FIRST SNOW, SANTA-CON, my YOUTHFUL DREAM

3PM

From noon, wet snow fell on Manhattan.

Out back in the alley between our two buildings...

 ...Westward looking out the front window

and Eastward toward the East River.

 ~*~

6PM

Since noon, Santa-Con kids roam the streets of this neighborhood

and every neighborhood across the City,

following prompts from their cell phones

 From bar to bar getting drunk.

(These two girls were very cold and unhappy)

  Wise cabbies stay clear so that the only rides are those like 'Uber' or one of the other call in car services.

 ~*~

Midnight

Having made the mistake of lying down to watch the much anticipated next episode of "Doc Martin", I slept through it. I was awakened near 10:00 by a booming party in the apartment below me, just in time to catch the end of "Four Weddings and a Funeral" when, at around 11PM my upstairs neighbors began slamming doors and stomping around, in protest I think to the noise below. Then suddenly silence. The party had moved to the street awaiting car services to take them elsewhere. It's often like this on weekends. Such is life for us elders with Millennials and College kids having moved in at a ratio of ten to one. I have adapted by staying up nights in the gaps between assaults, sleeping in most mornings. When I was Twenty something, someone asked "Where do you see yourself in fifty years?" Without hesitation I answered "Retired with a comfortable income, by the sea in a two room cottage in Ireland with a studio out back, a little land for a kitchen garden, a sturdy pony and cart for visits to neighbors, Doctors and the nearby villages, a couple of cats and a big friendly dog."

Links

"Doc Martin"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doc_Martin

"Four Weddings and A Funeral"

>

HEADFIRST INTO A MIX OF DAYS

Pieces of My Past
60's 70's 80's and 90's

 ~*~

Saturday

The Millions March for Justice brought many hundreds of thousands out in major cities across the country.
Here in New York City:

 Protestors on the front lines held up this chilling banner with Eric Garners eyes
created by TED Prize winner JR

.

(screen capture)

Simultaneously the yearly Santa-Con had also been scheduled with hundreds cruising from party to bar in Santa themed garb. While waiting for the light to change, I had a friendly conversation with these two 'bunnies' in drop seat pajamas-a twist on playboy iconography.

Traffic had been diverted, and helicopters hovered above as I walked across town to the F train at 5:30.  Underground, one elf was very sick, her friend helping her aim at the trash container.

Finally
I reached my destination--the Studio of Ann Grifalconi, Author, Illustrator, Artist and activist, to attend the last day of her invitational open-studio and holiday party held over four days.

One of her many beautiful recent works

Snapshot of Bill, photographer

The photo he snapped of me

Susan, retired speech therapist

Maira and Alix, artist teachers

I met Anne at the Rubin Museum only a few weeks ago for the first time--an instant, mutual sympathetic attraction.  Saturday I met these fine friends of hers for the first time, and was made to feel most graciously welcome.  Such a lovely evening, but I regret not taking more photos of her extensive work, and her collection of Mexican artifacts.  I hope to return for a longer look in the new year, and to snap a portrait.  Ann is second from the right below.

Original and amazing example of older work
LINK

I stayed talking with her after everyone left, arriving back home via slow train and bus connections at two in the morning.  The chill air had me sneezing. Once under the comforter I fell asleep thinking about shooting stars.
~*~

Sunday
Slept very late, realizing upon rising that I'd caught a nasty head cold.  But, I had promised to meet a friend from my writing group downtown at Sunshine Cinema, so took some herbal remedies, bundled up and caught the bus. The film makers were present.
I LOVED IT.

LINK
Some Reviews

~*~

Monday
I spent the day in bed nursing this cold.  Missed out on the last session of the season with my writing group, and the holiday celebration at the zendo. I think I'll be nursing my ills for another day or more.  It's a fierce one.
....so it goes.