and I am off after three days at Friends. Strange, I looked forward to this day off, but once it arrived, not having to go to Friends, only made me feel more restless. I did go there to pick up my check, but hurried out quickly (I usually do that when I simply come in to pick up my check). The coming afternoon and evening are free---and it is cold. This was what I wanted---but now that I have it...what? A movie perhaps this afternoon, and then a play this evening---possibly.
Lots of movies to see that sound interesting, yet none that I really feel compelled to take in. Metrograph is showing Persona, a fascinating movie (at least that is how I remember it) by Ingmar Bergman. I saw it once, around October of 75, with the woman whom I was dating at the time, named Nancy. That was a relationship that lasted a few months---one of the few which I feel I terminated---she was a very stable and solid woman, about two years younger then I, and we loved going to see things--movies, plays, ballet etc. I look back on the relationship with some admiration for its solidity, but somehow, for me, I wanted out. What was to come after that....well, the end of what we will call "the first part of my adult life'...which perhaps I will talk about at another time. But Nancy was a good person---those five months we were basically a couple---from about July of 75 to early 76, remain in my mind as very solid ones.
Getting back to the moment (is that possible) all these movies, and even the plays that I might check out tonight, seem like a vast collage of entertainment, all interesting, but I can't put one above the other. Tonight the Tank, a small "experimental" theater on 36th between 8th and 9th is showing a one person show about the Bronx. Not the Jewish Bronx that I grew up in, but this is about a hispanic young woman who gets admitted to a Private School. Sounds interesting and relatively inexpensive--I don't know the creative people involved, but that should not matter. Tonight will probably be my only time to see it, so I an geering towards checking it out. So the movie would be this afternoon, it at all.
Of course, I could go to La Flaca this evening, or even to my bartender friends at the Gotham Market, opposite the Harvey, and just indulge in conversation. But I really should see something.
I just found two articles about the four theaters on 42nd street that later became theater row. I told my friend Sarah, who is one of the leaders of the new Theater Row about them, hopefully she will check them out.
Enough now---will report soon.
Friday, February 28, 2020
Monday, February 24, 2020
an interesting trip, yesterday....
cityboy departed from his usual Sunday path--that is coffee and hanging out at Cobra, and then usually taking the DeKalb avenue bus into the BAM area, then hanging out (and watching free television) at the Gotham Market, and more importantly, at the Fiction Center.
But yesterday he was not satisfied with this journey, so instead, he expanded his horizons. He got off the DeKalb bus at Marcus Garvey boulevard, and switched to a southbound B 15 bus, which goes from Bed-Stuy into the far eastern regions of Crown Heights to Brownsville and finally into Queens. Passing Fulton Street, where he could easily catch the C back to BAM, cityboy remained on the bus as it went south on Albany Ave, then further east, until it finally hit Ralph Avenue, then crossed Eastern Parkway, and finished at the Sutter Avenue---Rutland Road station. Although this is just one station east of the Utica Avenue station on the 3 train, the area is completely different. The half block that cityboy walked from the bus stop to the train station was run down, and then on the Sutter Avenue station, cityboy was the only white person waiting on the platform. Cityboy was the only white traveler on the 15 as well, but somehow that did not seem to matter. At Sutter, the train back into the "established" world arrived quickly, and we were back in Crown Heights, a racially mixed (at least in the last few years) neighborhood. Cityboy got off at the Brooklyn Museum, visited the place a bit, then stopped for coffee (he was yearning for some) at Lincoln Park, a coffee shop space on Lincoln Place and Washington Avenue. It was there that I tried to put the whole thing together. Outside and inside the coffee shop were all white people (mostly young). Twenty years ago, this would have been mostly a black and Carribbean neighborhood, and definitely a place like Lincoln Park would not have existed. Outside the coffee shop as well, mostly white young people passed by, the only people of color that I saw looked indigent. When I left (I liked the vibe, felt comfortable there) I walked north on Washington Avenue to Fulton, about eight blocks. If I did not know it before, I know it now, the street seems to be almost completely white---about six new bars have been added---I guess I was shocked at the scene. This must be what change, or gentrification looks like.
Yet at the coffee place I felt very relaxed. I actually did some "personal writing" on the napkins that were available. I felt a kind of liberation, was it because I had stretched my vision by taking the bus further than I had before.
So what must there be? More and more trips, discoveries, voyages throughout Brooklyn. And in order to write, do I need to be "freed"? Let's see how it plays out.
But yesterday he was not satisfied with this journey, so instead, he expanded his horizons. He got off the DeKalb bus at Marcus Garvey boulevard, and switched to a southbound B 15 bus, which goes from Bed-Stuy into the far eastern regions of Crown Heights to Brownsville and finally into Queens. Passing Fulton Street, where he could easily catch the C back to BAM, cityboy remained on the bus as it went south on Albany Ave, then further east, until it finally hit Ralph Avenue, then crossed Eastern Parkway, and finished at the Sutter Avenue---Rutland Road station. Although this is just one station east of the Utica Avenue station on the 3 train, the area is completely different. The half block that cityboy walked from the bus stop to the train station was run down, and then on the Sutter Avenue station, cityboy was the only white person waiting on the platform. Cityboy was the only white traveler on the 15 as well, but somehow that did not seem to matter. At Sutter, the train back into the "established" world arrived quickly, and we were back in Crown Heights, a racially mixed (at least in the last few years) neighborhood. Cityboy got off at the Brooklyn Museum, visited the place a bit, then stopped for coffee (he was yearning for some) at Lincoln Park, a coffee shop space on Lincoln Place and Washington Avenue. It was there that I tried to put the whole thing together. Outside and inside the coffee shop were all white people (mostly young). Twenty years ago, this would have been mostly a black and Carribbean neighborhood, and definitely a place like Lincoln Park would not have existed. Outside the coffee shop as well, mostly white young people passed by, the only people of color that I saw looked indigent. When I left (I liked the vibe, felt comfortable there) I walked north on Washington Avenue to Fulton, about eight blocks. If I did not know it before, I know it now, the street seems to be almost completely white---about six new bars have been added---I guess I was shocked at the scene. This must be what change, or gentrification looks like.
Yet at the coffee place I felt very relaxed. I actually did some "personal writing" on the napkins that were available. I felt a kind of liberation, was it because I had stretched my vision by taking the bus further than I had before.
So what must there be? More and more trips, discoveries, voyages throughout Brooklyn. And in order to write, do I need to be "freed"? Let's see how it plays out.
Saturday, February 22, 2020
two days of work at Friends...
some very solid experiences---feeling good about it. Will go (hopefully) to the basketball game this afternoon, after my one session. Tonight will still try to see the play that I have been considering seeing all week, but various obstacles have stopped me from doing so. It is all sold out, on its web site, but I think I will try to get a return. Hope so anyway.
Yesterday, rested in the afternoon, after I returned home---then decided it was best for me not to try to see anything, but to visit La Flaca, for some relaxation. This I did, and basically had a nice and relaxing time.
Returned the Joseph Conrad novel, Under Western Eyes to the library this morning. Made a brave attempt to read it--I actually got up to the mid 150's, but could not go much further. Instead I am reading 10:04, a novel by Ben Lerner---I have just finished his more recent novel, The Topeka School. So far, 10:04 is a stream of consciousness novel by a New York writer, who may be inflicted with some kind of aorta problem. Some very beautiful and penetrating writing---sometimes I have to put the book down, because I feel the images he writes of are too strong. But I will continue.
That is all for now, will report soon.
Yesterday, rested in the afternoon, after I returned home---then decided it was best for me not to try to see anything, but to visit La Flaca, for some relaxation. This I did, and basically had a nice and relaxing time.
Returned the Joseph Conrad novel, Under Western Eyes to the library this morning. Made a brave attempt to read it--I actually got up to the mid 150's, but could not go much further. Instead I am reading 10:04, a novel by Ben Lerner---I have just finished his more recent novel, The Topeka School. So far, 10:04 is a stream of consciousness novel by a New York writer, who may be inflicted with some kind of aorta problem. Some very beautiful and penetrating writing---sometimes I have to put the book down, because I feel the images he writes of are too strong. But I will continue.
That is all for now, will report soon.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Wednesday mid morning....
not a lot to report since yesterday----after three sessions I felt knocked out and so simply returned to the apartment and rested for the rest of the evening. Not what I would have liked, but the best I could do. No work today---I did get a New York State tax form, and instead of doing the "library thing" first, in a rush I returned to my apartment, and in less then 40 minutes, did and sent off my New York State tax return? Did I push it too fast---make any mistakes? I wonder, but I was obsessed with sending it out and ultimately receiving my refund. I had done my Federal tax return last week.
Today kind of free---I do want to watch the Democratic debate tonight and see how the former mayor of New York does. I am anxious to see what is brought up from his past. Still trying to figure out the best place to see it---if I want to go to Bushwick, there are two bars that are having it (one is an activist bar---I can simply sip on a coke and watch it there) or if I prefer, I think La Flaca will be showing it. A lot will just depend on how I feel.
I finished Janet Woodson's novel Red at the Bone, about three generations of black women and there men, living (mostly) in Brooklyn. Really good--now all I have out of the library are short stories by the two John's: Updike, and starting yesterday, Cheever. Not too appetizing---would like to find something else to read soon.
I belong to one group on Facebook, it is called Growing Up in the Bronx in the 40's, 50's and 60's. Kind of friendly but a little superficial, today commented on a post about the closeness of the old Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds. On a Saturday in late August 55, I had just returned from camp, I went to Giant--Milwaukee game. It lasted into the 12th inning, finally Danny O'Connell hit a homer for the Braves that won it. After the game, I somehow could not find the D train subway---but I stumbled upon an old elevated line that took me, quite confused, from the Polo Grounds to the 167th subway station on the Jerome Avenue line. I later found out this "shuttle" was a vestige of the old ninth avenue subway that had not been torn down like the rest of the line. A strange afternoon, I remember feeling a little frightened and disoriented as I tried to get home. I was just approaching 12 at the time.
With that memory I will sign off---will report soon.
Today kind of free---I do want to watch the Democratic debate tonight and see how the former mayor of New York does. I am anxious to see what is brought up from his past. Still trying to figure out the best place to see it---if I want to go to Bushwick, there are two bars that are having it (one is an activist bar---I can simply sip on a coke and watch it there) or if I prefer, I think La Flaca will be showing it. A lot will just depend on how I feel.
I finished Janet Woodson's novel Red at the Bone, about three generations of black women and there men, living (mostly) in Brooklyn. Really good--now all I have out of the library are short stories by the two John's: Updike, and starting yesterday, Cheever. Not too appetizing---would like to find something else to read soon.
I belong to one group on Facebook, it is called Growing Up in the Bronx in the 40's, 50's and 60's. Kind of friendly but a little superficial, today commented on a post about the closeness of the old Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds. On a Saturday in late August 55, I had just returned from camp, I went to Giant--Milwaukee game. It lasted into the 12th inning, finally Danny O'Connell hit a homer for the Braves that won it. After the game, I somehow could not find the D train subway---but I stumbled upon an old elevated line that took me, quite confused, from the Polo Grounds to the 167th subway station on the Jerome Avenue line. I later found out this "shuttle" was a vestige of the old ninth avenue subway that had not been torn down like the rest of the line. A strange afternoon, I remember feeling a little frightened and disoriented as I tried to get home. I was just approaching 12 at the time.
With that memory I will sign off---will report soon.
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
long weekends are weird.....
wonderful to think about when you are working, and sometimes difficult to negotiate when the lack of structure really hits you. That is my feeling on this, my 4th day off. Friends returns to work tomorrow, but so far no work. Here is a run down of the rest of the weekend.
Saturday, after three sessions. Rest---not really my idea, but I was "zonked" by the time I returned home and picked up my laundry. So I stayed in the apartment, listened to some classical music and did not much else. Still, I had a lot to look forward to...
Sunday---a good day, I headed out to Cobra in the late morning---stayed there for a while--always a welcoming place, today there was no sports to watch so it was just hanging out. After I left the place, I thought I would catch the DeKalb Avenue bus back to downtown Brooklyn, but the bus was so crowded that I decided to walk further east---first about nine blocks to Wycoff and Myrtle---a big intersection and then past Myrtle, to the furthest east part of Bushwick. This was an interesting walk---east of Myrtle Bushwick becomes far more quieter---less signs of over-gentrification---very few coffee houses or bars---almost none--- ar less new buildings---a really quiet energy as I walked down Cornelia Street from Wycoff to Wilson, and then back to Gates Avenue where I picked up the bus to downtown. Once Gates travels from Bushwick into Bed-Stuy, one sees something pretty amazing; There are no brownstones on Gates! It may be one of the only east-west streets in Bed-Stuy, that for most of it, contains no brownstones. Got off at Marcus Garvey---the bus was getting too crowded, and too the 15 to Fulton (I would like at some point to take the 15 all the way into Queens---it is a fascinating ride---but was not up to it on Sunday) then the C, which came quickly, to Lafayette. Then the bookstore and finally a nice dinner with a great salad at the bar restaurant next to TFANA. Had a good conversation about movies with one of the bartenders--he invited me back. Tired, even if it was early, and so I returned home.
Monday, a little too tired to go to Brooklyn---I ended up going to Metrograph to see a Scorsese movie made in the middle seventies called New York, New York---DeNiro, playing, (as usual) the aggressive and difficult musician and Liza Minelli as his girl friend. The movie runs about three hours---after an hour I was gone. Why? Well, the opening scene, the celebration downtown of the end of World War II, is incredibly well made---but DeNiro's character was just too much for me to deal with. For most of the first hour, he is completely verbally abusive to Minelli's character, and she puts up with it---actually falls in love with him, in spite of it. Its amazing how easily accepted that was in the late seventies---now, watching it, I felt it was repugnant. I simply did not want to deal with any more of this character---the outsider who won't take no for an answer---the kind of character that Scorsese builds most of his films around. Will I ever see another movie?After that, I don't know---I walked from Metrograph---on Ludlow and Canal, to the subway station by the Film Forum (yes, I did pick up their revival schedule--some very interesting stuff).
But there is more. Did not want to end my day early so I got a standing room at the Met for Alcina, an opera by Handel that they are playing now. I lasted one act (there are only two)---Handel is difficult---long arias that stop the action--you either like them or you don't. Handel operas are usually directed as Baroque pieces with singers mostly standing still---this production was totally busy---every aria or recit punctuated with movement, most of which called attention to itself. I can understand why the director wanted to do it--but---well, its Handel, and I never have really enjoyed seeing his operas on stage.
That is all for now--will report soon.
Saturday, after three sessions. Rest---not really my idea, but I was "zonked" by the time I returned home and picked up my laundry. So I stayed in the apartment, listened to some classical music and did not much else. Still, I had a lot to look forward to...
Sunday---a good day, I headed out to Cobra in the late morning---stayed there for a while--always a welcoming place, today there was no sports to watch so it was just hanging out. After I left the place, I thought I would catch the DeKalb Avenue bus back to downtown Brooklyn, but the bus was so crowded that I decided to walk further east---first about nine blocks to Wycoff and Myrtle---a big intersection and then past Myrtle, to the furthest east part of Bushwick. This was an interesting walk---east of Myrtle Bushwick becomes far more quieter---less signs of over-gentrification---very few coffee houses or bars---almost none--- ar less new buildings---a really quiet energy as I walked down Cornelia Street from Wycoff to Wilson, and then back to Gates Avenue where I picked up the bus to downtown. Once Gates travels from Bushwick into Bed-Stuy, one sees something pretty amazing; There are no brownstones on Gates! It may be one of the only east-west streets in Bed-Stuy, that for most of it, contains no brownstones. Got off at Marcus Garvey---the bus was getting too crowded, and too the 15 to Fulton (I would like at some point to take the 15 all the way into Queens---it is a fascinating ride---but was not up to it on Sunday) then the C, which came quickly, to Lafayette. Then the bookstore and finally a nice dinner with a great salad at the bar restaurant next to TFANA. Had a good conversation about movies with one of the bartenders--he invited me back. Tired, even if it was early, and so I returned home.
Monday, a little too tired to go to Brooklyn---I ended up going to Metrograph to see a Scorsese movie made in the middle seventies called New York, New York---DeNiro, playing, (as usual) the aggressive and difficult musician and Liza Minelli as his girl friend. The movie runs about three hours---after an hour I was gone. Why? Well, the opening scene, the celebration downtown of the end of World War II, is incredibly well made---but DeNiro's character was just too much for me to deal with. For most of the first hour, he is completely verbally abusive to Minelli's character, and she puts up with it---actually falls in love with him, in spite of it. Its amazing how easily accepted that was in the late seventies---now, watching it, I felt it was repugnant. I simply did not want to deal with any more of this character---the outsider who won't take no for an answer---the kind of character that Scorsese builds most of his films around. Will I ever see another movie?After that, I don't know---I walked from Metrograph---on Ludlow and Canal, to the subway station by the Film Forum (yes, I did pick up their revival schedule--some very interesting stuff).
But there is more. Did not want to end my day early so I got a standing room at the Met for Alcina, an opera by Handel that they are playing now. I lasted one act (there are only two)---Handel is difficult---long arias that stop the action--you either like them or you don't. Handel operas are usually directed as Baroque pieces with singers mostly standing still---this production was totally busy---every aria or recit punctuated with movement, most of which called attention to itself. I can understand why the director wanted to do it--but---well, its Handel, and I never have really enjoyed seeing his operas on stage.
That is all for now--will report soon.
Saturday, February 15, 2020
an interesting night...
after two days of work----it began at 5 at the Dwight School gym on 109th street and 1st avenue, where I watched the Friends basketball team lose to the Dwight team by a large score. But the game began at 5; I had to be at 42nd street off ninth at 7:00. How? As the game was getting out of hand by the end of the 3rd quarter, I was able to leave a little before 6. It was cold; I rushed to 2nd avenue looking for a bus that would take me to the Q terminal at 96th street. But it did not come...what next..? I decided to go to the 103rd street station of the 6 train on Lexington Avenue and take that to 59th, where I could get a N or W to 42nd. And that is what I did...kind of hectic but i made it with a lot of time. Then saw the five works in progress that my friend Sarah has programmed for the new group that is running the Theater Row Theaters. Only one of them really interested me, but after all, they were "in progress". subject to change and improvement...afterwards hung out in the lounge for a party with food and drink and conversation. I told Sarah, and her partner, the woman who is producing these workshops that I remember the birth of these theaters---everyone assumes they began in the late seventies, but actually a man named Irving Maidman bought four small houses in 1960 and turned them into off Broadway Theaters. It was the height of the first off Broadway theater boom, and there were many plays looking for spaces. The theaters, as far as I know were used a lot during the early sixties, but the off Broadway economy tanked by 66, and the theaters fell into ruin and disrepair. Yet the existence of these four theaters-the true fore runners of theater role, is hardly known. I explained this to the two women and they urged me to find more information about the spaces and let them know about it. Today I googled Maidman and anything that could add information about those spaces, but came up with very little. I will check the Theater Worlds, of that time, and do some other investigations There is a video collage downstairs in the lobby of the four theaters that does not show this early history that I so well remember--perhaps my research and memory can add to it. We shall see.
Now a four day break from Friends---not clear what I will do on each day. Tonight I may try to check out a play downtown that a friend of mine is in. Tomorrow is the usual Sunday "improvisation" day--Monday and Tuesday who knows..? Really about a million choices to make. So I will report soon.
Now a four day break from Friends---not clear what I will do on each day. Tonight I may try to check out a play downtown that a friend of mine is in. Tomorrow is the usual Sunday "improvisation" day--Monday and Tuesday who knows..? Really about a million choices to make. So I will report soon.
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
a nice time last night...
at La Flaca, met with owner Bobby who told me he had not had time to contact his City Council Person because of restaurant stuff---so I told him I would contact Ms. Chin's office myself. I actually did this this morning, well I left a voice mail stating the problem--we will see if there is any action taken. But the friendship aspect of the place was very nice---and i got a chance to watch an NBA game straight through--i left feeling very upbeat---that I had made the right choice to come down, instead of choosing a movie or something where I was passive.
Not much else to report---yesterday I took out from the library a book of short stories by John Updike---have read two so far---a good move---they are so enjoyable yet so skillfully written. It just seems so natural for Updike to create a short story--reading them is really relaxing me.
Rest of the day include some sessions---then we will see what the tiredness factor is when that is over. Two days of work at Friends starting tomorrow,,,Friday night I attend the works in progress on 42nd street---debating how to plan the rest of the weekend---lots of interesting stuff on TDF, yet I don't want to make a move yet. Will report soon.
Not much else to report---yesterday I took out from the library a book of short stories by John Updike---have read two so far---a good move---they are so enjoyable yet so skillfully written. It just seems so natural for Updike to create a short story--reading them is really relaxing me.
Rest of the day include some sessions---then we will see what the tiredness factor is when that is over. Two days of work at Friends starting tomorrow,,,Friday night I attend the works in progress on 42nd street---debating how to plan the rest of the weekend---lots of interesting stuff on TDF, yet I don't want to make a move yet. Will report soon.
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
First day off from Friends since Friday a week...
I should be relieved, but dealing with lack of structure can be difficult too. No sessions, today, not sure what the rest of the day will bring, maybe a movie. On Sunday I found out that my friend Bobby, who owns the bar and restaurant that I often hang out in, La Flaca, is having some trouble with his landlord. I advised him to contact his City Council person---I hope he did it---I am going to try to see him today, to make sure. This is something I really want to help with. He has put so much into this restaurant, and now it is in trouble. So that is one of my tasks for the day
The rest of Saturday: Seeing Anatomy of a Suicide at Atlantic theater company---I don;t know why I keep going there, I am always disappointed and annoyed by their work. This was a British play that sounded interesting and well cast so I thought it would be worth seeing, but it turned out that the title was accuarate---"anatomy" meaning clinical and bloodless. The play centers on three generations of women, the older two have strong suicidal tendencies Once on understands where it is going, it becomes repetitive--it has no movement at all. The direction emphasizes the hard headidness of the writing. and the acting is inventive but in the service of the play, all cold and clinical. I left feelin annoyed and unhappy that i gave it this time.
Sunday was better--saw the middle school play at Friends--many students whom I know well were in it Some very inventive and moving work from my friend Shayna, who directed--good video images also and excellent music selection. After that, meandered a little in Brooklyn before returning to La Flaca where Bobby and I had our first discussion.
That is all for now, next scheduled day at Friends is Thursday, but of course, that could change, will report soon.
The rest of Saturday: Seeing Anatomy of a Suicide at Atlantic theater company---I don;t know why I keep going there, I am always disappointed and annoyed by their work. This was a British play that sounded interesting and well cast so I thought it would be worth seeing, but it turned out that the title was accuarate---"anatomy" meaning clinical and bloodless. The play centers on three generations of women, the older two have strong suicidal tendencies Once on understands where it is going, it becomes repetitive--it has no movement at all. The direction emphasizes the hard headidness of the writing. and the acting is inventive but in the service of the play, all cold and clinical. I left feelin annoyed and unhappy that i gave it this time.
Sunday was better--saw the middle school play at Friends--many students whom I know well were in it Some very inventive and moving work from my friend Shayna, who directed--good video images also and excellent music selection. After that, meandered a little in Brooklyn before returning to La Flaca where Bobby and I had our first discussion.
That is all for now, next scheduled day at Friends is Thursday, but of course, that could change, will report soon.
Saturday, February 8, 2020
a full week of work at Friends...
Now, Saturday morning, still feeling the brunt of it. Not much action in the evening---with the exception of Tuesday, an easy day at Friends, and then, after a session, some time spent at Lansdowne Falls, a bar in hell's kitchen, the rest of the evenings, were just resting, making sure i had energy for the next day. And on Wednesday, a scheduling foul up, a misunderstanding, kept me busy for a couple of hours in the evening, trying to get another substitute for a program A success. but so what?
Anyway, here I am, still tired on Saturday morning, after one session, waiting for another one, and with a plan for the evening---going to the new play at Atlantic Theater---I was able to snare a $25.00 seat for tonight's performance.
Last Saturday, after leaving the library, was interesting. Despite a lack of energy, did make it to the basketball game at Berkeley_Carroll, another easy win for the Friends players. Then wandered around Park Slope for a while---nice to be back in this "insulated" community---I understand that it has gone from being kind of bohemian in the sixties and seventies, to very prosperous at the moment, but still I feel attracted to it. Had coffee and read at one of the places on 5th Avenue. then took the bus back to Gotham Market and had my dinner at the bar there. Still tired, early, I got home around 9.
Sunday (if I can remember) oh yes, it was Super Bowl Sunday, I should remember it, I had fun doing the crossword puzzle with barista Talia at Cobra, then arrived early for the game---stayed for the first half---a good game, but I was frustrated by the numerous commercials that interrupted it. Some friends there as well, but that did not make a difference. So I returned home early.
Tomorrow, the middle school play at Friends in the afternoon, which means there will be no Brooklyn outing in the morning. After that---we we will see--only three days of work scheduled so far at Friends, but that could change. will report soon.
Anyway, here I am, still tired on Saturday morning, after one session, waiting for another one, and with a plan for the evening---going to the new play at Atlantic Theater---I was able to snare a $25.00 seat for tonight's performance.
Last Saturday, after leaving the library, was interesting. Despite a lack of energy, did make it to the basketball game at Berkeley_Carroll, another easy win for the Friends players. Then wandered around Park Slope for a while---nice to be back in this "insulated" community---I understand that it has gone from being kind of bohemian in the sixties and seventies, to very prosperous at the moment, but still I feel attracted to it. Had coffee and read at one of the places on 5th Avenue. then took the bus back to Gotham Market and had my dinner at the bar there. Still tired, early, I got home around 9.
Sunday (if I can remember) oh yes, it was Super Bowl Sunday, I should remember it, I had fun doing the crossword puzzle with barista Talia at Cobra, then arrived early for the game---stayed for the first half---a good game, but I was frustrated by the numerous commercials that interrupted it. Some friends there as well, but that did not make a difference. So I returned home early.
Tomorrow, the middle school play at Friends in the afternoon, which means there will be no Brooklyn outing in the morning. After that---we we will see--only three days of work scheduled so far at Friends, but that could change. will report soon.
Saturday, February 1, 2020
a strange day...
yesterday, filled with high hopes for an exciting evening---except--well it did not happen. Fatigue crept in, as i was at the Friends basketball game, and after a blt at the neighboring diner, I headed home. Did not really want to--my head was into possibly a movie, but I was really tired, and surprised---it usually takes me one day, after a lot of work and sessions to recover, but I guess this time it was 2. At any rate, feel properly rested now (around 12:30, Saturday) and, after one more session, will probably go to Brooklyn to see another Friends basketball game. When its over, I will be in the heart of Park Slope---many memories and feelings about the place, but will I stay there? Lots of options (I know I keep saying that) but I suppose it will depend on how I feel physically. There is a bar in Sunset Park that I visited a while ago---no television there, but I liked the ambiance--it is pretty far off the beaten path---but I might try there. Where else..? No telling---today is the last day of a production at the Bushwick Starr that I had planned to go to, but taking a trip from the slope to Bushwick and then waiting to see if I could get a ticket, might be too hectic.
So there you have it---but I Must do something tonight. Tomorrow, super bowl Sunday, will probably find me at La Flaca for the game---before that, maybe some wandering around Brooklyn, will report soon.
So there you have it---but I Must do something tonight. Tomorrow, super bowl Sunday, will probably find me at La Flaca for the game---before that, maybe some wandering around Brooklyn, will report soon.