Book Review/Jazz Club/Panel Discussion

So, I guess this week the theme ended up being book reviews. And, with such good suggestions it makes me wonder whether we should take another look at the syllabus and see if we should make some changes. Since the three of us have a book we are suggesting I am assuming that means that we clearly have all read at least the book we are reviewing. So, maybe we cut a book or two that we have all read out of the syllabus (such as Catcher in the Rye) and instead we read the books that our other two classmates suggested. Also, I have a copy of the book that was presented at the panel on Tuesday night and maybe, since Scott is familiar with it and currently teaching it, he can pick a story or two from it for us to all read and I can make copies for all of us. I feel that might also be a necessary contribution to the course seeing as the 10th anniversary just occurred and that is such a significant part of the past and present of the city that is the focus of this tutorial. But, lets discuss this all on Tuesday!

Now that all of that is out of the way, on to my book review. Crossing the Blvd is a collection of oral stories that was collected by Gallatin's own Judith Sloan and her husband Warren. It is a collection of stories from refugees who now reside in Queens, NY. It captures all of their unique stories about where they came from and how they ended up here along with their varying perspectives of New York, American culture, and our American government. I love this book because it shows how diverse this city is and how many opportunities there are to learn about the world just by getting out there and conversing with the people around us.

Now, about our Jazz Club experience... Caitlin, Sophia, and I went to Fat Cat. It is located on the corner of 7th ave and Christopher Street just a block away from the renowned Stonewall. Needless to say, there is an interesting and very liberal crowd that frequents this club. While many music lovers roll their eyes at Fat Cat and suggest a more traditional club, like the Lenox Lounge or the Blue Note, I dig the atmosphere here. I love all the games that are available to play and the neon lit back room. The jazz was very good and I think we had fun seeing the varying people inside from the NYU students to the business types who stopped in for a drink and some Jazz after work to the artsy foreigners who came in for some chess and intellectually stimulating conversation.