so went to...

Friends to pick up check this morning. Greeted warmly by Eva, and had a nice chat with Lea J who like myself, attended the conversation headed by Jason about Te-Nehisi Coates' book, Between the World and Me. Good vibes all over at Friends, and yet not a lot of work. Library tomorrow afternoon, then nothing next week (unless e-mail should tell me otherwise) then a solid amount of work after that. But still, slower than usual. Nevertheless, felt a good vibe this morning, prefer not to dwell on the negative, maybe things will just work themselves out. We will see.
Yesterday, attended the Coates discussion, have to give myself some credit: after Jason's introduction, anyone could have spoken but there was a dead silence. I did not want to begin the discussion, but with nobody speaking, feeling a void, a jumped in with a discussion re  a quote from the book. That started things off. Mine was just one take that was discussed, I think I have a tendency to try to find a space for myself in his vision, which sometimes is hard. Anyway, glad I attended, afterwards had a slice of Pizza, then off to Standings to watch the Texas-Toronto game, was there during that bizarre seventh inning, could not have been crazier. Thought I would stay for Royal Astro game but too tired, returned home and fell asleep quickly---awoke full of energy around midnight, absolutely no where to go or anything to do, Stayed up for probably two hours, taking things apart--putting them together again.. Finally fell  asleep early morning, can't wait for switch to eastern standard time, don't like the darkness that still lasts til 7.
BAN meeting tonight, should be interesting, also just made my reservation for the half straddle bash at Joe's pub on Monday--don't particularly like Joe's pub for a party, hate the 12 dollar cover, but will be great to see those people whom I interacted with at Dixon Place last Monday evening. With that and visit to Bushwick Starr on Saturday, should be a lot of downtown theater action.
More reports tomorrow...

here I am....

in the library again--no work today, will be at Friends for the next three days, but only one is a scheduled work day. Today will participate in discussion moderated by Jason Craig, diversity director, on the Te-Nehisi Coates book, Between the World and Me. Should be interesting, will be interested in how other faculty members experience the book. Also, am bringing in a quote from
Coates' earlier autobiography, The Beautiful Struggle, will contribute that if it is warranted. Have no idea how the discussion will take shape  Anyway, will be there around 3.
Yesterday: a good session with one of my students--then returned home, my neighbor Arlene, invited me to watch the debate with her Democratic club at a bar nearbye; I had planned to listen to it on the radio, at home, but took her up on the offer. Arrived there to find a very crowded back room, full of people I did not know. Listened to the first question to all, after the intros---I was really put off by the moderator, thought his attitude was smarmy, and seemed to have a conservative bent (especially when he accused Saunders of not believing in capitalism---rediculous!) so after those questions were answered, left the claustrophobic room and, since I was starving, grabbed a slice of pizza at a nearbye pizza place. Bar nearby was showing important Mets game, so went there, had a beer, watched the game, actually the fate of Clayton Kershaw seemed more interesting to me than that of the five candidates. Anyway, Saunders made his point, he separated himself from the other four, now people can either vote for him or not. I am not a "strategic voter" , one who is worried that if Hilary does not run, a Republican will be elected. At this point I am supporting Saunders.
Not much else to say, after the discussion will probably try to find a place to see the Royal-Astro game, also want to hang out with my friend Erin, who is bartending at the non-sports bar next to Standings.
Will report all tomorrow..

rest of weekend...

which was long, three meals at La Flaca (not bad) and other events.
Saturday: came home after my two sessions and had to rest, not a lot of energy. Finally awoke and felt strong enough to go to la Flaca, where I knew I could watch the Mets-Dodger game. Hoped that Bobby would be there to share it with him, but he wasn't---still watched the first five innings of the game, it was pretty late by then, decided just to return home. heard the Utley cheap shot on the radio. Anyway, the Mets lost.
Sunday , interesting day, won $50.00 in a scratch off game, made things a little easier, hung out with Zach at DBT in Greenpoint---talked theater, caught up on what Shayla was doing, and watched a little football. After that, thought I could watch the Royal-Astro game at Standings, but place was packed, as was every other sports bar on second---it's really like a disease, the football infatuation that takes place every Sunday. Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy watching football a decent amount, but these groups that congregate in these bars----repugnant! Party at La Flaca celebrating its fifth anniversary began at 6, but it was four, decided to return home and rest before the party. Around 7, lft for La Flaca---spent about two hours there, happy for Bobby, he has really almost singhandedly made something of the place---deserves a lot of credit---enjoyed a lot of conversations, interesting one with the sister of Bobby's girl friend, a young lawyer who lives with her husband in Brooklyn. Basically enjoyed my time there, left around 10, had to prepare for Monday's activities.
Monday, arranged with Craig, who teaches in the Friends middle school and his girl friend Katie, to visit De Witt Clinton and environs in the Bronx. Met them outside their apartment in Washington Heights, love visiting there, love walking around and looking at the architecture. Those art deco buildings really resonate with me. Took 1 train and bus to Clinton, then walked around block to Bronx Science. These two schools exist in an isolated land island, apart from the neighborhoods around them. Holiday made the area extremely quiet---also the heat added to the sense of isolation.Would have liked to show them around the Bedford Park neighborhood directly east of there, but not enough time. We returned to Manhattan the same way we came, and I left them off at 191st street station.
Evening: off to Dixon Place for their Little Theater project, four vignettes from works in progress, many of my favorite actresses in these pieces, a little quirky and possibly indulgent (as many of these pieces are) but very well done. Afterwards, waited around at bar for some friends involved. Good conversation with Zoe, Julia  and Hannah---was invited to benefit for Half Straddle next Monday at Joe's pub. Money is tight, but I think I should do it. Left happy with my "adventure" went to la Flaca to watch game, it was early and lots of innings left. Stayed for a few, but loud voices and obnoxious comments, made me want to leave early, so I did.
Tonight, will try to catch the debate, really want to hear what those candidates have to say. Maybe go to Brooklyn to watch it, maybe just hear it on the radio...

Not much to say...

today, but interesting dream last night (let me get it down before I forget it) In the dream, I am awake, remembering a trip to a student's apartment (he is about ten) in a building off a courtyard. Thing is, I am not sure whether this trip was real, or if I dreamed it.  As I like awake( in the dream) I ponder whether the trip was real, or if I dreamed it--look for the mother's name in the address book of my phone book, and still can not find it---have I lost the number for a prospective client who could bring in money for me? (This is still my dream persona talking) wake up---this is reality and go over the contradictions---the dream within the dream---in my dream
Yesterday, after Friends, walked over to Professor Tom's where I watched the KC Houston game. Nice bartender, made me feel welcome---no conversation---place is pretty testosterone heavy (well, what bar that specializes in sports, isn't). After that simply returned home, downstairs neighbor started a mini fire, had to leave apartment, not a major one---spent some time outside talking to neighbors. Went to sleep before Met game started.
Today, ready to party---will probably go to La Flaca and watch some of Met Game with Bobby, know that he is overjoyed. Tomorrow and Monday less clear, but will go to Dixon Place in evening.
That's all for now, brother...

so yesterday....

after good time monitoring the library at Friends, had not heard from my client Lucianna, about working with her son, though she had told me the day before, he had to study for a math test on Friday. Got out at 5, had a pizza slice, walked over to Prelude through vicious 5th avenue foot traffic, and was able to see my friend Sarah's piece (she directed it) and watch one of my favorite actresses, Lucy K, perform. Rest of the cast was good too, ironic, 15 minute piece, will be interesting to see how it develops, should contacct Lucy and Sarah because I left immediately after the second piece. Checked my phone, message from Lucianna, yes, they needed me, but I was on 34th and 5th, and they were on Convent and 140th street. Called, confirmed that I would come, then moved quickly on 35th from 5th to 6th, (endless street, seems to go on forever) and luckily, a D came soon. Made the whole trip to 145th street station in less than one half hour. Amazed that so fatigued, I could do it, but once above ground, walking up to Convent, energy kicked in, I did not even need a coffee. The result: good session with Robert, my student. Once there very relaxed and focused. Robert and Lucianna were glad I made it, left their apartment feeling very fulfilled.
Walked up Convent to 145th, then to Wallace on Broadway between 148th and 149th (across the street from a former student of mine, when I visited her apartment about four or five years ago, could not dream that a bar and bar restaurant for neighborhood upscale people would appear so quickly) . No baseball game on, had a beer and later their incredible frank (called, for some reason, a "basic bitch). Just what I needed, but no real conversation with anyone around me. Left after finishing the frank, returned home, somewhat amazed at the turn of events of the last three hours, fell asleep very quickly.
Today, the library at Friends from 2 to 4:30, then not sure, may return to Preludes for their final day of works in progress, would also like to just disappear and watch baseball playoffs, Options abound (you could say that about the whole weekend), and how it will play it, nobody knows. Will go to Dixon Place on Monday night (that is etched in stone) so will see many of my theater friend there, if I don't see them before. Need to see Cynthia Hopkins' piece at Bushwick at some point, probably won't go tonight; so let the chips fall as they may....

frenetic....

the word that just went through my mind as I began today's blogging. All of a sudden, everything seems to be happening at once----the sessions, tonight's Prelude discussion, the work at Friends tomorrow---plans for the weekend, the Bushwick Starr (will I be there on Friday?)---all kind of appear in a jumble in my mind. Need a little stabilization, cityboy? Probably, but perhaps I have passed the point of no return. Or perhaps not...will have to play it out.
Yesterday evening; Went to Fringe Encore series to see the one woman show, Magdalen, about the brutality of the nuns in Ireland who took in "fallen women" or orphans, and subjected them to a rigorous and cruel discipline. Strong performance from Erin, whom I met three years ago, when the play was at my Fringe venue. Also nice to touch base with Julie, the director, whom I have also not seen in a while. We had a good conversation afterwards, wonder when the next time I will see her.
Erin and I were at the same performance at Jack, a few months back, after saying hello,she referred to me as her "Jack partner". Not exactly accurate, but maybe will see her there at some project in the future. But it was nice to "touch base" with both---since I did not see the piece when it played the Fringe three years ago, glad to have checked it out. It is intense---Erin's many portrayals are very strong. Very focused presentation, gets a little too grim at times--still, good work.
Before the performance got there early (no surprise there) and explored the three blocks south of Houston Street, King, Charlton and Van Dam, that exist between sixth and seventh (sixth is eastern border of the three). Very beautiful brownstones on each block, must cost a fortune now, blocks are very quiet during the evening, creating a beautiful atmosphere with last night's soft weather. Wondered what it would be like if I had found an apartment there in the sixties or seventies, instead of the upper west side. Rents there would have been very cheap at the time (as they were all over Manhattan in the sixties)---could imagine myself still living there now.
After play was over, decided to watch baseball game at Formerly Crow's a low key bar just east of sixth avenue on one of the streets near west 4th. Good call, was able to have a fairly inexpensive portion of guacamole, a few cokes, and watch the game with no difficulty. Don't often think of going there, but should, seems that there is always a place, bartenders are friendly, atmosphere not really conducive to meeting people, but still a good place. May return to watch some more baseball during the coming weeks as the playoffs progress.
Today, after sessions will try to head to Preludes at City College to sit in on discussion about making new theater spaces; something that I have followed very closely in the last few years. Then off to Friends tomorrow afternoon, for library duty.

just got....

the SCRIE application off---envelope kind of crowded with four papers. Hope it gets there okay, could have taken time to find a larger envelope---wanted to get it off, may have missed the correct floor of the building on the address,, but everything else that I wrote is clear, including return address if needed.
Yesterday: After session took a long train ride (with delays) to western edge of Park Slope (third avenue) and went to the meeting for Wycoff Garden residents concerning new buildings that will be built on the project land. Stayed for about an hour, many residents had complaints that were not associated with the new building---info about building really nothing new, NYCHA representatives insisted that they wanted to give the Wycoff Garden residents a "place at the table" as they built their plans. Residents suspicious, of course, though they were promised that there would be no evictions and that older project residents and disabled residents would be protected. I left before it was over, probably wished for more content, ultimately the discussion centered on about two or three points and once they were over, mainly repetitive statements abounded. As an outsider, it was hard to get involved, nice to see so many people from the project at the meeting (one of the reasons that I came was because there was fear that not enough people would bet there) but the place was totally packed.
Left, and as I walked toward third avenue (once a forgotten avenue on the cusp of Park Slope, but now something totally different) five or six black men, kind of drunk were rapping, crossed them, found myself face to face with a luxury apartment house, complete with a doorman, less than a block away. Brownstones between fourth and third also looked lovely, wonder if they were always this way. Walked back to subway, took R three stops to Prospect and walked from fourth avenue to fifth (a really long block by the way) and headed to Freddys where I ate supper. Bar was essentially quiet, not much contact, kind of a void for me, could have stayed for comics afterwards in back room, but too long a wait. Like the bar, but not much happens to me each time I go there--next door is South, a more upscale bar and restaurant, where Rosie Schaap, the writer sometimes bartends. Would I be more comfortable there? Looked like a younger hip crowd, Freddys still attracts the wizened intellectuals that somehow have remained in Park Slope.
After I left, walked up fifth avenue to ninth street. In those eight blocks, must have come across 10 bars (I won't name them all here). Enjoyed looking in on them, thought of a kind of adventure, a week in which I would try all of them. Still, this is only one of a group of bars that consume Brooklyn and parts of Manhattan. Nevertheless, felt alive and adventurous as I walked down the street. Will that crawl every come to be...? Who knows.
Tonight, will see Magdelen at Fringe Encores, the play my friend Erin is appearing in, afterwards, if I don't hang out with her or her director (possible but not probable) will probably find a bar where I can watch the Yankee playoff game, probably Broome Street bar, since it is very close to the Soho Playhouse. Other choices...? Tune in tomorrow...?