Friday 5/4/07: Steven, I, Dann & Tom went to Philadelphia for the weekend, with the goal of seeing the King Tut exhibit. We took NJ Transit and then SEPTA. It was a cheap way to get there and back and only to an extra hour and one-half each way over AMTRAC ($39 v. $136). The hotel we stayed at was pedestrian though, but conveniently located in the City’s old convention center. Tom arrived first and we three shortly thereafter followed. Found a great place for dinner thanks to Tom who was in charge of researching restaurants for the trip and who has, as you know, a penchant for the finer things, at least as far as food and liquor are concerned. The restaurant was in an old part of town, and was sort an old Irish-type bar/eatery with things like oysters, etc. Tom got the escargot, and I turned away as he ate it. We couldn’t bar hop that night since we had tickets for an 8:30 AM viewing of the Tut show the next morning. Three of us each had about two drinks, and Tom three and an after dinner cognac. Once Tom gets started, it’s, as you know, hard to stop him. I shared a room Tom, and Dann and Steven were together. After a few minutes after arriving at the hotel, I went to bed and Tom went out for a smoke – and I suspect to search out a bar for a nightcap.

Saturday 5/5/07: Next morning, breakfast at 7:00 am in the market. Don’t know if you know it, but each of the Pennsylvania towns (particularly in the East) have markets and usually a Market Street, which often runs up the center of town. These markets are covered areas where local farmers bring in their produce and meats, and some merchants sell other sundries. They’ve become somewhat touristy nowadays, but they still give a flavor of the old ways. I’ve seen ones in York, Lancaster, and Philadelphia, which has a big one right in the center of town. Breakfast was good and reasonably cheap. Great oatmeal and a good way to “bulk up” for the day, as Dann would say.

From the market we walked to the Franklin Museum where Tut’s stuff was located. Having seen Tut in the Cairo Museum and walked into his tomb in the Valley of the Kings when I was in the Navy 30 years ago, I was a bit of let down by the exhibit — no sarcophagus, you know, and most of the artifacts pre-dated him (although they provided a full context for his reign). Also, the show was expensive – $37 for a ticket. The rest of the Franklin museum wasn’t worth a damn. We made quick work of it and were out before 10:00 AM.

We headed out to the Mudder Museum of Medical Oddities (Stephen’s suggestion, of course), which was part of a local medical school in downtown Philly. Now I know I’ve seen it all: I will never again have to make an effort to see another hugely distended colon or skeleton of a Siamese twin. All and all interesting for the $9, although the curator should have created an audio guide to explain some of the stuff. We finished at this Museum by 1, and Dann, I and Tom headed for some flea markets while Steven went back to the hotel for a nap (Steven bar prep).

Flea marketing very successful, we visited three, and took local buses and an underground trolley which eventually surfaced to get to them: I got a ton of postcards and several books, and Dan some old Christmas stuff, books, and an old Hungarian metal wind-up toy. At the last flea market, we ended up in a distant part of town, where the Eastern Pennsylvania Penitentiary. Since Steven wanted to see this, we called him and he chanced a City bus ride, which he complained about for the rest of the afternoon. I think he was afraid of the populous that travel the buses.

Eastern State was a model in both architecture and penal principles for its time. http://www.easternstate.org. Architecturally, it had spoke-like corridors off which cells were located and prisoners were assigned to individual cells and a small isolated outside yards, which they were allowed to use for exercise. Each cell had a conical hole in the ceiling which let in light. The hole was called the “eye of God.” Prisoners had no interaction with their fellow prisoners, and little with staff save a chaplain. Prisoners were to contemplate their ways, crimes, sins, and thereby it was hoped change. It was Quaker in philosophy, and came to be known as the Pennsylvania system, as opposed to the New York system, which incarcerated prisoners together where they worked. Apparently, most of the US adopted the NY system, while Europe and some of the rest of the world, Pennsylvania. The visit was thoroughly informative, and they had an audio guide. Unfortunately for us, the guide had some supplemental audio material outside of the regular tour about which we only learned after leaving the place: sex in prison in the 19th and 20th centuries. After the museum a late lunch at an old firehouse converted to a restaurant across the street.

We got back to the hotel in late afternoon and rested until the evening when we had dinner in a Mexican place. We intended to bar hop, but we just pooped out and went back to the hotel to bed. Tom was disappointed, and wanted to stop in at least one or two places for a drink.

Sunday 5/6/07: Up early enough, and out to the old part of Philadelphia for an architectural tour. Steven and Dann tried to get Tom and I to go off to a museum, but we insisted on joining them. Well it was quite a day. They picked apart ever detail – Relentlessly savage.

As soon as we got to the Independence Hall area, Steven became excised, cursing the Rockefellers up and down for the restoration they financed there. Apparently, these “restores” thought it would be nicer to make wide streets and buildings with nice landscaping instead of the crowded old European city that Philadelphia had, according to Steven, been at the time. Ben Franklin wouldn’t have recognized it, and for the sound of it neither did Steven. Tom and I, of course, found the exposé interesting, and Dann was even though critical rather measured in his response. All of this measure changed however when we made it to Society Hill, where the federal townhouses could found. We happened upon an Open House for a $2,000,000 recently renovated house, and took the tour. Tom and I signed in, but the architects just hurried in. The place although Hugh, with four floors was awful: poor kitchen cabinetry, faux granite and shoddy carpentry with gaps between the closet door and its frame from which light pour through. As we ascended the stairs Dann became increasingly agitated. While Steven would zip in a rapier-like criticism, Dann could hardly contain his outrange. I think had the real estate agent been responsible for the renovation, Dann would have throttled him. All and all a truly interesting display: Steven freaking out over the grand scale, and Dann the little; Steven the Cityscape and Dann the homes. Interesting revelation.

We next walked to a neighborhood, which must have been like the East Village in the old days. Run down. Had dinner in the old part of town before catching the train, and got back to NY by 9PM. One week later, to and I got a call on each of our answering machines about the townhouse, and a letter from the realtor.

Funny but we were talking about the kids. Emiko is graduating too and going to U of Maryland because it has a Japanese program there. She was recruited by person running the cheerleading squad (they apparently have a football team there). Mariko is mortified — oh! you feminists. (You know I found out that Mariko was a cheerleader in an earlier life.) Well, Joe pointed out that the study program she selected was very competitive to get into and the kids gets As. So now it’s the kid’s turn to torment the parent as we did ours by our incomprehensible selections. Erica now has decided, after flirting with the West Coast, to go to the New School for the theater after a year’s break during which she will work at a theater company her professor runs and go to Europe. So we thought that she run from Audrey, but she’s still in the same City, although I think she will live in the dorm.

Joe asked after you and was fascinated by the fact that you are now in Mexico, particularly in the part where you are now with the little Spanish you have. I told him that you progressing on that front. He says he still pictures you when he met you, a platinum blond, wisp of a thing in a jump suit. I have an early image, captured in that Christmas card you sent, but not that early an image. Well, we are all older now.

Vinny and Liz drove us home. They have a satellite navigation system and it really works well. Door to Door. I bought Liz a book at the flea market “The Story of Canada,” a grammar school text on the history of the place. She loved it; it really got her radical dander up: The white man coming, the black robes, etc. She’s doing well, working as an editor on Yahoo clips of 60 Minute stories. Vinny is retired, and loving it, but he may do some freelance work with a camera, maybe for websites.

Audrey is going through a bit of a time. Her nonprofit has not received funds. Since it was a response to 9/11, it’s no surprise, but it did try to transition to developing programs to help disaster workers in a more general sense. Anyway, she needs to start looking for a job. Five people were already laid off. This is not good.

Well, that’s my report.

PS We saw Gregory for his birthday. Denise, I, Audrey and Liz. He and Peter just got back from a visit to Lou and Dorothy in California. They had a great time. I gave Gregory the Oyster book and on the Sheapkspear Riots in NYC. Had you heard of them? — New Book that I got at the Strand.

By the way, Regina says she has another bag of books for you. I don’t know when you’ll get them though.

Dann, I and 80 year old Dominik are planning a trip to Ireland in July, but more on that next time.

We’re planning a day at Cosco for the coffee, cheese, ginger jam, lemon curd, and other sundries. So if you think of anything else, let me know. The early arrival is starting to worry Barbara, but I’m not concerned. She wanted to stay at the airport until the next day, but I don’t know that that’s feasible even. I just hope they have a regular taxi stand at the airport; it should be ok from there. The map I think is pretty easy to read. We should however have a backup plan in case I can’t find your house. Perhaps meet at a specific hotel lobby the next day if we don’t arrive as scheduled in the early morning hours on 12/23/06. I need to try that phone number of yours, which I will do this week. If anything comes up on the day of travel, I’ll email immediately, so keep checking it.

OK, New Report. Thanksgiving was great. Too much food as usual, prepared to the usual excessive attention to detail. Butternut squash soup, sweet potato pudding something or other, cranberry chutney, three types of onions roasted along with a side of roasted fennel, regular mashed potatoes and turkey of course. Barbara made three pies: coconut custard, apple, and I lost track of the third. We spent half of the time during this course fighting about whether my father put a layer of meringue on his coconut custard pies or only did that with the lemon pies. There was also a chocolate cake, cheese cake and fresh fruit and nuts, which my cousin bought. Coffee was had by most, except for the Irish (Lisa’s husband) who drank tea.

My uncle, afflicted by Parkinson’s as he is, still had the presence of mind to point out that we “didn’t do too well” this past election, which invited my cousin to proclaim her Democratic affiliation and her new husband (a retired Detective, turned electrician) to note his Republican. After which they both said they don’t talk politics – a real Mary Matlin, James Carville scene. One of the other guests was a Republican inspector, who told me home much she liked McCain, and didn’t think Giuliani would go far toward her party’s nomination. She also found it odd that her husband was a Democrat for years before he told her. They divorced, but she could still benefit with his SSI. We barely finished the cake and were out the door; with Barbara having at 7AM to lead a trip of her special needs group to Hershey Pennsylvania and me having to work the next day as well.

Dann had wanted to do Thanksgiving that weekend, since it looks like he sold his house to an investment banker with five kids. If it goes through, he’ll be out by March and he plans to quit his job and move back to PA. He’s also going on a trip to Brazil this Christmas, which apparently has his office up in arms. Anyway since I couldn’t commit because Susan was coming and wouldn’t be leaving until late Saturday, he went off to western PA and his family. Susan and I had a nice time, went to the Slope and walked around in a beautiful Fall day. We had Thai for lunch, and I got to keep the leftovers. We stopped at the Flea Market, and “yes,” I bought some postcards. Just a few and she spent some money buying some hand made agate jewelry for her business. All and all, a fruitful day. Susan left for the airport, and I the City for a night of drinking. Thanksgiving over.

Had to do my workout T, W, Th and skip a day because we had Erica’s play on Friday: Arthur Miller’s “A View from the Bridge.” Having just been to Red Hook the weekend before for my and Peter’s birthday dinner with a visit to the pier looking at the Statute of Liberty, Governor’s Island, Buttermilk Channel and the harbor, it was interesting to revisit the place theatrically.

I didn’t know it was all Sicilian in the 50s. Thought it would be much more Irish, but if you think about the Scottos and that longshoreman’s union you realize. I went with Maguy and Elizabeth; Audrey met us later for a drink, having seen it on Thursday and planning to take her father to Saturday’s matinee. Well, needless to say the kid was great, Brooklyn accent and all. So mature, but you know all of the kids were great, particularly the lead, an Italian kid from Staten Island.

Interesting observation: In the context of the stage, where their tiny, young bodies all dressed up in adult 40s and 50s clothes, where each could only be compared to the other, they looked like a cross section. Some imposing figures, strong, muscular, adult-like, others mature women and the smaller one’s kids. That disappeared however when they came out after the play in their street clothes. Short and childlike. What a transformation; couldn’t believe it. You would have loved it, with the whole political dimension: Kazan/Miller dilemma presented from Miller’s perspective, McCarthy, the rat, response to “On the Waterfront.” Just three words to describe it “Fab U Lous.”

After the show, three of us went to Delta, a Cajun place on the corner of 48th and 9th, the same block as the school. Maguy wasn’t feeling well, so she went home. We ate a little and had two bottles of wine. Interestingly, Audrey was taken a little aback by the play. Apparently, the fact that Erica told the lead guy playing her husband, that she wanted to “know what it was like to be a wife again” was a little too mature for Audrey. Of course, it didn’t bother her that the reason for the lead’s disinterest in her daughter was that he had the hots for the other female lead, who played his niece, who just turned 17. “Almost incest didn’t matter, just Erica’s direct expression of sexuality on stage. I really think that it was the fact that Erica’s grandfather was coming the following day to see the play that drove Audrey to distraction. (Anyway Audrey’s day loved the play.) Also, Audrey was put off by Erica’s Brooklyn accent: where could she have picked that up; Audrey had been so careful.

Liz asked me to recommend some hotels in ZAC. I told her I’d get back to her after my visit with you. I think she may be considering a visit. She wondered why you haven’t answered her email. I explained your illness there, and assured her I experienced the same and that you would answer in time.

Saturday: Well, the next day Barbara and I got together for my birthday. I took her to Red Hook to see the restaurant where we went for the birthday dinner and the park with the harbor view. (She’s asking for ideas where to take a new guy she’s dating. He’s a teacher from LI, and apparently doesn’t get Brooklyn. I’ve successfully sent them to the Russians in Brighton Beach, and maybe now this, but I really need to pick Peter’s brain for more. She likes this guy and wants to show him the finer points of Brooklyn. Liz also sent me a list of places she sent to Lila in Calif, who was sending one of her doctors or her hairdresser to the City, I’m not sure. )

Well, Barbara and I we went to my favorite downtown place for my birthday dinner – Juniors and I had my cheeseburger deluxe. Afterwards, she suggested a movie. I said I had a better idea: A View from the Bridge. We made the evening performance, and she loved it. It was worth seeing again. They really were great. Well, that’s all for now. Today. I’m going to the movies, and Barbara’s on her date, possibly in Red Hook and Juniors as we speak. Be well.

Election news, as by now I’m sure you have seen, is great with the exception of Lieberman. I spent some of Election Day calling from home into Virginia and Florida 13, the old Katherine Harris seat which had some shenanigans as you can see from today’s Times. I used the Moveon.org program which feeds you number and a script over your computer, detailing what to say if a person, or machine answers. Highly automated, but the Republicans have it too.

Skipped the Gym last night and saw The Queen at the Angelica. Great movie, makes Blaire and the Queen look good, so it was a little Hollywood, but well made nonetheless. I will be seeing Audrey et all for the weekend for mine and Peter’s birthday. We plan to go to a place in Red Hook – that restaurant which location Audrey couldn’t remember. Thank goodness Peter will be along. Well, not much else to say, except that there is the Metropolitan PC show at the New Yorker hotel this weekend.

Write soon.

Saturday was the Belmar postcard show, and yes, I bought more. I better retire just to sell the crap, or my sister will hate me when I die. John was at the show, apparently teamed up with another dealer (female) with whom he’s involved. They have a small but growing inventory of cards for sale. I think I told you that John and his wife split up, and he was forced to auction all of his stock and gotten a pittance of its value for it. The fat guy Gary has died. He collected diners, and the wife of the other John, who runs the Belmar show and from whom I buy alot, is loosing her vision – ocular degeneration.

Maguy was in OG as well, but because she and Natalie don’t get along, she didn’t come over to Dann’s. When Steven told me that they didn’t get along, I subtly (if you can believe that) mentioned in a reply email informing me she would be in town that Steven and Natalie would be down that weekend too. She then emailed me that she wouldn’t come over to Dann’s (which relieved Steve to no end). Anyway, I planned to meet her for Sunday brunch. We met at Patty Kay’s (the old Randall’s – I don’t know if you were around for Patty Kay’s arrival) for brunch on Sunday after the flee market, where I bought more postcards and a coffee table book on Leaves for $5.00. It was a little awkward because Steven and Natalie were already at Patty Kay’s (unknown to me) when I arrived five minutes before Maguy was scheduled to show up. When I said Maguy was on her way Steven became all flustered and asked if Natalie wanted to leave. Although Natalie, and later Maguy said it would be all right to sit together, I took Maguy to a table at the other end of the restaurant since Steven had made such a point of telling me how they had had such a falling out when I first found at they would both be in town at the same time. It was fine, I think, but you know me and controversy. Even when I’m not being mischievous, it follows me.

Maguy and I had a nice chat, and went over this Project Runway reality show, a show where would-be designers compete designing and making clothes. The winner was chosen since the last time I saw her, so we dished about that, and later took a walk around town, passed by Craig, who was not home, before saying good bye. She, I and Audrey will probably meet for dinner on Friday.

I think you may in the future be getting a visit from Natalie. I told her, as did Steven, about Zac. She seems intrigued.

Dann may be close to selling the house. He is in negotiation with a couple, who wants all the bedroom furniture, and the dining room set. I think they are pretty far along. Dann says he plans to sell everything else (not Christmas or books) . He may move back to PA, but he’s planning a trip to the Amazon in December for three weeks, and if a sale occurs it won’t happen until about March. No Christmas tree this year.

I got Dann to vote absentee for Menendez, since he’ll be in RI on Tuesday taking some architectural course. Hopefully your vote arrived in Freehold, or wherever you send it. It will be close, I believe, and I’m getting anxious about the rest of the country. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

There is an article in today’s Times – Metro Section re all of the building in you old neighborhood of Willamsburg and Greenpoint by Damin Cave “City Sees Growth; Residents Call It Out of Control.” Take a look.

I’ll be sending you $26.50 via PayPal from the Scarlet Unicorn. Be well, and give me an update, on how things are going. Should we bring blankets with us.

Let me know what your doing. Anything political?

I saw Barbara yesterday; we went to a funeral of a family friend. A
50-year old woman died from a diabetic coma. Blood sugar went so low
that she passed out. Too sad.

Afterwards we went out to eat. Audrey had mentioned a restaurant in Red
Hook to which Peter (of course) had introduced her. Red Hook is
becoming quite the place (not only projects you know). So we went
looking, but couldn’t find anything that looked like a fashionable
restaurant. A cell phone call to Audrey did no good – not home, we
thought. In any event, they have opened up a Fairways (a gourmet
grocery) at the end of the peninsula, so we thought we’d drive by that.
You know there’s an incredible vista of the Statute of Liberty from this
vantage. Have you ever seen it? She looks directly at this point of
Brooklyn.

When we passed the Fairway, we happened on an art show, which they
apparently do three times a year for local artist – only $4.00 to get
in. They were using those old civil war-like storage piers, which the
Hugh black iron shutters, so we spent the afternoon looking at art,
building up an appetite. Nice show, I would have bought something, but
I am saving my money for Zacatecas. I’d like to go back to the gallery
and get another piece there.

Since we had no luck in Red Hook, we went to Smith Street to find a
restaurant there. We happened on this Spanish place, which we at first
thought was Mexican. Barbara had here margarita, and I a mohito
(phonetic), which was made just right, not too sweet. Instead of a full
meal, we got a bunch of appetizers, including tapas, and had desserts.
We talked of Zac. I told Barbara about how you scouted out all of the
restaurants and know of a great breakfast place, and that I would take
her for club sandwiches at Sanbourns. I told her we’d take the cable
car up the mountain from which we would walk down and buy some Huechoil
art. So she’s excited too.

As Barbara was pulling in front of my house to drop me of, Audrey
returned the call – typical. No matter, however, she didn’t remember
the name of the restaurant – only that it was across the street from a
playground. She hadn’t heard the phone when we called earlier, she said,
because she was vacuuming. I got out of the car and was continuing the
conversation with Audrey, when a Russian woman leaving my building asked
if she could use the cell phone to call a cab. So I said “good bye” to
Audrey. The Russian lady showed me a business card with the number for
Dominican Car Service, so I called (They’d be right over), said good
night and ended my day. Take care.