Final day without work...

at Friends--five days in a row coming up. Thank goodness! Still wondering whether the lack of work has to do with me, or simply that no one is out. Well, I should find out more in the coming days. If I can pick up a little more work in the next couple of weeks, things should be all right. In the past, when I had a few long stretches in which I was not called, it had nothing to do with anybody's feelings about me--it just happened. So let's see how it plays out.
  Just found out I can see GATZ for $42.00 on Friday. That is a lot of money for me---a little grossed out about spending it, but I really should go. That money can be made up somewhere else. May wait a day, and see if it shows up on TDF. That would mean about 10.00 less, not a great deal, but somehow, in my own head it makes a difference.
  So yesterday, somewhat tired, I did troop out to JACK in Brooklyn to see and participate in the reparations project that they have been sponsoring all year. This discussion centered on the relationship between philanthropy and the black world. The main speaker centered on the sixties---she felt the Ford Foundation, which sponsored and created a lot of black projects at the time, really wanted to control the anger which they felt was coming from the black community. An interesting point, but it really went nowhere. The rest of her talk dealt with a few other examples of philanthropy and its role in society, but it was really terribly general. The second speaker was the head of a foundation in Philadelphia that gives a lot of grants for projects built around "social justice" She used that phrase a couple of times in her presentation, but never was specific about what exactly these w social justice projects were. I had to ask her if 1) the majority of grants went to people of color, and 2) to please give an example of a "social justice" project. She answered both questions, but again, a lot of her points seemed intellectualized. So were many of the comments. I think that I am much closer to the 'nitty gritty" of things then many of the people in the forum. That is something that I should remember. Still, there is something valuable in attending the discussion events at JACK---I am happy they have them, and will return.
  Today's structure is kind of open. I may go to Williamsburg where some former south fourthers are known to hang out on Tuesday and hopefully participate in some good conversations. If not that, well...things are incredibly open.
 Must get ready for the cold that comes in tomorrow. Will report soon, probably on Saturday.

The march!

The march outside the home of the Deputy Mayor took place with about 20 of us marching and singing---cityboy actually remained a bit on the sidelines, talking to people passing by and recommending an article in the now defunct Village Voice that describes this woman's developer oriented vision for the city---the vision BAN protested yesterday.
  As far as ambivalent feelings---well they were unjustified. Most passers by seemed stunned just to see protesters in their neighborhood. Many stopped to talk and read the flyers, and most were either impressed or encouraging .Did not see anybody that I knew, and I held a placard while talking to people for about an hour and a half. When it was over, I was tired, and desperately needed some coffee and sugar, which I found about 5 blocks away at the Greek Diner on 100th street. Great coffee, which I really needed, and some nice pound cake. After that returned home and slept for a while---the rest of the evening was slow---did a lot of reading of And The Band Played On--almost finished with it---and listened to some music.
 No work again today---really surprised that I have not been called---this is the fifth day not at Friends. There is some good news in that---I can go to a forum at Jack in Brooklyn on the subject of reparations and race in general. This is a discussion that I really wanted to attend and participate in--I could not do it, if I was called to work. On the other hand, with the exception of one e-mail, requesting me to work the first two days of next week--there has been no word from the Friends faculty asking for my services, not even a text requesting some time later in the month or in February. Well, I have five days beginning Wednesday and one on the following Friday; that should give me time to see if my not being hired is simply a result of no teacher being absent (a sub can't be hired unless someone is sick, right?), or something more "nefarious".  Still, since I am so integrated into the Friends community, there is something that makes me feel alienated and a bit alone when I am not contacted for some time. Well, let's see how it all plays out.
  Anything else? Not really--will report on all events as soon as possible.

Today is the day....

of the protest---cityboy is apprehensive, but will show up to give support. This woman,  at whose apartment house we are demonstrating has, for me a vicious vision of what the city should be. She is totally committed to the vision of the developers at the expense of the "normal" citizens of the city. But why do I feel so apprehensive? Do I only feel comfortable picketing in Brooklyn.Something about this being so close to home puts me off. Yet I will be there. Hopefully I can have some meaningful discussions with passers-by about what the protest is all about. Well, we will see.
  Last night, so Intelligence, an extremely well acted and directed play about three women working to solve a problem for America in a war torn country in the middle east. The play itself has some powerful moments, but at times I felt the premise was weak, and at a few moments, the play stopped dead for me. Nevertheless, the strong moments were riveting, and the performances, as I said before, were greatly shaped.
 So this is what it is, Sunday morning at the 42nd street library (the only one in NY opened at this time) Will report soon.

Saturday morning....

one interesting post on Facebook by a theater director in which he decries his own passivity since he got out of college in 2000, and shows that he is determined to be much more involved. Also, the woman whose apartment house we are picketing tomorrow, just published an article in the Daily News in which she praises the vision of the Mayor's housing program and pushes back (to say it mildly) against the detractors. Luckily, the blog that published this, does push back--with some very strong points. Does this make me a little more nervous about tomorrow's protest.Possibly? This seems like a woman who is very determined to have things her own way, and would push anybody around who doesn't agree with her. Still, this will not stop me from participating in the protest.
  There is a work session this afternoon at the leader's apartment to get the material for tomorrow ready. I probably won't be there---I am clunky when it comes to those things. But I plan  to join the group tomorrow.
  Last night-dinner with a friend at an Italian place in Chelsea. Nice time. Have been reading two books" The Band Played On, by Randy Schultz, a penetrating account of the AIDS situation and the response of government and gay groups to the early explosion of AIDS. Also, Edward III, a play newly ascribed to Shakespeare, written in the early part of his career. A strange piece with many issues that foreshadow his later plays but there is something contrived about the whole situation. I don't doubt its authenticity, but it almost seems like some scholar put it together as a prank. It just seems to intellectually planned. Possible? Who knows.
  Tonight, seeing Intelligence that my friend Jess directed, and then may stop off at nearby Burp Castle to chat with my friend, bartender Erin. Will report soon.

no, it did not happen...

there was a NYCB performance last night but cityboy was not in attendance. The flame that inspired him to fantasize attending last night's performance went out when after a session around 5. he found himself really tired and could make no plan other than to return to the apartment and get some sleep. The need for sleep may have come from the restlessness of the night before. That restlessness---similar to last night's restlessness came from the despair and worry of not being called to work at Friends. When you spend a lot of the full night not sleeping, you need to make it up in the afternoon.
   However, that is mostly changed now, as waiting in cityboy's in box was a request for two more days of subbing--the first two days of the week after this. That will be five in a row, starting Wednesday, if nothing comes up before. All good, now cityboy can be a little more relaxed about his presence there.
   All the choices that cityboy pondered at this time yesterday---the ballet, the opera, maybe the Philharmonic, or maybe a play seemed overwhelming---cityboy still wants to check some of them out, but needs a little more sense of control Can he help it if he has mucho interests in events happening around the city?
  Today, dinner with my friend Robin, some good discussion, tomorrow hope to see the play that my friend Jess directed at the small New York Theater Workshop Space. That's all for now, will report tomorrow.

a fierce passion

to attend this evening's performance at NYCB has overtaken me. There are tickets for $35.00 (none chaeaper?) It is an all Balanchine program---I spent so many hours in that space watching Balanchine and his dancers from 68 to about 83. Recently I have not gone---why? For one, who the theater is named after---really turns me off---but two----at times I feel too close to the ballets---almost as if they were former friends or lovers. The time that I spent studying, getting to know, and ultimately living with these ballets was a different time in my life---a time before subbing, doing theater, etc. Today would be a viable day to go--no work again at Friends (disappointing) and a relatively easy schedule in the afternoon. Should I do it? What about the opera, with the Tchaikovsky and Bartok program, or trying to get a rush ticket to Merrily (Hey Old Friend!) It's all a bit overwhelming, as I try to figure out both artistic and emotional needs at the moment.
  When I leave this library will I go across the plaza at Lincoln Center and get a ticket? Wait until after my session later in the day? Who knows?
  Yesterday, did attend the jazz concert at Friends (at least the beginning of it---I got tired quickly) saw several teachers and was greeted warmly by several students. If I don't get called to work tomorrow, this will be the first week of the year, including the short September week that began the first semester, that I have not worked one day. Trying not to get too worked up over it---I do have three scheduled days next week already, but when the normal pattern (around two or three days) is broken, it takes a bit of adjusting to work through the days. Still, this allows me the freedom of the evening---kind of a double edged sword, you know. Or a paradox? Don't want to belabor this forever---just let things work themselves out.
 On Sunday I had a nice talk with Bill D, another member of my Hopkins class---we talked about plans for the reunion. That will be in early April; I definitely plan to attend. Bill seems a nice solid, hail fellow well met person---I enjoyed our conversation.
  That is all for now---wild thoughts abound! Will report soon.

No Pelleas, just sleep...

was the order of the early evening yesterday. Yes, I had hoped to see Pelleas at the Met, or at least an act of it, if I was too tired for the whole thing, but after two sessions and a quick walk between 160th and Saint Nicholas and 145th and Amsterdam, there was very little energy left in me. Had a blt and coffee at the Greek diner on 100th street. It is still fairly "reasonable"---that is the two cost 10.00, before the tip.That is what it is today---will it go up further as the years go by?  Something to think about when it comes to the future.
  My friend Frank is in Gatz next week, and I thought I could get some staff tickets but it looks like it might not happen as the only tickets remaining were $150.00, and even half price would be too expensive. I will try one or two more ERS "contacts" to see if there is another way I could get in, but it just might not happen. Too bad, I was looking forward to taking another look at Gatz; I had seen it a few years ago in Boston--liked it, though I was a little disappointed in the last few scenes. So now it may not happen. Oh well, lots of other plays around that I should see.
  No work at Friends today, but tonight I will go to a jazz concert--a benefit for the shelter at Friends---and check in. Rest of the week stays in abeyance---depending on work and sessions.
   I mentioned in yesterday's blog that my first year as a Science 10th grader was awful. Why? Well, at the Annex, we were all put in classes that traveled together---no individual schedules. The result was that one, we were isloated, and two, our class only got to know others in the class---and there were some interesting people there---but in retrospect it was like another year in Junion High School. It wasn't until I got to the main building in September of 58 that I got any sense of an individual schedule. Sometimes I felt unmoored in that situation, but it was better then the year before. Of course my classes' stay at the main building on 183rd street and Creston Avenue was shortlived, as in March of that year we moved to Bronx Science's new (and present) building close to Bedford Park Boulevard. That was a story in itself--a new building and the beginning of my infatuation with Judy M, an infatuation that, unfortunately (at least for me) did not turn out well. The story of that---and other lost loves, some other time.