again, another....

three day assignment at Friends, which means no blogging (I am kind of religious about that). Yesterday, after lower school work, met Frank for coffee, good to touch base with him again, first time I have "talked theater" with anyone in a long time, felt refreshing. Speaking of theater, will try to go to Bushwick Starr tonight, to see the Banana Bag and Bodice project (the name escapes me). No tickets available, according to the web site, but usually can get a last minute place. Have to do it today, as schedule is closing in on me. Most days now with subbing and tutoring, simply come home and rest, and prepare for the next day. Also, tomorrow, will try to attend reading of a new play at Jack that my friend John has written. Should be a nice way to end weekend, and prepare for busy day at Friends, which is set up for Monday.
Not really a lot else to report---in two weeks there will be a four day break in the Friends schedule, and that should be nice---still have a lot of time today, but if I am going out to Bushwick this evening, should take it easy in the afternoon, maybe listen to opera, though Turandot is not really one of my favorites, might be effective over the radio, though.
Yesterday found a children's book in the lower school library, entitled George and Martha, great friends, immediately was struck by the choice of names---asked myself if this was a Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf prequel. Obviously not, but got a kick out of reading it to the kindergarten students, and ended it without disrupting their train of thought, with a nice homage to Albee. Would like to tell it to some of my friends, see if they find it funny.
Should stop now, will report the next free day....

kind of rushed....

because of some new info-----just got an invite to cousin Kayla's birthday party next (not this) Saturday. Good, but another night that I can't use to catch up on some theater. Also found out about a fund raiser for one of my favorite groups, SOS, tomorrow in Brooklyn. Tomorrow should be a very heavy day for me, so I don't think I can attend---that is sad, because I really want to. And was asked to sub tomorrow in math and science department, but had to turn that down because already am subbing for Children's librarian. Hectic, hectic.
Yesterday, no lessons, decided to trek to Brooklyn, went to central library and used computer---looked at several books that I might take out and begin, but could decide on none of them (one, Paul Auster's Invisible, I read a few years ago---haunting and intense, but I don't seem ready to experience it again. Don't want, for some reason, to visit that world again. Still battling my way through Perfidia, the James Ellroy mystery. Like it, it is very skillful, but don't really feel compelled to return to it---nevertheless will try to finish it. left library feeling unsure of where to go, finally rejected a visit to Soda Bar---took train to BAM---considered seeing Carol, went for a slice of Pizza, visited book store on Fulton (a nice place to visit) and rejected movie idea. After Pizza, tiredness set in (naturally, since I usually sleep from about 9 to 2, and then am up until the morning begins.) Decided just to return to the apartment, fell into C train station and then waited about 20 minutes for a train, finally the A to come. Home and then fell asleep immediately.
This afternoon begins a long haul of lessons and subbing. Still, free tonight, would like to do "something" other than just return to the apartment. But a lot will depend on how tired I am. Cobra does tutoring on Tuesday evening---might check that out---but, anyway, will report at another time...

sitting in the library...

finally, "almost" a free day. Sense of relaxation, was sure that there would be some work for me this morning at Friends, but did not happen.
Friday night---slept a long time, really needed sleep.
Saturday---snow day, remained in the apartment with a few stops at local food market to pick up food (had no problem with this, even as the day progressed)
Pondered "aloneness" , did not make any plans to be with anyone as the snow progressed; felt that this represented my current "state"---had to stick it out alone. With just the radio for companionship, was able to listen to almost the complete Tannahauser broadcast, sounded wonderful, really great that I could just go through it. Thought about going down to the Center to try to see Pearl Fishers or a movie in that venue---with no computer, had no way of knowing if performances were going on, as the weather got worse, realized that it was foolish, and actually, I think all performances were canceled as of the afternoon. Caught up on sleep, listened to music, read some of Perfidia and looked at a few Philip Barry plays--I have a collection. As enticing as they seemed to me, decided to stay away from them---did not want to experience Barry, marooned in my apartment. Did read a little of The Animal Kingdom, my favorite Barry play, always moved by it---wonder if it would be a good play for high school (not that you are directing it anywhere), which is the way I think now. Anyway, day turned into night and back into day---Sunday morning was a relief, and in spite of so much snow on the ground, was able to move around.
Had a nice talk with my brother Sunday morning, we are both thrilled with Natalie's energy (she is my niece) and he seems happy with the situation as it exists now.
Later went out to South Fourth, not as exciting as my two previous visits, but did touch base with my friend Harlo, and compared notes with her. She asked me if I liked living alone; I gave her somewhat of a "standard" answer--as we spoke, I think I was feeling comfortable with it.
Long week ahead, work already scheduled for at leas two days, not sure what tonight will bring, will report later.

finally a day.....

off, the first in six days. Lots of tutoring in addition to the subbing---some great experiences at Friends, but generally, after a full day yesterday and three students, I am extremely fatigued.
Now I have to prepare for tomorrow's storm, which is supposed to be intense. What does that mean for me? Isolation? Will I be able to get to Lincoln Center and check out some of the options there (seems like the best place, as plenty of places to stay warm between theater, opera events and movies.
Anything else--still have James Ellroy's Perfidia to read---that should keep me busy, also the Met is having a broadcast of Tanhauser from last fall; this is a production that I wished to see but did not. At library now, will try to pick up another book that might also keep me occupied. Hope the storm is over by Sunday, so I can go out to South Fourth and immerse myself in football. Two good games, should be interesting. Anyway, that is the plan. Not sure about tonight, could go out to Brooklyn to see many things, but not clear how tired I will be. A part of me wants to just sit in a movie theater and watch a movie--that is all! But there are some plays I might check out---again, will depend on how strong I feel.
Amazingly enough, I don't think I can remember a time that I have worked harder, than I have in the past two weeks. Almost like a machine, moving from place to place. Where do we go from here? Not sure.
Got a chance to see Frank's play again last Sunday, really good, less good was Rachel's english project at the Invisible Dog---seemed mired in British specific culture--kind of too easy for a "liberal" to accept. Day after I tutored in north Bronx, got off at West Farms Square, took bus to Concourse, a remarkable ride up 177th street---a very poor and all black and Hispanic area of the Bronx. Really glad I did this---invigorated by looking at those streets, which of course, when I was growing up, were mostly white. Memories don't fade, should be a way of getting together with others who grew up in that area to share memories. Oh well, just one idea, should take some other Bronx excursions in the days to come.
This may be my last post before the blizzard, will report at some point on how it worked out,,,,

lots of work at....

Friends, the last three days, and looks like at least two next week. Lots of fun and commitment being there--happy about that. Have really been on the go since Wednesday morning; aside from work, no hanging out or encounters to report on. Tired a bit, but very invigorated.
I have two plays to see, part of COIL festival today and tomorrow. Also may want to visit Crown Heights Intervention Center today to participate in Martin Luther King Jr. festivities that they are sponsoring. A more militant march is happening on Monday---ambivalent about joining it--also it is going to be very cold, and I could have some sessions. Will "wrestle" with this problem. Not a lot else to say--lots of challenges, but feel invigorated. Will report on Plays and Projects next time.

tough night....

very little heat---heat restored around 9:30, then woke up around 11:30 to find out it was gone. Never any heat in bathroom pipe. Put on both heaters---needed them, stayed warm, but annoyed because now I have to pay greater electric bills---all of us in the building (market raters and rest stabilized) have made many complaints, boiler was "fixed" twice yesterday, and fine for a few hours. What happens today---don't want another night like last night---still feeling a lot of anxiety about being in cold, or having to use the heaters again. Things are raw in my head and tense.
Finished Janet Mock's autobiography, in preparation for forum tomorrow at Friends headed by Jason.
Not a great book, yes she transformed herself, and came from a very difficult family, but the writing is not particularly gripping or intense, and in her first chapter, she presents herself as a very self-entitled person---a young "hot" New Yorker, looking for another "hot" one. Not a great way to establish compassion from the reader. Anyway, talk tomorrow should be interesting, I am giving up some important tutoring time to be there, but I think Jason really appreciates my presence and commitment. Speaking of Friends, although I have been kept busy by my sessions, there has been no calls from there since last Monday. Getting me a little antsy---beginning to wonder the 'usual"---well you know what that means. Still, hanging in financially---if the heat gets back on regularly, things should straighten themselves out.
Still plan to see Frank's play on Sunday, and Rachel's project on Saturday---other than that, it is all hit and miss. Would like to see Mac Wellman's play while it is running---lots of people I know are in it, but wonder if that will be possible. Sessions are running later and later.
That's about all for now---Lehrer's state of the block program demonstrated how frustrated average New Yorkers feel about the aggressive changes taking place in the city. Next Mayor must.....
well, let's have some discussion..

at Dixon Place....

this Saturday, saw an interesting piece by a young Caribbean playwright, performed at the top floor. Interesting  but fun was meeting up with Sibyl before hand (havn't seen her in a while, really good to see her) and then chatting afterwards with Shayna and Sarah, both of whom I know from different places. Really good theater conversation, felt very at home and (dare I say it) "powerful" in my discussion---will see them again, I am sure---then I went to La Flaca---not much going on there, three guys at the bar were kind of loud, but got my barbecued chicken, which I think I really needed. Then home.
Yesterday, after session at 12, headed for (finally!) Brooklyn. Nice day made traveling very viable. Stopped off and had coffee at Cobra, wanted to watch most of Vikings Seahawks game, but kind of boring. Vikings looked in charge when I left, right before half time break. Later found out that they lost, but not by much.Game very defensive oriented, lots of commercials to break up pretty dull action. It was time to travel, I knew my ultimate destination would be South Fourth, but did not want to go there immediately.
So the long walk began---first, down Wycoff to Hart, then towards Broadway, stopped off at Molasses, a book store, browsed a bit, store located on Hart between Wilson and Knickerbocker, amazed at the amount of new buildings just on that street. Continued to Broadway, then decided to follow the southeast path of Broadway a few stops, so I walked from Kosciousko street to Halsey. Bushwick on one side of Broadway; Bed-Stuy on the other. Fascinated by the way both the north south streets (Patchen, Ralph, Howard, Saratoga) and east west streets (Quincy, Gates, Madison etc) all have the same origin point. Malcolm X boulevard, which I consider an eastern border of Bed_Stuy begins so close to the beginning of Bushwick, can't believe that the four avenues I mention go further.
Must do more walking around there, as temperatures improve.
Finally got on J at Halsey, when I got off at Marcy, a downpour was happening. Unbelievable, as I watched it, I could see to the west, a clear sky with the sun shining. A summer storm in early January? What next---what does it augur about our future weather.
At South fourth, good conversation with movie producer friend (whose name escapes me) and three girls who had wandered in from the rain. Their names: Mackenzie, Christina and Joelle. All had been in NY for around a year. Hung out with them for about an hour, gave Mackenzie (the most vivacious of the group) some info on rent stabilization in NYC.---when they left, returned to watching next football game.
But that was not all. Wanted to go to Jack at Waverly and Fulton, but how?
Bob's traveling in Brooklyn rule number one: when going from one section of Brooklyn to another never travel via Manhattan. So waited for about 20 minutes for the 62---that took me from Roebling and Broadway to Park and Washington (one block east of Waverly) from their, walked the seven or eight blocks to Fulton---houses on Washington looked truly beautiful---and arrived at Jack to hear a jazz concert that was a benefit to raise money for Tamir Rice. Said hello to Alex, the conceiver of Jack, and then listened for about an hour and a half, really tired after that, jumped on C train at Washington (amazingly enough, it came very quickly) and returned home.
Have been up since 3 this morning---waiting for phone call from Friends (it did not come) and dealing with no heat. But the heat has since been restored, and so has my equilibrium..