small world

{ My brothers and sister and Mom }

On Saturday morning, I met with my brothers and sisters to discuss our Mom's retirement future. After her 2nd stroke, she needed more daily attention and care than we could possibly provide. We had so many arguments as we tried to find the best solution for Mom and us. We finally found a wonderful assisted living home that just opened near her in Jersey. She's been living there for 2 years and she loves it there, loves the attention and has made plenty of friends. The only problem is that her 3rd year is due and it is so expensive. And getting more so each year. We were not looking forward to getting together to talk about this but we had to. Surprisingly the discussions weren't as horrible as we thought. Shocking when you mix our histories with obligations, money, and stubborness. We all came up with some plans that we all sort of agreed with. Afterwards we all went to Chinatown for lunch. We went to a new place on Bayard Street that served Shanghai cuisine. Everything came glistening, braised or sauced. We ordered Lion's head which is basically a large pork meatball. We had a great time. We also found a new dumpling house across the street from the basketball courts. 5 dumplings for a $1 @ Tasty Dumplings on Mulberry Street. We split up and I walked up Mulberry into Little Italy. Made my way into the madness that is The San Gennaro Street Festival. It was fun but trying to get through the crowds was getting annoying. So I got my 3 Zeppoles and made a left on Spring Street. I went into the MoMA bookstore and looked for a copy of Walker Evans Polaroids. They were out of it but I got this inspiring photo book instead, Walker Evans & Company. A collection of his photographs and the people who were influenced by him.

At night I went to Rothko's and met up with Karen & Matt. We went to hear LeeAnn's boyfriend's band play. The bands were late setting up so we hung out at the bar downstairs. There was suppose to be an Interpol CD release party for their new album, Antics, but it seemed lame. DJ's were spinning but no one was dancing. No free CDs. They just gave out the same little Interpol pins that I got at the Curiosa Festival. Saw LeeAnn and she introduced me to her boyfriend Glenn. Cool dude. Told him I listened to a track of theirs at Other Music and was going to buy their CD but figured I have an in where I can get it for free. They have a New Order / New Wave dance sound. I like it. The opening act was a 1 person band that was ok. Turns out he's married to my friend Michaelann who used to work in interiors. small world. We also bumped into Becky H at the bar. When I was leaving, I realized that the club was on the same block of Suffolk Street where a girl I dated in college lived. The smell of Patchouli, Herkimer crystals, and Laura Nyro coming back to me. A presence I have not felt since...