Al Hirschfeld Drawings

Anyone who's lived in NY for the past half century (plus plenty of others) knows the line drawings of Al Hirschfeld, who recorded with his wry and astute pen persons from the world of theater and music and film, but mostly theater. Week afrer week, they would appear on the front page of the Sunday NY Times arts section, and bring to life people you wanted to "see" of that time. They were witty and sharp and went on seemingly without end. Hirschfeld lived almost a hundred years, and the NY Public Library has just opened an exhibit of his work in their Lincoln Center branch. I met Mr.Hirschfeld about 15 years ago and asked for his autograph to give to my niece Elissa who, growing up, would sit with me and search the artist's drawings in the Sunday paper, searching for the "Nina" (his daughter) whose name was always planted somewhere in the work. There is a plaque on the front of the house on 95th St. between Park and Lexington where Hirschfeld lived and worked. He famously drew in a barber's chair on the top floor, a chair part of the new exhibition. It's a wonderful exhibit at the library--joyous, nostalgic. Not to miss.

Great book (not mine!)

Early this year I heard of a new gay men's book club that meets once a month in the East Village in Manhattan. Would that survive, I wondered? Enough gay readers to meet seemed like a long shot to skeptical me. But there are, and the club does survive. We gather in the art gallery of Jon Tomlinson. Jon is the shepherd of the group, and I've told him that he must send out strong positive vibes, because every month a core of 10-12 men attend with smart, thoughtful comments on the book chosen the previous month that they really have read. The books are gay-themed and not. I like the discussions, the comradarie and the obligation to finish a book in time for the meeting. (There was one Communist-era Russian novel that I couldn't "do" and confessed my stopping halfway through.) This month's book is "Necessary Errors," a new, first novel by Caleb Crain, published by Penguin Books. It focuses on a young gay American who goes to Prague in 1990, just after the end of Communism, his exploration of the city, his romances and attachment to a group of five or six other expatriates from different countries. Crain is a gay man who lives in Brooklyn (says Google), and he is a superb writer. The New Yorker gave the book a great review, so mine is less notable, but I add my kudos and hope the book captures lots of prizes.

Long time not here

The year 2010 last post? Ay!! It's now October 2013, walking is slower but brain is still working. I've celebrated an 80th birthday and soon it will be 81. The book referred to in 2010, "Ten Ways to Your Cat's Happiness," came out that year, makinq No. 5 for me. In print in the next couple of months will be my sixth book, "Life Up Close, A Memoir." For it I've reverted to non-fiction and included 23 essays, some old, some newer, several published in magazines. The chapters are fairly numerous but the lengths fairly short. It will contain a dozen or so photos, mostly old, and a terrific cover by Daniel Gabrielli, a talented designer. Publisher will be Dog Ear Publishing. I won't wait another three years to be back here.

Thanksgiving - Chanukah

It's the weekend of Thanksgiving, and I've visited with my nephew Arden and his lover Dru, here from California. We've grown closer with time, and as I age this becomes more important. Even my great nephew Jonathan, Arden's son, now in his mid-thirties, and I have started to know each other. Lacking my own lover, these connections grow in value,
This is also one year when Thanksgiving and Chanukah almost intersect; the Jewish holiday begins in a few days. Both celebrate important moments, and (I'd like to think) narrow any gap between secular and religious events.
I'm really enjoying my new connection with Jonah Rank, first-year student at the Jewish Theological Seminary, who comes here as a "Chavrutah," teacher/study partner. We read and freely tear apart Biblical stories, so far some from Genesis that do read rather like soap operas. It's not yet clear what benefit for my own life I should get from these tales, but I believe there is benefit and I accept them as wonderful narratives. Jonah too becomes a supportive young player in my aging life.
Days have now gotten colder and daylight shorter, a sure sign of oncoming winter. I search for joy.

Birthday

This week was my birthday--not only mine, but several people I know--all Scorpios, good luck. For me it was number 78, a combination of two digits that sound nice together even if they sound certainly old. Not for the first time do I marvel at how quickly such events arrive.
I've begun, tentatively, to look into retirement-type places. It was the suggestion of my loving niece Elissa who I know was NOT trying to shovel me into a grave, only too help me avoid being caught short if the need should arise for a change. I've seen two such places here in Manhattan, one preferable to the other, and it is--bottom line--a place that is do-able. I'm not ready for such a move, don't need to make such a move, but I see that putting the idea on my radar is a good thing, and not easy. A lot of mental moving will be needed before any physical move follows.

My New Video Interview

Ten Ways to Your Cat's Happiness: A Novel from Suraj Das on Vimeo.

Hey guys, please check out this new video interview about my latest novel, "Ten Ways to Your Cat's Happiness"

High Holy Days

Last year, and this, were the first in decades that I attended services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. They were at a Reform synagogue on the Upper West Side, a large congregation with services that employ considerable Hebrew. A dynamic rabbi, superb cantor, and exceptional choir (some prayers sung a cappella). Moments of tears and some of laughter, and I walk out uplifted, not at all like the feeling when I was young and obliged to attend synagogue. I'm pleased to re-find, or maybe just find, such satisfaction, something my mother said would happen (and which I ignored for years).