the days get....

prettier and prettier. Cityboy's life becomes more complicated and complicated. Received summons to appear at Federal Court for Jury Duty last Saturday---NO NOTICE! Ofcourse it was freak out time.

But today, after all the anxiety, went down and was told that because of my age, it was unnecessary for

me to be there. A lot of Much Ado About Nothing. Still no word from Friends, yet in spite of that feeling very up beat as I sit here working at the library's computer.

Saturday afternoon, in the midst of my gloom, went to South Bronx to visit Mark kamber at Bronx Documentary Project, a very nice guy, nice space, had a good conversation with him; found out that his cousin.Rick is a classmate of mine from Hopkins. I am fascinated by white people, presumably with middle class backgrounds, who decide to live in almost all black and hispanic communities.. Had a long talk with him about that; he also mentioned a close friend around age 50 or so, who has lived down the block from the project all his life. An Irish guy, who has remained very involved in helping the community. Amazing!

Afterwards, took Morris Avenue bus up to Jerome and 175 street, had a much needed Dunkin Donuts coffee and old fashioned donut fix, wandered around a bit and took the 4 to 149th street. Returned home to find in the mail the above mentioned "fraudulent" summons. 

Again the two feelings; incredibly upbeat about the moment, but wondering what will be at Friends. Perhaps the situation will resolve itself, Cityboy really hopes so....

on this beautiful.....

day, cityboy is angry. Just had a student cancel a lesson at the last moment. Not fair! He will pay for it, but it forces me to go into my income, and I had not expected to do so. Naturally, I watch my bank account like a hawk, so this only makes me put more pressure on myself. Yes, he will pay me during the week or next week, but....very disappointed.
Yesterday, went to Assembly's party, very nice, was very welcomed there when I arrived. Good conversations, nice meeting Jo, a comedian whose act I might see on Tuesday, Should check out Littlefields.
Decided to see play at HERE tonight, it creates some structure for the day, and is free, which at this point is very important.
Woke up last night at 3, the usual complaints and rages, worked them through, but feel that I might be at a standstill--your life is interesting now, but...any possibility for improvement...? Not clear, cityboy, anyway, let's get on with the day, will figure out the rest of the activity, before the play tonight.

last night...

attended Adam.s reading; glad that I went, he has really made some significant changes in the play for the better. Great cast---and Marilyn Chris---amazing! just a thrill to watch her endow that material. Today, not much, no work, tonight party at Assembly, should be fun---will continue to read Clea this afternoon, things are stabilizing on the financial level.
This weekend, more tutoring, not sure about the rest of it---probably pizza at South Fourth on Sunday, then usual Sunday trip...we'll see

well, tonight...

we are going to Adam Kraar's reading of his play at Ensemble Studio Theater. Saw a reading of this play about a year and a half ago, and I hope Adam has improved it; anyway, it will be fun to see it and chat with him.
Went to sleep early yesterday, and to my surprise, awoke around 5A.M.---strange that I did not have a waking moment around 2 or three, which is usual for me. Must have been more relaxed then I thought.
This morning, wanted to work--there was none---continuing on my journey with Durrell, now reading CLea, some really amazing writing in the beginning pages---Darley's reunion with Justine---amazing how he really creates the changed perception of Darley. Haunting writing---had visitations of a short story that I might write, characters emerged and promptly expanded, then a phone call (real) asking me to tutor a four year old
(yeah, that is right!) and my reverie, so vital in the Lincoln Center atrium, seemed to disintegrate. Returned briefly as I went to lunch---seems to me the cut between creating and teaching is a vast one, at least for me.
Anyway, austerity budget continues, cityboy determined to save money any way he can (like going to readings, which are free)---next couple of nights pretty well defined---Assembly party on Friday, usual tour of Williamsburg and Bushwick on Sunday, and next Thursday and Friday, going to the "preview" of the avant garde groups at City College Center. Rest of the day will determine itself.....

was Monday's voyage.....

just a dream. Appears so, after a great day at Friends, and a good time attending Arguendo, and its opening night party. As opposed to Monday, Cityboy surrounded  by people. Striking differences. Now a little more relaxed about Friends...things in general  Where do we go from here,,,,not sure...?

as we were saying.....

great place to read, unrushed. Then cityboy travels from Newkirk to Parade Grounds. What does he find.....apartments and apartments that he could have lived in as a boy. Numerous streets where stickball must have been played, mothers sat outside watching their children, all efforts were pointed upward. The history of his childhood, played out in these streets, now nevermore.
Checked on apartment house on Newkirk: all hispanic
Checked another: all muslim (or so I assume)
Still, much gentrification if we looked closely.
Free day, today, completed Mountolive, want to voyage in and around Brooklyn south of the park.
Empire Boulevard, Church Avenue, if we could follow them east, what would we find?
Dried out now....can't put into words what I feel.
Remember Joan Lacey---the eleven year old that everyone worshipped at Camp Towanda in 53?
Once she talked to me---I felt amazed....then she sang at the talent show....
from Moulin Rouge....
Whenever we kiss, I worry and wonder, your lips may be there, but where is your heart.
Then the middle verse:
It is a very sad thing to tell
When we kiss, do you close your eyes,
Pretending I am someone else...I still remember watching her from the back of the auditorium at
camp...where is she now...? Some seventy year old...doing what....?
enough of the past...let's move on.....

cityboy---the wanderer

With a day free, cityboy heads off to Brooklyn for some hard traveling. Back in time...cityboy? For he ends up in the heart of Ditmas Park (Flatabush when you were growing upt, right?) Finds a great new coffee place on Newkirk Avenue, right accross the street from a public school---lots of room great place to read, unrusheيهفغلاخغ