Monday morning....

a free morning, after sloshing through the rain, wind and puddles of yesterday. Kind of warm and quiet today---have already completed a few errands. Now the facts.
  Saturday afternoon at the play: What to Do When it Goes Down---as I expected an intense experience. For a half hour before the actual play begins one stays in the theater lobby which is filled with black victims of racial violence. I saw many names that were familiar to me. Many beautiful pictures. The play begins with the audience taking part in a ritual---we were asked to intone the name of a black person killed by racial violence---in this case, Freddy Gray of Baltimore---for as many years as he lived---in this case 25. Then after some expressions of how we felt, the actual play began. Although it was very well acted, I found the actual play writing repetitive---only a tirade at the very end of the play---which I interpreted as a cry from the parent of a victim---seemed to have strength. Nevertheless, being there, participating, was a very strong experience.
  Not much to do after that---returning home I found that I was tired, and so spent the rest of the evening resting---a few quick walks for food and such, but basically remained home. Kind of restless,but not much strength to do much else. In the morning (Sunday) I felt much better, rested and began my Sunday voyages. The first was to Cobra to relax, watch a little football and interact with some of the patrons there. I had a very interesting conversation with a man visiting from France---he was staying at an AIR bnb in East New York---I was kind of amazed that even that far east, there were AIR bnb's. Said hello to a few other people, then headed out---the rain and wind made it impossible for me to stay in Brooklyn---also I was anxious to see a movie, took the L to the sixth avenue stop and went to the Quad. Got in just in time for The World Before His Feet (or something like that) a documentary that follows a thirty something white male whose goal is to travel on every street in the city. I left before it was over---that is how fed up I was with the vision of the picture.The gentleman is bright but totally superficial--he travels in poor neighborhoods, but never once examines what it must be like to live in them, who is there, how the neighborhoods have changed---you could go on and on about the evasions of everything real in the city---almost a quarter of the movie is the young man exploring grave yards! Give me a break! There must have been about a half hour to go when I left---almost screamed at the screen--well, it was a movie I wanted to check out, so at least I know what it is.
  Finished the day in a very good way---went to La Flaca, the restaurant far east on Grand Street (Manhattan), watched football and had good conversations with bartender Tom and my waitress friend Raquel. I had not been there in a while, so it was nice to check in. A good place where I am always welcome.
  Tonight will try to see my friend Emily's theater project---The Russian and the Jew at the Tank. The web site says sold out---will try to get on a waiting list---I think I should get in. There is a BAN meeting tonight, and I never miss them---but dates are so packed that I have got to reject the meeting to see the play. At least that is the way it stands now. Will report soon.