the next Sunday morning...

 So, here i am, getting ready for a full  Sunday. Yesterday i finally got to see Leopoldstadt---I had to see it soon because it is closing in a week. Got to the rush ticket line about 9:35--actually a little late---was about 15th on line. But got a ticket in the second balcony for my $35.00; not really a bad seat and saw the play. Well, a full and passionate evening of theater--a very strong production--but Stoppard's sense of control was very apparent to me. You could always feel the wheels turning as each scene progressed. Very intellectual---I learned nothing that I did not know, but the abhorrent Nazi vision that destroys this upper middle class Jewish family was very evident. But what does Stoppard want the audience to take from this grim story of destruction.? Should I remember how, as a middle class Jewish kid in the fifties how removed my whole family---and the families of my friends and my parents friends--were from what happened in Europe? Is that what Stoppard would like? At any rate, the play was very well performed and directed--what seemed like a million American actors running around with perfect British accents. One step in my current "theater extravaganza" completed.

Amd what next. I think I will try to see In Corpo-a musical created by a friend of mine with one of my favorite groups---Assembly. Playing in a theater far west on 42nd---won't have to deal with the enormous crowds and garish and bizarre comings and goings of people around Broadway--as I was last night. If I see it today, it will complete the "obligatory" part of my current theater interest. Waking up this morning I wondered if maybe I should spend some of the free time i have alotted for theater going with friends--who I seem to be pushing away, as I try to figure out what play to see next. Maybe I should shift priorites. Although there are many plays around to check out that I find interesting, I think that Comeuppence, by Brandon Jennings-Jacobs is the only one I really want to see. And that ruus until the ninth. This morning I felt a desire to return to Hansberry's The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window--you know I left after the first act at BAM. Would like to see the second act--but of course it finishes its run in a week.  Will I go? Who knows.

I see my nurse practioner this week---I assume she will inform me about when the doctor wants me to get the port. I guess my body will handle it will---I am really not thinking about it much--right now just taking my medication and going with the flow---will report soon.

Surreal Saturday night....

walked up and down 23rd between 7th and 8th --around 9:30---kind of surreal. Why? Can't really say---street full of people, there is a comedy club close to 7th--a bar that I would sometimes go into and watch baseball--pre pandemic of course is also there--could have just got into the subway stop and gone home, but had just come from a dance concert at NY Live Arts nearby and wanted to "take in" the neighborhood. So I did, When I approached the uptown subway station on 23rd and 7th, I saw it was closed, so I had to trek up seventh avenue to 33rd to get my train. Long walk---left me wanting desert---tired somewhat this morning. 

My being in the neighborhood was to take in a Dance Concert at New York Live Arts, a really good space about halfway west of 7th on 19th street. Orlando Hernandez. a student from Friends who graduated in 08 was part of a group of 5 choreographers showing their work. Had to wait to see if I could get in (I did); then sit through some dissappointing projects to get to his. His were the best---tap dancing and very fluid choreography--dynamic use of space---I was happy for him. Afterwards said hello---he was quite happy to see me---also surprised, i guess, Other Friends people had been there the night before---I guess I was the only one there last night---still, a kind of surreal quality about the whole evening. 

Lots of energy in my first two days after last infusion of Avastan and Iranitocan. Also learned that I must switch my medication to a port since veins are pretty shot, according to the staff at NY Cancer and Blood. Do not have a date for change to port yet---probably sometime in July---not really worried about the change, but hope it won't interfere with my teaching or my need to move around the city on my days off. 

And today...not sure? There is a play about the Freedom Summer of 64 at Theater for the New City that I would like to check out. I feel very linked to that time (I graudated from Hopkins that summer) and try to check out any play or movie that deals with it. Yet, somehow, I really don't want to go. But what then? Would like to end the day at my friend Bob's bar on Avenue C and ninth---just chill and watch some baseball. Tomorrow the library is closed---so no tutoring---another day of choices---might be nice to go to Bushwick and see if I could find some old friends from there--but who knows; everything changes so quickly---will report soon.

Should check in....

 the "long weekend" ended up being just that. but on Saturday afternoon I did go to the Met and saw this wonderful production of Don Giovanni--a really joyful experience. A great cast that worked beautifully off each other---every moment clear--some of the staging worked---some didn't, but it did not matter, because the flow was so meaningful. The arc from that first time---in February of 66 to that afternoon seems incredible--a 'sung" opera with major singers, but with staging that was just workable---acceptable for its time---to this totally integrated production using every part of the stage. I left feeling completely whole.

Sunday a slow day---kind of in a physical torpor---not much energy--to be expected after the two days before.Still it was difficult. Finally, around 5, spent an hour in the neighborhood Barnes and Noble just browing, and kind of felt excited by being part of a different energy. Of course did not buy anything.

Monday was able to visit my friend Bob's bar, in the afternoon, hang out, and absorb myself in the baseball game between the Mets and ....can't even remember. Still, enjoyed absorbing myself in it.

Tuesday and Wednesday---some tutoring but mostly tired. The new medication, more potent, seemed to be catching up to me. On Thursday, however, had three straight hours--worked very hard--and left tired but very fulfilled. So ofcourse, Friday my body was very slow---I got through one hour of teaching but just by luck. Had to stay home the rest of the day. Same with yesterday--wanted to take it easy but often feel stymied by simply being in the apartment. Outside is so much more interesting. But last night I opted to stay indoors---enjoyed reading Either Or by Elif Batumin--still, a very restless overnight--which brings us to now. Sunday morning. 

Could have tutored in Jackson Heights--with my adult student whose company I enjoy, but skipped it, because I wanted to store my energy for this afternoon. I am finally seeing Without You, the one man show created by and starring Anthony Rapp. I had been putting it off for God knows how long, but finally an going to it. Anthony and I were close friends mostly in the years 91-96---we had a really terrific rapport, but I really have had almost no contact with him in the last 15 years. So i am going this afternoon, and will say hello to him afterwards---I hope he greets me warmly---but---you never know--young impertuous actors can sometimes turn into cautious adults==a "morphing" process. I will accept  any reaction from him--certainly hope we can rekindle some of our old friendship. But I could not see myself bypassing his production so here I go.

Still wondering how the new infusion---much stronger---will effect my life. Feeling kind of overwhelmed by the choices available to me---a heavy week ahead with tutoring and the Friends graduation on Thursday. We'll see how I feel when I get through it....