so much going on....

cityboy is swamped! Alot going on---saw Homecoming last night, had a wonderful time with my nicece, Natalie, the first protracted time we have ever spent together---really had fun---she seems to really know what she is doing---today no work, but got a call to tutor in the Bronx---a four (or five) year old girl; can it be possible! She needs help in her English speaking (I assume) so I guess I just talk to her---other than that, times at Friends on Friday and Monday, and then the next week, will be busy---wonder if I will work anywhere else---can I get work at 163 on Friday, 4/18? that is the question---tonight, (I think) tutoring at Lena's then off to South Fourth...and then.......

Three days later....some good and

some bad......well, not really bad, but strange morning with a very silent 11th grade, in Spanish. They really can change...ofcourse it is a difficult time for them, feeling college board pressures, and visiting colleges for the first time---plus classes, but still strange for me.
Today I hang with my niece, Natalie, after I finish subbing---will show her the Robbins exhibit, wonder if she really knows how close she is to Lincoln Center library...then, after that....maybe a play or out to Williamsburg, have not visited South fourth since the excitement Thursday---maybe back there later today, or something else........

doing well....

Hey, you know, I slept like a baby last night--no kidding---can't remember when I have gotten a more peaceful sleep. Guess my mind is cleared, now that I have had one day at Friends, and it looks like more will be coming....four days without work simply were the first four days back from a two week vacation....so all of a sudden I am more relaxed. Today, tutored Ashly, a six year old with serious reading problems---she really has trouble with simple word identification---terrific challenge---just to get her to recognize rhyming words is difficult, how will she be able to absorb non-rhyming, same sounding words....I don't know, it will be a challenge, see what I can do---she really needs a more comprehensive course---almost daily work, but I will try my best. Just placed my bet on the Wood Memorial--only one bet---it would be nice to do a whole afternoon, like the old days, but at this point, does not seem possible, or maybe I have just too many optionss, or too many other things seem interesting. Lasted one full act that the Gambler, last night---opulence for the ear, very fascinating, but simply was too tired...see what happens re other opera choices the rest of the year.

Nice day....

In the nick of time, got a job at Friends---so you see, turning down allthose DOE sites to sub was not so counterproductive after all. Nice to be back---hectic day---some behavior that I did not like, but got through it, and it was good to see everyone again. Wanted to see Richard's concert tonight with Colin Davis, but no senior tickets--will see The Gambler, instead, though with partial view, not surewhat the effect will be---anyway, a little more relaxed re finances---will probably only handicapp one race tomorrow---tutoring in the morning---here goes.....

a little regret....

Thursday: reading the Times article on the two boys who wrote Glory Days---felt a little sad that the environment for young people seems to be much more open then it was in 64 when I graduated Hopkins. Was my work there that good? Was the Purification (a one act written by Tennessee Williams in his pre-Streetcar days) passionate and unique? Somehow felt sadly stifled, after reading the article and their chance. Strange, because this morning I was feeling very mellow, sort of in charge of things---had a nice time at South Fourth yesterday watching the game and being part of the community, and an even better time tutoring Lena at her house. Also, glad that Kim liked my April Fools article about Anthony and Adam alternating roles on the Rent tour. Felt secure enough to even consider going to a movie today, in the afternoon, but think I will table that. But basically feel like I am moving towards the summer in good form.....

he loves to travel.....

So this morning, cityboy took matters into his own hands, and wanting a break from his normal non-substsituting routine, took the 3 to the L to the M, to discover Ridgewood. Never been there before, outside of Bushwick, had a very normal, small town almost, relaxed quality---but there wa a reason for this. Since he is getting computer calls from atleast two schools in Ridgewood, he figured he might go there and see a little of them for himself, or atleast figure out how to get there, should he ever accept their invitation to sub. Both trips were satisfactory---spoke to a few teachers on the run, who assured me that the children in these 6 to 8 grade schools, were "reasonably" well behaved. Now there is that word: reasonably---it has a large scope, could mean anything from easy to handle, to prone to start fights unless they are on a long leash. Anyway, got good vibes from both, atleast now I know how to get there...sort of demystify the vision of the place.
Not much else to report---will tutor Lena this evening, then off to South Fourth, (too tired to go there, yesterday) and then.......

cityboy is restless.....

and can you blame him? Yesterday was good----game watching at South Fourth, a real good theater talk with Kim, and a nice talk with Mary D, whom I met on the way home. But inbetween...? Bloated myself on Chicken in noodle soup on Third Avenue. Really good, but far too heavy...then fall asleep at 9, only to wake up at 1:00 A.M. Still full, so no sense going out---then just staying up (impossible to fall asleep) until about 4. Ofcourse when the one or two calls came to sub this morning, it was impossible to take them.....slept until 7:45A.M., now here it is, a few hours later, still feel bloated, not quite sure where the focus of the day is...will wait it out until about 6:30,then go over to South Fourth to watch Yankee game, then try not to be so careful about returning home (unless you have work)---maybe you need to stay out till one o'clock to sleep better. We'll see.........