very well, the happiest and fullest Friends reunion that I have ever been it---much warmth from the class of 11, and great to see some of my favorite members of the class of 2009 there as well. Left with a lot of e-mails---might be having a lot of fun with some of those guys starting June, when work at Friends is over.
Did go to see Idiot at HERE in the evening, piece has improved a bit---Daniel Kublick in the role of Prince Myshkin is totally unique---other three actors, and this includes my friend Merlin, are good, but Kublick's performance makes the whole thing work, whatever might be wrong with the text and vision of the piece is almost forgotten every time he takes the stage. Really good. Said hi to Merlin, afterwards and headed home really tired from the days events.
Sunday, first an appearance at a reading of my friend Adam's short play about an angry older man at an assisted living place and the woman he interacts with. Adam is a great guy, very fond of him, wish I could say I like his play, but he locks his characters in, and why does he make both those people so unlikeable.? I was fantasizing a play that I wanted to write (will I ever write it?) while tuning out his.
Adam is also working on a project with the son of famous Jewish opera singer Richard Tucker. I told Adam that I so many of the latter's performances at the Met between 66 and his death in 75 and would meet with him to share my memories and insights. He seemed amenable to that; should do it sometime in June.
Afterwards trekked (the subway service at the A on 42nd and 8th was so bad, I actually walked) to Atlantic on 20th to see Skeleton Crew. Interesting walk down eighth---very honky tonk until 29nth street, then an odd mix of luxury houses, white people and derelicts walking the streets. Considering that this zip code is considered one of the richest in the city, the homelessness and roughness of some of the derelicts seemed very out of place, but I suppose it is part of the scene.The play, Skeleton Crew by Dominique Morrisey is very strong, acted by a remarkable four people, very moved at the end. Felt invigorated as I left to go home.
Yesterday, after work, went to first BAN meeting in a while. A good meeting, was able to get some points across. Two actions, one on the 28th and the more interesting one which I want to really take part in on Sunday the 5th in a park in Bushwick. At the meeting, all thoughts of "art" disappeared.
Strange how this happens, still trying to bridge the gap between the two. Glad that I went to the meeting, though.
Tonight a free night, don't often have one of them, no work at Friends, today kind of relieved---have been working very hard, not sure what I will do with the free time, or where I will go. Movie..? Play..? hang out, sports bar---who knows, we will see.
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Saturday, May 14, 2016
will be off....
in a little while, to the Friends Seminary reunion, looking forward to talking to members of the class of 11 (a class that I knew very well) and the class of 06 (my first fifth grade class, back in September of 98) who I got to know slightly during my first couple of years at Friends, one or two students come to mind whom I was friendly with, hope that they will return.
Last two days have been spent working, also reading The Girl From Human Street, a memoir by Roger Cohen that will be discussed at Friends a week from Tuesday. The author, who is Jewish, had parents and relatives who lived in England or South Africa during World War II and so were spared the horror of the holocaust-- it seems that he is trying to figure out his and their roles as passive observers of the slaughter. A little in your face in the beginning; he mentions slaughters of women and children in the small towns that the Germans conquered in Lithuania, a great deal. At the same time, this is contrasted against the privileged growing up arrangements that his ancestors, particularly on his mother's side, experienced. They all lived in South Africa and lived very well. Well, let's see how the book develops.
Yesterday evening attended a performance of Strindberg's A Dream Play, part of the master's program at Columbia School of the Arts, Zach, a friend of mine was in it. Nice to see a "crazy" (difficult to produce) play by Strindberg. staging by an Icelandic candidate for the MFA was very
focused, worked well with the bizarre elements of the play; the play went on a little too long, and had its repetitive moments---but was substantial, not a waste of time by any means. My friend Zach, a very attractive guy, played an egg heady person, very much against type---worked very hard to achieve this, very happy that he took the risk
Zach's mother and some of her friends were there, so rejected the idea of joining them for a short meal afterwards, instead checked out some of the new places in the 100's ended up opting for a beer at the Abbey Pub, on 105th near Broadway, the bar has been there forever. Truly a neighborhood bar, everyone seemed to know each other and the bartender as well. Watched some baseball and basketball as I had my beer---kind of turned off on the place---there is a closedness about it---I think you really have to be a regular there to have a good time. Might be last time for me.Should be a little more adventurous.
Today, after reunion, am scheduled to see my friend Merlin's performance in The Idiot at HERE.
This will be my third go round with this work, not that anxious to see it again, flaccid reviews clued me into the fact that it hasn't changed much but I like to support Merlin, a really good guy.
That is all---should be on my way, will report soon.
Last two days have been spent working, also reading The Girl From Human Street, a memoir by Roger Cohen that will be discussed at Friends a week from Tuesday. The author, who is Jewish, had parents and relatives who lived in England or South Africa during World War II and so were spared the horror of the holocaust-- it seems that he is trying to figure out his and their roles as passive observers of the slaughter. A little in your face in the beginning; he mentions slaughters of women and children in the small towns that the Germans conquered in Lithuania, a great deal. At the same time, this is contrasted against the privileged growing up arrangements that his ancestors, particularly on his mother's side, experienced. They all lived in South Africa and lived very well. Well, let's see how the book develops.
Yesterday evening attended a performance of Strindberg's A Dream Play, part of the master's program at Columbia School of the Arts, Zach, a friend of mine was in it. Nice to see a "crazy" (difficult to produce) play by Strindberg. staging by an Icelandic candidate for the MFA was very
focused, worked well with the bizarre elements of the play; the play went on a little too long, and had its repetitive moments---but was substantial, not a waste of time by any means. My friend Zach, a very attractive guy, played an egg heady person, very much against type---worked very hard to achieve this, very happy that he took the risk
Zach's mother and some of her friends were there, so rejected the idea of joining them for a short meal afterwards, instead checked out some of the new places in the 100's ended up opting for a beer at the Abbey Pub, on 105th near Broadway, the bar has been there forever. Truly a neighborhood bar, everyone seemed to know each other and the bartender as well. Watched some baseball and basketball as I had my beer---kind of turned off on the place---there is a closedness about it---I think you really have to be a regular there to have a good time. Might be last time for me.Should be a little more adventurous.
Today, after reunion, am scheduled to see my friend Merlin's performance in The Idiot at HERE.
This will be my third go round with this work, not that anxious to see it again, flaccid reviews clued me into the fact that it hasn't changed much but I like to support Merlin, a really good guy.
That is all---should be on my way, will report soon.
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
just got the...
word, will be working a full day at Friends on Monday, that means three days in a row, and also the reunion on Saturday. I am enthused...really looking forward to it.
Yesterday, had whole afternoon free, something that does not really happen much, and took the time to see the Friends baseball team in action. Game was at Randalls Island stadium (or one of them) and rather than take a very crowded bus at the corner of 124th and Second Avenue, decided to walk over TriBorough Bridge took the baseball field. Long and somewhat anxious walk, hoped I was going in the right direction, bridge for the most part was deserted, and arrived at a desolate part of the island, only found my way to the ball park because there were some workers around who could direct me. Once there, had to deal with the enormous cold (very cold for mid May) but stayed for the whole game. Students look different in their baseball uniforms, hard to recognize, but team won, which was good, also had a nice conversation with the sister of one of the Dwight (the other team) players.
Some notes on the area: the corner of 124th and Second; looks very ratty, can see the drug dealers, etc. probably lining the street years ago, still looks poverty driven, but in the middle of 124th between second and third is this large luxury housing building. Amazing! Who lives there, who would want to live there? The juxtaposition of this building to the rest of the block (mostly tenements) is startling. On the way back decided to walk south on third from 125th to 116th street. Again a strange contrast between the obvious poverty of people living in the area, at the same time on the third avenue corners between the nine blocks, there must be at least six new luxury buildings. Saw street people and also young people walking their dogs, or bringing back laundry to their new apartments. No bars or restaurants for the new comers on the streets that I walked on. Walked west on 116th to the 6 train, took it to 96th street. I was anxious to watch the Yankee-KC game, and was hungry, I was looking for an Irish sports bar on Third near 94th that I had gone to a few times in 04, but found instead in its place an Irish bar far more upscale, and well put together. Bartender direct---not especially nice but not really brusque. Had a Caesar Salad (brought out very quickly, I might add) and a coke, watched the first two innings on a really nice screen at the bar. Thought about getting a light beer and staying for a while, but the bartender presented me with the check soon after he bussed my food, so figured I should go. Walked up third to 86th street, thought about stopping off and watching baseball game and basketball game that had just come on, but decided instead to stop at the Barnes and Nobles on 86th right off Lexington. This is an enormous store, really can get lost in it---managed to get downstairs to the starbucks place, had a coffee and a very rich cupcake. The latter was delicious but my stomach is still paying for it now. Read a bit of Middlemarch, now about half way through, have to push myself with that one, will not start another book until I have finished it, but at times, I have no desire to read it. Saw two books in Library near Lincoln Center that I would really like to read but let them go, because it is my "duty" to finish Middlemarch. Oh well, that is how it stands. After a bout an hour stay at B and N, walked up Madison to 79nth street, lots of older apartment buildings, very stately and removed, what if I had found a rent controlled apartment on that block in the late sixties and remained Always reliving that possibility. Wonder how many elderly people living in those buildings actually came in when the rent was cheap, and are still paying low rent. Anyone? Ah well, such were my musings as I crossed the almost deserted "strip" of Madison Avenue between 85th and 79th street.
That is all for now, should report on next voyage soon....
Yesterday, had whole afternoon free, something that does not really happen much, and took the time to see the Friends baseball team in action. Game was at Randalls Island stadium (or one of them) and rather than take a very crowded bus at the corner of 124th and Second Avenue, decided to walk over TriBorough Bridge took the baseball field. Long and somewhat anxious walk, hoped I was going in the right direction, bridge for the most part was deserted, and arrived at a desolate part of the island, only found my way to the ball park because there were some workers around who could direct me. Once there, had to deal with the enormous cold (very cold for mid May) but stayed for the whole game. Students look different in their baseball uniforms, hard to recognize, but team won, which was good, also had a nice conversation with the sister of one of the Dwight (the other team) players.
Some notes on the area: the corner of 124th and Second; looks very ratty, can see the drug dealers, etc. probably lining the street years ago, still looks poverty driven, but in the middle of 124th between second and third is this large luxury housing building. Amazing! Who lives there, who would want to live there? The juxtaposition of this building to the rest of the block (mostly tenements) is startling. On the way back decided to walk south on third from 125th to 116th street. Again a strange contrast between the obvious poverty of people living in the area, at the same time on the third avenue corners between the nine blocks, there must be at least six new luxury buildings. Saw street people and also young people walking their dogs, or bringing back laundry to their new apartments. No bars or restaurants for the new comers on the streets that I walked on. Walked west on 116th to the 6 train, took it to 96th street. I was anxious to watch the Yankee-KC game, and was hungry, I was looking for an Irish sports bar on Third near 94th that I had gone to a few times in 04, but found instead in its place an Irish bar far more upscale, and well put together. Bartender direct---not especially nice but not really brusque. Had a Caesar Salad (brought out very quickly, I might add) and a coke, watched the first two innings on a really nice screen at the bar. Thought about getting a light beer and staying for a while, but the bartender presented me with the check soon after he bussed my food, so figured I should go. Walked up third to 86th street, thought about stopping off and watching baseball game and basketball game that had just come on, but decided instead to stop at the Barnes and Nobles on 86th right off Lexington. This is an enormous store, really can get lost in it---managed to get downstairs to the starbucks place, had a coffee and a very rich cupcake. The latter was delicious but my stomach is still paying for it now. Read a bit of Middlemarch, now about half way through, have to push myself with that one, will not start another book until I have finished it, but at times, I have no desire to read it. Saw two books in Library near Lincoln Center that I would really like to read but let them go, because it is my "duty" to finish Middlemarch. Oh well, that is how it stands. After a bout an hour stay at B and N, walked up Madison to 79nth street, lots of older apartment buildings, very stately and removed, what if I had found a rent controlled apartment on that block in the late sixties and remained Always reliving that possibility. Wonder how many elderly people living in those buildings actually came in when the rent was cheap, and are still paying low rent. Anyone? Ah well, such were my musings as I crossed the almost deserted "strip" of Madison Avenue between 85th and 79th street.
That is all for now, should report on next voyage soon....
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Interesting moment at,,,,
Barnes and Noble, this morning as I waited for the library to open, and was browsing through American History AP training books. Saw a woman who looks like someone I was involved with, very passionately I might add, come into the bookstore, I think to use the bathroom Face much older now, looked extremely detached, might have been her, might not---still, remember her very distinctive walk---after our relationship ended would see her on the street, she would recognize me and say hello (but not much more) but at least there was some recognition. Don't know whether she saw me or not, she was moving very quickly, but the closedness of the face, the look straight ahead, the disintererest in anyone in her way, was a sign that she was not looking for contact. Finally happens at this age (she is in her middle sixties) a sense of withdrawing, of moving inward. Of course, I don't really know if it was her---perhaps some odd spectre that reminded me of her, could have been just another elderly person. Not much else to say, I guess---everyone moves through Time differently.
Speaking of time, had two sessions yesterday, after a day at Friends, wondered at first if I could make it through, but had not trouble, and think, especially in the second session, that I did some of my best work. Today, my one student canceled, may have my "day to day' fifth grader, if not would like to try to go to Friends baseball game, at Randalls Island, of all places. All the baseball fields where the Friends team plays are in odd spots in the city, hard to get to, with pretty pathetic sight lines if you do get there. Saw high school football games at Randalls Island probably when I was in the fifth or sixth grade---Monroe, the school at which my father taught, played a few games there. Anyway, will try to get there by public transportation, or walk over the bridge, this afternoon.
Sunday, spent the day "at rest" which means no movies or plays, but plenty of walking. Most interesting walk occurred after visit to Brooklyn Library at Grand Army Plaza---walked up to Franklin, then took 2 train to Beverly Road station, got out and walked west along Beverly and then continued west on Cortelyou Road, until I got to then"heart" of Ditmas Park, on Cortelyou between East 16th street and Coney Island avenue. First part of the trip, the streets on Beverly Road near Nostrand, Bedford, Flatbush et.al, was through a mostly west indian neighborhood, very little signs of gentrification. Lots of private houses and some apartments, not as upscale as the ones west of Ocean Ave. It is at that point that things change, the apartments are bigger and include some co-ops, the diversity of the neighborhood begins to include white people. Something about that neighborhood appeals to me very much, thought what it would be like to live there, might be fun, but so far away from my work in Western harlem---would take forever to get home,. These are all pipe dreams anyway, am "stuck' in my apartment on UWS. Still, enjoy the wandering, after which I took a subway and three buses (yes that is right) to Williamsburg and my place at the South Fourth street bar,
Bartender Olivia, a really nice person, whom I enjoy encountering at this time was there---not too many other people there that I knew, usually there is more--mostly watched first hour of the Yankee game, watched a fellow bar patron 'terrorize" (play) with his dog. Returned home by subway the usual wasy.
Tonight not sure what the evening holds, Yankee-Royal series full of surprises, might just want to fnd a place to watch that. Some other options...? We will see
Speaking of time, had two sessions yesterday, after a day at Friends, wondered at first if I could make it through, but had not trouble, and think, especially in the second session, that I did some of my best work. Today, my one student canceled, may have my "day to day' fifth grader, if not would like to try to go to Friends baseball game, at Randalls Island, of all places. All the baseball fields where the Friends team plays are in odd spots in the city, hard to get to, with pretty pathetic sight lines if you do get there. Saw high school football games at Randalls Island probably when I was in the fifth or sixth grade---Monroe, the school at which my father taught, played a few games there. Anyway, will try to get there by public transportation, or walk over the bridge, this afternoon.
Sunday, spent the day "at rest" which means no movies or plays, but plenty of walking. Most interesting walk occurred after visit to Brooklyn Library at Grand Army Plaza---walked up to Franklin, then took 2 train to Beverly Road station, got out and walked west along Beverly and then continued west on Cortelyou Road, until I got to then"heart" of Ditmas Park, on Cortelyou between East 16th street and Coney Island avenue. First part of the trip, the streets on Beverly Road near Nostrand, Bedford, Flatbush et.al, was through a mostly west indian neighborhood, very little signs of gentrification. Lots of private houses and some apartments, not as upscale as the ones west of Ocean Ave. It is at that point that things change, the apartments are bigger and include some co-ops, the diversity of the neighborhood begins to include white people. Something about that neighborhood appeals to me very much, thought what it would be like to live there, might be fun, but so far away from my work in Western harlem---would take forever to get home,. These are all pipe dreams anyway, am "stuck' in my apartment on UWS. Still, enjoy the wandering, after which I took a subway and three buses (yes that is right) to Williamsburg and my place at the South Fourth street bar,
Bartender Olivia, a really nice person, whom I enjoy encountering at this time was there---not too many other people there that I knew, usually there is more--mostly watched first hour of the Yankee game, watched a fellow bar patron 'terrorize" (play) with his dog. Returned home by subway the usual wasy.
Tonight not sure what the evening holds, Yankee-Royal series full of surprises, might just want to fnd a place to watch that. Some other options...? We will see
Sunday, May 8, 2016
all was made better the next...
day, as offer to sub for Spanish on Thursday came through. So was at Friends on that day and on Friday, when I subbed for Josh in the English department. Got a chance to see Malcolm X, the Spike Lee movie, which I had never seen before. Pretty interesting. Students seemed to like it. Returned home and rested a bit then returned to Friends for Dance Concert, always have enjoyed it; many students whom I know are in it. Following that, headed to Standings, where I grabbed what was left of the Pizza, and stayed for a while, had a good time, nice discussion of the two playoff basketball games that were showing with another patron. Saw the first quarter of the Spurs- Oklahoma City game---both teams were on fire, left soon after, because I was very tired.
Yesterday, tired after three sessions, returned home, hoped to go to short opera concert at Anthology Film Archives, but simply did not have the energy, still, felt I should go to La Flaca to say hi to owner Bobby, a good friend for over 15 years. Arrived there, only to find out that he had left, but stayed, watched Mets-Padres game, for quite a while, had a nice mean and then left. Walked from Grand and Clinton north to Orchard and Houston. Passed what seemed to be a million bars and restaurants, most of them pretty filled, hundreds of people lining the streets---where do they all come from? Could have had a beer at one of those places but instead chose the Bean and had a delicious (and over filling) chocolate mousse dish. Left a little bloated, returned home by subway.
Today is a day of rest, happy to be in Brooklyn, nice day to walk around, will I walk south from here into Lefferts-Prospect, and how will I end up in Willaimsburg? (In other words, what travel plans to I have to get there). All will be revealed soon, as I prepare for another week with at least three days at Friends.
Yesterday, tired after three sessions, returned home, hoped to go to short opera concert at Anthology Film Archives, but simply did not have the energy, still, felt I should go to La Flaca to say hi to owner Bobby, a good friend for over 15 years. Arrived there, only to find out that he had left, but stayed, watched Mets-Padres game, for quite a while, had a nice mean and then left. Walked from Grand and Clinton north to Orchard and Houston. Passed what seemed to be a million bars and restaurants, most of them pretty filled, hundreds of people lining the streets---where do they all come from? Could have had a beer at one of those places but instead chose the Bean and had a delicious (and over filling) chocolate mousse dish. Left a little bloated, returned home by subway.
Today is a day of rest, happy to be in Brooklyn, nice day to walk around, will I walk south from here into Lefferts-Prospect, and how will I end up in Willaimsburg? (In other words, what travel plans to I have to get there). All will be revealed soon, as I prepare for another week with at least three days at Friends.
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
disappointed....
received work offer at friends around 7:30--but I was sitting in a coffee shop (one which I usually don't go to) and apparently the signal did not go through. Got back to H wilson about the job which I wanted in about 10 minutes, but he had already called someone else who accepted it. Drat! Could have taken phone call at home any time before that--was totally free and a little bummed out because I was not going in---or could have received a phone call any time last night. Really gets me angry, simply not there because of circumstances. Well, maybe the time will be put to good use. Have some more free time this evening. Still, don't enjoy dealing with the "void" oh well, there are some things I can do today that I wouldn't have done if I worked.
Last night, tired, decided to have dinner at Irish Pub on 72nd street, bartender there, John, very nice, watched about 5 innings of both NY baseball games, but not much else. One conversation with a 72nd street "veteran" named John, who has been going to that pub, and also its famous predecessor, All State Cafe sine the 80's Now in I think his late fifties, he made his money in advertising and is retired---guess he has all the money he needs. Wish I could say he was interesting, I respect his decency, but could have found more colorful conversations if I had the strength to go to one of my places in Brooklyn. But still tired from the day before, the pub seemed the best choice.
Today, since I am not at Friends, there is a rally at City Hall at 1, which I definitely should attend---its groups that are fed up with the mayor's policy of rewarding his contributors at the expense of others. Ambivalent, and it is an ugly day, but should go. Then at least two sessions---now that evening is free, should force myself to do something a little more interesting then watching baseball---but where..? Maybe one of the trivia games in Brooklyn (have not done that for a long time) or just hanging out at South fourth or somewhere like that. Will see how I feel in late afternoon, but think that I have been holding back a bit---maybe that accounts for the malaise that I was in when I woke up this morning.
Where do we go from here..? Not sure----really annoyed at how "fate" stopped me from being at Friends, oh well, will be there Friday, maybe even tomorrow, will let you know....
Last night, tired, decided to have dinner at Irish Pub on 72nd street, bartender there, John, very nice, watched about 5 innings of both NY baseball games, but not much else. One conversation with a 72nd street "veteran" named John, who has been going to that pub, and also its famous predecessor, All State Cafe sine the 80's Now in I think his late fifties, he made his money in advertising and is retired---guess he has all the money he needs. Wish I could say he was interesting, I respect his decency, but could have found more colorful conversations if I had the strength to go to one of my places in Brooklyn. But still tired from the day before, the pub seemed the best choice.
Today, since I am not at Friends, there is a rally at City Hall at 1, which I definitely should attend---its groups that are fed up with the mayor's policy of rewarding his contributors at the expense of others. Ambivalent, and it is an ugly day, but should go. Then at least two sessions---now that evening is free, should force myself to do something a little more interesting then watching baseball---but where..? Maybe one of the trivia games in Brooklyn (have not done that for a long time) or just hanging out at South fourth or somewhere like that. Will see how I feel in late afternoon, but think that I have been holding back a bit---maybe that accounts for the malaise that I was in when I woke up this morning.
Where do we go from here..? Not sure----really annoyed at how "fate" stopped me from being at Friends, oh well, will be there Friday, maybe even tomorrow, will let you know....
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
bushed....
after yesterday's time at Friends and then two (one unexpected) sessions. Came home at around 7 and collapsed. No work today---the first day off from Friends that I have had since Wednesday April 20th. Kind of like it, a vast expanse of time and thought at my disposal. Need a little space.
About the past weekend, did not get out of Manhattan, even though the plan was to go to Brooklyn both days. But with a lot of time on my hands Saturday early afternoon, found myself taking 145th crosstown bus to the Bronx, and standing on 149th street and Grand Concourse. Bronx Museum which is located on 165th street and Concourse was my destination---so a long walk was in order. Actually stopped by newly built "mall" adjacent to Yankee Stadium (really packed and cramped) and then walked down Walton Avenue, the block one block west of the Concourse. Of course, memory took over, tried to imagine the street as it had been in the fifties and early sixties, when the neighborhood was all white and mostly Jewish. Tried to pinpoint the moment that change had begun. When? Around 66 or 67? Remember being bowled over when I heard that an elderly man was murdered in the neighborhood during a robbery, and that there were now "patrols" during the night to keep the area safe. This was in March of 67, and I was startled by this; could not believe that this area which I had always assumed so peaceful and safe was being stalked by predators, or undergoing change. Anyway continued my walk up Walton to 165th, all the people I passed were black and hispanic; thought about what it might be like to live in the neighborhood now. Arrived at Museum and had some coffee and cookies---not much to look at in the exhibits, then walked east a bit to Sherman and Sheridan avenue to see what that was like. About the same as Walton, remember that in camp Merrimont in 1954, made a friend named David Arnauer, visited him at his home on Sherman, right where I was on Saturday, in May of 55, we played stick ball in the school yard by his house, again all were Jewish at that point. Returned home to find out that in Cleveland, Gil MacDougald had just hit a line drive that knocked out very promising Cleveland pitcher Herb Score. MacDougald said that if Herb Score was blinded by hit (he wasn't) that he would quit baseball. Strange memories, seem so vivid, can't seem to get rid of them.
Took D and C home, stopped to rest on benches opposite West 81street apartments, ran into Friends student Evan, we stopped and talked for a while, good conversation, glad we met up, then returned home feeling very tired. Slept and then challenged myself to go out to Bushwick to see Flako's project, but just could not make it. Ended up watching movie of Reflections in a Golden Eye, at Bunin---kind of obvious in the beginning but very fascinating and intense as the movie progresses.
Liz Taylor is all over the place, Brando seems to be doing a parody in the beginning of the movie, but his performance gets more believable as the movie moves closer to its end. Looks about 30, can't believe this was only about 6 years before he made Godfather. Interesting scene between Taylor and Julie Harris (a stage icon at that time)---you can see the different techniques of the two actresses: Taylor---just out there---Harris, receiving more and relating from that, more quiet, but the two actresses really jell nicely. Tired after the movie, just went home.
Sunday, uneventful, had a session in the morning, thought that I would go out to Crown Heights for a program entitled Anthology, but again, found myself tired---rested in afternoon, decided around 6 that the only movie I could see should be in the neighborhood, settled for A Hologram for the King, Tom Twyker movie starring Tom Hanks. Very competently made, many shots of Saudi Arabia and its environs. All things equal glad that I saw it---returned home and prepared for day at Friends.
Not sure about tonight, see how much energy I possess as the day continues, will let you know...
About the past weekend, did not get out of Manhattan, even though the plan was to go to Brooklyn both days. But with a lot of time on my hands Saturday early afternoon, found myself taking 145th crosstown bus to the Bronx, and standing on 149th street and Grand Concourse. Bronx Museum which is located on 165th street and Concourse was my destination---so a long walk was in order. Actually stopped by newly built "mall" adjacent to Yankee Stadium (really packed and cramped) and then walked down Walton Avenue, the block one block west of the Concourse. Of course, memory took over, tried to imagine the street as it had been in the fifties and early sixties, when the neighborhood was all white and mostly Jewish. Tried to pinpoint the moment that change had begun. When? Around 66 or 67? Remember being bowled over when I heard that an elderly man was murdered in the neighborhood during a robbery, and that there were now "patrols" during the night to keep the area safe. This was in March of 67, and I was startled by this; could not believe that this area which I had always assumed so peaceful and safe was being stalked by predators, or undergoing change. Anyway continued my walk up Walton to 165th, all the people I passed were black and hispanic; thought about what it might be like to live in the neighborhood now. Arrived at Museum and had some coffee and cookies---not much to look at in the exhibits, then walked east a bit to Sherman and Sheridan avenue to see what that was like. About the same as Walton, remember that in camp Merrimont in 1954, made a friend named David Arnauer, visited him at his home on Sherman, right where I was on Saturday, in May of 55, we played stick ball in the school yard by his house, again all were Jewish at that point. Returned home to find out that in Cleveland, Gil MacDougald had just hit a line drive that knocked out very promising Cleveland pitcher Herb Score. MacDougald said that if Herb Score was blinded by hit (he wasn't) that he would quit baseball. Strange memories, seem so vivid, can't seem to get rid of them.
Took D and C home, stopped to rest on benches opposite West 81street apartments, ran into Friends student Evan, we stopped and talked for a while, good conversation, glad we met up, then returned home feeling very tired. Slept and then challenged myself to go out to Bushwick to see Flako's project, but just could not make it. Ended up watching movie of Reflections in a Golden Eye, at Bunin---kind of obvious in the beginning but very fascinating and intense as the movie progresses.
Liz Taylor is all over the place, Brando seems to be doing a parody in the beginning of the movie, but his performance gets more believable as the movie moves closer to its end. Looks about 30, can't believe this was only about 6 years before he made Godfather. Interesting scene between Taylor and Julie Harris (a stage icon at that time)---you can see the different techniques of the two actresses: Taylor---just out there---Harris, receiving more and relating from that, more quiet, but the two actresses really jell nicely. Tired after the movie, just went home.
Sunday, uneventful, had a session in the morning, thought that I would go out to Crown Heights for a program entitled Anthology, but again, found myself tired---rested in afternoon, decided around 6 that the only movie I could see should be in the neighborhood, settled for A Hologram for the King, Tom Twyker movie starring Tom Hanks. Very competently made, many shots of Saudi Arabia and its environs. All things equal glad that I saw it---returned home and prepared for day at Friends.
Not sure about tonight, see how much energy I possess as the day continues, will let you know...
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