yesterday---it began with a trip to my adult student in Jackson Heights, around 10---a good work session---Jorge, my student's name, is easy to work with and the math problems we encounter are challenging. After that---off to a matinee (I very rarely plan them now) at TFANA---a well known not for profit theater right near Brooklyn Academny of Music. The event was a "Shakespeare workshop" of Henry IV part 1; an event that seemed fascinating in its conception and in my thoughts, but turned out to be viciously incompetent and indulgent. Don't get me started---I could go on forever---but just to throw one annoyance out---total lack of vision from the director (he is somewhat respected) and a cast of actors and actresses, only a few who were competent to perform the material. Still, just from listening, the brilliance of the text---the way it digs into the royal characters and humanizes them is astounding. On Saturday I began to read Marlowe's Tamburlaine in the library---some brilliant stuff in it--but it does not come near the human inciveness that I found in the text of the two Henrys yesterday.
Return to tutoring today---have a long week with either two or three daily sessions. The snow canceled my sessions on Saturday---not the greatest---but gave me a chance to go to the Lincoln Center library and begin reading Tamburlaine---very stimulating. Also, that evening---as the cold was subsiding---went to the Geffen lobby where the Philharmonic plays, and watched and listened (for free) to a wonderful performance of Berlioz' Symphony Fantastique, conducted by Herbert Blomstadt. Being able to watch the concert for free in the lobby, while sipping on some coffee (very good, by the way) and sitting by myself, is great---finally a not for profit that gives back to the people of the city, who would prefer this "loose" way of watching a concert, and feel good that they are conserving money.
Last Sunday I did go down to my friend's bar--a nice experience---once agin made to feel very welcome. For tthe pro football playoffs, the place was packed---but somehow did not feel annoyed by that---everyone was very friendly and courteous as we jostled for space. I think the next time I can be there is next Sunday---Superbowl Sunday---the place should be packed again, but I will visit. Actually I will be free much earlier, so may go there right after tutoring; in that case the bar should be far more quiet, as it prepares for the beginning of the game (around 6:30).
In closing I would like to say that yesterday was "momentous"---I left the apartment around 9 in the morning, and did not return until around 7---this is the longest I have been out of the apartment since my illness was diagnosed, and though I was run down by the end, I was able to get through it--might mean I can be a little less "protective" as I plan my outings in the future.
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