rescue....who is Nancy, you might ask? My friend on the block, career NYC teacher, who says she is able to re-enter me into NYC school system? Exhiliration followed! All of a sudden, the prospect of
teaching every day, being part of a school network without stop, seems really good and exciting!
Moved from a very different place then I was last night---found myself too tired to see Shadows at
Jack. Fortunately, I did not reserve tickets---went instead to Two Moons, my savior Park Slope coffee place-bar. Relaxed and had coffee (Americano) finished reading Triburbia by Karl Greenfield, a good, skillful read---am left with Junot Diaz' short stories for today and possibly tomorrow as the libraries are
closed. Walked the several blocks down fourth from 2nd street to BAM. Ofcourse, lots of stories went through my mind, but with the advent of Nancy's intervention (possible anyway) they seem to have all disappeared. Fourth avenue---what a trip! the city boy gasps when he remembers fourth avenue in the eighties, as he trekked it to go to a friend's dance concerts on Douglass between 3rd and 4th. Never dangerous but pretty deserted. Who could have fortold the history of the city or the story of 4th avenue
in the last twenty seven years. But here we are.....Other memories as well, but hold on them. Tonight
will probably go to clubbed thumb at Wild Project--have already payed for it (not much) so might as well go. After, possibly will try to see Margo Sherman's brief piece at TNC free LES festival. Havn't seem Margo in a long time---should touch base with her. Anyway, report to follow....
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Happiness!!!
Just got the call to go into Friends tomorrow, 5th grade, those heroes of self-entitlement, will be the group I am working with, but it should be fun. Relieved that I have been called---some of my previous doubts have been assuaged.
Good time with Michael, Frank and Abby last night---really enjoyed myself---blunted a lot of the pressure
I was feeling at not working. Just found out that a cousin of mine is entering Wesleyan in September, must try to find out who in this graduating class is also entering---have them make contact---tonight will go to Jesse's
opening---probably more Friends people there, then tomorrow, then the weekend......
Good time with Michael, Frank and Abby last night---really enjoyed myself---blunted a lot of the pressure
I was feeling at not working. Just found out that a cousin of mine is entering Wesleyan in September, must try to find out who in this graduating class is also entering---have them make contact---tonight will go to Jesse's
opening---probably more Friends people there, then tomorrow, then the weekend......
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
melancholy me....
second day without work----usual melancholy, don't really know if I will be called again this year---but still
will go to Riley's project today, Amina's Friday, and end of year events, as I have done before. Feel a personal kinship with this graduating group--still, as the long weekend looms.....have to be focused.
Yesterday had an enjoyable conversation with Nola, in her lobby, then back to 96street for Pizza, then up
to Harlem Public, 148street and Broadway, right across the street from Deyra, my student for two years running. Must be odd for her to watch all the well heeled people, she seemingly has nothing in common with
interact across the street from her house.
Bartenders are really nice at that bar, but the place becomes crowded quickly, no sense of neighborhood or authentic vision---still they seem to be doing a good job.
Not clear about tonight, after Riley's play, which will be over pretty early---maybe go to East River to see
Layla, whom I have not seen in a long time, then stop in at South Fourth, always good company there, or almost always.
Thinking about the night I went to Pete's candy store--proud of myself for taking that risk---always important to strike out on one's own, if you know what I mean---perhaps end up there tonight as well...
will go to Riley's project today, Amina's Friday, and end of year events, as I have done before. Feel a personal kinship with this graduating group--still, as the long weekend looms.....have to be focused.
Yesterday had an enjoyable conversation with Nola, in her lobby, then back to 96street for Pizza, then up
to Harlem Public, 148street and Broadway, right across the street from Deyra, my student for two years running. Must be odd for her to watch all the well heeled people, she seemingly has nothing in common with
interact across the street from her house.
Bartenders are really nice at that bar, but the place becomes crowded quickly, no sense of neighborhood or authentic vision---still they seem to be doing a good job.
Not clear about tonight, after Riley's play, which will be over pretty early---maybe go to East River to see
Layla, whom I have not seen in a long time, then stop in at South Fourth, always good company there, or almost always.
Thinking about the night I went to Pete's candy store--proud of myself for taking that risk---always important to strike out on one's own, if you know what I mean---perhaps end up there tonight as well...
Monday, May 13, 2013
so here I....
am, sitting in the library; just completed my Talking Broadway post on On Your Toes, wonder if it will get any response---nervous about it---otherwise a weekend of contrasts---spent all Saturday night at Lucas's
brownstone, taking money for FUREE---worked hard; collected a lot of money---felt very strong on Sunday morning---held about $1200 dollars in my hand, can understand how accountants and treasurers
of groups are prone to taking money for themselves---nevertheless, gave it all up to the young woman who
replaced me, which left me feeling strong (as I said before) on Sunday morning.
Friday, at 600 Highwaymen, really felt good being there, giving my support, best thing that Michael and Abby have done, in my opinion---afterwards wandered through East Village, all bars packed, up Avenue C,
from sixth to tenth street full of bars and people. Decided not to go into any bar, since they were so filled up, saved some money, which was good.
Sunday afternoon: On Your Toes, so glad I waited until Sunday, production was seamless, really awed by the performances, afterwards went to South Fourth, chatted with Talia, but not much going on there, decided to check out Pete's Candy Store, glad I did, liked the energy plus had a nice talk with Erin, sort of what I came there for. Ironically on the way back on the L ran into Susan, Cobra's bartender whom I avoided because I thought she was souring on me; not true, we had a great conversation.
Woke up this morning with the usual frustration about Friends, but will work there tomorrow, and at least Friday---hopefully some more.
Tonight thought I would see Hannah and Tom at trivia, but they are not coming--might see Hailey Feiffer's movie, promised myself I would check it out, even though other movies seem more viable---how much time
does one need to see all the things to see, and yet have time for oneself.
You can drown as a spectator, I do not want to do that, yet there are things that fascinate..we will see
brownstone, taking money for FUREE---worked hard; collected a lot of money---felt very strong on Sunday morning---held about $1200 dollars in my hand, can understand how accountants and treasurers
of groups are prone to taking money for themselves---nevertheless, gave it all up to the young woman who
replaced me, which left me feeling strong (as I said before) on Sunday morning.
Friday, at 600 Highwaymen, really felt good being there, giving my support, best thing that Michael and Abby have done, in my opinion---afterwards wandered through East Village, all bars packed, up Avenue C,
from sixth to tenth street full of bars and people. Decided not to go into any bar, since they were so filled up, saved some money, which was good.
Sunday afternoon: On Your Toes, so glad I waited until Sunday, production was seamless, really awed by the performances, afterwards went to South Fourth, chatted with Talia, but not much going on there, decided to check out Pete's Candy Store, glad I did, liked the energy plus had a nice talk with Erin, sort of what I came there for. Ironically on the way back on the L ran into Susan, Cobra's bartender whom I avoided because I thought she was souring on me; not true, we had a great conversation.
Woke up this morning with the usual frustration about Friends, but will work there tomorrow, and at least Friday---hopefully some more.
Tonight thought I would see Hannah and Tom at trivia, but they are not coming--might see Hailey Feiffer's movie, promised myself I would check it out, even though other movies seem more viable---how much time
does one need to see all the things to see, and yet have time for oneself.
You can drown as a spectator, I do not want to do that, yet there are things that fascinate..we will see
Friday, May 10, 2013
JB to the rescue.....
or so it seems, he wants me to work for him on Tuesday, that's good, things returning to normal, slightly,
glad that the weekend is here, might sleep better---still feel confused on how to act! If only I had signed on
for AP proctoring, but of course I didn't felt I would be needed more at school.
Last night, after play wandered along the UES, East 71 street, where I first saw "Uncommon Women" some
thirty five and a half years ago. Can it really be that long....? Anyway, the street has some uncommonly beautiful houses, then found a bar to watch the end of the Met game. Beautiful night, much like the one before. Tonight, will probably see Michael's play at Abrons---wonder how that will turn out--city changing, I see the west side in its forty five year old vision---what now....?
glad that the weekend is here, might sleep better---still feel confused on how to act! If only I had signed on
for AP proctoring, but of course I didn't felt I would be needed more at school.
Last night, after play wandered along the UES, East 71 street, where I first saw "Uncommon Women" some
thirty five and a half years ago. Can it really be that long....? Anyway, the street has some uncommonly beautiful houses, then found a bar to watch the end of the Met game. Beautiful night, much like the one before. Tonight, will probably see Michael's play at Abrons---wonder how that will turn out--city changing, I see the west side in its forty five year old vision---what now....?
Thursday, May 9, 2013
just returned...
from the dentist---relieved that that is over; glad to have spent what I needed to spend, will cost much less
in August---but what of Friends---still no work---at an impasse---should have committed to AP's but thought I would be needed in school---still there is much time, we will see.
Last night, went to the Harlem bar on Broadway and 148 street, across the street from where my former student Deyra Ramirez lives. Formerly poor mostly Mexican neighborhood, wonder what Deyra thinks when she sees all the people drinking and eating accross the street? Felt is if I stepped into a totally different world, decent enough vibe, four television sets, bartender very sweet and manager very eager to talk, made no contacts but enjoyed myself enough...will return...all the city is a bar adventure! That is what you think,
cityboy? Anyway, subway to 116 street, still could not go home, wondered from 116 to 110th with ample time in Bookstore on Broadway and 114 street (it has been there forever in different guises). Then the walk south (would have walked past 110th street but I was tired). There of course I began to consider my place in the "middle" of my generation. On one side, the "all rightniks" those of my generation who became teachers, social workers etc. now retired with a solid pension. Not world shakers by any means, on the other side, the aggressive ones, the movers and shakers (trite but what else can you say) those who wanted to make millions, did and are now shaping policy aggressively destroying the middle class, or making it harder for them. And in the middle---me---of neither group. Yes, we all grew up watching "Howdy Doody", "Radio Patrol" and the others. Felt a sense of strength in those four blocks, tired, woke up around 12, out again for a short walk, then returned slept until 5, and waited for the usual....
in August---but what of Friends---still no work---at an impasse---should have committed to AP's but thought I would be needed in school---still there is much time, we will see.
Last night, went to the Harlem bar on Broadway and 148 street, across the street from where my former student Deyra Ramirez lives. Formerly poor mostly Mexican neighborhood, wonder what Deyra thinks when she sees all the people drinking and eating accross the street? Felt is if I stepped into a totally different world, decent enough vibe, four television sets, bartender very sweet and manager very eager to talk, made no contacts but enjoyed myself enough...will return...all the city is a bar adventure! That is what you think,
cityboy? Anyway, subway to 116 street, still could not go home, wondered from 116 to 110th with ample time in Bookstore on Broadway and 114 street (it has been there forever in different guises). Then the walk south (would have walked past 110th street but I was tired). There of course I began to consider my place in the "middle" of my generation. On one side, the "all rightniks" those of my generation who became teachers, social workers etc. now retired with a solid pension. Not world shakers by any means, on the other side, the aggressive ones, the movers and shakers (trite but what else can you say) those who wanted to make millions, did and are now shaping policy aggressively destroying the middle class, or making it harder for them. And in the middle---me---of neither group. Yes, we all grew up watching "Howdy Doody", "Radio Patrol" and the others. Felt a sense of strength in those four blocks, tired, woke up around 12, out again for a short walk, then returned slept until 5, and waited for the usual....
Sunday, May 5, 2013
night in Williamsburg....
just returned from South Fourth with two conversations, one with Bobbie, a friend of bartender Talia, the other with Lee, whom I had known from previous connections at South Fourth. Now, on my own in Williamsburg...what does that mean? Before me, the whole city enfolds. I can walk on any street, but where, cityboy, where? Did you really think something would happen....? Feel like the hero of Justine, all memory.
Here or in Baltimore, still there is feeling of light, excitement, energy. Must stop now.....
Here or in Baltimore, still there is feeling of light, excitement, energy. Must stop now.....
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