Tuesday morning after a long weekend....

of ups and downs (but mostly ups). First memorial day not participating in the South fourth bar memorial day cookout. Maybe because Monday was busy, I did not miss it as much as I thought I would--still, a kind of sadness that the place no longer exists. I hear that some regulars that I knew well meet at at bar on South 6th every Tuesday evening--I might try to join them there either tonight or next Tuesday.
  Friday evening, attended the fist clubbed thumb piece of their three play series, Lunch Bunch, a comedy with very quick dialogue that I had seen in a workshop performance in January. Very well acted and at times very funny, but a play like this one is harder to take on a second viewing---it became a little predictable at times, also the characters---who are legal aid lawyers trying to cope with enormous case loads, etc seem a little too glib for their work.Afterwards said hello to several actors in the cast, then wandered over to Standings, the baseball bar I go to sometimes, and had a beer. Standings was basically empty---never seen it like that before. I guess the holiday weekend may have had something to do with that, nevertheless watched much of the Met game and two others and enjoyed myself.
 Saturday, tired a bit---decided that a movie would be better then a play; ultimately chose War and Peace part 4---I had only seen part 1 before and had hoped to go in order, but I found this part of the movie very easy to follow. It is a very intense experience watching this movie---ever shot is full and passionate. Glad that I saw it---don't know if I want to see the two middle parts that I have missed, though it would be interesting to see part 2, apparently devoted to Natasha---the heroine of War and Peace. Only a suggestion of her in part 1 and she is seen briefly in repentance in part 4. Anyway, if I was going to see a movie I am glad it was this one. Still remember the movie that I "learned" the novel on, which I saw in February of 57--a lavish spectacle starring Mel Ferrer, Audrey Helpburn and Henry Fonda. Did not get great reviews but worked for me. Not much else to say.
 Sunday---first visit in a while to Cobra Club, and my friend bartender Olivia. Good to see her, she put the baseball game on for he, and I was able to watch about one hour of the Met-Detroit game. Afterwards, visited the bookstore on Hart and then walked over to DeKalb and took that bus to downtown Fulton Street. Stopped off in the Atrium where you can have coffee and was glad to see that the Yankee-Royal game was playing. Watched most of it---then it was time to head for La Flaca to hang with and chat with the wait and bartender staff. Always good to see them, bloated myself a little bit the walked north to Houston via Suffolk---watching a neighborhood change before my eyes. Are the Spanish people who held down the neighborhood for so long being marginalized. Everywhere you look luxury houses abound Kind of sad, Took note of it then got on the subway at 2nd Avenue and returned home.
  Monday---had a night appointment with my colleague from Friends, Joe---had to make a decision about how to spend the afternoon time. I had a strong interest in the Yankee-Padre game, but not being hungry meant that a bar or restaurant was out. Should I go back to the Fulton atrium? I guess the answer was yes---I did and watched most of the game from their, over two ice coffees.Returned home, rested--and then met Joe at that cute and laid back cafe on 110th near Central Park West, another area that is being overrun by new luxury developments. But the place was relaxing and the salad was relatively inexpensive and pretty good. Walking to the subway from the restaurant to Broadway---three long blocks, I marveled how safe the neighborhood was now---a beautiful breeze made the walk even better, and I felt mellowed out.
 This brings us to today---not sure what the night will bring, will report soon.