returned to South Fourth, the first time in a long time I have been there on a weekday evening. Turns out it was a smart choice. I had a very good time. Bartender-manager Mark was showing Sullivan's Travel's, a film by Preston Sturges; ironically I had seen the film for the first time about a year and a half ago at another small film screening. Great dialogue, in this venue it was very enjoyable. Followed this up by some good conversations with some old and one new friend--and a watchable Mets game. Left feeling very fulfilled.
Not much else to say---on the way home I read on the subway one of Grace Paley's essays (I think they are actually better than her short stories)--this one about a first assignment that she gave to her writing students. It is to write a short story in the first person, and this person must be someone that you feel in conflict with. A great idea---I could almost feel the story focusing in my mind. The person that would narrate my story would probably be a 70 something Jewish hedge fund manager---someone who, unlike myself has made a lot of money, feels good about it and has no trouble in believing in his own "eleteness". Will I write it? Possibly, just one of several things to do in the near future.
Nothing much else, have two sessions today, afterwards there is a rally to save a hardware store in northern Crown Heights which, if I am not too tired, I will go to. And from there.../ We will see, will report tomorrow.
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Tuesday morning....
looks like yesterday was my final day this year at Friends. I mean, I will return for the final assembly on Friday, and for the staff party on Thursday a week, but as far as being in front of a class, this was probably it. I fifth grade environment class---I approached it with a little trepidation, one or two of the students had, in the past, been a little "frisky' but all went well, and two of the girls were very committed to the assignment, which made me feel very good. Yes the "frisky" students were challenging, but it was not too difficult to work with them. Left on a good note. now what?
Well, a great deal is opened to me---actually a different sense of time and space--a lot of choices in a lot of different areas--in my mind, time and space have exploded. Of course, I have to be careful with my money---at home, I am always figuring things out money wise. And I am hard on myself in that area. Now, sitting in the library, I feel an intense sense of freedom---we will see how far this goes.
And what of the weekend? Well, on Saturday, I made my first trip to the Doxee, the Target Margin space on 52nd between second and third, in Brooklyn. A great space, seating on various kinds of chairs surround the circular space-it gives the viewer an incredible opportunity to watch the creativity of the actors and creators. And in this case, it was a very warm and open take on the Sindbad legend---beautifully performed. Really glad that I went---there are three more projects in this presentation. I will try to see two of them, not one this week. The event was marred by a loss of my apartment key, and a fear that the one that I had left on me (I always carry two) might buckle. So instead of continuing my Brooklyn "adventure" I manically went home, feeling very anxious on the subway, only to find that my remaining apartment key opened the door easily. So next time it will be back to Manhattan via Freddy's are another bar, probably in the south slope.
Sunday, was the two stops at Cobra and South Fourth that I did the Sunday before. It is nice-friendly bartenders, mostly good conversation, a real sense that I "belong" in both bars. Tiredness cut in early, and I returned home by about 9, but it was a good day.
Today, after a session, will probably head out to South fourth where one of the managers, Mark is showing a movie (free) series. Do not know what it is, but have the time, so might as well go. After that......?
Well, a great deal is opened to me---actually a different sense of time and space--a lot of choices in a lot of different areas--in my mind, time and space have exploded. Of course, I have to be careful with my money---at home, I am always figuring things out money wise. And I am hard on myself in that area. Now, sitting in the library, I feel an intense sense of freedom---we will see how far this goes.
And what of the weekend? Well, on Saturday, I made my first trip to the Doxee, the Target Margin space on 52nd between second and third, in Brooklyn. A great space, seating on various kinds of chairs surround the circular space-it gives the viewer an incredible opportunity to watch the creativity of the actors and creators. And in this case, it was a very warm and open take on the Sindbad legend---beautifully performed. Really glad that I went---there are three more projects in this presentation. I will try to see two of them, not one this week. The event was marred by a loss of my apartment key, and a fear that the one that I had left on me (I always carry two) might buckle. So instead of continuing my Brooklyn "adventure" I manically went home, feeling very anxious on the subway, only to find that my remaining apartment key opened the door easily. So next time it will be back to Manhattan via Freddy's are another bar, probably in the south slope.
Sunday, was the two stops at Cobra and South Fourth that I did the Sunday before. It is nice-friendly bartenders, mostly good conversation, a real sense that I "belong" in both bars. Tiredness cut in early, and I returned home by about 9, but it was a good day.
Today, after a session, will probably head out to South fourth where one of the managers, Mark is showing a movie (free) series. Do not know what it is, but have the time, so might as well go. After that......?
Saturday, June 2, 2018
the class never....
happened, that request that got me so upset at the beginning of the blog, turned out to be false---a time change in the schedule meant that the regular teacher could be present---Thursday did turn out a little different, as I was asked to finish a last period seventh grade science class---which I did, a rather detached group, but I got through it. Yesterday was a much easier day---two language classes with students very friendly and apt. At this point I have only one more assignment before the school summer break---this Monday for a fifth grade class. Should be fun (I hope) and then we will see if there is one or two more days work for me before the final day on Friday.
So the summer commences---finally lots of free time in front of me. Hopefully a lot of trips out to different parts of Brooklyn---actually there is a protest in Bed--Stuy today that I should be going to, but other things interfere.
No new events to report on---Wednesday evening did go to Lansdowne Road and visited with my friend Mel, nice to see her---then I walked all the way home. Checked out a bar named Gaf, right off 48th street and ninth avenue---one of the graduates at the Friends reunion said that she and her sister often hung out there. Very quiet and a little smaller then I expected when I looked in. Only men in the bar. Maybe I will take a fling there later in the month. In the meantime, my "regualar" places will sustain me---you, who are reading this blog, know where they are. I find that no matter how interesting a new bar is described to me, I am always nervous about entering---how I will be received etc. Often the wait staff and bartending staff is very friendly (Mullane's a sport bar near BAM is an example of that) but one never knows. Several bars from the outside, or from word of mouth seem of interest, but going in there by myself is a different issue. In the meantime, there are always the reliables (like Starr bar in Bushwick) to hang out in.
Tonight is open, but it looks like I will go to the Target Margin workshop in Sunset Park. That means a visit to their new theater space on 52nd street near 2nd Avenue in Brooklyn. Should be an interesting adventure just going there. Not sure what exactly or where I will go afterwards. Will report soon.
So the summer commences---finally lots of free time in front of me. Hopefully a lot of trips out to different parts of Brooklyn---actually there is a protest in Bed--Stuy today that I should be going to, but other things interfere.
No new events to report on---Wednesday evening did go to Lansdowne Road and visited with my friend Mel, nice to see her---then I walked all the way home. Checked out a bar named Gaf, right off 48th street and ninth avenue---one of the graduates at the Friends reunion said that she and her sister often hung out there. Very quiet and a little smaller then I expected when I looked in. Only men in the bar. Maybe I will take a fling there later in the month. In the meantime, my "regualar" places will sustain me---you, who are reading this blog, know where they are. I find that no matter how interesting a new bar is described to me, I am always nervous about entering---how I will be received etc. Often the wait staff and bartending staff is very friendly (Mullane's a sport bar near BAM is an example of that) but one never knows. Several bars from the outside, or from word of mouth seem of interest, but going in there by myself is a different issue. In the meantime, there are always the reliables (like Starr bar in Bushwick) to hang out in.
Tonight is open, but it looks like I will go to the Target Margin workshop in Sunset Park. That means a visit to their new theater space on 52nd street near 2nd Avenue in Brooklyn. Should be an interesting adventure just going there. Not sure what exactly or where I will go afterwards. Will report soon.
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
a little annoyed...
I have been asked to cover a class on Friday morning that I don't especially want to do. I already have committed to two classes on Friday, this one is a music class--their concert is over---I just don't want to be stuck with a study hall. I do have the free time to do it but....well, let's see how it plays out.
Some reports from the weekend:
Ding dong the Ocean: a sensitive well conceived piece at Jack---a little self indulgent at times, but there is really a nice flow to things and a sweet benign energy throughout. Also, there is an artistic visual commitment to the vision that goes throughout the piece. Very unique on its own terms, which is what the theater at Jack should be about. My friend Eliza plays a role that is in complete contrast to the somewhat charming but aware countenance that she showed in her one person show earlier this year. She plays a woman who is very withdrawn and isolated. She really captured the isolation that the role asks for. Very nice to see.
Saturday evening: at Clubbed Thumb, actually because their first play was recommended to me by a friend that I met at Jack---a play called Tin Cat Shoes---truly I hated it. I found it pointless and silly---nothing in it had any gravitas are seemed meaningful. I know that Clubbed Thumb has a fondness for plays that are language oriented, sometimes plays that are really clever but are somewhat in love with themselves. but this play just seemed silly. The actors ran around with great emphasis---but for what?
Afterwards I had a nice slice of pizza on first and Saint Marks (pizza is only what you can have if you want to save money) and then went to visit my friend Erin at Burp Castle, the quiet bar next to Standings. That was good, I have not seen her in a while, and we caught up. It ended the night on a pleasant and warm feeling.
Sunday; Visited my two hangouts, South Fourth and Cobra, in the opposite order. Had very good conversations with baseball fans at both. Looking forward to doing it again.
Monday: a rest day---the body asked for rest---I followed its request---but I did take a nice walk from 76 street to 110th, the last 10 blocks along placid Riverside Drive. Very interesting.
Yesterday--one period with the "mad" seventh graders at Friends---good fun, then an emergency tutoring session at 145 street, then the graduation---somewhat strange because it is so early this year.
Had a good time---said good by to many seniors, afterwards, went to the Gramercy Bar on 20th and 2nd. Not very crowded, the batender, Angelica was very welcoming; had two good talks with Michelle, who works at a school on 109th and 2nd, and Jeff, a young economist from Houston, so we talked about the Astros and Rockets. Left feeling quite nice, and I walked from there to the station on
23rd ad 7th.
Tonight, still to be defined. Tentative plans are to visit Lansdowne Road and say hi to my friend Mel, who works as a waitress there. Will report soon.
Some reports from the weekend:
Ding dong the Ocean: a sensitive well conceived piece at Jack---a little self indulgent at times, but there is really a nice flow to things and a sweet benign energy throughout. Also, there is an artistic visual commitment to the vision that goes throughout the piece. Very unique on its own terms, which is what the theater at Jack should be about. My friend Eliza plays a role that is in complete contrast to the somewhat charming but aware countenance that she showed in her one person show earlier this year. She plays a woman who is very withdrawn and isolated. She really captured the isolation that the role asks for. Very nice to see.
Saturday evening: at Clubbed Thumb, actually because their first play was recommended to me by a friend that I met at Jack---a play called Tin Cat Shoes---truly I hated it. I found it pointless and silly---nothing in it had any gravitas are seemed meaningful. I know that Clubbed Thumb has a fondness for plays that are language oriented, sometimes plays that are really clever but are somewhat in love with themselves. but this play just seemed silly. The actors ran around with great emphasis---but for what?
Afterwards I had a nice slice of pizza on first and Saint Marks (pizza is only what you can have if you want to save money) and then went to visit my friend Erin at Burp Castle, the quiet bar next to Standings. That was good, I have not seen her in a while, and we caught up. It ended the night on a pleasant and warm feeling.
Sunday; Visited my two hangouts, South Fourth and Cobra, in the opposite order. Had very good conversations with baseball fans at both. Looking forward to doing it again.
Monday: a rest day---the body asked for rest---I followed its request---but I did take a nice walk from 76 street to 110th, the last 10 blocks along placid Riverside Drive. Very interesting.
Yesterday--one period with the "mad" seventh graders at Friends---good fun, then an emergency tutoring session at 145 street, then the graduation---somewhat strange because it is so early this year.
Had a good time---said good by to many seniors, afterwards, went to the Gramercy Bar on 20th and 2nd. Not very crowded, the batender, Angelica was very welcoming; had two good talks with Michelle, who works at a school on 109th and 2nd, and Jeff, a young economist from Houston, so we talked about the Astros and Rockets. Left feeling quite nice, and I walked from there to the station on
23rd ad 7th.
Tonight, still to be defined. Tentative plans are to visit Lansdowne Road and say hi to my friend Mel, who works as a waitress there. Will report soon.
Friday, May 25, 2018
off to CLinton Hill...
this evening for the ;play, Ding Dong its the Ocean. I know one actor in it Eliza, but its the kind of play that interests me, somewhat improvisational, about people in theater putting on a play, or something like that. Just made the plans--that leaves tomorrow open---there is a cheap ticket available for the Clubbed Thumb project, but somehow I couldn't go ahead and book it. Why? Because I don't know anyone in it? Hard to say, usually someone from the theater community that I know very well appears, and there is some good conversation, but for some reason, I could not "pull the trigger". Well, it will be on probably tomorrow's TDF chart, and if I feel like it I can book it then.
Yesterday evening, did go to the Community Board meeting in Bushwick, on Gates Avenue. Very interesting---three different ideas seemed to appear about how to confront the rigidity of the city and their plan to "save" Bushwick. The first I think sponsored by the community board steering group was to work hard to have a plan that was what the residents wanted, then negotiate with the city planning comittee and possibly accept some sort of compromise--get something, but not everything. A second group, the one that I came to support, simply wants to shut down negotiations---let the building that is going on there take its course, and walk away from any city vision. And the third advocated hard protest, every day in the streets, to show that any program the city gives to Bushwick is destructive. I left before the meeting finished, but it was enough to give me a strong idea of what was going on, and to really resent the city government's relentless rigidity in putting in "their" plan. I live on the upper west side, I am removed from this conflict, but the people in the room and those living in Bushwick are left to struggle this thing out and deal with the developer aggressiveness and the amount of brutal displacement that it causes.
Afterwards, took the bus north on Gates to the Myrtle Junction, from there I walked west on Wycoff to the pizza place on DeKalb (very good pizza, by the way) What I saw was the "two worlds" of Bushwick, a few bars for the newcomers and a lot of neighborhood people on the street next to them. Will the twain meet? Should it? Finally I retired to Starr Bar (the activist bar) where I had a beer---no discussion---and returned home.
More to follow.
Yesterday evening, did go to the Community Board meeting in Bushwick, on Gates Avenue. Very interesting---three different ideas seemed to appear about how to confront the rigidity of the city and their plan to "save" Bushwick. The first I think sponsored by the community board steering group was to work hard to have a plan that was what the residents wanted, then negotiate with the city planning comittee and possibly accept some sort of compromise--get something, but not everything. A second group, the one that I came to support, simply wants to shut down negotiations---let the building that is going on there take its course, and walk away from any city vision. And the third advocated hard protest, every day in the streets, to show that any program the city gives to Bushwick is destructive. I left before the meeting finished, but it was enough to give me a strong idea of what was going on, and to really resent the city government's relentless rigidity in putting in "their" plan. I live on the upper west side, I am removed from this conflict, but the people in the room and those living in Bushwick are left to struggle this thing out and deal with the developer aggressiveness and the amount of brutal displacement that it causes.
Afterwards, took the bus north on Gates to the Myrtle Junction, from there I walked west on Wycoff to the pizza place on DeKalb (very good pizza, by the way) What I saw was the "two worlds" of Bushwick, a few bars for the newcomers and a lot of neighborhood people on the street next to them. Will the twain meet? Should it? Finally I retired to Starr Bar (the activist bar) where I had a beer---no discussion---and returned home.
More to follow.
Thursday, May 24, 2018
cityboy experiences..
a little bit of bloating in the stomach. Means anything? We will see---sometimes these things just come and go, or depend on what I have taken in my stomach. Other parts of me feel fine.
First day off from Friends in two weeks (believe it!) A beautiful day to experience the "nothingness" of life, in other words, cityboy has to create his own structure today. And how will he do that? No problem seeing anything, tonight, but there is also a rally in Bushwick at 5:30 to protest a zoning plan that the current city administration is proposing. Cityboy should be there. Which makes other plans negligible. Could plan a play and return to the city, but don't want to feel pressured. How long the rally and action thereafter, and possible discussion will continue, I have no idea, but don't want to be pressured into leaving for another place, if the conversation remains interesting. I have not been to the Starr bar in a long time; have always wanted to go there, so perhaps this is the night.
Rest of the weekend, cityboy is trying to determine which plays he wishes to see and in what order to see them. Summer and Smoke has all but disappeared from view--other plays do have to ordered on TDF, or they will be missed. But which ones? Probably easier to determine than I think---and if I don't get tickets for any of them, it does not mean that the time will be flat. Sunday will probably be my "wandering" day, and Monday may be the cookout at South Fourth if it happens. I also have the Grace Paley book of short stories that Chris D lent me---reading those should be pretty fulfilling.
Anything else to say about the reunion and the Seagull and Bobby's birthday. Well, not much, again, interesting how the Seagull is about my introspective feelings about love and want and success etc. while the party and especially the reunion were about immediate action and friendship--an interesting contrast, which came kind of unexpectedly. The Seagull was simply on at the right time.
I think that is all for now, I am anxious to get on to other things. Will report tomorrow, or very soon.
First day off from Friends in two weeks (believe it!) A beautiful day to experience the "nothingness" of life, in other words, cityboy has to create his own structure today. And how will he do that? No problem seeing anything, tonight, but there is also a rally in Bushwick at 5:30 to protest a zoning plan that the current city administration is proposing. Cityboy should be there. Which makes other plans negligible. Could plan a play and return to the city, but don't want to feel pressured. How long the rally and action thereafter, and possible discussion will continue, I have no idea, but don't want to be pressured into leaving for another place, if the conversation remains interesting. I have not been to the Starr bar in a long time; have always wanted to go there, so perhaps this is the night.
Rest of the weekend, cityboy is trying to determine which plays he wishes to see and in what order to see them. Summer and Smoke has all but disappeared from view--other plays do have to ordered on TDF, or they will be missed. But which ones? Probably easier to determine than I think---and if I don't get tickets for any of them, it does not mean that the time will be flat. Sunday will probably be my "wandering" day, and Monday may be the cookout at South Fourth if it happens. I also have the Grace Paley book of short stories that Chris D lent me---reading those should be pretty fulfilling.
Anything else to say about the reunion and the Seagull and Bobby's birthday. Well, not much, again, interesting how the Seagull is about my introspective feelings about love and want and success etc. while the party and especially the reunion were about immediate action and friendship--an interesting contrast, which came kind of unexpectedly. The Seagull was simply on at the right time.
I think that is all for now, I am anxious to get on to other things. Will report tomorrow, or very soon.
Sunday, May 20, 2018
a tumultuous day...
yesterday...first the reunion at Friends; second, seeing the movie the Seagull at the Angelica, and third, my friend Bob's birthday party at La Flaca. Quite a lot of action and movement---in a way, going to the reunion, spending all that time (11-5) with graduates of many classes. having many conversations, and then seeing the Seagull movie---truly an interior piece, one that reaches into the private feelings of myself, proved a strange contrast. Yet, as I evaluated this this morning, it all seemed to make sense. The Seagull is truly "my" play, I claim a kind of ownership of it, because I can identify and feel for so many of the characters. Yes, I am sure others claim "ownership" of the play as well---but thinking about it makes me feel that I know exactly what I want from a production.
Then, back to La Flaca, for the birthday party of my friend Bob, the owner of the place.
Now, here I am, the next day, about to head to Williamsburg, putting it all together. All three events deserve more statements, more realization from this blog
.But not today. Time to move on to the next moment in my life. First three days of the week will be at Friends, will report soon.
Then, back to La Flaca, for the birthday party of my friend Bob, the owner of the place.
Now, here I am, the next day, about to head to Williamsburg, putting it all together. All three events deserve more statements, more realization from this blog
.But not today. Time to move on to the next moment in my life. First three days of the week will be at Friends, will report soon.
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