After the library on Saturday,

I decided that I could stand and see an opera, so I went to the Met and bought an upstairs standing room for Turandot. Not that I was so anxious to see the opera itself,  I am one of those "opera dorks" who take Puccini for granted,  but the new music director of the Met was conducting. Rested a little, then I went. Glad that I did--the orchestra, under his direction,  sounded amazing. The opera has really some strong, romantic moments and the music soared up to me in my standing room place. I did not stay for Act III (the shortest one) because I was very tired, but was very glad that I went. Or was I? Felt a little bit harsh on leaving, did not find anyone to talk to in the back row of standing room. Would "hanging out" at La Flaca, or another bar, watching the World Series have been better? Well, it doesn't matter, that is what I did. Returned home and slept.
  Sunday, an odd, day---wanted to head to Cobra Club in Bushwick, but the rain was so heavy that that trek via subway became impossible. So I settled for the Gotham Market, had a beer and watched the first half of the Lions-Giants game. I thought I might stay for the whole game, but towards the end of the first half, I became very restless---so headed for the Fiction Center---luckily, only half a block away. Great place, I grabbed a book from its shelves that I had been reading before--Carly Moore is the author, and the book is called Not Wives, and read, engrossed for the better part of an hour. There is a really terrific feeling there, as if I could just drown myself in a book--the only bookstore that I know of in the city, where you can really read. with or without a coffee. Thought that I might go to a movie after that, but around 4, began to feel very tired. Made sense, since the two days before had been pretty intense with subbing and the play on Friday, and four sessions and the opera on Saturday. Also, had to prepare for Monday's day at Friends, so I returned to the apartment.
 Not the greatest of Sunday evenings, but I got through it.
  A hectic day at Friends yesterday, today not there, but do have two sessions. Hope to feel strong enough to "do something" after that. Possibly Trivia at the Gotham Market---I did that a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed it. Or maybe a movie, or even "hanging out' at East River bar in Williamsburg---have not been there for a while, and might catch up with some old friends. Will report soon.

a magical evening in theater, even if..

the play itself was somewhat disappointing. How did this happen and where? At 59e59---the play was Fern Hill, and its characters, all sixty and seventy somethings were played by a bunch of actors whom I had been watching, and in some cases, interacting with for around 40 years. While the play itself, careens from event to event a little too blithely, the performances were truly beautiful. I had gotten to know some of them during my Artists in Action period in the mid eighties, and had also worked with a few of them in readings I either produced or directed. Something magical for me to watch them--so much potential still exists in their work. Very glad that I went---actually met another theater person at the show--we had a good talk about the past---but after the play was over I left quickly---I have been out of touch with most of the cast---some might recognize me by face, if not by name; because of this I opted not to say hello---also did not want to discuss my "problems" with the play.
  The theater is located in the heart of the "luxury--business" district--a cold area near the Plaza hotel---I had time to kill since I picked up my ticket early, so I wandered down a few streets between Madison and Park in the low sixties. Mostly older apartments--doormen buildings that would have reasonable rents during the 50's and 60's. What interested me was the smaller four story buildings that were also on these streets---I could have moved there around the time that I returned from grad school---I wondered whether there were any older people on fixed incomes paying extremely low rent occupying those apartments. Of course, they could have been bought out as the neighborhood transitioned--but still I wondered. Sort of like where I live--I have been able to remain at a "reasonable" rent, probably very low for the area. But that is the "privilidge" of my generation. So be it.
 Tonight after some sessions, was thinking of trying to see Turandot at the Met--I probably would have to stand--maybe hard after a long day, but it is the music directror---a remarkable conductor who is on tonight. Will I do it? Will report soon.

a morning in the Bronx...

first trip back there in a long while. My bank has a Bronx branch, and I needed to make a deposit. Yes, the bank has other branches closer, but I wanted some excitement, so I went to the one in the Bronx. It is on Burnside Avenue, the totally Jewish area where my father was raised once he came to New York from Poland, and was Jewish middle class until the late sixties. At that point it quickly morphed into an all  black and Hispanic neighborhood, mostly working class. Now it remains that---saw no white people on my journey which began a few blocks south of Burnside, then continued a bit north after making my deposit. The side streets, Walton Avenue, Morris Avenue and Creston Avenue are crammed with apartment houses---my grandmother lived on Creston and I visited her there with my parents many times. The streets today were very quiet---most people at work, and probably lots of children in school. I would bet the streets are packed from 2:30 on. The atmosphere was pretty mellow on the commercial streets that I passed. After the bank, took the bus on Burnside that goes east on Tremont to 177th street, not too far from where I was raised. I was the only white person on the bus---fascinating trip--again Tremont is a strong commercial street, and things there seemed very mellow. Returned to the west side via the 2 train---had a nice Tuna Fish sandwich and coffee at the Greek Diner on 94th and Broadway, but oh those prices! $11.70 for sandwich, coffee and tax---before the tip. Where will this end..?
  So what to make of my journey into the Bronx? Would like to do more---maybe travel on one residential street near the Grand Concourse, (like Walton Avenue) for its whole 3or 4 miles. I am still
"destroyed" when I look at those art deco apartmant houses the represent the time of my childhood and adolescence. What do I think? That the world that I knew will miraculously return if I imagine it. That some young woman who I might have had a crush on---someone from Bronx Science--will miraculously return in her teen age form? How do you put the two world together...?
  Let's leave it at that---tomorrow I sub at Friends; my body is feeling better after two days of exhausting work. Not sure about tonight---tomorrow I have a ticket to Fern Hill, the play written by Michael Tucker--with six actors whom I have been following since 1977, when they were all playing young people or adolescents. Strange---will never forget the feeling I had after leaving Wendy Wasserstein's Uncommon Women and Others---I could not believe that something could have been that beautiful---that evening, a Sunday in October 1977, made me want to get back into theater. Two of those 'uncommon women" are in tomorrow's play. We will see what that will be like. Will report soon.

a "life changeing event" ?

Well, not exactly, but an abrupt change came for me yesterday morning around 6:40 when I received a text from Spanish teacher at Friends, Nelson, asking me to take two of his classes. Just what I wanted to hear--I bounded up and got ready---actually my first class for him was at 11:45, but still, it meant a totally different focus for the day. Gone were the obsessive and detailed financial planning that had me going all the past evening, in its place was..."action"! Also, while there, added two other dates, so things at Friends really seem to be looking up. Two classes in Spanish, the first, a group of eighth and ninth grade "clowns" who were full of energy (sometimes too much) but ultimately did the work. The second class was larger, but much more sober sided--which surprised me. Anyway, it was good to be back in that environment again.
  Monday night---did not stay home---but did not want to travel much so I headed for some hummus and some football watching to the Dive Bar on 95th street. I like the place---had my hummus, and watched an almost intolerable first quarter of the Patriots---Jets game. No conversations, the bar tender somewhat friendly, left early because the game was so boring, but nevertheless was glad that I went---that was the plan, this was the choice, and on that level it worked.
  Not sure about tonight (I am not at Friends today) but after a couple of sessions will see how I feel.
Some interesting basketball games to watch, as well as game 2 of the world series, which I can't get very excited about. Did fantasize this morning, going down to Washington DC for a weekend and going to a couple of baseball games next summer. Baseball immersion. Part of the fantasy was staying in an air bnb near the ball park---the area that has been incredibly built up, with all luxury housing in the past few years. Will it happen..? We will see, will report soon.

after the weekend...

and the bleary day that ended it, today is a nice fall day. No work at Friends today---again the contradiction of not working intrudes in my life. One session, which means that my evening is free---would like to go to Brooklyn, maybe stop off at Molasses (I could not go there yesterday)  or have a meal at the very friendly, but very (for me) expensive restaurant adjacent to Zablotskis. (why do I keep forgetting its name) . And yet it annoys me that I am not called to work---even if it means simply coming home and collapsing after a day at Friends and possibly a session.
  Saturday night---fought fatigue but did manage to get to Jack in Brooklyn to see my friend Amina's play, The Johnsons. As usual, much of her dialogue and conception is very imaginative--just when you think she is repeating herself, she always surprises you with dialogue that seems truly startling and inventive. Like her last work at Jack, the play went on too long---the last 15 minutes of it or so, s the play and its characters run in place. The actors give it there all---happy that I went---the new space at Jack seems nicely functional---this was standard black box; I am sure it could be used other ways as well. After the play grabbed a 25 bus and proceeded west on Fulton---stopped off at the Gotham Market and watched some of the Yankee game---I asked the bartender for just a seven up and he was very nice about giving it to me. Later I had some nice sushi. I like that place and basically feel welcome there (another option for tonight?) Then returned home.
 Yesterday, a quiet day in the pouring rain---Cobra Club seemed a bit out of the way, but again I ended up at the Gotham Market, this time to have some ice coffee and watch a lot of the Giants-Cards football game. Most of the afternoon was spent shuttling between the Market and the new Fiction Center, less then a block away. There, I read a fascinating article about what the not for profit theater has become and a whole poetry-autobiography by a very sensitive woman of color. The Center is a great space for reading--one really feels there is nothing else one wants to do there---except to browse, and think of the potential that exists in the many books on their shelves. I returned home fairly early (for me) but carrying the fatigue of the past two days, went to sleep easily.
  Just read an on line article about my classmate and the possibility that he might enter the presidential race. It ends with his giving a smarmy---grotesque statement to another candidate who is participating in one of his forums whose vision of the future of our country is far more liberal than his. I simply hope he won't get involved--if he does, it will be interesting to see how he defends his staunch and unwavering belief that Wall Street is good for everyone.
  That is all for now---the future is ahead, will report soon.

cityboy takes a break....

between a couple of sessions..Long day today. Not a bad day at FRiends yesterday, except for one unfortunate incident which does not need to be discussed. Don't take it too hard, cityboy, I think we can go on from here. But a good day with the fifth graders; I look forward to working with them again.
  Yesterday, too tired after the work at Friends to go anywhere, Thursday evening wanted to stay in the neighborhood, so I went to the bar in the hotel on 77th and Broadway. Not a bad place, lots of tv's, and they know that you are there to socialize so nobody is rushed. Expensive---a beer before the tip was $9.80. but it is understandable--I had a nice conversation with the man sitting next to me, an inquisitive fellow who sometimes seemed a little too pushy, but---well, it is a bar---I could have stayed longer, watched the game and waited for another conversation to begin, but I was tired. Still, it is a nice place to know---I think hanging out there at times would lead to something interesting---will return, in spite of the high price.
  Tonight, I hope to be strong enough to go out to Brooklyn to see my friend Amina's play---much too tired last night to go. Only have one more week to see it. Offered some free tickets to the Met---Manon, an opera that I know well and might enjoy after a hard day's work, but will make the Brooklyn trip my priority.
 Tomorrow is a free day, hope to relax, watch some football and go on from there. Will report soon.

long day yesterday...

three sessions---came home in the pouring rain---never to go out again. Apartment did not get too cold last night, so it was easier to negotiate. Full day at Friends tomorrow, today, only one session---that is good, need time to clear my head from yesterday.
  Will probably be able to move around the city tonight> But where? Should try to catch a play, but a kind of all for one, one for all attitude comes through me. So many "interesting" but not really one that I want to see. Of course, there is my friend Amina's play in Brooklyn . Can I make it out there tonight? It is at the venue JACK, and I really like going there. Amina is an afro-american playwright whom I used to know when she was a barista (right after college) at my neighborhood Cosi. Then she wanted to be an actress. She disappeared for a few years, then returned to the city as a playwright. I have seen three or four of her plays, each one shows an alive improvement and a radically different stylistic approach, which I really admire. So should I go tonight? We will see, have to examine my energy after what I think will be my only session.
 Should report soon....

feeling tired....

at the moment---no work at Friends today---I have a "strenuous" day there on Friday---perhaps tomorrow, but I do have two sessions, which I need to be ready for. After that---well, once again will be my"fatigue factor" (can't blame me, I have been up since 5)  that will determine what follows. The rain is predicted to come on strong this afternoon and early evening; meanwhile my apartment is cold, cold, cold. Contacted landlord, or building manager---he said there would be heat tonight if it was justified. One can see he did not want to put it on..But legally he must do so if the temperature bottoms out. My apartment, with its incredibly large bay window, gets a lot of cold coming through. Last night was basically freezing, but under the temperature that would justify heat being turned on.
So we will see what happens tonight---if it is going to be as cold as predicted, I would like to be out of the apartment as long as possible, but where...?  I am nervous about taking the subway during a really heavy rainstorm, as is predicted. Anyway, we will see.
  Not much to talk about last night, mostly in the apartment, Around 12:45 I was feeling dehydrated, so I went to the nearby drugstore for some orange juice. The streets around the apartment were mostly quiet--a nice haze falls over the neighborhood, but sometimes, I wish there was more activity on the street. The restaurants on Broadway close early, and the late bars are at least a block away--plus I am usually filled by that time---do not need any more food and drink.
  Running out of ideas, will report soon, tonight could be "interesting".

three day weekend...

with its ups and downs. But the ups were good---like going to Dixon Place and seeing their works in progress evening---sometimes that can be pretty trying but last night, my friends Gavin and Eliza were terrific in their work, and the two others were really good as well. Had a chance to catch up with Gavin and his wife Emily, and found, to my surprise, that they are living in an apartment in the Bronx (amazing!) and it is in the Bedford Park section, north Bronx, an area that is very much working class and probably about one third black, one third hispanic and one third white. They seem to be very happy there---I told them I would visit them some Sunday afternoon---good! It will give me an excuse to go back to that borough---I have thought long and hard about that all summer and early fall, but I never act on it. That was the highlight of yesterday. They live not far from Bronx Science, the "new" (as of 59) building that I attended for its first year and a half. The place of my crush on Judy M,--I could talk about those feelings for a long time. Even now, as I remember our conversations, something so vital comes across. She actually lived about three blocks from where I live now. At some point I will continue.
  Sunday---visited Bushwick in the early afternoon, watched some football at Cobra, then headed to Molasses, the small bookstore run by my friend Matt and his wife Maggie. Maggie was there with a couple of friends--some good conversation, the guy, whose name is Schuyler surprised me by telling me he was the lead prop guy on the new movie of West Side Story. Naturally, I presented my credentials as the ultimate original West Side Story dork-historian. We had a good conversation about some of the choices Spielberg and Tony Kushner have made---he made it sound interesting---not sure how I feel about it, but he was a very nice guy.
  Next went to LaMama to see a play with some actors that I have known through the years. The play---All My Fathers--turned out to be a terrible tract---two actors that I like, Brian and Jon Hogan were good, and an old friend of mine named Debby Hedwall was amazing as an older woman coping with early dementia. A galvanic performance in a pretty bad play. After that some pizza at Two Boots and then a semi-early evening home. Still can't get the stamina to join my friend Eric as he bar tends in Williamsburg with his P.M. shift. Too bad, I am sure I would find it interesting. Have to figure out a way to keep my stamina going.
  Saturday after sessions--went to La Flaca to watch the first Yankee- Astro playoff game. Lots of fun, some nice conversation, let's see what happens today.....

nice day yesterday...

at Friends, though a little tirering; had really good session with fifth grade class in the afternoon. Left with good feelings Came home, tired, rested, got out, went to a Greek Diner on 90th street---to my surprise, on Friday about 8, really filled up, it might as well have been a neighborhood bar (I am sure they were filled up as well) . Had a nice blt and watched some situation comedies on their tv screen that is right in front of the counter. Comedies (which I have not seen before) as usual, were very silly. Walked back to the apartment and stopped at the neighborhood Barnes and Nobles---browsed for a bit, and then returned to the apartment. Nice to have a "second wind" after resting, after a long day, but was happy to be home by about 9:30.
 Thursday evening--did get out---not to a movie, simply went to Keeley's bar, the one on Amsterdam and 83rd street and watched the first couple of innings of the Astro-Ray game, won, of course, by the Astros. The bar has a really nice selection of beer---mostly young and somewhat noisy crowd, bartenders decent, a little impersonal. Still, on Thursday, after deciding not to try to get into a film festival showing, I was determined to "hang" at that place. Left with mixed feelings, but probably will go back.
  This evening, I have a free choice, since I have some sessions, did not want to make plans in advance--will see how much energy I have left. Maybe a play or a movie. There is a play at LaMama that has a 5 p.m. performance tomorrow, I am debating whether I want to make a reservation. Four actors, one of whom, Debby H was at one point a pretty good friend of mine, another, Jon H, I knew somewhat casually during the eighties---he is a really exceptional actor---I should really try to see everything that he is in.
  Will I do it? Not sure, will report soon.

an odd day yesterday....

first of all, the weather--cold and rainy--cast a pall over everything. Then my session: two cancellations without warning---one left, but that was at 5, and I was stuck in the library at 2. If the day was nice, I could have taken a trip---maybe a walk in the nearby Bronx, or up to Inwood or Riverdale, but with the weather so brutal---had to accept some coffee and a lot of reading. Finally at 5, my student arrived and what followed was a vigorous lesson---I felt good about my commitment, but when I returned to the apartment, I was "bushed"---had very little energy--so simply went to sleep. The apartment is cold; and no heat yet, so that was also a bit of a trial. Glad to get up this morning---will have work at Friends tomorrow, and just collected $23.00 for a lotto ticket that I purchased yesterday, almost by accident.
  The situation remains the same for tonight--not sure how much energy I will have or where that will lead me. There is supposed to be a brutal wind tonight, so I would like to be out of the house for it. Baseball game of importance on at 6---several plays begin at 8--we will see. I just found out about a forum for theater leaders on Sunday--it will be moderated by a friend of mine---that talks about theater leadership that moves in a different direction from the more established theaters in New York. But is that possible, and should I attend---after all, i am just an interested participant not a "leader" Not quite sure if I want to commit to it---maybe I will meet someone in my "community" who is going, and I can ask them if my presence would be appropriate. I would really do a lot of listening, and maybe make some small contributions. Well we will see.
 Tomorrow at Friends, will probably report Saturday or soon afterwards.

so I finally got

to see a movie---I had been planning but putting this off for about a week, but yesterday, after some rest in the afternoon, I walked down to the Film Festival at Lincoln Center, and got a "rush" ticket for My Father and Me, a documentary by Nick Broomfield, an English film maker. Nick's father, Maurice, was as well known still photographer, whose pictures defined the growth of Industry in Britain after World War II. Nick describes his father's upbringing, his ambivalent relationship to the working class city of Darby, where he was raised, and his subsequent marriage to a woman he deeply loved. Nick tries to decipher his own childhood with memories of his father and mother. The documentary also describes Nick's attempts to separate himself from his father; he becomes a film maker of documentaries, some very controversial, and often steps into the middle of them.
  I thought the movie was very deeply felt, really well articulated---I was never bored or outside of it for a minute. Really glad that I saw it---slept much easier last night, probably because I had "fulfilled" myself earlier.
  Nothing much else to say, a full day of sessions awaits me, maybe will spend a little time afterwards in a bar in the village where a friend of mine is the happy hour bar tender. Will report soon.

Tuesday morning...

so there I was, getting out of the shower at 7:10, figuring there would be absolutely no need for me to be at Friends today. Then the message machine on the phone clanged. A message: Could I cover a first period (8:15) class in math. First I wanted to say "no", but very quickly change my mind and started to move quickly. Out of the house by 7:30; on the train soon afterwards, arrived at the Union Square Station (near the school) at 7:50. Really great time---could go down to the cafeteria and grab some granola and coffee. Still, amazed that I could make it. Class went well, now I am out---body is still adjusting---two more sessions this afternoon, not sure what the evening will hold.
  Yesterday and Sunday: two Brooklyn days---Sunday, too tired to go to Cobra Club for coffee and football---ended up at Gotham Market (my usual base now in Brooklyn)---watched some football, then wanted to do something else---took the subway to Ditmas Park, a neighborhood about two miles south and a little west of the market. Very laid back and diverse vibe there---a kind of easy calm on the streets that is so different from downtown Brooklyn. The area, mostly Jewish in the 40's and 50's includes apartment houses and some sprawling streets with all large private houses. Young people began to discover the area in the late nineties, long before Bed-Stuy or Prospect Heights began their gentrification voyage.  Walked about  seven or eight blocks along Coney Island Avenue where there is a large Muslim population. Then returned downtown.
 Monday, I was invited to join a protest outside an apartment house in Flatbush, about a mile and a half east of Ditmas Park, to call attention to a new front door that was needed. The landlord is negligent and the tenants, mostly black and Caribbean are angry. Also, the elevator has been out a lot, causing much havoc for the many elderly tenants who have been living there. But there were only four of us, the the two tenants who joined the BAN group decided to wait until a Sunday when more tenants would be available to carry signs and protest outside the landlords office. Afterwards, I wandered around the neighborhood, much of which, as you go east is completely Hassidic. A strange vibe, very self enclosed, and I soon left.
  That is all for now, will report soon.

weird Saturday morning....

have just had one nice session and have another in about 2 hours (long wait!) Just found out that a woman who I was friendly with in the summer of 2012, when she worked for a play appearing at my venue at the Fringe, has directed a play off off Broadway. Would like to see it---wonder if it is any good. Have two weeks to try to go---another interesting play at La Mama with some actors whom I like and my friend Amina's play which is opening at Jack next week. Then there are the plays that I would like to see with people I don't know in them---Slave Play, The Sound Inside, etc. Millions of movie, opera, etc as well. Have to see how it all plays out---don't want to spend too much money for now.
  Yesterday, still feeling the effects of the grueling schedule of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, I opted to stay in the neighborhood last night---and ended up at Keegan's a bar on Amsterdam around 83rd street--a friendly place catering mostly to a youngish crowd. I was there to watch the Yankee-Twin game---had a nice soft beer and some french fries which were "killers". Enjoyed watching the game and had a nice conversation with the young man sitting next to me--named Peter---then went home. I think it is pretty obvious that the Yankees are superior to the Twins---lets see if this is borne out at today's game and the next one.
  Today the plan is to go to the Preludes at City College---this is a preview of a lot of stuff that will be performed off off Broadway in the coming months, a sort of forum and get together for members of
the "indie community". Two friends of mine will be showing a work in progress there, then I might stay around for some other projects as well. Tomorrow---wide open---that is how I want it.
  That is all for now---will report soon.

can you believe it.....

about 54 hours of non stop work (with some time for sleeping). Beginning with the session at 10 A.M. Tuesday and ending with one at  6:00 Thursday, including to very busy days at Friends, the action never stopped. Today I would have worked at Friends again, but the teacher whom I was to substitute for was on jury duty, and her case was suddenly settled, so she is back. And I am here in the library, experiencing  exhaustion take over.
 Still, as an intense experience, the last three days were remarkable. Especially since there were so many "slow" days during the summer. The energy that I needed to expand in those three days was non stop. I was tired when it was over, but I got through it.
  Tonight I thought of getting a Standing Room ticket to Macbeth at the Met, but if seems a little too expensive. So many options-some interesting stuff at the Film Festival, lots of plays, etc. A lot will depend on how physically I feel as well. The reporting will begin tomorrow....