New York May 2010

It is hard to work after so many months of the good life—the routine comes back but is tiring. The weather is jolting—I am used to the heat and it is still spring like. There are many things vying for your attention here--a different planet from sleepy Nosara .My room is over a Croatian bar which is noisy on the weekend with the boom—boom of the bass. I wear silicone earplugs and the industrial headphones my brother gave me two years ago when I was living next to a noisy manhole cover. I am renting from my dancer friend from last year. It is a one bedroom (we each have our own room)—it is a bit tight but is actually working out fine.


I saw Patti Smith being interviewed for her book “Just Kids”—she performed two songs and she seemed like a really nice person which wasn’t the impression people had of her twenty years ago. I went to the play, the 39steps—the comedy, which was famous in London. I see Phantom of the Opera—the off Broadway version on May 21st, on Joe’s When I’m 64 birthday party. I went to a couple of Baba meetings. Katy has a DVD which was very soothing to watch and Charles Haynes gave a warm talk the other night.


NY vignettes

I found out late in the afternoon that Patti Smith was being interviewed at the NY Public Library. On the Internet it said it was sold out but tickets may be available at the door. I went there two hours before it was scheduled to start and was put on a waiting list. I hung around outside as the line of about 300 people formed. A girl asked me: “Do all these people have tickets. “ “Yes”, I said. “I am on a waiting list and I hope I get in.” “Oh,” she said. “Are you by yourself? I have an extra ticket.” “Can I pay you?” I asked. “No,” she said, “someone gave me two tickets. “ My mouth drops open, “I guess I just made your day.” She said.


Overheard on subway by two men in their twenties. “There is really no such thing as social obligations. You can just do what you want as long as you don’t step over any lines.”


My writing class is 10 women with a teacher who just published her own memoir. The students include an Indian chef who has lived in four countries, a Brooklyn psychologist, an English writer, and several others, all with interesting stories about their lives . We present our work for feedback and I am learning so much.


That’s all for now. Call or email. 347-891-2883. HGreaney@gmail.com. I will try to catch up with everyone while I am here…Love Helena and Joe