Jaycee, I want you!

Yes, Jaycee, you are the best! Who is she---only the "heroin" " of the latest Richard Russo novel, Chances Are, that is who! And what is her problem---well she disappeared after a party with three fellow college graduate in 1969, and has not been seen since. The novel revolves around a reunion of these three--now in their middle sixties (the novel takes place in 2013) who, despite their integration into middle aged life, are still haunted by her disappearance, and are looking for answers. It is a well written yet glib novel, and yet, for some reason, I can't put it down---I want desperately to find out what happened to Jaycee as well. If you can believe this---last night I had two dreams which dealt with finding out what had happened to her. In one, she is hiding in plain sight on the island off Cape Cod where the boys celebrated, Can't really remember the other one. But, you can bet that whatever I do when I am finished working on this computer, I will soon be reading the novel, desperate to find out what Russo's solution to this mystery is.
  Yesterday, after computer work, took the 79th street crosstown to 2nd, found the coffee place that I liked a lot on one of my journeys a few weeks ago, and got a great gelato and ice coffee as I read. The whole thing cost me almost $9.00---again, where will all this end. Wow! the energy on the upper east side is so different then on the upper west. How? Really can't say, but while you are there, you know you are in a different place. Returned home, rested and then went to the play Reading that my friend Sarah directed. It is a piece about gay internet hookups and commitment, really very sharp, and very well cast; I enjoyed it. Took place in Tribeca, a large building that has been there forever amidst the glitter of the new hotels, apartment houses, and bars. It was only 9 when the reading was over; I knew that I would be "angry" if I simply returned home--stomach was churning---then calmed down; I walked north on West Broadway from Canal to Houston, then found a bar on the north side of Houston near sixth--went in, had a beer, and for about 45 minutes watched the Yankees and Mets game. Liked the bar--I had room to watch and focus by myself---no contact with others who were much younger, nevertheless, felt good about making this move. The whole thing cost me $9.00 (seven for the beer and two for the tip---I always tip an extra dollar if I feel the bartender has treated me with courtesy) --again kind of "pricey", but what can you do---this is New York at this moment--it will break you if you don't proceed with caution, but one must take advantage of its vibrant,  outdoor life---can't sit in the apartment and simply wait for sleep to come---have to be outside and alive, even if it costs me more money.
  Today, the plan is to go to Film Forum this afternoon and see the Burt Lancaster festival They have his "important" movies, but I will probably check out the one (or two) B movies that he made---need a little more escape in my movies today, and those so called "b" movies, often turn out to have a lot of skill. After that---? Not sure, would like to avoid another Yankee-Oriole "slaughter' but might have to sit through it. Will decide at the time and report soon.