so we have two "brutal" days

at Friends for cityboy. Yesterday, particularly, four classes,lots of moving around, climbing stairs, etc. Came home and could hardly move. No work today---I think that is a good thing---though I will go to the Winter Concert in the meeting house tonight. Will return to Friends on Friday (if not tomorrow) for some "fun' with the eighth graders and possibly chaperone a trip by the debating society of the upper school, in which they will compete with students from Stuyvesant and one other school Should be fun, if I do it.
 Saturday night, turned out to be very special. Went to the TEAM petri project at the ART space in Brooklyn. A beautiful two person show created by Jill F about her four (I think) years teaching special education children (mostly autistic) in the Brooklyn Public School system. Very deeply felt, also my friend Flaco added his own experiences. Jill is an amazing actress---so many good young actresses around---really hard to quantify, but somehow when Jill creates. time and space seem for me to disappear. The piece itself is very potent---I hope it has a life after this workshop, though where it fits is a bit of a mystery. So much that I understood and identified with in the piece, from the 14 or 15 times I worked with special ed kids in Manhattan and Brooklyn when I subbed for the DOE.
  Afterwards we all headed across the street to Bar 7---a bar that I had passed several times in my wanderings in Brooklyn, had wanted to go in, but never did. But it was eas, since a group of us were going---it is really a nice space, and I had a really nice light beer--no television in the place, so if I go, will have to bring some reading material and hope for some good conversation from people nearbye, or even possibly some "adventure" there. But who knows when the next time will be. I had some great conversations about theater (and only theater) with friends Lucy, Christina, Jess, who directed the piece we saw, and several others. We talked deep into the night---I left the bar around 12:30, late for me, and headed west to Flatbush to pick up the 2 train at the Nevnins Street station. First time I traveled the subways this late at night in a long time---surprised that the subways were not very full, but more, how each car seemed to have at least one homeless person asleep on a bench. Really sad. Did get home okay though, around 1:30,
  Sunday, saw the Friends winter play at the Vineyard, Twelfth Night---and even though I know it so well, and had just seen the remarkable production at the Delacourt a few months ago, really enjoyed just listening to the verse. Director Steve B created his usual excellent movement and placement for the students who were performing. Were there some performances that he could have done a little better with? Hard to say---some interesting text choices, but some of the sadness and a wistfulness of the play was lost. Still, I guess impressive on many levels and the audience seemed to enjoy it. After that it was a return to the apartment and one final event of the weekend---watching the  movie by Christian Petzoid, part of his retrospective by the Linoln Center film society, the movie Pheonix. Wanted to see another aspect of his film making, about three minutes into the film I realized that I had actually seen this movie before--kind of disappointed by that but stayed anyway---was able to get a lot of sub text that I had not previously--so the time spend was worthwhile.
 That is all for now, will report soon.

A quick one for cityboy

who may not have much time left on the computer--and has been very busy since the last post. That night (thursday) did attend the reunion in Williamsburg. Nice to catch up with everyone---lots of good spirits and feelings among those who were there. Yesterday, after a long day at Friends, mustered up enough strength to go to the Friends varsity basketball game at the new Collegiate High School---Friends one, while the Collegiate cheering team in the stands, behaved boorishly. It was like something out of the 50's, when Ivy League and other schools were all boys.Interesting walk from the apartment to the school which is located far west on 61street. Projects on one side of West End---luxury doorman buildings on the other. That is the way it is in Ny these days.
  Tonight, the project in Brooklyn, tomorrow, Twelfth Night at Friends and maybe the Russian and the Jew later in the day. Have to see this because my friend Emily is in it and one of the creators.Will report soon.

just found out...

that there will be a party of sorts at an Italian bar-restaurant in Williamsburg tonight---this is the anniversary of the opening of South Fourth--it has been organized by a former bartender-manager there, Mark, and though I don't have much more information about who will be there, I am hoping that a lot of my friends from South fourth, who I have not seen since the closing, will be there too,
Luckily, no work today at Friends, so I should be fresh enough to go.
 Not much else to report---Tuesday night turned into a "rest" night--necessary for my full day in the library at Friends yesterday, and my session afterwards. Have spent the last three nights in the apartment---today should be a nice break.
Tomorrow, back at Friends and then possibly a basketball game against Collegiate which will be held not far from my apartment. Saturday brings my friend Jessie's theater project in the evening, and Sunday, the Friends production of Twelfth Night--looking forward to it. Possibly going to some projects in the saturday afternoon, sunday evening slot, and I would like to see one or more of Petzoid's films, now being shown at the Walter Reade in Lincoln Center.
  Wow! That is the plan! Will report soon.

never at rest....

cityboy-s mind, body, hard to say. No work today---a very hectic day yesterday, a program at Friends followed by a session on 145th street. After the session, retreated to the new Spanish bakery almost across the street from the library. There, as a form of congratulation for some hard work, gorged myself on a delicious but large piece of chocolate fudge cake with some really good coffee. Just about closed up my stomach for the rest of the night, which was spent at the apartment chilling out after the long day. Did not sleep well either, but got through it. Tomorrow a return to Friends, I will be in the library all day---the another session uptown. No work today---I both need the break, but also feel incredibly restless when the structure is gone. Tomorrow at Friends all day in the library. Kind of grueling, but I want to be there.
  Saturday, it became too difficult to go to Flatbush for the activist meeting in the afternoon and then to Bushwick for the Starr anniversary show Instead, came home, rested, and had a revelation listening to Mefistofele  the opera written by Arrigo Boito on the radio. Great singing, particularly from Angela Meade, singing Marguerite--I had heard the opera before---city opera did it in the sixties and seventies, with the great bass baritone, Norman Treigle. Surprised that I knew it that well. Still, excited by just hearing it; it is a much better opera then I thought---the music just rushed at me while I was at home.
 That evening headed to the Starr for their anniversary program. I felt this could be a special day for me and I was right. Lots of people there that I knew, lots of good conversation---some friends whom I had not seen in a few years, very happy to see me. Just learned that my friend Frank and his wife Nyla, will be returning to NY after living a few years in Seattle.Great news! It will be fun to hang out with him. This party-performance was really a chance for me to rediscover my "theater self". Lots of very specific conversations. All good, was very happy when I left.
 That night, alone in bed, figured out what the "reality" of the whole thing meant. Perhaps more will be revealed later.
 The next day, Sunday, a nice day weather wise, returned to Bushwick to watch the first part of the Giant game at Cobra--Olivia, my bartender friend was happy to see me, but the bar was filled with very loud people, proclaiming their love of being smashed---not the best way to follow a football game. Left and went to the BAM area--but tired quickly---found myself returning to the apartment by 6, staying there into the night, preparing for the next day of work at Friends.
  Tonight, will see how I feel around 5. I would like to go to La Flaca and see if my friend Bob, the owner is there, but will be determined by energy level. Lots of other choices as well---will report soon.

so it was...

the movies, last night, and an amazing one at that! Transit, by Christian Petzoid, a German film maker who the film society of Lincoln Center is honoring with a retrospective of his work. Transit is a brutally intense film that takes place as the Germans are marching through France in the end of 1942. It centers on the frightening circumstances facing those who request a visa to leave on any ship going to South America, Mexico or the U.S. Cityboy was invaded by the frightening reality those people had to deal with, if they could get out at all. If not, I guess certain internment in one of the German camps.The central character is a young man--- who is caught in the middle of all this. The movie is beautifully filmed---I felt totally vulnerable while watching it--there is no happy ending at all--good people in the movie disappear. But for the first time in a long time, while I was watching a movie, I was completely involved.
  Afterwards, the director of the film, Mr. Petzoid, spoke. He seemed like a very bright and friendly man----he is definitely a movie nut, at least that is what I got from hearing him speak. As I woke up this morning, I still felt vulnerable from the vision of the movie. Good move, cityboy! Afterwards, grabbed one pizza slice and went home---too tired to hang out at a bar.
   Feeling really good today. This means that I probably will head to the Brooklyn Library on Linden Boulevard for the meeting to deal with the increasing displacement of people of color in the neighborhood.
After that, the Bushwick Starr program that I spoke of in yesterday's blog entry. Also, just ordered a ticket for What to do When it Goes down, the play at the A.R.T. theaters on 54th and tenth. Took some doing, apparently this is a play by a black playwright that really confronts its white audience. At least that is what I think? But from reading about it it seemed like an important play to see at this time, and two Saturday afternoons from now, seemed like the only time I knew I would be free. So I bought the ticket.
 That is all for now, will report soon.

two days, three sessions...

no wonder cityboy is tired this morning. But what now? The weekend approaches and citybly's choices are many. Tired---already made a trip to the Friends business office to pick up my check---should my form of entertainment tonight be a movie or a play? Movie seems more reasonable---when one is tired---one is under no obligation to stay or can go to the bathroom during a showing. For a play, you have to remain where you are. But what of the "500" or so plays in the city that interest you, cityboy? Shouldn't you use this free evening to "catch up"? Oh, my, decisions decisions. Well, one thing is certain---tomorrow evening I am going to the Bushwick Starr (second Saturday evening in two weeks) to see the 10th anniversary celebration performance. Should be fun, and lots of people that I know will either be performing or in the audience. Then on Sunday, back to Bushwick to hang at Cobra and enjoy some of the 60 degree whether. Looks that way. And what about tomorrow afternoon, which it looks like you will have free. Do you go to the Flatbush Library on Linden Boulevard (where it begins) to participate in the anti gentrification energy or remain in the city with your "tired" body/ And if you do go to the meeting, remember cityboy, you must at some point travel from central flatbush to Bushwick (yes, the L is running, so that should be a little easier). All this will be revealed as the weekend progresses.
  Tuesday evening was a little weird. Returned home from a session, but felt very tired so I slept. When I got up, I was surprised that my energy was high---my stomach told me it could handle a beer, and after looking around at some choices, I decided to go to the new Dive Bar, the one on 106th and Amsterdam. Luckily it was not too crowded and the Knick game was on---the very one I wanted to watch. So I stayed there for about an hour and a half, the waitress named Alexandria was extremely nice, I gave her what I thought was a very nice tip. Left feeling contented.
   Not much else to report. Will check in soon, maybe tomorrow.

a quiet day...

that is, no work at Friends. Is just as well--really tired from yesterday's coverage (one extra) and a session at 145 street. Body need a rest. bit mind is very restless. Will return to Friends tomorrow and Thursday, at least, and possibly Friday. So how will I spend my "free" night tonight? Not sure, had wanted to check out Mefistofole at the Met, but not sure if I will have the stamina. Also, have not been to la Flaca in a while---might be a good evening to hang out there---I like the bartender Sam, there is an interesting Knick game that I could watch (without much distraction)  and my friend Bob, the owner might be in----it would be nice to check in with him personally---one of the bartenders hinted that there might be some problems with his landlord---they were supposed to be solved permanently about a year ago---anyway, I would like to find out. So that is another possibility.
  Saturday night---finally got out to Brooklyn, and boy, am I happy that I did. Went to the Bushwick Starr to see the piece Flaco, my friend directed. It is called The Last Hipster in Brooklyn a performance piece by a guy named Nick Flynn. Just being in "the Starr" waiting for the play to begin made me feel happy. The piece itself was very vibrant---about a white newcomer to Brooklyn who arrived about ten years ago---how integrates himself into the black and white society around him. Some great statements about the pain caused by gentrification. On the whole, a really good presentation, afterwards, I had a nice talk with Flynn's mom, who was visiting from Seattle. We talked about the aggressive approach of Amazon---the disenfranchisement many of us are feeling, etc.
  Being at the Starr really energizes me---will definitely make plans to go to this coming Saturday night's project there, a variety show with past participants in the theater. Lots of people there I will know---should be a lot of fun---should make a reservation now!
  Sunday, well, the L was running (what a difference that makes!) and so I had an easy time of it getting to Cobra for coffee and football (cobra is about a block and a half away from the Starr). No stomach problems this time---all was mellow in the stomach---the memories of the craziness of the Sunday before, disappeared. Would like to return there this Sunday---also might want to see a play that begins at 5 in Manhattan--can I do it? We will see The rest of Sunday was quiet, as I knew I would be at Friends the next day, and wanted to take it easy in the evening.
  That is where cityboy stands at this moment---a little annoyed at all the e-mails I am getting for "giving Tuesday" a bit much. Anyway, will report soon.