Return to WIlliamsburg....

 Yesterday afternoon---a free day---promised myself I would visit my friend Bob's bar, on Avenue C and ninth--did so, after spending an about an hour at the Drama Bookstore--very crowded, could not find a place to sit down--nevertheless browsed all of that time,  and promised myself to return and read some plays. Want to read Adrienne Kennedy's Ohio State Murders and for some reason seem attracted to the plays of Stephen Levenson--the screen writer who did a terrific job on Tick Tick Boom. Then off to Bobby's---the mild air of yesterday seemed easy to negotiate---stayed for about an hour---very quiet around 3 in the afternoon---just relaxed looking at the sports program (no game) on the large TV---Bob and his girl friend Megan arrived a little later, and I "hung" with them. What next? Still had plenty of time for a movie---fought with myself but challenged myself to navigate Bedford Avenue---the main drag of Williamsburg closest to Manhattan. So jumped on the L train one stop east and there I was. Subway was packed---arrived on Bedford and North 7th---seemed like hordes of people coming and going on the street. Almost trampled. Moved south---starving---able to grab a pizza slice at Whole Foods--then continued south to Grand Street---the dividing line between north and south Williamsburg, but at this point, not much else. That part of Williamsburg has completely morphed into a "white playground"---I suppose not much different from my last trips in 2019, but still shocked at the self important energy of the people on the street. 

After Grand, the streets were quieter---figured  I would walk south to South Fourth and then right to Berry--the path I had taken so oftern as I went to South fourth from 07 to its closing in 18, Terrible sense of familiarity as I thought of the trip---almost like returning home. Between Grand and South fourth, lots of bars--more then before---and speciality restaurants. Finally made the right turn. Passed a new bar--Keg and Lantern in the middle of the street---looked like somewhere I might like to go---the proceeded to the corner of south fourth and Berry where the coffee shop---bar used to be. Now another bar-restaurant---not a coffee place---but closed. Contiued south on Berry---some old stores amidst the new luxury high rises that seem to dominate the area--but Bembe and East River bars, seemed to have survived. Now to the subway on Marcy Avenue and Broadway and a return home. M train seemed to wait forever before stopping at Delancey Street---some glitches on the way back to my apartment on the upper west side, but persevered and made it. Body exhausted--two portions of vanilla yogurt with cookie dough, my reward for the long journey. Fell asleep quickly, around 8 P.M.

My longest journey since the pandemic and my illness diagnosis. Looking at it now---at 4:30 the next morning, somewhat amazed by its length and "vision". I promised myself on the train, as it left the Marcy Avenue Station, that this summer, as my work load decreased, I would take many more. "A Passion for Travel! as cityboy desires to explore every corner of the city! Do I? 

 Almost five A.M.---need some coffee---none in the apartment. Will go to the grocery soon. Today I fulfill my promise to see The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window at BAM. Nothing to do before that---will try to "husband " my energy--mostly stay around the apartment. Tomorow at least 3 sessions as life returns to normal. I remember the play's struggle to stay alive in 64; I did not see it then but read it this summer--kind of awed by its totally explosive passion--a playwright's hunger to let go---will see how this  production is faithful to that vision. will report soon.