nice e mail from...

my friend Sibyl, in response to mine in which I apologized for not being able to attend her three day winter solstice ceremony. It came at a difficult time---by Friday, the last possible day, I was exhausted. Anyway, it was nice to hear from her.
Some reports:
Saturday afternoon, had tickets to Arturo UI at CSC. Feeling tired but went anyway. This is a harsh, distanced production (probably somewhat close to what Brecht intended) that was very well performed. Raul E, the lead, held back in his beginning scenes, but then exploded by the end of Act I, very effective. Unfortunately it was hot, I felt distanced, the theater was cramped, and by the end of Act I, I was feeling tired. So I left. Was I disappointed or angry at the production? No. The theater at CSC is really effective, but the lobby is constantly packed---it does not have room for the theater audience and the coffee shop that is also there. It is extremely off putting.Anyway, I left, had a blt nearby, and returned home to rest. Later I was rested enough to go to the Dive Bar on 95th street for some hummus and to watch the first part of the Charger-Raven game. Interesting, but after the first half I returned home.
  Yesterday, headed to Cobra for the early afternoon football game and to hang with my friend Bartender Olivia. Another bartender named Stephen was there---and we had a long discussion about what..? Brooklyn bars and their neighborhoods. He currently works at Dynaco in Bed-stuy and also at Turtles, a little further east but also in Bed Stuy. Nice guy, good conversation, might visit these places during the vacation. Returned home, rested then headed to the Bunin for another Tourneur picture, and was very happy that I did. What a director! This movie was Stranger on Horseback, a good guy bad guy shoot em up that was beautifully crafted. Loved every moment of it---Joel McCrae was the lead, but it was fun to watch a really young Kevin McCarthy as the villain (or son of the villain). After the film, grabbed some chicken at Fairway (thank God that there hot food section was still open!) and headed home.
  Today and tomorrow (Christmas day) pretty open---lots of movies that would be valuable to see. The Tourneur festival continues (I could probably see all of them if I had a mind to)  but there is other interesting stuff as well. One John Ford picture at the Metrograph. Imagine, a chance to see movies by both Tourneur and John Ford. What a time for movie going, if that floats your boat.
  Still trying to adjust to "no work" life formula, between now and the 7th of January. Some reconception necessary. Will report soon.