picked up....

check but did not work today at Friends, actually no work scheduled for the future. There is, however, a talk that will be given by John Byrne, Monday early evening, which I will try to attend.
Time is pressing. After the talk, should go to work session for BAN, but my ability to do that will probably depend on my not being called to work. Only so much energy in the day.Same thing with the week after (Monday) when I have the BAN steering committee meeting and the party at JACK (Do not want to miss that) which will not happen if I get work at Friends (well, at least one will not happen).
Yesterday, restless all day, finally after a good session with student Robert, got to BAN meeting, mostly plans for Tuesday---I was fairly silent--figure I will go if no work---more and more there seems to be groups bonding over this event. Really good---still not sure what role I will play, hate to give out flyers at train station, hope it does not come to this, but actually had a meaningful time on September 18---perhaps I am being a little too under-confident about this. Meeting almost ended at 8:30 but a new person walked in about then and was included in the conversation. This person was valuable, I understand that, but I was annoyed---anyway, I left soon after of my own accord. Dying for some coffee, went to Greek Diner on 23rd near seventh, where I knew I could have my coffee and watch football, but was annoyed by very loud waiter-jet fan, who was making obnoxious comments while I was trying to chill out and watch the game. Also, had a nice piece of canteloupe (healthy) and coffee, then the bill came: $7.25! Amazing! For a canteloupe and a cup of coffee? And movie prices in the neighborhood have just gone up as well. As I was walking down 57th street this morning, thought to myself: there are really things to hate about the city. Never have really felt this way before.
Today, first session with a new student who lives off  Lenox in Harlem. Looking forward to it. Afterwards, lots of possibilities---black performers at Bushwick Starr, not sure how interested I am in that, but also thought that I should visit my friend Megan who bartends at Burp Castle, the non-sports bar next to Standings. Have not checked in with her in a while, want to tell her about all my activities with BAN and other things. But that is if I don't go to Bushwick. Should I see a movie first...?
Ah, problems, problems---will report tomorrow...

second time around......

tried to make a blog entry a few minutes ago, library computer lost it, shall try again.
Yesterday, heavy day at Friends, followed by a trip to Brooklyn to work on statement of purpose for BAN
At Friends, two kindergarden classes, lots of movement that had to be controlled---pretty hectic, then a fourth grade class that Jason Harris ran very well---tired after all that, but left for Brooklyn for four pretty intense hours with about four other BAN members. Made some good points, felt very focused, like being considered a "leader" of the group, though understand that it is really a people of color leadership project. Very comfortable with that.  Day of action the 17th gets closer and closer, am far less ambivalent about participating----lots of groups seem to be getting involved, should be an interesting day. Wonder if there will be petitioning outside the museum this weekend---really do not want to do it myself, though, even if I only talk to two or three couples (or singles) from the neighborhood, its seems as if they are sympathetic. So many people living around there just don't seem to be aware of what they can do to help. Will see what happens at today's meeting, which, ironically I may be late for (some tutoring).
Will probably try to see Jessie's play on Saturday, a lot of interesting movies around, and then there is the DOC festival at IFC and environs, with what seems to be some great docs. Will I see any of them..?
Oh, would love some coffee at Coffee on Bergen.\
BAN member at whose house last night's meeting was lives in southern Crown Heights, near Empire Boulevard. She bought her house there in the early nineties, when, as she said "nobody wanted to live here". Paid about 200,000 now worth over 1.5 million. After meeting totally full as far as eating goes, but walked a bit in her neighborhood, like it there, and then took B to Atlantic, had to stay in Brooklyn for  a while, not ready to return to Manhattan, went to big coffee shop on Fulton, across the street from the bookstore---read the BAM schedule and had a cafe Americano. Finally walked down Fulton to Nevins station and took the train back to UWS.
Better stop here and print...will tell more tomorrow or soon....

body strapped....

after heavy work day at Friends yesterday--fifth and seventh grade--fifth grade boys difficult---left feeling exhausted-----thought there might be a chance to attend Bushwick Starr party last night, but by 7, realized that this was impossible, body just much too tired. No work today---will be back at Friends tomorrow, but body still somewhere in the netherworld. Trying to keep up with so much.
Kind of exhausting.
Have a tutoring session today, at least one, after that would like to do "somethting" maybe trivia at Cobra or a movie, not sure---also have to work on coping with downstairs neighbor whose smoke screws up the vestibule and sometimes comes up through the ceiling into my apartment. Timid about calling the landlord's rep---should not be, but am. Other people in the apartment house are passive as well. Gentleman downstairs refuses to open door dialogue with people, handyman, the only real representative from the building manager, refuses to knock on his door, he has us all intimidated. When I am gone all day, as I will be tomorrow, no problem, but on days when I am at home have to pass through the odors many times. Should have the courage to contact building manager.
Not much else to say--will report on whatever happens next time...

at the bookstore....

on Bedford and North 6th, looking at all the books I might find interesting to read...ah, I thought, if only one could simply read forever...lose oneself in the vision of others. What heaven! But I have come to this place from somewhere else, helping to petition outside of the Brooklyn Museum, to protest a realtors convention planned for November `17th at the Museum. Lots of people interested, good conversation, but this seems the opposite of the passive if pleasurable idea of reading. Perhaps it is just a sense of well being, of being able to function in both worlds. Still, always see myself as the dreamer at heart---wasn't it in your Freshman year at Hopkins that you read the Scarlet Letter and imagined yourself a literature professor at some college for the rest of your life. Remember that vision---how things have changed!
What a day, after museum took 3 train to Utica, then Utica Avenue bus through Crown Heights, then down Bed Stuy and finally over Broadway through the end of Bushwick and then Williamsburg. Then, after a stop at East River bar (a fun stop) find myself at the bookstore and now at the friendly
computer store in the same complex.
 No work yet for tomorrow, that means it is possible to go to Bushwick Starr party in the evening.
Well, we will see....

After three days at...

Friends, kind of physically strapped, but feeling good---spent a lot of time with eighth graders and have a really great relationship with them. Also feel good that Brooklyn Museum is not defending its renting out of its space to the realty summit that will take place on the 17th, but is reassure the public that hosting the meeting does not mean they support the realtors vision. Lots of resistance, it is really building all over, several demonstrations scheduled for that day, feeling more and more relaxed re being a part of it. Tomorrow may go over the the museum to help flyer---not today or tonight, too tired,and want to see Eliza's performance at Abrons  Arts tonight.
What else, not much, after the two tutoring sessions (very strong) on Tuesday, returned home and decided to do nothing, just clear my head in preparation for the four period day at Friends the next day. The next three evenings have been similar--simply returned home and slept or relaxed---much too tired to get out, missed a play that I had already paid for on Thurdsday---had a friend in it whom I never see unless she is in a play, but just could not go--body could not make it. But very strong Friday morning for work at Friends. Just need that rest if the work continues on a day by day basis.
Next week, only  one day so far, probably more, but am economically much stronger due to all the work I have been getting. Can relax a little. Would love to see some movies, but don't know when the time will come. Party at Bushwick Starr Monday---will make it if no work at Friends, if there is: not sure. Will stop at La Flaca before (after as well) Eliza's project. More reports soon...

This may be...

my only blog this week, since I am booked at Friends for every day through Friday. That does not mean I can't blog, seems like when I am there, I don't want to think "blog-like>" Anyway, get to the point. Last night's BAN meeting, very strong, lots of preparation for the 11/17 action outside the Brooklyn museum. And where is cityboy in that action? Still ambivalent---two other members (both white) spoke of success with their flyering outside the Brooklyn Museum, where the action is to take place. Real Estate Industry leaders and others will meet in a "summit" hosted by Eric Adams, Brooklyn's Borough President. Why should a tax payer owned museum sponsor a forum for private industry, particularly a private industry that, as far as I can see, is champing at the bit to expand its luxury housing vision in Brooklyn at any price. And why is the borough president supporting this?
The two flyer giver outers reported a sympathetic response from those who passed by, and they will be there next weekend, yet I am still ambivalent about joining them. Why? Don't want to be seen as a
"rebel"? Too far out..? Please, cityboy it is your right, don't you realize that?
What about all the movies you wish to see...oh, come on, get off it. Are not there other ways to participate in the fight against gentrification? You teach people who need your services, is not that enough?
Well, let it be for now---for the next three days, you will just be rapped up in the world of Friends; probably will figure out how much time is available on the weekend and see if I can contribute. At least that is how it stands now.
Sunday, rest of day---actually took subway at Brooklyn Museum (but missed my fellow BAN members) to BAM, went to see (as planned) A Face In the Crowd---amazing movie, great restoration, Andy Griffith is filled with venom, amazing to see how he could use his instrument to be manipulative and vicious, a truly great performance. Left, felt hungry, tired, did not feel strong enough to head to G to go to South Fourth for end of Sunday hang out. Had a hummus sandwich at a nearby middle eastern place and then went to the "hot" coffee place on Fulton, Stayed there briefly, then went home. Planned to sub just one afternoon period, but then got the call from H Wilson asking me to sub for Kerry---arrived at 7:30 to find that she requested seven papers to be printed and zeroxed for first period class. Could I do it? Yes, though not without a lot of anxiety. That seemed to center my whole day, got through rest of it---then home, then to the meeting of which above...
Tonight, not sure, see how tired I am after second tutoring session---active or passive...?

ah, Brooklyn...

arrived here at around 11, not sure of what to do until library opened at 1. Had a great cup of coffee at
Coffee (whereelse) on Bergen near Flatbush, then accidentally wandered down to 4th avenue where the marathon was being run. An accidentally crossing of the street to look at some books for sale, lead to my discovering that on the corner of 4th and Warren was none other than my cousin Cara, soon to be joined by her sister, cousin Kayla. Up to that point had been restless, time not being filled, not enjoying reading the Scarlet Letter, and thinking a lot about last night's performance of A View From the Bridge, but being with the girls, somehow pivoted me back to reality, and an immediate focus. Nice block, Warren between 4th and 5th, seems to be a very friendly atmosphere on the block, some diversity, lots of postive energy as the watchers cheered the marathon runners. As we watched, the large building just built across the street on 4th avenue, probably a very expensive apartment house with terraces, loomed large in the distance. How did all this happen...? How did the neighborhood evolve from an "iffy" (for want of a better word) area, to an area filled with stores, bars, and new highrises---and what does this mean. Could any of us imagined this would come to pass? Not that it has, is this the world we really wanted..? Destiny of the older baby boomers..? We did not create it, but we are powerless to stop it. From the beginning to the end. Well, we will see.
Yestserday, after A View From the Bridge  went to nearest bar to watch end of series game. O'Lunney's was the one-expensive, for sure, but very friendly. Might try it again at some point.
The play: Well, I have lived with this play since I was 17. Intense, at times feel a strong connection to Eddie Carbone and to his nemesis, Marco. Yesterday's performance, directed by Ivo Von Howe, a man being proclaimed a genius put the play in a white square space, eliminated props (except for a very important one) and had a surreal approach to Eddie's death. Much of the acting (english actors of course) was obvious, but Mark Strong was amazing as Eddie, Also liked Michael Z, the only non-English actor who played a much younger but intense Marco. A great play, how Miller was able to get under the skin of someone so different than he (Eddie) and carry him through the whole play seems to me an utterly amazing phenomenon. Interested to see what my friends have to say when they see it.
Today, after library, have choice, there is a chamger music concert here, but want to see A Face in the Crowd at BAM. Will probably do so, and report on rest of the day tomorrow.