not all of it good. But on a whim, just made a Cyber Monday reservation for Sunday evening December 27 (my parents' anniversary, by the way) at a nice hotel in Cambridge---so that means I will try to definitely see Natasha and Pierre that evening---was ambivalent about doing it, but impulse was strong. Not really in a mood to think of trip to Boston at this time, but here it is, now it is just a question of deciding whether to take the bus or Amtrak to Boston and from Boston the next day. Still amazed that I made that reservation, however it is extremely reasonable, so I acted quickly.
Bad news: apartment leaking through ceiling, tenant upstairs is away, no one has her key, rough night last night will probably continue for at least a day until landlord is available, super, as such can do nothing, because he has no key, A disgrace! But what can you do. Can't ask him to turn off the heat today, with it being very cold.
Picked up check at Friends, no work for the next two weeks, but that could change---try to deal with feelings about that---let's not jump to any conclusions.
Saturday night: Lulu at Met, climbed up all those stairs to Standing Room, but stamina was strong. Tough opera to listen to, but got through it, by third act was very tired, but the first scene, one that Berg only left outlines for, seemed very long and uninteresting. Lulu singer was great, as were Alva and Schon, production which everyone likes, seemed a little bit askew for me---screens and projections cut down on playing space, so there was at times a cramped feeling about the whole thing. Glad I saw it and got through it.
Yesterday---long voyage through Brooklyn. Went to Cobra in Bushwick to watch Giant football game in relative quiet, yet was bored---stayed through first half ending, Giants looked pretty bad---donut (delicious) gave me good walking energy, walked down Willoughby to Broadway, then came the decision, decided not to take DeKalb bus into Fort Greene--instead, took a bus trip that I had been thinking about taking for a long time---the Ralph Avenue 47 bus--though the eastern end of Bed-Stuy, nothing out of the ordinary, some beautiful Brownstone blocks on cross streets near Fulton, never realized that even east of Malcolm X Boulevard, streets could be so beautiful, up into Crown Heights, then Brownsville, moved around a lot and then found Ralph Avenue again. Thought that I would get off at Church, and take that bus into Ditmas Park, but missed Church and went all the way to Flatlands, then took 6 bus which left me off near Brooklyn College, a western trip, Wonder if I could walk the whole way, a really long walk, it is even long to Glenwood and Utica. Brooklyn so vast! At Bedford and the college, decided to walk into Ditmas, and so the trek to Newkirk began, several blocks until I hit Newkirk---turned west and passed Flatbush, then all residential until the plaza about six blocks later. Starving by that time, went to Milk and Honey, a benign coffee shop-restaurant on Newkirk near Coney Island avenue. Nice meal, then walked north on Coney Island Avenue to Corelyou, a long four or five blocks (Longer than I remember from past walks)---passed about four bars on Coney-Cortelyou, they have increased since last visit, wanted to try one or two of them but opted for coffee at Connecticut Muffin. Stomach not ready for a beer. Would like to make a return visit and try out one or two of the bars---had to go home to check on apartment, really hated to leave Brooklyn, but no word from super, so I did. I was tired anyway, blown out from the long walks (actually three of them) and went to sleep quickly, got up around 10 and had trouble falling asleep again.
Not much else to say, after sessions today (one or two) wills see what is happening and how tired I am
Monday, November 30, 2015
Saturday, November 28, 2015
just got....
my Standing Room ticket to Lulu for tonight. Thought that at 11:45 they might all be gone, but actually have place number 2! One more session today, but feel full of energy, sure that I will have the stamina to watch the opera. I will let you know more....
Yesterday, These Paper Bullets a great disappointment, I left after Act I, had a feeling I would not like it from the beginning, but was prepared to be surprised. But this is simply a 1964 update of Much Ado About Nothing---the book follows it slavishly---and that combined with the topical references fo the time seemed totally dead for me. Cast full of energy, many Yale School of Drama recent graduates, I am sure they enjoyed this "romp" after all the serious stuff that they must prepare there, But vision falls flat----there is something so obvious about all of this, sad that an important Drama School devoted to new works, would consider something like this meaningful. Worse still is how the production---originally performed on the Yale Rep Stage, a much larger stage than Atlantic's, seems to overwhelm the adequate space provided at Atlantic's theater. Left after first act feeling very annoyed, proceeded to Burp Castle where my old bartender friend Rachel was taking Erin's place for the night. Have not seen Rachel in about 5 years, she has changed a lot; not much chance to catch up as a number of her friends were in and around the place---Rachel very manic---sort of unstoppable, I left after my one beer, sure that no further conversation would ensue. A little disappointed, but hey, those things happen, had to check her out.
Not much else to report on this still mild November Saturday. Must return to Harlem for another session before the opera---tomorrow looks totally free, not sure how to spend the time. Football or maybe the Brooklyn library to write another blog. We will see...
Yesterday, These Paper Bullets a great disappointment, I left after Act I, had a feeling I would not like it from the beginning, but was prepared to be surprised. But this is simply a 1964 update of Much Ado About Nothing---the book follows it slavishly---and that combined with the topical references fo the time seemed totally dead for me. Cast full of energy, many Yale School of Drama recent graduates, I am sure they enjoyed this "romp" after all the serious stuff that they must prepare there, But vision falls flat----there is something so obvious about all of this, sad that an important Drama School devoted to new works, would consider something like this meaningful. Worse still is how the production---originally performed on the Yale Rep Stage, a much larger stage than Atlantic's, seems to overwhelm the adequate space provided at Atlantic's theater. Left after first act feeling very annoyed, proceeded to Burp Castle where my old bartender friend Rachel was taking Erin's place for the night. Have not seen Rachel in about 5 years, she has changed a lot; not much chance to catch up as a number of her friends were in and around the place---Rachel very manic---sort of unstoppable, I left after my one beer, sure that no further conversation would ensue. A little disappointed, but hey, those things happen, had to check her out.
Not much else to report on this still mild November Saturday. Must return to Harlem for another session before the opera---tomorrow looks totally free, not sure how to spend the time. Football or maybe the Brooklyn library to write another blog. We will see...
Friday, November 27, 2015
No tickets....
in family circle for Lulu tomorrow, probably the only chance I have to see it. Have to get a Standing Room, not really what I wanted but...should check this out a little later, though I don't think they go on sale until tomorrow. What if it is impossible..? Don't know, will really feel disappointed---anyway will try later.
Wednesday, saw Incident at Vichy, was very disappointed, Richard Thomas gives an amazing performance, but some of the other actors are really poorly cast. Play is not paced very well...memories of the original production, which I saw almost 51 years ago to the date of this performance, are still very strongly in my mind. Miss Hal Holbrook, his performance of the major was devastating, also Will Lee, who played the silent Jewish man, much more manic and frightening then Jon Hadary, who is doing it in this production. Don't often agree with the Times critic who did not like it, but in this case I feel that he is right. After the play, went, for the first time in a while, to Lansdowne Road, sports bar deluxe, found the adorable twins (waitresses) was warmly welcomed and, despite the noise, had a good time. Will try to return there soon, yesterday, rejected the opportunity to go to a movie in the morning, long wait for time to leave for Prospect Heights, filled mostly with reading, a few walks, not much else, needed to clear my head---sometimes emptiness if best, Arrived at the Schwarz-Baums at around 5, everyone was there, a basically good time that got better in the interaction after the food was eaten. Stan's (my cousins' husband) mother was there, she is 94, yet totally coherent and focused, similarly her brother, six years younger, still seems very brisk. She and he emigrated from Germany in the early thirties, his wife just got out in time, that seems to have dominated her vision of life from that time on, can you blame her if she is not the most compassionate person in the world? How can you compare her world view with yours, raised from day 1 in relative security in the Bronx several years later. That's the problem---so many people coming from different points of view---can that be transcended..?
Anyway, today a beautiful day, two students, will go to Atlantic tonight to see Those Paper bullets, and English musical apparently based on Much Ado About Nothing. Heard it is a lot of fun, afterwards will try to go to Burp Castle about 20 blocks away, and say hello to visiting bartender Rachel, whom I knew and liked several years ago. Should be interesting...
Will report on all this (hopefully) tomorrow...
Wednesday, saw Incident at Vichy, was very disappointed, Richard Thomas gives an amazing performance, but some of the other actors are really poorly cast. Play is not paced very well...memories of the original production, which I saw almost 51 years ago to the date of this performance, are still very strongly in my mind. Miss Hal Holbrook, his performance of the major was devastating, also Will Lee, who played the silent Jewish man, much more manic and frightening then Jon Hadary, who is doing it in this production. Don't often agree with the Times critic who did not like it, but in this case I feel that he is right. After the play, went, for the first time in a while, to Lansdowne Road, sports bar deluxe, found the adorable twins (waitresses) was warmly welcomed and, despite the noise, had a good time. Will try to return there soon, yesterday, rejected the opportunity to go to a movie in the morning, long wait for time to leave for Prospect Heights, filled mostly with reading, a few walks, not much else, needed to clear my head---sometimes emptiness if best, Arrived at the Schwarz-Baums at around 5, everyone was there, a basically good time that got better in the interaction after the food was eaten. Stan's (my cousins' husband) mother was there, she is 94, yet totally coherent and focused, similarly her brother, six years younger, still seems very brisk. She and he emigrated from Germany in the early thirties, his wife just got out in time, that seems to have dominated her vision of life from that time on, can you blame her if she is not the most compassionate person in the world? How can you compare her world view with yours, raised from day 1 in relative security in the Bronx several years later. That's the problem---so many people coming from different points of view---can that be transcended..?
Anyway, today a beautiful day, two students, will go to Atlantic tonight to see Those Paper bullets, and English musical apparently based on Much Ado About Nothing. Heard it is a lot of fun, afterwards will try to go to Burp Castle about 20 blocks away, and say hello to visiting bartender Rachel, whom I knew and liked several years ago. Should be interesting...
Will report on all this (hopefully) tomorrow...
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
interesting day....
yesterday, still feeling tired from Monday's marathon, nevertheless, walked from home to CPW and 81st in order to get to library on time. What else..? Well, read A Memory of Two Mondays, the Miller play that at one point served as the curtain raiser to the original A View From the Bridge. I never gave it much thought, but amazingly, it happens to be a beautifully written play. A complete contrast (with a few exceptions) to the play taking place in Red Hook that is performed after it, there is no one central character, rather it is about the comings and goings in an automobile manufacturing plant in Chelsea in early 1933. A big cast, with a lot of interesting character sketches. Interesting to contrast the casting in this one with the casting in View. Van Heflin, who played the original Eddie Carbone in View plays a harried married man who is underpaid at the factory, and who has a brief affair with the young sexy woman worker in the piece, who, of course plays Catherine in View. But most amazingly, there is Gus, a 68 year old mad man, full of angry energy, his id almost uncontrolled, chasing all the women, and who comes the closest to challenging the authority of the warehouse. The actor who played him is the actor playing Alfieri in View---so one goes from the id to the super ego. What is amazing is the A Memory of Two Mondays should run about an hour---it really takes it time. So the evening of the two plays must have been at least two hours and 45 minutes long. Would have loved to have seen it--of course, I was only twelve when it opened, and could not.
Returning from 145 street, felt tired, but had to see something---too tired to travel, and the two movies most interesting to me at this point, Brooklyn and Spotlight---seemed too intense. First tried to see The Mirror, by Tcharkovsky, but sold out at Reade, did not want to wait on stand by line, next tried Philharmonic but was told, kind of abruptly, that no senior tickets for this Rachmaninoff concert were available. Since that is the only way I will go, that was out. Went to Lincoln Plaza where Ingrid Bergman bio was playing, started right at the moment I arrived, I did not think twice and bought a ticket. Not deep but interesting movie, took the time and I am very familiar with the territory, Bergman emerges as a sincere woman who could not understand that leaving her children to make a movie might be upsetting to them. She was a woman of complete duality, she needed a family, but thrived on rejecting them when she was at work. Interesting conundrum, but that aspect of the art---who the artist bonds with and how much of the art they share, has always fascinated me. Extremely tired when I returned home, went to sleep immediately---leak did not return until around 2 A.M.
By the way, did not attend Thanksgiving Assembly at Friends, at the moment I was too zonked to get on the subway and go there. Will definitely attend Christmas Assembly, as I always do, work or not.
Today, after library will see Incident At Vichy, then maybe to La Flaca for Thanksgiving party, maybe somewhere else. Tomorrow at the Schwarz-Baum's for the annual Thanksgiving---maybe a movie in the morning. That is all for now...
Returning from 145 street, felt tired, but had to see something---too tired to travel, and the two movies most interesting to me at this point, Brooklyn and Spotlight---seemed too intense. First tried to see The Mirror, by Tcharkovsky, but sold out at Reade, did not want to wait on stand by line, next tried Philharmonic but was told, kind of abruptly, that no senior tickets for this Rachmaninoff concert were available. Since that is the only way I will go, that was out. Went to Lincoln Plaza where Ingrid Bergman bio was playing, started right at the moment I arrived, I did not think twice and bought a ticket. Not deep but interesting movie, took the time and I am very familiar with the territory, Bergman emerges as a sincere woman who could not understand that leaving her children to make a movie might be upsetting to them. She was a woman of complete duality, she needed a family, but thrived on rejecting them when she was at work. Interesting conundrum, but that aspect of the art---who the artist bonds with and how much of the art they share, has always fascinated me. Extremely tired when I returned home, went to sleep immediately---leak did not return until around 2 A.M.
By the way, did not attend Thanksgiving Assembly at Friends, at the moment I was too zonked to get on the subway and go there. Will definitely attend Christmas Assembly, as I always do, work or not.
Today, after library will see Incident At Vichy, then maybe to La Flaca for Thanksgiving party, maybe somewhere else. Tomorrow at the Schwarz-Baum's for the annual Thanksgiving---maybe a movie in the morning. That is all for now...
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
frenetic Monday.....
after Sunday, when, because of problems with radiator flooding, was practically confined to the apartment. Horrible time sleeping Sunday evening, with drip coming from upstairs (lady living upstairs is probably on vacation---did not leave a key), and probably anxious about all the activity planned for Monday. As for that day, had a nice day subbing at Friends, ended up in the library, where I got a chance to interact with many. After that, home, a little rest, then to BAN meeting; it turned out was about the structure of the leadership---did not realize that that was what it was going to be---not that important to me---left a little early, then off to Clinton Hill,for much looked forward to party at Jack. There I payed my 25 dollar entrance fee, then during intermission interacted with the "usual suspects". Good to see them, though things are getting a bit predictable. Not a big fan of running in place, nevertheless important to touch base. On Fulton, did not take C train which is a block away from Jack---do not like to take that train after, say, eight, instead, a bus appeared on Fulton, which I took to Nevins Street station. Train in Brooklyn was pretty empty, a little nervous making, but the trip was ultimately fine. Gee, I love going to Brooklyn! Returned to the apartment feeling much less anxiety than the night before, water still dripped down from apartment above, but slept fitfully during the night.
Today,will go to Thanksgiving Assembly at Friends, then might have a student, if not, all the world lies in front of me. Which means what...? Will struggle with the alternatives, should really see Wiseman's documentary on Queens, have decided to wait until Saturday evening to see Lulu (this is pretty definite), Rest of the week pretty well set up, Incident at Vichy on Wednesday, Those Paper Bullets (another musical on Much Ado About Nothing---do I really need it?) and hopefully Lulu on Saturday---truly my last chance to see it. Thanksgiving with the Schwarz-Baum's on Park Place on Thursday---about the 25th year of that. Incredible! Will report back tomorrow...
Today,will go to Thanksgiving Assembly at Friends, then might have a student, if not, all the world lies in front of me. Which means what...? Will struggle with the alternatives, should really see Wiseman's documentary on Queens, have decided to wait until Saturday evening to see Lulu (this is pretty definite), Rest of the week pretty well set up, Incident at Vichy on Wednesday, Those Paper Bullets (another musical on Much Ado About Nothing---do I really need it?) and hopefully Lulu on Saturday---truly my last chance to see it. Thanksgiving with the Schwarz-Baum's on Park Place on Thursday---about the 25th year of that. Incredible! Will report back tomorrow...
Saturday, November 21, 2015
I am in...
the picture on Brokelyn that was taken Tuesday morning, around 8, when I was one of the earliest arrivals at the protest. Not one of the greatest pictures of me, not what I like to think of myself physically, but just will have to deal with it. Picture on my Friends Seminary identity mark is much better. Yesterday, looked in library mirror and liked what I saw, nevertheless, disappointed in picture, oh well, let's drop it and get on to other stuff that is more important.
Feeling better this morning, had a good session with one of my students, realize how much I really enjoy working with children, maybe Saturday morning energy has a lot to do with it, feel like I could have four more sessions, unlike during the week, when, even if I don't sub at Friends, I seem to be tired after one. (There may be other reasons for that---atmosphere at Hamilton Grange library is very warm, sucks the blood out of one). Anyway, feeling quite rejuvenated, in spite of problems mentioned yesterday.
Yesterday evening, went to Burp Castle as planned, finally got a chance to talk with Erin (previously mentioned in this blog as Megan) amazed that she had no inkling of Tuesday's past protest. She lives in Bushwick where the us a lot of anti-gentrification action, nevertheless she was unaware. Had an nice conversation with her and some bar patrons, she mentioned she has a new boy friend, described him to me---how did that make me feel? Somewhat alone, after bar visit went to Fresca, where I convinced myself that I needed a gelato scoop, did I really..? Anyway, it was good, love the stratciatella, but possibly was not needed. Walked up a crowded (actually very crowded) second avenue to 14th where I grabbed a crosstown bus that took me to seventh avenue and the subway home.
Reading an anthology of short stories part of Pushcart best of small presses, two rather muted but interesting pieces so far..Also have read two early stories by Capote, they are somewhat rudimentary, but still have great eye for detail. Will continue reading some of them. Feel much more in a short story,rather than novel zone at this point in time, need the conciseness, don't want to deal with the long continuity.
Tonight, two choices: immigrant stories at Bronx Documentary Center, have not been there in a while, should go, and it is free, or possibly Catch at Invisible Dog, where my friends Michael and Abby are trying out a short piece. Last Catch I went to in April of 2014, I was disappointed in the vision and work, and also my relations with my friends there was brief. Probably should go to Bronx Doc, the seriousness of the stories appeals to me, and Catch can be awfully superficial. Then can hang out some place, (maybe Dive Bar, where I had a real good time last Saturday) either in Manhattan or Brooklyn.
Tomorrow, not sure, might be nice to have a "wandering" day throughout Brooklyn, just sit back and relax and watch some football in a quiet bar.. Well, will let you know...
Feeling better this morning, had a good session with one of my students, realize how much I really enjoy working with children, maybe Saturday morning energy has a lot to do with it, feel like I could have four more sessions, unlike during the week, when, even if I don't sub at Friends, I seem to be tired after one. (There may be other reasons for that---atmosphere at Hamilton Grange library is very warm, sucks the blood out of one). Anyway, feeling quite rejuvenated, in spite of problems mentioned yesterday.
Yesterday evening, went to Burp Castle as planned, finally got a chance to talk with Erin (previously mentioned in this blog as Megan) amazed that she had no inkling of Tuesday's past protest. She lives in Bushwick where the us a lot of anti-gentrification action, nevertheless she was unaware. Had an nice conversation with her and some bar patrons, she mentioned she has a new boy friend, described him to me---how did that make me feel? Somewhat alone, after bar visit went to Fresca, where I convinced myself that I needed a gelato scoop, did I really..? Anyway, it was good, love the stratciatella, but possibly was not needed. Walked up a crowded (actually very crowded) second avenue to 14th where I grabbed a crosstown bus that took me to seventh avenue and the subway home.
Reading an anthology of short stories part of Pushcart best of small presses, two rather muted but interesting pieces so far..Also have read two early stories by Capote, they are somewhat rudimentary, but still have great eye for detail. Will continue reading some of them. Feel much more in a short story,rather than novel zone at this point in time, need the conciseness, don't want to deal with the long continuity.
Tonight, two choices: immigrant stories at Bronx Documentary Center, have not been there in a while, should go, and it is free, or possibly Catch at Invisible Dog, where my friends Michael and Abby are trying out a short piece. Last Catch I went to in April of 2014, I was disappointed in the vision and work, and also my relations with my friends there was brief. Probably should go to Bronx Doc, the seriousness of the stories appeals to me, and Catch can be awfully superficial. Then can hang out some place, (maybe Dive Bar, where I had a real good time last Saturday) either in Manhattan or Brooklyn.
Tomorrow, not sure, might be nice to have a "wandering" day throughout Brooklyn, just sit back and relax and watch some football in a quiet bar.. Well, will let you know...
Friday, November 20, 2015
Trying to find...
a reason for what I just found out. I will sub on Monday, but sub job for same teacher was given to another of the subs on Tuesday. Why? Finally time to confront this, it has been going on for a while, I think I will talk to the department head, whom I like and respect a great deal, and maybe find out what is going on.
Has left me in a foul mood, been a difficult week, first the protest (pictures from that came today, of course I did not like the way I looked) , then the "flood" problem, dealing with Hector, not working at all at friends, and finally "this". Lesson quality with students has been good, so there is something positive to be said. Looking forward to Monday, at least in the evening, so I can be with theater friends, possibly Catch on Saturday as well, although I would like to go to the Bronx Documentary project. Two alternatives for Friday, two for Saturday...a lot of rage.
Yesterday, rain prevented much action in the evening, also tired, glad I got the Pushcart Press book, best of 2015 from Library near Lincoln Center--nice short story by Frederick Tuten, a contemporary of mine. Hope to read more interesting material from there.
Not much else to say---have to keep my feelings in until Monday--possibly I will get work for Tuesday and the situation will be somewhat moot, but if not, will continue on the plan.
Weekend, as I have said before, filled with options, well it is a nice day...continue...
Has left me in a foul mood, been a difficult week, first the protest (pictures from that came today, of course I did not like the way I looked) , then the "flood" problem, dealing with Hector, not working at all at friends, and finally "this". Lesson quality with students has been good, so there is something positive to be said. Looking forward to Monday, at least in the evening, so I can be with theater friends, possibly Catch on Saturday as well, although I would like to go to the Bronx Documentary project. Two alternatives for Friday, two for Saturday...a lot of rage.
Yesterday, rain prevented much action in the evening, also tired, glad I got the Pushcart Press book, best of 2015 from Library near Lincoln Center--nice short story by Frederick Tuten, a contemporary of mine. Hope to read more interesting material from there.
Not much else to say---have to keep my feelings in until Monday--possibly I will get work for Tuesday and the situation will be somewhat moot, but if not, will continue on the plan.
Weekend, as I have said before, filled with options, well it is a nice day...continue...
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