. bit mind is very restless. Will return to Friends tomorrow and Thursday, at least, and possibly Friday. So how will I spend my "free" night tonight? Not sure, had wanted to check out Mefistofole at the Met, but not sure if I will have the stamina. Also, have not been to la Flaca in a while---might be a good evening to hang out there---I like the bartender Sam, there is an interesting Knick game that I could watch (without much distraction)  and my friend Bob, the owner might be in----it would be nice to check in with him personally---one of the bartenders hinted that there might be some problems with his landlord---they were supposed to be solved permanently about a year ago---anyway, I would like to find out. So that is another possibility.
  Saturday night---finally got out to Brooklyn, and boy, am I happy that I did. Went to the Bushwick Starr to see the piece Flaco, my friend directed. It is called The Last Hipster in Brooklyn a performance piece by a guy named Nick Flynn. Just being in "the Starr" waiting for the play to begin made me feel happy. The piece itself was very vibrant---about a white newcomer to Brooklyn who arrived about ten years ago---how integrates himself into the black and white society around him. Some great statements about the pain caused by gentrification. On the whole, a really good presentation, afterwards, I had a nice talk with Flynn's mom, who was visiting from Seattle. We talked about the aggressive approach of Amazon---the disenfranchisement many of us are feeling, etc.
  Being at the Starr really energizes me---will definitely make plans to go to this coming Saturday night's project there, a variety show with past participants in the theater. Lots of people there I will know---should be a lot of fun---should make a reservation now!
  Sunday, well, the L was running (what a difference that makes!) and so I had an easy time of it getting to Cobra for coffee and football (cobra is about a block and a half away from the Starr). No stomach problems this time---all was mellow in the stomach---the memories of the craziness of the Sunday before, disappeared. Would like to return there this Sunday---also might want to see a play that begins at 5 in Manhattan--can I do it? We will see The rest of Sunday was quiet, as I knew I would be at Friends the next day, and wanted to take it easy in the evening.
  That is where cityboy stands at this moment---a little annoyed at all the e-mails I am getting for "giving Tuesday" a bit much. Anyway, will report soon.

just purchased my ticket...

for tonight's performance of the monologue directed by my friend Flaco at the Bushwick Starr. That means I am definitely going out there tonight---still a little tired from the last few days, but felt strong enough this morning to plan the trip. It was cheaper to buy a ticket now; I was going to see how I felt later--but the deed is done. First play in about two weeks---I had hoped to see more, but have to pull myself together during the holiday. Still have not solved the "stomach" problem---will just have to follow it slowly.
  I was thinking that when I sub at Friends, and I get up in the morning, my whole body is focused on getting it together and getting out early---so the task energy, as I prepare,  is incredibly focused. On days where I am free---the body is not pressured to "get it together" so quickly---maybe that is why sometimes I feel fatigued. At any rate, I should be "good to go" for next week---I already have two work dates scheduled. Still wonder if in all the years I have subbed at Friends, I had a stretch of days as I had during the week beginning 11/5, and going to 11/16. It was total commitment with some sessions thrown in. With all my awareness about what is going on in the theater world in NYC, maybe it is just impossible to commit to visiting that world, so rapped up am I in the world of Friends. Let's see how it all continues.
  Yesterday, did get out and go to the Paris Theater (one of the few theaters now in NY with just one screen) to see the Callas movie. Brought back some meaningful memories---and it is always fascinating to remember this artist. The movie, for me, was a bit too much of a fan's creation. It left out some of the more complicated yet meaningful parts of her life---important information was withheld, and certain names that were important to Callas, and are mentioned in her letters or seen in her travels, like the conductor Tulio Serafin, who mentored her, or the tenor DeStafano, who was her partner in her sadly aborted tour in 74,  are left out. Paris theater is a strange place, perhaps the last remaining midtown first run movie theater from the pre rental days of the 70's. It is certainly a nice space to watch a movie (something comforting about knowing that only one movie is being shown in the space at a time) --a large majority of people at the 7:00 show of the movie were elderly---well, I guess that is to be expected.
  Left the movie feeling a little sad---decided not to go into a bar to eat---got some food at Fairway and went home---slept pretty well. Now the question is how to spend the time between now and my voyage to Bushwick (thank God the L is running this weekend)  since I have decided I do not want to be a spectator at anything else. Well, will report soon.
 

stomach problems continue...

as they had through most of yesterday. I did not eat until the Thanksgiving party, and even then, did not have a great deal, but filling up came easily. Today much better, I will really make an effort for all food that I take in to "caress" my stomach and not bloat it. I had a nice, fresh chicken salad sandwich earlier and that is sitting very well. Let's see what the rest of the day brings.
  After the library did go to the Quad and saw the holocaust remembrance film. Very telling---once again, not much one can do when watching films like that but process the brutal tactics of the nazis and receive it. The interviewee, a very gracious Czech native, living at the time of the filming, comfortably in Isreal, tells calmly some terrible stories. All one can do is receive them---perhaps consider how lucky one has been to never experience anything remotely like the gratuitous sadism of the Nazis. After the movie, I wandered into the Quad bar, a small bar where I could order an Americano. I had a nice conversation with the young bartender named Matteo---he is a Stuyvesant graduate from 20011---did not know any Friends graduates from that year. I may return to the bar at some point to chill out---one can order the Americano, so I don't have to have a beer. After hanging out there for a while, I went home, tired, read a bit and went to sleep.
  Yesterday, really dealt with a void while waiting to head to Brooklyn--read a bit, listened to the football game and rested. The party was fun---some interesting conversations with my relatives, who are very accepting. Stan, the husband of my cousin Kayla, the woman who gave the party, plays bluegrass every Saturday night at Sonny's a legendary bar in Red Hook. I have been there a few times---the staff is very welcoming, but it is hard to get to---only one bus, and that goes slowly in the evening. You know, cityboy is dead set against using taxis---well that is the way it is. Hopefully I can get over there at some point, have a beer, and hang out.
  Today, should see the Callas movie---this would be the best time to catch it. Would like to see a play this evening, but I am not sure about how strong I will feel---tomorrow is free all day, so there is the possibility of seeing two plays, Will I? Not sure---again, do not wish to make any plans in advance. My friend Flaco is directing a play at Bushwick Starr for one performance tomorrow night---would like to see it---the L is running freely this weekend, but not sure. Will report tomorrow.

In Brooklyn and it is cold....

Gotten colder as the morning goes on. Cityboy is there to return Paul Auster's novel Invisible (an amazing piece!) which he took out of the Flatbush library two Saturdays ago while he was trying to catch up to the anti-gentrification march (he never did).  Now, here is cityboy, sitting in the library on Pacific Street near the crossing of the three avenue with lots of time on his hands. Stomach has improved---I think things will turn out all right.  But no plays today, at least one movie and then we will see.
The movie is at the Quad, and it is one of  interviews with two women holocaust survivors. Of all the movies to see in NY (and there are many of them) cityboy has chosen that because he feels it is important to process the holocaust memories at this time. Why now? Well, the movie is there, and so this week is his only chance. But processing this infomation is meaningful---what will it leave me with, besides horror and sadness---I don't know. Ironically, later in the day the Quad is showing All That Jazz, Bob Fosse's autobiographical movie musical, about as far away from the holocuast as is possible. I have the chance to see both---I won't see the Fosse musical after the first one.
  What about this evening. All theater on TDF is already off the web sit, meaning either movies aor possibly the all baroque concert that the Philharmonic is playing tonight,if senior tickets are available. Also, maybe some bar hopping, might want to return to La Flaca and let everyone know I am all right. It is kind of cold to go back to Brooklyn, to search out my South fourth friends, now, apparently, scattered to the wind.
  Tomorrow, off the Prospect Heights for the early evening thanksgiving dinner at cousins' Stan and Kayla's apartment---first went to that party, I think, in 1991. The two girls, Molly and Jessie, not yet born in that year, will be there as well as Matt, the son of Kayla's older sister Kara. Have to remember not to overeat---do not want a reprise of Sunday's "problems": Will report soon.

what now, cityboy...

yesterday, cityboy dealt with something he has not had to deal with in a while. A large stomach ailment. It all began at Cobra, while he was watching the football game. He felt great, then decided to eat a very rich donut. After that it was all over. First there was the blockage, the when finally able to let go, a large portion of semi-diahreaa, and some vomiting. I must have made about twenty trips to the bathroom at Cobra, almost continually. My friends on the staff were helpful, and no one seemed to be making a big fuss about it. I wanted to go home and rest, but how? The L was shut down, and  I was on Wycoff and Jefferson. Taxi all the way home? Too expensive. Still feeling much abdominal pain I managed finally to leave, wait for the shuttle bus to Myrtle Wycoff and get the M to Manhattan. Just as the train was approaching Essex, I felt another attack---had to get off, luckily two blocks away was my friend Bob's restaurant La Flaca--I raced there and let Jasmine, the waitress, and Tom, my friend the bartender know how I felt. Luckily the place was not too crowded---they were very helpful and concerned, as Tom made me seltzer with bitters and that seemed to calm my stomach down. I remained for about over an hour, finally felt that the pressure on my abdomen could be dealt with, and went home. Again, a taxi was a possibility, but cityboy,being, even in what could be called a moment of crisis,  totally cos conscious opted for public transportation---the F to the D to 59th and then the 104 home. He made it! Tired but relieved.  Sleep .
   In the morning I awoke feeling better, and soon the pain in the abdomen had diminished to nothing. Why? Did I just need sleep. Was it the pheno barbital I had bought on the way home. What are the larger ramifications of this. Still feel it was "justified" to reject the colonoscopy, but the stomach "trauma" that I experienced yesterday has to make me think about possibly taking one.
  Today I feel much better---did not get called to work (will be at Friends tomorrow) and got up, moved around, actually got a much needed hair cut, and have one session this afternoon. Still, feel tired, need to work some of this through my body. Why? Was it just the combination of food? . Still remember how great I felt before the donut. Is it a manifestation of simply the amount of work I had at Friends (11 out of 12 days) in the past two weeks. Is my mind overburdened with all the choices, artistic and otherwise that I have in the next few days? Who can I discuss this with. Cityboy has made it a point to present himself to others as a perfectly healthy specimen. Is this some kind of ulcer or acid reflex action that has come upon him. Much to think about and deal with---wonder if I should just rest for most of the holiday.
    All right, let it be, this is where we are now. Thanksgiving should be the coldest in history. I am going to Stan and Kayla's house to see the family. Will report soon.

the marathon seems to be over.....

after eleven straight days at Friends---only two more before the Thanksgiving break and no assignments at this point. Quite a run---quite an endurance test. What next? Not sure.
  The push back against Amazon continues---certainly this is a horrible abuse of power by the governor. How can you disenfranchise so many people in one move. But it is precisely this disenfranchisement that will get people angry. Can relax a little bit because the ground swell seems to be growing.
  Plans for tonight: The well respected production of Uncle Vanya ends its run tomorrow---my plan is to try to get a cancellation for tonight. If not, probably a movie--then headed over to the BAN party---will come in, make a small contribution, psych out the scene and then either stay or leave. I am going more to support BAN, then to have a good time. That is the plan for tonight.
 As for tomorrow, I will try to return to Cobra and my friend bartender Olivia for the early afternoon. Watch the 'futile" Giant game, but at least it will be quiet. Possibly have some good conversations. After that, maybe a movie---the Chantal Ackerman one at BAN or one of the Lanzman ones at the Quad---have to check out some other venues as well. Also would like to finish Invisible, the novel by Paul Auster that I find so fascinating---it really separates me from the rest of the world.
  At any rate, we will just let things happen and report soon.

the pushback against

Amazon coming to Queens has been pretty strong. Good sign---good wake up call for those who are just "going along". Lots of fb posting---maybe some real discussions in person can be generated out of this. Much prefer that then just chiming in on FB.
  Three days of work at Friends this week so far---another one, a long one, tomorrow. This is the first weekday off I have had in two weeks. Seems a little weird. But here I am. All nights this week simply at home. But Saturday---
  Went to the Quad first to see the Bergman bio. Some good things---captured some of Bergman's haunted qualities---brought me back to the sixties and early seventies when it seemed "de riguer" to see his movies, past and present. While it did not present a coherent whole of his work---did not explore themes that go throughout---or if it did, maybe a little to superficially---I was glad to be there. I remember being at Hopkins in 63 and 64, when Dr. Macksey would moderate discussions after the films. Interesting---I was in such a different place then. But the memories are strong.
   After that, walked to the diner on 23rd and 7th and had a nice blt and coffee---then was stunned by the bill---$11.60---before the tip. Where is this going? Was able to get to the theater where i was seeing Caitlin S's play early. The play itself was eclectic, very well directed and acted (a little too much over the top) about two female twenty something workers who wake up on a Sunday morning wiped out from the night before. But what happened? The playwright challenges herself by creating to kind of "dense" characters who speak in a cold, stylized voice, but for the most part, she is strong enough to carry this through. For a small production the technical aspects were terrific (they almost always are, at this point). Said hello to Caitlin afterwards (I had met her at a few Assembly parties so she know me---that is why I came to this play) ---she was cordial and grateful that I had come. Trip home uneventful---got hungry again, so settled for pizza at the ninth avenue Two Boots---not the greatest but cheap--and I wanted to save money.
  Sunday, decided to check out an "immersive" production of Merrily We Roll Along, performing in, of all places Muchmore's a coffee beer place in Williamsburg with a performance venue in the back. A small company called Brooklyn Theater Company put it together for 3 performances---amateur it wasn't! Cast was strong and focused, some actually played the instruments as well--Merrily, of course, is the Sondheim musical that means the most to me---especially the second act. The first act was a little ponderous---I think the company wanted to dot all the i's and cross all the t's of the text, but once Charlie sang Good Thing Going in Act II, it was all over for me---I am just so moved and taken in by everything that follows. A few nice conversations with other audience members---always easy at these small theaters---it is amazing how much theater of this nature---really talented people performing in small companies---exists. A good afternoon, I want to return to Muchmore's in the future, just to hang out and have their coffee.
  Finished the night at La Flaca---had a nice talk with Tom, the night bartender whom I have known for several years.
  Tonight is supposed to be stormy---might be a good time so see if I can get a return for Uncle Vanya at Hunter---must see it soon since it is closing this week---but it will depend on how I feel, will report soon.

Finally I have returned....

after seven days of work---five this week---a really tiring week, yet despite being tired, I went to the Ensemble Studio Theater short one acts yesterday, and amazingly enough, walked there and back (from 76th and West End to 52nd and 11th, a straight line). The short one acts were frustrating---more attempts that turned out to be superficial then meaningful---and I saw my friend Sarah in one of them (the reason I decided to go). Yes, EST, where I once went almost every day, even though I was not a member, yet I directed some meaningful projects in that space, and made some very solid friendships there as well. All of that is now about 30 years old, but the memories still hold. I probably would have been made a member, but CD, the artistic director until his death, did not want it---yet he was always civil to me. Go figure! It is a lot of water under the bridge at this point.
  Tonight I already have tickets for a play called When We Went Electronic---the playwright is a woman I have met at a few parties (Assembly) and have had some nice conversations with. I was ambivalent about going, but feel that since we have had nice talks, I should take a look at her work. I wonder if she will be there tonight, or any of my other friends from the "community".
 What else? A possible movie before the play (got to catch up!)  and tomorrow, a possible "immersive" production of Merrily We Role Along, in Williamsburg (Wow! all of a sudden everybody loves that musical!) But at the moment I am feeling kind of tired, I probably will go back to the apartment and rest a bit, then see how I feel. I would like to see the Bergman film or the Callas film, both have very strong deja vue  meaning for me, and with so many other things to do and see, this might be a good chance to look at them. But I will see how I feel, before I decide to go.
  Bergman, yes I guess you might say he was "hot" during the early and middle sixties. Everyone I knew, when I was in college or shortly after was talking about his work. He really represents a moment in time for me---the memories are so clear---especially the first (and only) time I saw the Magician, at Hopkins around 63. Really stunned by the ending. So the movie (and also the Callas movie) would definitely be a journey into past memory for me. Will I do it? Can't say. 
 I will be subbing at Friends next week 4 out of 5 days (there are no classes on Thursday, so I can be assured of a day off) next week, After that...? Just two work days till Thanksgiving---very early this year. Should be interesting---will report soon.