school is out for two weeks (Spring vacation) and after picking up my check I became a "free" man. Now what? Well, tonight I have two choices: the political one---a march against Industry City in Sunset Park or a comedy routine by two very nice friends of mine, Jack and Melissa at the Pit Loft. It would be much easier to do the second--but my conscience asks me to do the first---have to see how the day progresses before I make the choice.
Problems with the stomach and environs continue. I am seeing a specialist on Wednesday morning, and he (I assume it is a He) will give me an appointment for the colonoscopy I need. At this point, intellectually I accept the fact that it is necessary, and might also give me some insight into why my bowel patterns have changed so much in the past year---still, the idea of it----well, let's get it over with---maybe I could even take it during the this vacation period.
Rest of the week it has been hard work--three days at Friends, and several sessions. Tomorrow, three sessions and Kristine's play at the Starr. The L is closed down so I am playing in my head with several routes to get there. Will have to leave extra early, that is for sure. Probably the best way is to get the M or J to Flushing and either walk or take the bus (assuming that it ever comes) from Broadway to Wycoff, not really a difficult walk, if cityboy is feeling good. On the way back---well, that will be a little more improvised depending on whether I stay around after the performance. Best way if alone, is again to walk, or actually take a cab on Flushing to the J or M, and then go home from there.
Might meet a friend for a drink (if my stomach can handle it) later in the afternoon, but I have not heard from him---nice day outside---might be fun to explore or take a walk---we will see---will report soon.
Friday, March 15, 2019
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
a day of "rest"...
after five furious and intense days---well the rest is needed. Two days at Friends, then the sessions on Saturday, then Sunday, chaperoning on the Barnard Campus (kind of boring, but it has to be done) and then yesterday a full day with the middle school at Friends and one session. Finally only one session today. Tomorrow and Thursday short days at Friends.
Sunday after the chaperoning, went to La Flaca to relax and have some contact with friends. Luckily, Sam (Samantha) a really kind bartender was on and she was very welcoming and gracious. Spent about 4 hours there--felt good returning.
Sunday night, did not sleep well---awake at about 2 Monday morning. Stayed up so arrived at Friends not tired, but fatigue creeped up on me very soon. No problem though, in dealing with the rambunctious seventh and eighth grade students---they were working on scene projects and quiet and industrious as sthey went about it.
Stomach problems continue---lab results, which I mentioned in Saturday's quick post apparently did not go through. Should do another soon. Tomorrow a visit to Ryan Center and a resident to really see if I can arrange a colonoscopy. Have to deal with the fact that it is necessary. Stomach is behaving in a way that it has never done before. Difficult to deal with. Wonder how it will effect the coming two week vacation from Friends---I had thought I would try to see a lot of theater---will that be possible now..? Can't really plan too much ahead.
Fantasized a short story about two older men==one. a recent widower looking for attention, the other, like myself, a "listener" who is asked to give him some comfort when he loses his wife. Story turns on a memory that the first man brings up to the listener---which sets him off on a voyage into his past---actually an encounter in high school with a woman who lived in the Bronx near Yankee Stadium. The listener returns to the apartment house and his memories block out the people he sees living there now.
The woman I remember was named Amy and she lived on Gerard Avenue in the Bronx which is right near the Stadium. One fascinating and surprising conversation with her in the Bronx library was enough to make me feel we had a future. Did we? Of course not, though I did have a nice chat with her at one of the Science reunions. At any rate, the potential for the story exists---will I be able to follow it through...? Stay tuned.
Sunday after the chaperoning, went to La Flaca to relax and have some contact with friends. Luckily, Sam (Samantha) a really kind bartender was on and she was very welcoming and gracious. Spent about 4 hours there--felt good returning.
Sunday night, did not sleep well---awake at about 2 Monday morning. Stayed up so arrived at Friends not tired, but fatigue creeped up on me very soon. No problem though, in dealing with the rambunctious seventh and eighth grade students---they were working on scene projects and quiet and industrious as sthey went about it.
Stomach problems continue---lab results, which I mentioned in Saturday's quick post apparently did not go through. Should do another soon. Tomorrow a visit to Ryan Center and a resident to really see if I can arrange a colonoscopy. Have to deal with the fact that it is necessary. Stomach is behaving in a way that it has never done before. Difficult to deal with. Wonder how it will effect the coming two week vacation from Friends---I had thought I would try to see a lot of theater---will that be possible now..? Can't really plan too much ahead.
Fantasized a short story about two older men==one. a recent widower looking for attention, the other, like myself, a "listener" who is asked to give him some comfort when he loses his wife. Story turns on a memory that the first man brings up to the listener---which sets him off on a voyage into his past---actually an encounter in high school with a woman who lived in the Bronx near Yankee Stadium. The listener returns to the apartment house and his memories block out the people he sees living there now.
The woman I remember was named Amy and she lived on Gerard Avenue in the Bronx which is right near the Stadium. One fascinating and surprising conversation with her in the Bronx library was enough to make me feel we had a future. Did we? Of course not, though I did have a nice chat with her at one of the Science reunions. At any rate, the potential for the story exists---will I be able to follow it through...? Stay tuned.
Saturday, March 9, 2019
received results from lab test taken two weeks ago...
but of course, can't interpret them. Must make a call.
Strange two days. Thursday morning, by 7:00 no call from Friends---cityboy resigns himself to his ninth day without work there. But wait! At 7:35, he receives a call from the science chairman--there is a sub needed and can he get there by 8:15. All of a sudden, all feelings are pushed into getting there on time. Amazingly the subway moved very quickly and cityboy arrived with ten minutes to spare., That was Thursday---after Friends ran up to the library at 145th and Amsterdam for two sessions. Left totally exhausted but made it through! Yesterday a little better but still dealing with the effects of the intense action the day before. Today, almost finished, might have the rest of the weekend free. But what of the medical tests. Could mean anything, have to wait and see.
That is all for now--must go, will report soon.
Strange two days. Thursday morning, by 7:00 no call from Friends---cityboy resigns himself to his ninth day without work there. But wait! At 7:35, he receives a call from the science chairman--there is a sub needed and can he get there by 8:15. All of a sudden, all feelings are pushed into getting there on time. Amazingly the subway moved very quickly and cityboy arrived with ten minutes to spare., That was Thursday---after Friends ran up to the library at 145th and Amsterdam for two sessions. Left totally exhausted but made it through! Yesterday a little better but still dealing with the effects of the intense action the day before. Today, almost finished, might have the rest of the weekend free. But what of the medical tests. Could mean anything, have to wait and see.
That is all for now--must go, will report soon.
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
intense and frenetic...
that seems to be where cityboy is at this morning. Lots of action! Two sessions scheduled for today and at least two for tomorrow. On Friday I return to Friends---then may chaperone the debate team this weekend. Possible performance at Here to attend on Saturday---and so it goes. Try to catch your breath, cityboy, not much else for you to do.
The colonoscopy "event" simply won't go away. Went to the Ryan Center to see if I could get an appointment with a doctor who might be available and able to book me for a colonoscopy before May or June. Thought I could just go to the appointment desk and work it out but I was told I had to be referred by my regular doctor. But my regular doctor (I like him very much) is a resident who only comes to the Ryan Center every six weeks. I have an appointment with him for mid-April. I can return tomorrow and ask for an appointment with one of his replacements and he/she will refer me to the next doctor. While at the desk the receptionist told me I could see a doctor in today---but it was the same doctor who had started off with me in July. He was the one who told me I should have a colonoscopy in the first place. I could not face him. He is an older man, and I am sure would have looked askance at my avoidance of the procedure in the last few months. So I left and said that I would return soon. Wrong choice? Hard to say---I am feeling better today then I felt yesterday---somehow I am still stubborn---want to do things "my way", or want to put a face to this whole procedure. That is the one thing that is missing. Nothing to do but take it day by day..
Yesterday, another tired evening with sleep most of the early part--today, probably similar but may have a little more energy if this "pull" continues. Will report soon.
The colonoscopy "event" simply won't go away. Went to the Ryan Center to see if I could get an appointment with a doctor who might be available and able to book me for a colonoscopy before May or June. Thought I could just go to the appointment desk and work it out but I was told I had to be referred by my regular doctor. But my regular doctor (I like him very much) is a resident who only comes to the Ryan Center every six weeks. I have an appointment with him for mid-April. I can return tomorrow and ask for an appointment with one of his replacements and he/she will refer me to the next doctor. While at the desk the receptionist told me I could see a doctor in today---but it was the same doctor who had started off with me in July. He was the one who told me I should have a colonoscopy in the first place. I could not face him. He is an older man, and I am sure would have looked askance at my avoidance of the procedure in the last few months. So I left and said that I would return soon. Wrong choice? Hard to say---I am feeling better today then I felt yesterday---somehow I am still stubborn---want to do things "my way", or want to put a face to this whole procedure. That is the one thing that is missing. Nothing to do but take it day by day..
Yesterday, another tired evening with sleep most of the early part--today, probably similar but may have a little more energy if this "pull" continues. Will report soon.
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
No work, two sessions...
and stomach problems continue. Not the greatest beginning of the day for cityboy. The teacher whom I was supposed to substitute for yesterday arrived safely back in NY in time for her to teach her classes today (there was a possibility that she would not, and I would work). Kind of raw this morning as stomach problems continue---now I will have to go to my clinic and ask them to send me to another doctor to supervise colonoscopy that I need---since the doctor at Ryan Center is busy for a while. Strange, I woke up this morning feeling incredible, body completely relaxed, but the problems continue. It is as if two different aspects of my body are totally independent of each other. Had cream cheese on a bagel this morning---that is always a recipe for stomach disaster--but what could I do? I was hungry. Oh well, enough of this.
Yesterday, not the most interesting day I have ever had, but did accomplish a few things. First, I bought new shoes at Payless on Broadway and 158th street. Payless is slowly going out of business---not good for someone like me who depends on their reasonable prices. But it may not be until May, so I can return to the store and maybe pick up one or two other pairs before they close, That would get me through next winter (I hope). Still, another inexpensive outlet is leaving the city---are their any other shoe stores whose prices are as low as Payless. More pressure on people with fixed income---that together with the Greek diners now charging around $8.50 or $9.00 for a tuna fish or blt sandwich---well, as I have said many times before: Where will it end?
Pretty cynical today--kind of edgy---I think the cold has prevented me from spending a decent amount of time in Brooklyn, a place where I enjoy being, and that has affected me.
I figured out that during the Spring break at Friends there are at least 6 or maybe seven theater events that I would like to see---and maybe an opera as well. I won't go into naming them all here---but that is a lot. Is it possible? We will see.
That is all for now--will report tomorrow or soon.
Yesterday, not the most interesting day I have ever had, but did accomplish a few things. First, I bought new shoes at Payless on Broadway and 158th street. Payless is slowly going out of business---not good for someone like me who depends on their reasonable prices. But it may not be until May, so I can return to the store and maybe pick up one or two other pairs before they close, That would get me through next winter (I hope). Still, another inexpensive outlet is leaving the city---are their any other shoe stores whose prices are as low as Payless. More pressure on people with fixed income---that together with the Greek diners now charging around $8.50 or $9.00 for a tuna fish or blt sandwich---well, as I have said many times before: Where will it end?
Pretty cynical today--kind of edgy---I think the cold has prevented me from spending a decent amount of time in Brooklyn, a place where I enjoy being, and that has affected me.
I figured out that during the Spring break at Friends there are at least 6 or maybe seven theater events that I would like to see---and maybe an opera as well. I won't go into naming them all here---but that is a lot. Is it possible? We will see.
That is all for now--will report tomorrow or soon.
Monday, March 4, 2019
Home again....
You know the old saying: when one thing goes wrong, what is next. Well, Friends called off school today because of the snow, and of course, that is when cityboy had a day of work. That coupled with no work last week...well, you get the picture. Yet, surprisingly, when I got the news and slightly afterwards, rather than feeling sad, I felt kind of free and relaxed. At least no worries about being called in the morning. And today, I just got a request to sub next Thursday, and I already have another day that week, so things are moving;----slightly.
Friday, returned to the apartment tired, so did not go anywhere, just stayed home and rested. Saturday did go to see my friends, Michael and Abby's project done in collaboration with eight very talented NYU theater students. A really interesting piece on exploring the city---trying to figure out the meaning of "self" in the city by looking at others. Quotes from Diane Arbus, the talented and doomed photographer from the sixties dominate the piece. There is a moody dreamlike quality to the monologues and quiet interactions---also some beautiful choreography. A really good way to get into feelings about being a city dweller---ironically the piece excludes the issues of gentrification and for the most part, race---and yet it did not matter to me. The interior world of the project was striking and the students were completely imaginative. A nice way of spending Saturday evening--unfortunately Michael and Abby were not there (I was surprised by this) and neither were any of my "indie theater acquaintances. Still, I am glad that I saw it. A testament to how much sheer imaginative theater talent there is out in the city---simply in the schools.
Not clear about the rest of the day. Have to get new shoes---the old ones are really warn, then we will see. Got a nice novel out of the Brooklyn library yesterday called Nostrand Avenue---you can imagine what this is about---takes place in the early 00's when Bed Stuy and its environments were still "the hood". Have enjoyed reading the first 50 or so pages.
That is all for now---will report soon.
Friday, returned to the apartment tired, so did not go anywhere, just stayed home and rested. Saturday did go to see my friends, Michael and Abby's project done in collaboration with eight very talented NYU theater students. A really interesting piece on exploring the city---trying to figure out the meaning of "self" in the city by looking at others. Quotes from Diane Arbus, the talented and doomed photographer from the sixties dominate the piece. There is a moody dreamlike quality to the monologues and quiet interactions---also some beautiful choreography. A really good way to get into feelings about being a city dweller---ironically the piece excludes the issues of gentrification and for the most part, race---and yet it did not matter to me. The interior world of the project was striking and the students were completely imaginative. A nice way of spending Saturday evening--unfortunately Michael and Abby were not there (I was surprised by this) and neither were any of my "indie theater acquaintances. Still, I am glad that I saw it. A testament to how much sheer imaginative theater talent there is out in the city---simply in the schools.
Not clear about the rest of the day. Have to get new shoes---the old ones are really warn, then we will see. Got a nice novel out of the Brooklyn library yesterday called Nostrand Avenue---you can imagine what this is about---takes place in the early 00's when Bed Stuy and its environments were still "the hood". Have enjoyed reading the first 50 or so pages.
That is all for now---will report soon.
Friday, March 1, 2019
a raw feeling...
overtook me at around 9. This is Friends withdrawal---a sense of emptiness, of not knowing what to do with my time, and above all, a sense of "why?" Maybe simply because all the teachers are there and no subs are needed--it may be that simple. But.....how do I solve this problem. I have work there Monday, and the Monday after that---that is all---no requests in advance by teachers going away to conferences etc. Well, things can change---also, the chaperoning that was called off for today may be on for next Friday (and possibly Saturday) . One session today at 3 30---that keeps me in Manhattan----still, would like to feel a little more at ease about all this. Well, let's see what happens.
Made a reservation for a work in progress that my friend Michael and Abby are doing tomorrow evening at one of the theaters at NYU. It is in conjunction with the students there--should be interesting and will be nice to see (and possibly "hang out" ) with the two of them. Some other friends from my "indie theater" world may be there as well. Interesting, how they all know each other. Has helped me move from one theater event to another. Anyway, that is tomorrow evening.
And what about this evening? Should make every effort to see Lynn Nottage's play at the Signature Theater. They say they are sold out, but there should be some tickets left as the time approaches 7:30. Must give it try---no worries if I don't get in---lots of other options.
Last night---finally made a "move" in the evening. Went to JG Melon's, a bar that I could walk to on Amsterdam and 83rd Street. Had a beer and watched the last quarter of a Thunder-76ers basketball game--a close game that the sixers one. Both teams have almost identical records---the bar was pretty empty so I grabbed a seat by the tv and watched---no conversation. A nice vibe, if at this point, kind of impersonal---I definitely would go back there again. One woman was totally drunk---finally left---feel for that kind of emptiness. Thinking about it, I remembered that "yes', I enjoy sitting in a bar, observing people---checking out the atmosphere. I like the "openness" of it. Returned to the apartment feeling solid---this was a good move for me. Melons used to be on 76th street and Amsterdam, for many years in the eighties, it was my "go to" place. Well, that was then, this is now.
That is what happening--hopefully I can be a little more "chill" as the day progresses. We will see.
Made a reservation for a work in progress that my friend Michael and Abby are doing tomorrow evening at one of the theaters at NYU. It is in conjunction with the students there--should be interesting and will be nice to see (and possibly "hang out" ) with the two of them. Some other friends from my "indie theater" world may be there as well. Interesting, how they all know each other. Has helped me move from one theater event to another. Anyway, that is tomorrow evening.
And what about this evening? Should make every effort to see Lynn Nottage's play at the Signature Theater. They say they are sold out, but there should be some tickets left as the time approaches 7:30. Must give it try---no worries if I don't get in---lots of other options.
Last night---finally made a "move" in the evening. Went to JG Melon's, a bar that I could walk to on Amsterdam and 83rd Street. Had a beer and watched the last quarter of a Thunder-76ers basketball game--a close game that the sixers one. Both teams have almost identical records---the bar was pretty empty so I grabbed a seat by the tv and watched---no conversation. A nice vibe, if at this point, kind of impersonal---I definitely would go back there again. One woman was totally drunk---finally left---feel for that kind of emptiness. Thinking about it, I remembered that "yes', I enjoy sitting in a bar, observing people---checking out the atmosphere. I like the "openness" of it. Returned to the apartment feeling solid---this was a good move for me. Melons used to be on 76th street and Amsterdam, for many years in the eighties, it was my "go to" place. Well, that was then, this is now.
That is what happening--hopefully I can be a little more "chill" as the day progresses. We will see.
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