Thursday, July 31, 2008

Thursday - Miscellaneous Baseball Thoughts From The Big Apple


Yes, it is Thursday afternoon in The Big Apple and I am sitting on my couch alternating watching ESPN2, on mute, for the latest baseball trade news and working on my trusty little iBook, surfing the net for photos for the blog and writing this post. On the one hand I am so glad that I can do this and on the other hand a little voice in the back of my head says: “enough of the internet/blogging you a-hole egoist, you should be spending this time making the World a better place in which to live.” Yeah, right ...

Oh, the drama taking place in Boston with Manny The Moocher and in Green Bay with Brett “Hey I Ain’t That Old” Favre. The MLB trade deadline is now a little under 2 hours away. What will happen?

Our acquisition of 14-time All-Star catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez yesterday was awesome and made headlines, of course: The New York Post - “GREAT CATCH” and The Daily News - “WHAT A CATCHER.” I totally agree.

No doubt about it, I have been on baseball overload this month. With tonight’s game against the LA Angels I will have seen 15, yes, that is the correct number, 15 games this month. I have to admit that even for me this is a bit, shall we say, excessive.

I continue to be amazed at the impact that the final season of The House That Ruth Built is having on baseball fans (not necessarily Yankee fans) from all over. I have written about this before but I want to share a couple of other examples --

At Tuesday night’s game against Baltimore - seated to my left were a late 40s Mama, her 10 year old daughter and 60plus Grandmother. They were: from Rhode Island; avid Red Sox fans; had never been in Yankee stadium; had taken the stadium tour; and, had come to NYC solely for the purpose of going to the stadium. All three were avid baseball fans. The little girl was keeping a scorecard, accurately as I could tell.

Then, to my right were 4 40s guys from Toronto. They were in NYC for the sole purpose of seeing a game in The House That Ruth Built. None of them had ever been to NYC. They were Blue Jays fans.

Finally, at last night’s game, seated in the 6 rows in front of me, was a group of senior citizens from a Senior Citizen Home in Pennsylvania. The group leader was seated next to me and we had a nice conversation between innings. She told me that none of the group had ever been to Yankee Stadium before and that they had planned this “outing” over a year ago. It appeared to me that about 1/2 of them were really into the game and the other half - well, they looked like they weren’t really sure where in the hell they were.

It was an afternoon game and the Yankees kicked butt, winning 13-3 and avoided being swept by the Orioles. It was around 5:30 when I got back to the apartment. Had nothing planned for the evening, so ... what did I do? Movie, late theater, comedy club? Nope, I stayed in and watched the Cubs vs. Milwaukee game, which the Cubs won. They have the best record in the NL. I would love to see a Yankees vs. Cubs World Series.

The red hot LA Angels come into town tonight for a 4 game series. They have the best record in MLB and are coming off a sweep of the Fucksox up in Beantown. I have tickets for tonight’s game and the Saturday afternoon game. The Saturday game is at 3:55 after the Old Timer’s Game, which begins at 1:45. Of course I will be there for the Old Timer’s game. The Yankees have received acceptances from 70 former Yankee players, including recent Hall of Fame inductee Goose Gossage. It should be interesting and fun.

OK, it is now almost 4:00 and I have some things to do, so I will post this. I have a lots of stuff I want to write about but I will have to wait till later.

Go Yankees!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Monday, July 28, 2008

Monday - Why Males Are Happier Than Females


Golly, I don’t want to get caught up in this whole male vs. female controversy, but, I think that you, my unbiased readers, deserve to have the benefit of my internet research into some of the reasons why males are happier in this World of ours than our female counterparts. One of the benefits of being retired is having the time to do extensive research into issues such as this. Thus far I have identified over 7,218 factors/reasons that contribute to male happiness. The following listing is by no means comprehensive, although I vouch for the authenticity of each factor/reason. Please remember - I am just reporting; it is up to you to decide.

So, some of the reasons males are happier than females --

Our last name stays put.

The garage is all ours.

Wedding plans take care of themselves.

Chocolate is just another snack.

We can be President.

We can never be pregnant.

We can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. We can wear NO shirt to a water park.

Car mechanics tell us the truth.

The world is our urinal.

We never have to drive to another gas station restroom because “this one is just too icky.”

We don't have to stop and think which way to turn a nut on a bolt.

Same work, more pay.

Wrinkles add character.

Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental - $100.

People never stare at our chest when we’re talking to them.

The occasional well-rendered belch/fart is practically expected.

New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle our feet.

One mood 98.5% of the time.

Phone conversations are over in 60 seconds flat.

We know stuff.

A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.

We can open all our own jars.

We get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.

If someone forgets to invite us, he or she can still be our friend.

Our underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.

Three pairs of shoes are way more than enough.

We are unable to see wrinkles in our clothes.

The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.

We only have to shave our face and neck.

We can play with toys for all our life.

One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons.

We can wear shorts no matter how our legs look.

We can "do" our nails with a pocket knife.

And, we can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.
------------------------------------------
I have no doubt that many of you will want to add additional reasons/factors and you may do so by going to the website: www.werulelivewithitbitches.com.

Had a very nice breakfast/brunch this morning with student/bartender/manager Scott Reed at The Clinton Street Baking Company a very trendy eatery in the Lower Eastside.

Gotta post this and then get ready to head out to The House That Ruth Built for the Yankees/Orioles game.

Go Yankees!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Sunday Night - Fucksox 9 - Yankees 2



First the thunder, lightning and rain delayed the start of the game until 9:00pm and then once it started the Yankee offense went POOF facing left-hander John Lester, who won his second straight game against the Yankees. We had a chance to make it a close game in the top of the 5th inning with 2 runs in, the bases loaded, no outs and A-Rod at bat. What happened? Zilch - Lester got 3 straight outs and escaped. The Yankees were never a threat thereafter.

So, we in the Yankee Nation have to be satisfied with winning 2 out of 3 games at the relic known as Fenway Park. We return to The Bronx to begin a 7 game home stand, 3 games against the Orioles and 4 games against the LA Angels. I will see 5 of the 7 games.

My entertainment schedule for the upcoming week is:

Monday - 7:05 - Yankees vs. Baltimore

Tuesday - 7:05 - Yankees vs. Baltimore

Wednesday - 7:05 - Yankees vs. Baltimore

Thursday - 7:05 - Yankees vs. LA

Friday - 8:00 - Mostly Mozart Festival @ Lincoln Center

Saturday - 3:55 - Yankees vs. LA

Sunday - open (at the moment)

I didn’t go to the movies last night after the Boston game as I thought I would. Instead I decided to just walk around the Upper Eastside. I walked up lst Avenue to 72nd Street, then over to 2nd Avenue and back down 2nd Avenue to the apartment. The total distance was about 2 1/2 miles and the weather was great, nice and breezy. A lot of people were doing the same thing and all of the many outdoor cafes were packed. It was pleasant and exciting too. I took my time and it felt as if I one with The Greatest City in The World. Ah, yesssssssssss ....

I hope everyone has a great week. More later.

Oh, and to all you feminist flammers - yes, I do treasure my gonads but your threats to remove them do not bother me (much).

Go Yankees!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Sunday, July 27, 2008

IS SHE A FEMINAZI? YOU DECIDE.


OK, guys, in response to the deluge of emails I have received I am taking a huge risk in publishing the product of my internet research on signs that a female might, repeat, might be a lurking Feminazi. In taking this bold move I know I am putting myself at risk from the hordes of feminists out here in cyberspace, but it is a risk I am willing to take so that you, my faithful readers, can be informed.

In this regard, all I am doing is reporting - it is up to you to decide. You will note, if you carefully read the rest of this posting, that no where does it say that the “she” you are testing has to meet X-number(s) before you can label her a Feminazi. That criteria is left up to you, so ... let’s do it --
--------------------------------
Signs “She” Might Be A FeminazI - SHE:

1. Thinks all males have it "easier" than females

2. Is a proponent of Selective Service aka the Universal Draft, for men only.

3. Feels that husbands should "obey" their wives in opposite-sex marriages

4. Assumes that all men are pigs

5. Thinks her sexual purpose on this Earth is to make men cum before they want to.

6. Believes a fair divorce settlement is an ex-husband transferring a majority of his income to his ex-wife, despite which ex-spouse earns more

6. Knows women should rule the world

7. Asserts that women hold "superior" intuition and judgment compared to men

8. Maintains that kicking males in the nuts (or seeing males get kicked in the nuts) gives her recreational thrills, bordering on orgasmic.

9. Believes that young boys should be arbitrarily held back one year later than young girls for entering Kindergarten

10. Advocates that all males should be locked up or shipped off to an island during puberty, adolescence, and/or early post-adulthood

11. Maintains that sperm production is the prime purpose that males serve

12. Assumes that gay men are "pathetic weaklings who don't have the balls to confront their feelings for women"

13. Fervently believes the ideal scenario in any opposite-sex marriage is when the female spouse is "the head of the house"

14. Has no sympathy for males' medical burdens (i.e., erectile disfunctions, colon cancer, prostate cancer, severe acne, vasectomies, penile infections/complications, teen/adult circumcisions)

15. Argues with men just for the sake of arguing with men

16. Wants the 19th Amendment to be amended to stipulate that all male voters must take "intelligence tests" before being eligible to vote.

17. Deeply feels that Homer Simpson is an accurate representation of the average American male

18. Views men as dogs who need to be "trained" to heed every command of members of the female gender
----------------------------------------
Good luck in your investigations and “May The Force Be With You.”

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Kapow! - Again - Yankees 10 - Fucksox 3



Take that for a second time you Fucksox fans. You counted the Yankees out - not yet retards, not yet. We are not going away, so just bring it on.

I watched the entire game because I took a deep breath and decided that I really didn’t want to see the matinee performance of “Flamingo Court,” about aging singles in a retirement community in Florida. Since I had paid for this ticket I wouldn’t be in trouble for not picking it up, so I just ate the $25. Another factor was the unfavorable buzz about the show.

OK, now, it is a Saturday night in the Big Apple and what am I gonna do? Easy, see a movie, probably “Step Brothers” with Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly.

Looking for the sweep tomorrow night on ESPN at 8:00.

Go Yankees!!

Billi Pod

Saturday - OMG! The Feminazis Have Entered The Unisex Bathroom War

Folks, this is getting serious and I mean serious because I have just been informed by highly placed and reliable sources in the Lox Network, home of Channel Hive News, that certain feminist power groups are demanding that this sign be placed at the entrance to, and inside, each unisex bathroom within the jurisdiction of The NYC Board of Sewer Sanitation.

What this means is, gasp, the Feminazi group want all males to sit down to pee, yes, peeing only while sitting. Men, we have to get hold of ourselves (no pun intended) and stand up to these radical feminists before it is too late. Once they grab hold it is over.

You need to know that Feminazis are lurking everywhere. I have done some research and will later post some information that will help you determine if any of our family, friends, loved-ones etc., are, in fact, latent emasculators.

More later.

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Friday Night - Yankees 1 - Fucksox ZERO!!


Way to go Joba. You went face-to-face with the Fucksox’s number one pitcher, Josh Beckett, and you out pitched him on his home turf, the antique known as Fenway Park. That’s right - 7 innings, 3 hits, 9 strikeouts, and 0 runs. And, the Fucksox players are whining about balls and strikes and inside pitches. Well, too f**king bad you turd heads.

Gosh, it feels sooooooo good to say - Go Yankees!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Friday, July 25, 2008

A Big Yankees vs. Fucksox Weekend


The Yankees travel to ancient and decrepit Fenway Park for a crucial 3 game series against The Fucksox and my weekend plans are arranged around their schedule.

Friday night the game starts at 7:05, Saturday it is at 3:30 and then the finale Sunday at 8:00 on ESPN.

Need I say more than GO YANKEES!!!? I think not.

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Friday -Unisex Bathrooms

Unisex Bathrooms

I don’t know about other parts of the good ole U S of A, but here in The Big Apple unisex bathrooms are becoming more and more common, especially in venues that have recently been refurbished.
Frankly, as a guy I find them to be annoying as hell as we guys are interspersed with you gals in the long lines waiting for our time to pee or whatever.

I thought that this sign might be of some benefit.

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Thursday - Musing(s) on Wednesday

Wednesday was an interesting day. When I woke up at the usual 8:00am and looked out the window I had a gut feeling that the gray nastiness would turn into a downpour and rain out my 1:05 game at The House That Ruth Built. As the morning went on it remained gray but no rain. I just chilled for the morning.

I dressed in my usual summer Yankee garb - shorts, a Yankee cap and a kinda ratty looking official Yankee T-shirt. The T-shirt is actually about 9 years old but I don’t want to jinx the Yankees by getting a new one before this season ends. Headed out to the stadium at noon and made great time and wonder of wonders, the 4 train from 125th Street to 161st Street/Yankee Stadium was not jammed like a sardine can as it usually is. It was still dark and gloomy out and the air was very heavy.

Found my seat, part of my 20 game season ticket package. For reasons I just don’t understand my seat for this game was the worst I have ever had from any of my season packages for a midweek day game. Oh, yes, it was in the usual Loge but it was far far into right field. In fact, the only difference(s) between my seat and those known as The Bleacher Creatures, was that I was one section up from field level, had a roof over my head and had paid $55 for my ticket and they had paid $20 for theirs. Oh well, nothing I could do about it, so I settled in. The game was a total sellout at 54,114 for a Wednesday afternoon game. WOW!!

Oh, I have to add that sitting to my left in the next section over was Jack McBrayer who plays Kenneth the Page in the hit NBC comedy 30 Rock. He spent a lot of time between innings waving and smiling at people but amazing to me - no one invaded his space and he was able to enjoy the game with his buddies. Nice.

It was an excellent game. Mike Mussina aka The Moose, pitched 8 innings of 6 hit ball, giving up 0 runs, 0 walks and striking out 7. He won his 13th game. It is remarkable because at the beginning of the season most of the buzz was whether Moose would even be in the rotation. Now he is our Ace. The Yankee bats were alive enough to bring in a 5-1 win, a 6 game winning streak and insuring that we remain in the race in the AL East. It didn’t rain but it was very nasty when Mo recorded the final out via a called third strike.

Made decent time back and was in the apartment at 4:30 with plenty of time to take a shower, have the usual fruit and cheese plate, finalize the entertainment schedule for next week and basically just chill until it was time to head out to The Theater Row Theaters on W. 42nd Street for my evening show, “Perfect Harmony,” which I have described in an earlier posting.

It had begun to lightly mist when I left the apartment, dressed in my usual black outfit and carrying my umbrella in my messenger bag. Yes, folks, I said messenger bag, not the usual backpack. What the fuck is going on, you ask? Well, I am giving the messenger bag a try and so far it works OK for the summer anyway, but I am rather confident I will return to the backpack when winter arrives.

{sorry to interrupt this ... it is 6:25pm on Thursday and I have to get ready for my show, “Buffalo Gal”... will finish and post when I get back}

It is now 10:15 and I am back and “Buffalo Gal” was great and I will write about it later, so ... where was I?

Oh, yes ... the show I had scheduled was “Perfect Harmony” which I described in detail in an earlier post. Briefly it is about two High School acappella groups, the perennial National Championship male group called The Acafellas and their struggling female counterparts The Ladies in Red. I knew that the show was 1:40, without intermission, so I asked the main usher if I could change my otherwise excellent center orchestra seat to far house left aisle so I could extend my left leg if necessary. She said no problem and kept shifting me and a late 20s woman to different seats and finally we were able to settle in. Just before the show started I found out that the lady was the costume designer for the show and that this was one of the last previews before Opening Night. She was pretty uptight.

Well, I loved the show. It was a bit long but the young cast, both male and female, did a wonderful job. They acted and sang well. The audience seemed to be really into the show and gave the cast a very loud round of applause. I leaned over to the woman and told her that I loved the show and she said: “Oh thank you so such,” and then lightly kissed me on my right cheek. Nice.

When I walked out of the theater, however, it was anything but nice. The wind was blowing and papers and things were flying through the air. It had begun to lightly rain. I walked as fast as I could to the subway station. I had to hold my Yankee cap on my head because the wind was gusting so hard.

When I walked out of the subway station at 53rd Street the rain was coming down in sheets and the wind was howling. Honestly, it was one of the heaviest rains I can ever remember in The City. I took out my umbrella but that didn’t help. Even though it is only 2 blocks back to the apartment I was drenched and soaking wet all over. The only good thing - it wasn’t cold.

Took off the wet clothing and hung things up to dry, dried myself off, heated up the last of a sausage roll and pizza slice, watched Jon Stewart and then the first 30 minutes of Letterman. A little after midnight I called Ginger Flowers in Atlanta and we had a nice 20 minute chat.

Updated the log and did other stuff and then crashed at the usual 2:00, thus ending a great and eventful day/evening in The Big Apple.

It is just after 11:00 and I am hungry so will post this now.

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Wednesday - Quick Thoughts Before Heading Out to the Bronx

I have just a few minutes before I head out to Yankee Stadium for the final game of the 3 game series against The Twins. The Yankees won the first two games and have won 5 in a row and are now 10 games over .500 for the first time all season. They have tomorrow off and then head up to Boston for a crucial 3 game series against The Fucksox.

Had a great time at last night’s game even though my seat was in the upper tier. It was nice and breezy. The Yankee bats are more alive now and we won 8-2, bringing their record for games I have seen to 11-8. Had a very nice running conversation with the 40s guy seated to my right. He is a full season ticket holder and we spent a lot of time venting on how Yankee Management doesn’t give a flying fuck about non-Corporate ticket holders. The guy, Jeff, is a High School teacher who works in PA but has property in Riverdale, NY. He is an avid and knowledgeable baseball fan.

As I have written, my plan for today was to walk back to the apartment after the game but last night I scratched that because it just didn’t feel right. Not sure why, but it just didn’t and I felt the same way when I woke up this morning. Maybe sometime later ... who knows ...

Well, that decision meant I had nothing scheduled for this evening but that void was quickly filled when I went online and got a complimentary ticket to see “Perfect Harmony’ - “Perfect Harmony' is a new comedy about the struggle for truth, love and high school a cappella championship glory. During the course of the school year, perennial high school a cappella powerhouse, The Acafellas, and their female counterparts, The Ladies in Red, bare their dreams, hopes, and struggles to blend, as they battle to win Nationals and discover the true meaning of harmony.”

Oh, in closing and in response to several emails about the INTP posting ... no, the “You Are A Giant Dork” photo was not part of the original piece. I found it online and thought it was a perfect fit for me.

Now, it is time to head out to The Bronx, so ...

Go Yankees!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Tuesday - Monday Night At Yankee Stadium - Awesome!!


I had just settled into my Loge seat for last night’s game, it was about 10 minutes before the first pitch at 7:05. The Yankees were playing the first game of a 3 game series against the Minnesota Twins, who have been red hot. I have tickets for all 3 games.

The guy seated to my left, who appeared to be in his late 50s or early 60s, asked me: “aren’t you the guy who use to live in Florida but now lives in New York ... a reverse something or other?” What the hell, thought I? Long story short - his name is Tom Kostecke, he is retired, lives in Rochester, NY, spends January, February and March in Ormond Beach, FL, comes down from Rochester every year to see 3 Yankee games, and last year we had sat next to one another for a game. Wow!! What a memory on his part and what are the odds that we would be seated next to one another a year later. But, it gets better ...

Seated in front of us were 5 younger guys, in their early 30s, that in my head I named “THE BAND OF BROTHERS.” Why this name? Well, they had been in the Marine Corps together but only one remains on active duty and he is stationed in Guantanamo Bay. The rest now live in different parts of the country, Milwaukee, Baltimore, Chicago and New York. None of them had ever been to Yankee Stadium, so they had planned this trip as a reunion and to see The House That Ruth Built in its final season. None of them are Yankee fans, but that didn’t matter. Tom and I had a nice running conversation with them during the course of the game and it was so obvious that these were 5 guys who genuinely cared for one another, were avid baseball fans and understood the significance of being in The House That Ruth Built for their first and last time. There was such positive energy coming from these guys and it made us all feel real good, even though one of them did get a bit loud and profane in the late innings, but it was in a funny way.

One of the guys couldn’t believe that Tom and I didn’t know one another and he said that he thought that Tom was my son. Hum ... not sure how I feel about that. Anyway, we kept explaining to him the randomness of our meeting but he never really bought it. It didn’t help matters that when Tom left in the top of the 9th he said: “Seeya later Dad.” But, there is more ...

To add to the evening - the early 50s guy sitting to my right grew up in the Bronx but now lives in Sarasota, FL, has a 20 game partial season ticket package like mine, and comes up from Florida 5 or 6 times during the season. He said he found my “Reverse Snowbird’ status to be “most interesting.”

What an interesting evening. When the game was over it got pretty emotional and we all shook hands first and then hugged and said goodbye. I haven’t been able to get the feeling out of my head, quite frankly.

Oh, about the game - the Yankees kicked ass and won 12-4 making it 4 in a row. Bad news - Jorge Posada is going on the Disabled List (DL) and will probably be out for the rest of the season.
THE BAND OF BROTHERS
<brThe guy on the left is the one still on active duty. To his right is the most vocal of the group and the funniest. The two on the right are actually brothers. The 5th guy is not in the picture because he is now a New York City Cop and didn’t want to be photographed. He is also a White Sox fan.

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Monday, July 21, 2008

Monday - What Is An INTP Myers-Briggs Personality Profile?


Portrait of an INTP - Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Perceiving (Introverted Thinking with Extraverted Intuition)

The Thinker

As an INTP, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you deal with things rationally and logically. Your secondary mode is external, where you take things in primarily via your intuition.

INTPs live in the world of theoretical possibilities. They see everything in terms of how it could be improved, or what it could be turned into. They live primarily inside their own minds, having the ability to analyze difficult problems, identify patterns, and come up with logical explanations. They seek clarity in everything, and are therefore driven to build knowledge. They are the "absent-minded professors", who highly value intelligence and the ability to apply logic to theories to find solutions. They typically are so strongly driven to turn problems into logical explanations, that they live much of their lives within their own heads, and may not place as much importance or value on the external world. Their natural drive to turn theories into concrete understanding may turn into a feeling of personal responsibility to solve theoretical problems, and help society move towards a higher understanding.

INTPs value knowledge above all else. Their minds are constantly working to generate new theories, or to prove or disprove existing theories. They approach problems and theories with enthusiasm and skepticism, ignoring existing rules and opinions and defining their own approach to the resolution. They seek patterns and logical explanations for anything that interests them. They're usually extremely bright, and able to be objectively critical in their analysis. They love new ideas, and become very excited over abstractions and theories. They love to discuss these concepts with others. They may seem "dreamy" and distant to others, because they spend a lot of time inside their minds musing over theories. They hate to work on routine things - they would much prefer to build complex theoretical solutions, and leave the implementation of the system to others. They are intensely interested in theory, and will put forth tremendous amounts of time and energy into finding a solution to a problem with has piqued their interest.


INTPs do not like to lead or control people. They're very tolerant and flexible in most situations, unless one of their firmly held beliefs has been violated or challenged, in which case they may take a very rigid stance. The INTP is likely to be very shy when it comes to meeting new people. On the other hand, the INTP is very self-confident and gregarious around people they know well, or when discussing theories which they fully understand.

The INTP has no understanding or value for decisions made on the basis of personal subjectivity or feelings. They strive constantly to achieve logical conclusions to problems, and don't understand the importance or relevance of applying subjective emotional considerations to decisions. For this reason, INTPs are usually not in-tune with how people are feeling, and are not naturally well-equiped to meet the emotional needs of others.

The INTP may have a problem with self-aggrandizement and social rebellion, which will interfere with their creative potential. Since their Feeling side is their least developed trait, the INTP may have difficulty giving the warmth and support that is sometimes necessary in intimate relationships. If the INTP doesn't realize the value of attending to other people's feelings, he or she may become overly critical and sarcastic with others. If the INTP is not able to find a place for themself which supports the use of their strongest abilities, they may become generally negative and cynical. If the INTP has not developed their Sensing side sufficiently, they may become unaware of their environment, and exhibit weakness in performing maintenance-type tasks, such as bill-paying and dressing appropriately.

For the INTP, it is extremely important that ideas and facts are expressed correctly and succinctly. They are likely to express themselves in what they believe to be absolute truths. Sometimes, their well thought-out understanding of an idea is not easily understandable by others, but the INTP is not naturally likely to tailor the truth so as to explain it in an understandable way to others. The INTP may be prone to abandoning a project once they have figured it out, moving on to the next thing. It's important that the INTP place importance on expressing their developed theories in understandable ways. In the end, an amazing discovery means nothing if you are the only person who understands it.

The INTP is usually very independent, unconventional, and original. They are not likely to place much value on traditional goals such as popularity and security. They usually have complex characters, and may tend to be restless and temperamental. They are strongly ingenious, and have unconventional thought patterns which allows them to analyze ideas in new ways. Consequently, a lot of scientific breakthroughs in the world have been made by the INTP.

The INTP is at his best when he can work on his theories independently. When given an environment which supports his creative genius and possible eccentricity, the INTP can accomplish truly remarkable things. These are the pioneers of new thoughts in our society.”
--------------------------------------------
So, there it is, in much more detail than you could have ever wanted. God, it is so scary to see how accurately this describes me, even to me.

Entertainment and stuff will come a bit later.

Go Yankees!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Saturday, July 19, 2008

William S. "Moon" Mullon (1927-1998)


Ten years ago one of my dearest friends, Bill Mullon, died. I have just gotten off the phone with his wife, Sandy, and she said it was OK for me to post this email I sent to friends ten years ago. This is it in its entirety --
---------------------------------
RE: William S. "Moon" Mullon (1927-1998)

Hello everyone:

I was first introduced to William S. "Moon" Mullon in 1973 by Capt. Frank Cavandish, the owner of the Rod & Reel Pier, which is located diagonally across the street from the house I once owned in Anna Maria. Bill and I became friends and this friendship spanned 2 1/2 decades. Bill had just moved from Cocoa Beach where he had been employed with Boeing and then Tropicana. He had been a member of the City Commission there and a political activist in the Democratic Party.

In the ensuing years as a resident of Anna Maria Island Bill's career path took him from Tropicana to Manatee County government, where he was the County Purchasing Agent, back to Tropicana where he retired about 6 years ago as a Certified Purchasing Manager. He remained politically active in the local Democratic Party. I think the phrase "Yellow Dog Democrat" was coined with him in mind.

In 1976 I was asked to preside over the wedding ceremony uniting Bill and Sandy Gilmore. Sandy is a career upper-level manager/executive with HRS. Their vows were jointly written by Bill, Sandy, and Bill's eldest son, Bill, Jr., aka "Buns." The ceremony took place at daybreak in the surf adjacent to the City Pier in Anna Maria. Honestly, I doubt anyone in attendance expected that union to last more than a couple of years, if that. We were wrong - man, were we wrong. Sandy and Bill had a unique relationship, in that not only were they husband and wife, but also, they were truly best friends. They were a house divided on one issue, however. Bill was a Gator and Sandy a 'Nole.

Bill and Sandy lived in a series of places on the Island, each of which they named "The Digs," and finally settled in and purchased "Digs IV" in Holmes Beach. They were famous on the Island for their open hospitality with many many parties commemorated by special T-shirts designed by Sandy. Sandy is an accomplished artist.

I sold my Anna Maria house in 1991, however, shortly thereafter Bill and Sandy made the back bedroom in Digs IV available to me and I would guess that in the ensuing years, whenever I was in Florida, I would spend 3 out of 4 weekends with them. It was my home away from home away from home, it was my refuge. They became my best friends, my extended family, Bill the older brother I never had.

When the phone call came at 12:30am on Sunday morning, July 19th, that Bill had died, I called the airlines and was on a flight down to Anna Maria at 8:55am the same morning. I got there in the early afternoon.

Family and friends quickly gathered in support of Sandy and Bill's children by a previous marriage, Bill, Jr., Patrick, and Lynn, and their children. Moon was the consummate planner, so I was not surprised to learn that he had planned to the last detail how he wanted things handled when he passed away, I mean, he had scripted his wedding, why not his final memorial services as well? And that he did, down to naming the song to begin the services - "We Have Just Begun" by the Carpenters - and "Margaritaville," by Jimmy Buffett to end the services, which MUST conclude in one hour, max!!!!

The service was held in the Chapel of an Island funeral home on Tuesday evening, July 21st. The chapel was filled with photos and objects covering all aspects of Bill's life, including almost a dozen photo albums recording the social activities of 22 years of Digs Parties. The standing room crowd included local Islanders, executives from Tropicana, county officials, a local Judge, and just plain folks, all joined to remember, to cry, and especially to laugh. I was honored to have been asked to preside. In addition to me, others who shared their life experiences with Moon, were his sister Ann, his children Bill, Jr., and Lynn, Bradenton attorney Donald Hadsock, and Island resident Fred Adkins. As I said, Moon had directed (or perhaps ordered is the operative word) that the service last no longer than one hour, so, at the end of the hour, as the sounds of "Margaritaville" filled the Chapel, we all stood and sang along with Jimmy Buffett ......

When the song ended, I concluded the evening by saying ....

SO LONG MOON - WE WILL SEEYA LATER!!”


Yes, it has been ten years but in many respects it feels like it all happened yesterday and I still miss him as if it was yesterday. He will never be forgotten.

Bill
wanjr@aol.com

Friday, July 18, 2008

Friday - The Entertainment Pallet Remains Full

I have now pretty much completed my entertainment agenda for the next two weeks, yes, that is correct, for the next two weeks. This is pretty amazing for someone who has the Myers-Briggs Personality Profile of INTP.

What is the Myers-Briggs Profile, you ask? Well, in a nutshell:

“The purpose of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI) personality inventory is to make the theory of psychological types described by C. G. Jung understandable and useful in people’s lives. The essence of the theory is that much seemingly random variation in the behavior is actually quite orderly and consistent, being due to basic differences in the ways individuals prefer to use their perception and judgment.”

Over the years I have taken numerous MB personality tests and the results have always been the same, INTP. When I was Chief Judge I had my fellow Judges voluntarily take the test and most of them did. It was very interesting. Why am I writing about this now? I really don’t know, but I think I will post a detailed report of the INTP personality profile later on just to have it on record. Why? I still don’t know, so ... just live with it.

Now, back on topic ... what the next two weeks means entertainment-wise:

Friday - 8:00 - “The Time of Mendel’s Trouble: A madcap musical of Biblical Proportions” - “When Mendel Moskowitz gets a surprise visit from The Burning Bush in his apartment in Brooklyn, his life turns topsy-turvy. Together with his new friend, Murray Schwartz from Miami Beach, they become the two prophets of the Apocalypse, and embark on a madcap spiritual journey that leads them all the way to Jerusalem for some miraculous end-time adventures. An epic musical excursion through the Book of Revelation, the show incorporates a Romeo & Juliet-type love story, political satire, comedy, tragedy, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil when Messiah finally comes to earth. The end of the world was never so zany!” (complimentary ticket).

Saturday - 8:00 - “What To Do When You Hate All Your Friends” - “Four Chairs Theatre Company presents the world premiere of What To Do When You Hate All Your Friends, an anti-social comedy written by award-winning playwright Larry Kunofsky and directed by Jacob Krueger. Matt is a guy who hates all his friends. Celia is a woman at the center of The Friends, a secret group that has perfected friendship through special rules and a rigid ranking system. Can a guy who hates all his friends and a woman who needs friendship to go by-the-book figure out a way to spend time together without going mental? Set in a world of secret hot tub parties, craigslist hookups, and the myriad of ways people try to control intimacy by keeping it away, this edgy and witty new comedy looks at how romance and friendship works -- or doesn't work -- in the way we live now.” (complimentary ticket).

Sunday - 5:30 - “Give Em Hell, Harry” - “This one man show features Bix Barnaba as former President Harry Truman. Written by Samuel Gallu, it offers a unique insight into the humor and bite of one of our most colorful presidents.” (complimentary ticket).

Monday - 7:05 - Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins

Tuesday - 7:05 - Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins

Wednesday - 1:05 - Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins. If the weather permits, I will walk back to the apartment. This time I am gonna do it!!!

Thursday - 8:00 - “Buffalo Gal” - “A.R. Gurney's comedy centers around Amanda, a once successful television personality whose star is now fading. Life imitates art as she returns to her hometown of Buffalo to star in Chekhovs The Cherry Orchard. Just as she is connecting with her roots - both on stage and off - she is called back to Hollywood for a role that could recharge her career. Will her love of theater be enough to keep her in Buffalo?” (discounted TDF ticket).

Friday - 8:00 - “The Lady in Penthouse B” - “Gossip columnist Lady Susan, the aging, raging boss from hell, and struggling actress Mel Mitchell, her downtrodden assistant, engage in a comic war of wills surrounded by a friendly choreographer, a vicious male columnist, an evil cat, a faithful dog and Mel's dead Aunt Maida. Find out why musical-comedy lovers are calling this tuneful laugh-fest "The Devil Wears Prada meets The Producers!" (discounted TDF ticket).

Saturday - 2:00 - “Flamingo Court: A Comedy in Three Condos” -“Flamingo Court is a Florida community of retirees that isn't so much a vacation destination as it is a last resort! Here, a zany cast of characters in the sunset of their lives do whatever it takes to grab hold of one last chance at love, at compassion, and even at revenge. Starring Jamie Farr (TV's M*A*S*H, Guys and Dolls) and Anita Gillette (Chapter Two, Russell Patterson's Sketchbook) in this touching and funny look at life in the golden years.” (discounted TDF ticket). I will either love or hate this show, that is my prediction. There will be no middle ground.

Sunday - open, at the moment (OMG!).

Monday - 7:05 - Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles

Tuesday - 7:05 - Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles

Wednesday - 7:05 - Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles

Thursday - July 31 - 7:05 - Yankees vs. Los Angles Dodgers

Yeah, I know, back-to-back-to-back ball games again. What can I say except that I made these decisions way back in December 2007 when I renewed by partial season ticket package.

Now, what about the events of the early part of this week? In brief form:

The Bon Jovi concert on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden was super-excellent and my seat was terrific. Terrific except for the trailer-trash big-hipped long-haired bimbo in front of me who stood up during the entire concert flinging her hair this way and that way. Oft times she was the only person in my section who was standing. Bitch!! Now, I feel better. Jon really knows how to work a crowd.

“Eh Joe” on Wednesday night lasted only 30 minutes and I have no clue what the author, Samuel Beckett, was trying to say. In fact, when I got home I did a bit of research online and found out that even the author’s post-production comments were unclear. The house was sold out.

“Around the World in 80 Days” was one of the funniest and best acted shows I have seen in a while. Most of the actors played multiple roles and the humor was very in your face. Loved it. May try to see it again if I can score another complimentary ticket.

I want to end this posting by wishing my long-time friend, Jack Davis of Bartow, FL, a speedy and complete recovery from his current physical problems. Jack fell and broke his hip and that brought on other problems. He has been in the Winter Haven Hospital for about 3 weeks and will be there until at least the end of the month. Jack, my buddy, I am so glad we could talk yesterday and I want you and Jeff to know that the two of you remain in my thoughts and prayers.

Go Yankees!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Thursday, July 17, 2008

The Second Quarter of 2008


Wow, it is hard to believe that the second quarter of 2008 has come and gone, and, as usual, it was crammed full of exciting entertainment and travel events for moi.

In reviewing my daily log (log, not diary - real guys don’t keep diaries) I find that in April, May and June I attended: 6 Broadway shows (Boeing, Boeing; Thurgood; A Catered Affair; Glory Days; Cry Baby; and, Cirque Dreams - Jungle Fantasy); 26 Off Broadway shows; 3 comedy shows; 2 rock concerts (The Eagles and Ringo Starr); 8 classical music concerts (mostly with The New York Philharmonic Orchestra); 9 baseball games; and, 1 movie.

During this time-frame I was able to spend some quality time in the City with: fraternity brother and mega-Bull Gator Stumpy Harris of Orlando; Granddaughter Gina Falletta, of Columbia, SC, and her friend Kelly; Gordon Warner of Tavares, FL, and his new significant other Carole; former Law School classmate Steve Gardner; student/bartender/manager Scott Reed and his boyfriend Ben Sears; and, my AA buddies (you know who you are).

On April 23rd I turned 74 (barf and double barf, I don’t like being old), however, this event was made special by Scott and Ben who kidnapped me and took me away, via a Mini-Cooper, to a wonderful lunch in Staten Island.

April also saw the birth of this blog, with the first posting on April 6th. During the 3 months I posted 28 times in April, 7 in May, and 20 in June. I have actually enjoyed the posting process but there has been a downside and that is - I am not as current in writing in my daily log as I should be. My bad.

I was out of The City a total of 25 nights, 20 for my awesome Japan/China adventure and 5 nights in Orlando to be with my son Bill while he was recovering from ear surgery. The number of days I stayed in the apartment without some entertainment event was 11, most of which were in April when the weather sucked.

When all of this is factored in, I remain at my goal of attending some entertainment event 9 out of 10 nights. Not bad for a 74 year old guy, not bad at all. Yep, this 74 year old guy just keeps on keeping on. I hope you agree.

I am indeed blessed - Thank You Higher Power!!!

Go Yankees!!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Thursday - Thoughts About Laughter


1. When people are laughing, they're generally not killing one another. - Alan Alda

2. The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself. - Ben Franklin

3. Nobody really cares if you're miserable, so you might as well be happy. - Cynthia Nelms

4. A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs, jolted by every pebble in the
road. - Henry Ward Beecher

5. At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities. - Jean Houston

6. Laughter is the sensation of feeling good all over and showing it principally in one place. - Josh Billings

7. Nobody ever died of laughter. - Max Beerbohm

8. You can't deny laughter; when it comes, it plops down in your favorite chair and stays as long as it wants. - Stephen King

9. A clown may be the first in the kingdom of heaven, if he or she has helped lessen the sadness of human life. - Rabbi Baroka

10. Laughter is the shortest distance between two people. - Victor Borge

11. I want to make people laugh--so they will begin to see things seriously. - William Zinser

12. I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose. - Woody Allen
---------------------------
Thought I would post this as a change in pace. Over the years I have become convinced that the more we laugh the easier it is for us to deal with the stress and discomfort produced by things over which we have no control.

More to come later in the day.

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

More Tuesday - An Interesting Five Days Ahead

Well, now that I have taken care of the problem with my youngest grandson, Topher of Fleasburg, FL, it is on to talking about what an interesting time I have scheduled for the next five days, starting tonight with the sold-out Bon Jovi concert at Madison Square Garden. He puts on a great show and I am really looking forward to it. His recent free outdoor concert on the Great Lawn in Central Park drew over 50,000 fans.

For the rest of the time, well, I think you will agree that what follows is a very eclectic schedule of entertainment events (and one of the major reasons I love this City so much) --

Wednesday - 9:00 - “Eh Joe” - “Samuel Beckett's Eh Joe, originally written for television, is stunning in its ability to capture the richness of Beckett's minimalism without a word from the main character. Joe, played by celebrated Irish-born actor Liam Neeson, sits alone in a room, prodded into uncomfortable thought by Penelope Wilton's disembodied voice. A projected close-up of the tortured expression on his face is all the audience needs to understand the pain of a memory explored.” (discounted TDF ticket). Liam Neeson - wow - awesome!!!!

Thursday - 8:00 - “Around the World in 80 Days” - “The Irish Repertory Theatre and the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park will present AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, adapted by Mark Brown from the Jules Verne novel. In England in 1872, Phileas Fogg is the most exact of men. Well-traveled, very wealthy and with no friends or relatives of which to speak, he keeps his days on the most precise of schedules and spends his evenings at the local Reform Club. After a newspaper asserts that traveling around the world in 80 days is a legitimate possibility, Fogg and his fellow Londoners debate whether becoming a globetrotter is indeed that easy.” (discounted TDF ticket).

Friday - 8:00 - “The Time of Mendel’s Trouble: A madcap musical of Biblical Proportions” - “When Mendel Moskowitz gets a surprise visit from The Burning Bush in his apartment in Brooklyn, his life turns topsy-turvy. Together with his new friend, Murray Schwartz from Miami Beach, they become the two prophets of the Apocalypse, and embark on a madcap spiritual journey that leads them all the way to Jerusalem for some miraculous end-time adventures. An epic musical excursion through the Book of Revelation, the show incorporates a Romeo & Juliet-type love story, political satire, comedy, tragedy, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil when Messiah finally comes to earth. The end of the world was never so zany!” (complimentary ticket).

Saturday - 8:00 - “What To Do When You Hate All Your Friends” - “Four Chairs Theatre Company presents the world premiere of What To Do When You Hate All Your Friends, an anti-social comedy written by award-winning playwright Larry Kunofsky and directed by Jacob Krueger. Matt is a guy who hates all his friends. Celia is a woman at the center of The Friends, a secret group that has perfected friendship through special rules and a rigid ranking system. Can a guy who hates all his friends and a woman who needs friendship to go by-the-book figure out a way to spend time together without going mental? Set in a world of secret hot tub parties, craigslist hookups, and the myriad of ways people try to control intimacy by keeping it away, this edgy and witty new comedy looks at how romance and friendship works -- or doesn't work -- in the way we live now.” (complimentary ticket).

About the shows I saw since the last posting on Thursday, in brief, OK?

The Strangerers - weird, a bit too long, but great acting.

Compose Yourself - a terrific showcase production from the songs written by Larry Grossman.

Stain - Oh My Gawd! Talk about a dysfunctional middle-class family: incest; child abuse; statutory rape of a male teenager; teenage angst; pot smoking; unwanted pregnancy; abortion vs. right-to-life; blackmail; lies, lies and more lies; divorce; and, alcoholism. I think the only hot button issues not touched would have been homophobia and AIDS. Acting was great, story? Well .... not very believable.

Bacchae - Alan Cummings camps up a Greek tragedy with lots of blood, gore and decapitation.

Damn Yankees - this has to be a highlight. Everything about the production seemed to be right on mark, especially the performances of Cheyenne Jackson at Joe Hardy and Sean Hayes as Applegate aka The Devil. I predict a transfer to Broadway.

A Night at the Operetta II - great songs and gorgeous voices.

OK, enough is enough, so ...

Go Yankees!!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Tuesday -To Set Things Straight - Another Topher Picture

I have to admit that I was somewhat taken aback by the negative reaction by my youngest grandson, Topher Falletta of Fleasburg, FL, to last week’s posting of the picture of him taken shortly after his graduation from college. He didn’t mind the picture per se - what upset him was my characterization of it as depicting his major asset. This is an excerpt from his email --

“Beloved Grandfather - I guess the picture was OK, but, you really should remember that since I was a little boy I took greatest pride in my skills as an outdoorsman and an avid hunter of Bambi and her ilk. To set things straight, I have enclosed a recent picture of me taken by friends during a hunting excursion in The Ocala National Forest. This, in my humble opinion, shows your Topher at his best. Please post it to that wonderful blog of yours. With deepest love and affection - your grandson”

SO, GRANDSON-OF-MINE HERE IT IS:

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Saturday - What the F**k Was Steve Jobs Thinking??


First off I want everyone to know that I am a 110% Steve Jobs/Apple/Mac person. I have always had a Mac, both lap top and desk top, and I have multiple iPods (Billi Pod, get it?) and a first generation iPhone, courtesy of my super-son Bill. I have always thought that Steve Jobs was a genius, but ... Friday’s debacle surrounding the highly anticipated release of the newest iPhone was something right out of the pages of the Windows “I’ve Got My Head Up My Ass” play book. Yes, Bill Gates has gotta be laughing his billionaire head off, and rightfully so.

As described in the New York Times: “For many people on Friday, the iPhone was the iCan’t. Apple suffered extensive network gridlock Friday morning, as many of the six million users of the original iPhone tried to upgrade to new software while the first buyers of the new iPhone 3G were trying to activate their purchases.”

For new purchasers, Apple instituted a policy that the phone had to be activated in-store in order to prevent a recurrence of the mass overseas exodus of modified phones for unauthorized cellular networks.

Well, all that decision produced was mass chaos, disgruntled customers and a huge PR faux pas.

To add to the PR problems, early performance reviews are highly critical of the lack of battery strength. Yes, the new wireless internet system is 3 to 4 times faster than the woeful AT&T Edge, but it comes with a price - it eats up the battery life, now estimated to be about 4 1/2 hours. And the battery is sealed inside the iPhone, meaning it cannot be exchanged, only recharged.

And what about us, the original iPhone users? Well, technically we can upgrade (when the system will permit) but the upgrade will not include access to the new and faster wireless 3G. Nice Steve, real nice. Thanks so very much.

OK, I have ranted enough. It will be interesting to see how Apple reacts.

Have two shows today. At 2:00 is the Off-Broadway dark comedy “Stain” and then tonight is Bacchae with Alan Cummings.

Gotta go - Oh, Yankee bats - wake the fuck up, OK?

Go Yankees!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Thursday - The Weekend is Complete Now


Before I set out the entertainment details for the rest of the week and weekend I want to share with you yet another picture that depicts my true feelings about the now departed Fucksox. Yeah Man!!

Actually the Yankees are on a bit of a roll now. We have won 4 straight games and the one last night was a 10 inning nail-biter with the Yankees winning 2-1 in the bottom of the 10th. Mariano had another stellar two inning performance to pick up the win. This win made the record for the 9 games I have just seen: 5 wins and 4 losses. We are not out of the AL East race just yet but after the All Star Game it’s gonna take a pretty massive winning streak somewhere along the way if we are gonna make the Playoffs.

This morning I had my semi-annual appointment with my Urologist and he and I are most happy with the results. My PSA was 1.1 and the finger-up-the-butt went OK. I see him again in January 2009. Hey guys!! If you are over 50 you gotta have at least an annual PSA test WITH, REPEAT, WITH, a Digital Rectal Examination (DRE). The fact that you are paying someone to stick something up your ass doesn’t mean you are gay. You gotta do this!!

Now on to entertainment - I had a show this afternoon at 2:00 but I really wasn’t in the mood for it for a number of reasons, so I just picked up the ticket and then came on back to the apartment. This is something I very rarely do, but ...

Anyway, tonight I see The Strangerers (yes, the correct spelling) which I have previously described and I am really looking forward to the show.

Friday night is a show at the York Theater as part of their Musicals in Mufti series and it is called Compose Yourself - “If you enjoyed Goodtime Charley and our Summer Mufti Series, be sure to join us for the series debut of New2NY, New York premieres of musicals in staged concert performances! The series opens with a new revue of the music of Larry Grossman, Compose Yourself!” (discounted TDF ticket).

Saturday - 2:00 - Stain - “This dark family comedy by Tony Glazer centers on the quickly-crumbling life of Thomas, 15 years old, and the relationships he has with his father Arthur, mother Julia, grandmother Theresa, best friend George, and his much-older girlfriend Carmen. When family secrets are revealed, Thomas is confronted with a choice that will either save or mark him forever. This Choice Theatricals world premiere is directed by Scott C. Embler.” (discounted TDF ticket). Yeah, I know, yet another dysfunctional family show.

8:00 - Bacchai - “From the moment Scottish actor Alan Cummings provocative Dionysus is lowered onstage from above, it is clear that in this North American premiere of the National Theatre of Scotlands acclaimed production, playwright David Greigs interpretation takes the mask off one of the last great Athenian tragedies. A unique take on Euripides, this is a Bacchae for the 21st-century. Noted for his Broadway debut as the emcee in the Roundabout's revival of Cabaret, Mr. Cumming, cast in this timeless exploration of sexuality, according to London's The Guardian, proceeds to give us a Dionysus who, while of divine origin, has adopted a flirty, sportive, sexually equivocal human form. Backed by a gospel-singing female cult of Maenads, Cummings narcissistic Dionysus arrives at Thebes to claim godly recognition from a disbelieving, ascetic King Pentheus, opening the door to a sardonic, contemporary look at the battle between hedonism and repression.” (discounted TDF ticket). I have to admit that I have had misgivings about this show since the word of mouth and reviews have been in the Love It or Hate It category. It closes this weekend so I thought, what the Hell, I like Alan Cummings so I will give it shot.

Sunday - 7:00 - Damn Yankees - “The second of New York City Centers Encores! Summer Stars series, Damn Yankees is the story of ultimate baseball fan Joe Boyd (Cheyenne Jackson), who sells his soul to the Devil (Sean Hayes) for the chance to help his team, the Washington Senators, win the pennant race against the Yankees. The Devil is aided by the sexy Lola (Jane Krakowski), who seduces Joe, but ultimately helps him outsmart the Devil and return to his beloved wife. Songs include "Heart" and "Whatever Lola Wants." (discounted TDF ticket). The show was gotten decent reviews and has a very limited run.

Monday - 8:00 - A Night at the Operetta II @ Town Hall - “Experience the epic music that took Broadway by storm, thrilling audiences ever since the operetta! Join current Broadway stars as they breathe new life into the thrilling creations of Sigmund Romberg, Rudolf Friml, Victor Herbert and more! This stirring evening of classic Broadway show music will feature some of the most passionate and romantic music ever written peppered with host Scott Siegel's entertaining commentary.” (discounted TDF ticket).

Tuesday - 8:00 - Bon Jovi @ Madison Square Gardens. (full price ticket). My seat is excellent and I am really looking forward to seeing him again.

So there you are. I hope you will agree with me that it will be a diverse and, hopefully, interesting and fun, next several days.

Oh, in closing. The show I saw last night, 7 Sins, which I described in an earlier posting, was one of the funniest shows I have seen in a long long time. The writer/performer is doing 5 shows in Washington, DC, next week and then goes across The Pond to participate in the Edinburgh Festival.

Have a great weekend.

Go Yankees!!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Tuesday - OK, OK - I’m Sorry Topher

Yesterday when I posted the picture of my oldest grandson, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Lex Falletta, I had no idea that it would stir up an avalanche of emails from family and friends who uniformly chastised me for omitting any references to my youngest grandson, Topher Falletta who now lives in Fleasburg, FL.

OK, I admit it, I should have posted something regarding Topher, so I searched my photo archives and found a picture taken last year, just after his graduation from the University of Florida, that more than any other picture I have portrays Topher’s strongest asset. I needn't say anything else because the picture speaks for itself and I am confident that family members and friends will agree - this is the Topher we know and love - at his best. It is at the end of this post. I hope all is forgiven.

Now, on to other things. I had a great time last night at [title of show], in very early previews. Since most Broadway shows are dark on Monday night the audience for this show was filled with lots and lots of younger theater-type folks who were very very loud in their response to the performance. I loved it and laughed a lot. The house seemed to be almost sold out. My TDF discounted seat was excellent, second row of the mezzanine. When the show was over the 4 person cast received a roaring standing ovation.

Interestingly, on some of the theater-related chat boards the audience response(s) are generating some negative reactions from some of the, in my words, “theatre elitists” who carp that the audience must be filled with shills. Not true you snobby butt-holes, the audience is full of people who enjoy the show for what it is, a light musical comedy, so get the fuck over yourselves already and go back to listening to your vinyl cast recordings of “Naughty Marietta,” or whatever.

Gosh, I feel better - now on to what I have scheduled for the next several days:

Tuesday - 7:05 - Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays

Wednesday - 1:05 - Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays (maybe a walk back to the apartment after the game, maybe).

7:30 - 7 Sins - "Comedian James Judd's hilarious true stories about trying to win his 5th Grade book report competition with My Search for Patty Hearst, and his careers as a forgotten employee of AT&T, a dot.com journalist (leading to an insane night in a Chinese bordello), and as an under-prepared criminal defense attorney.” (complimentary ticket). Sounds very interesting.

Thursday - 10:00 - semi-annual appointment with my Urologist so he can stick his finger up my butt. Oh, yes, lots of fun.

2:00 - East 14th: True Tales of a Reluctant Player - “What do you do when your mother divorces your father, then remarries a devout follower of "that religion," who takes you door-knocking at 7 o'clock in the morning? You escape and move in with dear old dad, of course. Problem solved. Until you discover your real pop is a real pimp...for real. East 14th: True Tales of a Reluctant Player is the hysterical one-man show chronicling Don Reed's true coming-of-age story in 1970s Oakland. From being forced to deliver the gospel door to door, to living on "Ho Row," Don Reed takes you down a road you'll never forget. At times moving and poignant, but always funny to the core.” (complimentary ticket). A very unusual time for a show, 2:00 on a Thursday, so I thought I would give it a shot.

Then, 7:30 - The Strangerer - “The Strangerer collides several of author Albert Camus' works with the first Bush/Kerry presidential debate in 2004. The formalities of the debate are overturned as Bush and Kerry struggle with the question not of if or why an innocent man should be killed (the man in question being moderator Jim Lehrer), but rather what is the proper manner in which to go about killing him. A fascinating and hilarious hybrid, The Strangerer is part political satire, part classical drama, and a murder mystery with the murderers in plan view.” (complimentary ticket). WOW!! What a way to end a very very interesting but different day, and, yes, that is the correct spelling of the title.

Now I've got things to do, so ...

Go Yankees!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com
TOPHER FALLETTA AT HIS BEST --

Monday, July 7, 2008

Monday - Baseball Overload

Well, I have to admit that 7 baseball games in 7 days is almost guaranteed to bring about sensory and emotional overload and it did, especially with the emotionally draining final two games with the Yankees winning on Saturday by a score of 2-1 and then winning in the bottom of the 10th inning last night by a score of 5-4 on the 2-strike 2-out clutch hit by rookie Brett Gardner off of Fucksox closer Jonathan Papelbon. In both games Yankees closer Mariano Rivera played a crucial role. Sunday’s game started at 8:00 and it was just past midnight when the winning run scored.

I won’t go into more details about the game(s) because if you are a baseball fan you already know that the wins evened the Fucksox series at 2 and 2. If you are not a fan, well, you could care less, so ...

But I have to admit, following my policy of truth and honesty in reporting, that scheduling so many games back-to-back was probably a mistake and, gasp, on Tuesday and Wednesday I have tickets to the two Tampa Bay Rays games, making it 9 games in 10 days. Wow!!

Tonight I am seeing {title of show} in its early Broadway previews. As I have written before, I saw the show twice in its Off-Broadway run and loved it. I hope it makes it on Broadway and can find an audience. The underlying story is about two guys who are trying to write and produce a musical and, among other things, they can’t agree on the title of the show.

In closing I want to thank my oldest grandson, Warrant Officer Alex Falletta, for sending me the pictures taken during his current training program in Arizona. I have taken the liberty of sharing one of them at the bottom of this posting. Way to go Lex!!

Go Yankees!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Saturday - In A Funk


OK, I have to admit that I woke up this morning in a definite funk from yesterday. The back page in The News: “YANKEE NOODLES - A-Rod, Bombers all wet in loss to Red Sox.” The back page in The New York Post: “ALL TALK - Meeting yields only Yankee Doodle Dud.” Yep, that pretty much sums up how I feel.

To add to the funkiness - it was gray and nasty looking when I woke up and then around 1:00 it started to rain and now at 2:30 it is still lightly raining. The game is supposed to start at 3:55 and soon I will have to make the decision of whether to head out to the Stadium to wait to see if the game is finally played, or just sit here. What they will probably do is wait for a couple of hours so the crowd can spend more money on $8.50 beers and then call the game, probably to schedule a day/night doubleheader tomorrow. I keep checking the TV but no word. Fuck!!

I will head out to the game and keep my fingers crossed.

More later. Oh, I didn’t stand in the rain last night to watch the fireworks show.

Go Yankees!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Friday, July 4, 2008

KA-BOOM AGAIN!! The Fucksox 6 - The Wankies 4


At this point I need all of the help I can get to stay sane as I witnessed yet another example of dead bats and missed scoring opportunities. The game wasn't as close as the score indicates.

To make things worse, at the top of the 8th inning there was a 90 minute rain delay and the weather took care of my plans to walk back to the apartment after the game. It was 6:30 when the game finally ended, with the tying run at the plate. I did consider giving the walk a shot but the weather was nasty and I didn't want to risk getting caught in a rainstorm while in East Harlem.

So, maybe next Wednesday after the 1:05 Tampa Bay game. We will see.

Not sure whether I will join the 1,000,000 plus of my closest friends to watch the fireworks show at 9:00.; We will see.

Anyway, Happy Fourth of July to everyone.

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Thursday, July 3, 2008

KA-BOOM!! The Fucksox 7 - The Wankies 0

Thursday - The FuckSox Come to Town; Fourth of July Plans



Well, after getting swept by The Rays the Fucksox are in The Big Apple for a four game series and I have a ticket for each game.

The Fucksox come into town angry and ashamed and The Yankees are frustrated and hungry. It should be quite a series.

Last night the Yankee bats finally woke up and they scored some runs. It is only too bad that some of those runs couldn’t have turned up in the previous 3 games, but they didn’t. It was a fun game to watch. My seat was one of the extra tickets via my season ticket plan vouchers. It was only $5 and it was in the upper tier but not quite in the nose bleed section. Actually it was quite pleasant. At the end of the 3rd inning I was able to find an empty seat in the Loge area. The Yankees kicked butt, winning 18-7.

My matinee show, “Some Americans Abroad,” was really bad. It is in previews and I am certain the critics will trash it. It was soooooooooooo bad that I left at intermission, something I rarely do. It appeared to me that about 25% of the audience joined me in my exodus. Oh well, win some, lose some.

FOURTH OF JULY PLANS. One of the items I have had on my “Big Apple Things I Gotta Do” list since 1998 has been to walk from Yankee Stadium back to the apartment following a game. Each year it was the main thing that I didn’t get around to doing. Some of you may remember that several years ago I walked from the Northern tip of Manhattan to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal, via Broadway, in two 6.5 mile installments

My criteria for this adventure has been: (1) following a day game, (2) nothing planned for after the game, and (3) decent weather with acceptable humidity. Well, this is the year and Friday, July 4th, will be the day, weather permitting, of course.

So, my plans will be - when the game is over, probably around 3:30, I will get a bottle of water and start walking south on River Avenue to 149th Street, East on 149th Street to Grand Concourse, South on Grand Concourse to 138th Street and then West on 138th Street to the Madison Avenue Bridge where I will cross over the Harlem River and into Manhattan. I calculate the total distance of this leg to be just over a mile.

When I cross the Harlem River I will then walk South on Madison down to 51st Street and back to the apartment. That distance is about 5.5 miles or a total of 6.5 miles. Along the way if I get tired or decide that I have had enough I can always hop the subway or a bus.

OK, now stop it!! I know what some of you are thinking. Yes, I know that part of the time I will be in East Harlem but, trust me, within the past week I have scoped out the area in detail via bus and walking and I feel comfortable about it, I really do, especially during the day. Calm down.

So, there you have it folks. I hope you have a great Fourth of July too!!

It is now time to get ready to head out to Yankee Stadium for game one, so ...

Go Yankees!!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Tuesday night - Get Over It Billi Pod


I just got back from the Yankees/Rangers game and I am in a funk, no doubt about it. I thought that Monday’s 2-1 loss was difficult to witness but it didn’t hold the proverbial candle to tonight’s 3-2 debacle. Tonight the score was tied 2-2 going into the top of the 9th and Girardi brought in our Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera. He promptly gives up a double and a single and the score was 3-2 going into the bottom of the 9th. The leadoff runner walked but the Yankees couldn’t muster a hit and the lost their 3rd consecutive one run game. Where are the bats guys????

And, Tampa Bay beat Boston again and that means that the Yankees are trailing those Rays by 8, yes, 8 games in the loss column with the season half over. I am going crazy. Trailing Tampa Bay by 8 games?

Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t expect the team to win every game (although it would certainly be OK with me if they did) but this team hasn’t the old fire in the belly that other Yankee teams have had, certainly not the teams that I have seen in the past 13 years. I have seen only 10 games so far this season but their record for those games is 4 wins and 6 losses. I have tickets to 27 of the remaining 39 home games. Mediocrity is not acceptable!!

I know I gotta get out of this funk and “Get Over It,” but damn ...

OK, I’ve vented, so ... tomorrow I have a 2:00 matinee, “Some Americans Abroad,” and then the final Yankees/Rangers game at 7:05, hopefully with better results.

Go Yankees!!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com