Monday Was Kinda Weird

Good morning my loyal and faithful readers and followers. It is a dark, overcast and gray morning here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World==>44º @ 8:30am.

You know, yesterday was a kinda weird day/evening for Billi Pod. For whatever reason it took him longer than usual to write yesterday’s posting and that meant that he was delayed in doing his usual weekly errands and chores.

The weather was outstanding so he had conflicting emotions with one part of his self saying get out there and do some walking and wandering and the other part of his self saying that he had to finish his errands and stuff first. He struck a compromise that, unfortunately, had the effect of truncating both of his “desires.”

What does that mean? Well, it means that he didn’t have as much walking and wandering time as he wanted and he didn’t finish up all of the chores and errands.

Oh well ... but ... then for the evening ...

Billi Pod had planned to see a reading at 7:00pm down at the Abingdon Theatre Complex but at the last minute he decided that he didn’t want to do it, so he ... gasp ... gave himself the evening off.

Yes, my loyal and faithful readers, Billi Pod opted to stay in PHC on a Monday evening in The Big Apple. I beg you not to forward copies of this posting to Mayor Mike’s Entertainment Police.

Oh, Gawd ... the next part is sooooooo difficult to write about ... but ... in the name of fair and unbiased reporting I have to admit that Billi Pod turned on the tube and watched ... Oh God help me ... 

THE O’REILLY FACTOR. 

Yes, Billi Pod watched the entire one-hour long show. OMFG!!

I have no clue why this happened. I felt as if I was possessed by some demonic fiend because I couldn’t move, couldn’t change channels and just sat there for the full hour of nothing but puke-inducing right-wing bullshit.

When that journey into Hell was over I was able to change channels and then I finally did something that I wanted to do, and that was to watch a movie I had missed when it was first released ...

KICK-ASS - “When teenage geek Dave Lizewski decides to become a superhero even though he has no powers whatsoever he becomes an overnight Internet celebrity, not reckoning on meeting a couple of real vigilantes in the form of a vengeance obsessed ex-cop and his daughter.”

Yes, it is profane, outlandish, ultra-violent, shocking, funny and wildly entertaining. Blood-splattering to the nth degree. I loved every minute of it because it is Billi Pod’s kind of humor.

OK, enough about my weird yesterday ... what about today ... well ...

Tonight will be the first of 3 consecutive classical music concerts ...

7:30==>CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER @ Alice Tully Hall - The program is: Mozart - Quartet for Piano, Violin, Viola and Cello;

Adolphe (who??) - Concerto for Cello and Percussion;

Mozart - Trio for Clarinet, Viola and Piano; and,

Mackey (who??) - Micro-Concerto for Percussion, Flute, Clarinet, Violin and Cello

(complimentary ticket)

My plans are to head out to Lincoln Center a bit early so I can do some walking in the underground areas.

OMFG!! I just reread the draft of this posting and it is sooooooooooo f-ing boring. I won’t prolong your agony so ...

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>4.27 miles (or, 9,339 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>723.78

Mileage remaining until 4/23/13==>355.22

GO GATORS!!

Billi Pod

“Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.”

Billi Pod Reports on Saturday and Sunday’s Doubleheaders

Yes, my loyal and faithful readers and followers out there in the hinterlands, boondocks and wastelands, Billi Pod did not post yesterday about his entertainment events. It was a deliberate choice so you can forgo any more calls to your computer’s customer service - your computer and/or Internet provider did not fail.

As you know, I did make a posting yesterday about Veteran’s Day and quite frankly I didn’t feel it was appropriate to post anything more, especially about my crowded entertainment filled weekend. But, the proper time has now arrived, so ...

Let’s begin with Billi Pod’s report cards on Saturday’s doubleheader ...

A TWIST OF WATER, about the daughter of a gay widower seeking her birth mother==>B+

Excellent acting and thoughtful story line. It did not have a “predictable” outcome and that was a very positive feature. My only quibble is that there is way too much yelling and screaming between the daughter and her adoptive, now widowed, gay father.

Billi Pod says==>see it!

Then for the evening there was ...

THE PERFORMERS, about the ins and outs of life and love in the adult entertainment industry==>A

I f**king LOVED it! Funny! Just Billi Pod’s kind of humor. The 90 minutes flew by. 

Yes, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, it is extremely profane. Every actor spews every curse word known to mankind, plus a couple invented for this show.

As expected, Cheyenne Jackson is hot and sexy in the lead role of Mandrew and Daniel Breaker as Lee, a New York Times writer, holds his own. All three of the female performers are excellent.

Henry Winkler, as the aging porn star Chuck Wood, is OK in a role that is hard to develop (pun sorta intended).

Now, I have no clue how the critics are going to react to this “in-your-face” show. My gut feeling is that they will pretty much trash it.

So ... if you want to see something different on Broadway, hustle thee to get a ticket.

Now, that brings us to Billi Pod’s report cards on Sunday's doubleheader ...

2:00==>MARCH MADNESS - “The office sports pool, once a fun diversion, becomes a deadly serious game when the ante is substantially raised and what's at stake becomes no less than their lives. And yes, it's a comedy!” (Off Broadway - ($9.00 TDF ticket)

This rip-roaring comedy earns an==>A

It is 90 mins. of serious fun with an excellent cast and the story line would definitely resonate with all of my Worker Bee friends. 

The small Off Broadway house was full and the audience was really into the show. Unfortunately, its run must end on the 18th, so I highly recommend this show if tickets are still available. It is playing at the Abingdon Theatre Complex on West 36th Street.

The evening’s entertainment event was downtown at the SoHo Playhouse ...

5 LESBIANS EATING A QUICHE - "The1956 meeting of the Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein and their annual quiche breakfast.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This so-called comedy was a major disappointment and earns a==>C<==giving it the benefit of the doubt.

It was not nearly as funny as reported and I found the humor to be forced. The story line is totally un-involving. 

I saw it with my theater buddy, Marty Kosarik, and he disliked it even more than I did.

The evening was saved, however, because we had an excellent late dinner at Vegetarian's Paradise in The Village.

Moving on some more ...

I want to make a few comments on the majorly ugly Gator win Saturday over Ocala Junior College. Oh, excuse me, I meant lowly Louisiana-Lafayette, from the f**king Sun Belt Conference.

Yes, I know that a win is a win but, folks, who are The Gators, really? 

Only the Gators can turn what was about to be an inexcusable loss into an inexplicable victory. Only the Gators can turn what would have been a monumental upset into one of the most electrifying comebacks in the history of UF football. Only the Gators can keep coming up with unbelievable, inconceivable, amazing, hair-raising ways to win.

Who are these 9-1, No 6. ranked Gators???

Well, as a beat writer for the Orlando Sentinel puts it ... they are ... “The Florida Godsends - the worst great team in America.”

Moving on some more ...

Today, being a Monday, I have chores, things and stuff to do. It is a beautiful day in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, so I hope to have a nice walk and wander session later.

Tonight’s entertainment event is a staged reading at the Abingdon Theatre Complex ... 

BEN AND MINDY GET DIRTY - “A new corporate V.P., Ben, plans a little "restructuring" with the help of his new head of Human Resources (and mistress), Mindy. When he lays off some long-time employees, two lowly worker bees revolt, and one of them takes matters into her own hands.” (free ticket).

OK, now it is time to do stuff ...

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.63 miles (or, 12,307 steps)

Mileage for week==>36.59 miles (avg. 5.23 miles per day)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>719.51

Mileage remaining until 4/23/13==>359.49

GO GATORS!!

Billi Pod

“Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.”

VETERANS DAY==>WE MUST NEVER FORGET!!

I was part of the Universal Military Training generation, where basically every physically fit guy ultimately served in some branch of the military, unless he qualified for an extremely difficult to get exemption.

I was in the Army in 1955-57. Basic training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC, then US Army Intelligence School at Ft. Holabird in Baltimore, MD.

Then was stationed in Washington, DC, as a member of a Counter-Intelligence Corps (CIC) unit. We were basically undercover since we were outfitted in civilian clothes (paid for by the Army) and our rank was classified. I had a Top Secret Clearance. My CIC unit mostly did background investigations for security clearances.

We were required to live “off-base” so 4 buddies and I rented a house in Arlington, VA.

I only put on my uniform to get the weekend dirt-cheap round-trip tickets from DC to New York City. Me and 2 of my buds would head up to NYC about twice a month.

I got an early release in order to return to the University of Florida, as a 23yo Sophomore. There was no GI Bill at that time. It was later restored but not made retroactive if you had already received your degree(s).

I was in the Inactive Reserve for 8 years and then received my Honorable Discharge.

I am very proud of the time I was in the service and, of course, am busting with pride over the willingness of my oldest grandson, Alex Falletta aka Army Guy, to have placed himself in harms way in order to protect this great Country of ours.

I Thank God every night for Alex's safe return from his Mid-East deployment. He remains an Apache Helicopter pilot in The National Guard in Columbia, SC.

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT YOU ALEX AND ALL OF YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ARMS. 

WE MUST NEVER, EVER, FORGET!!

Bill

Saturday Is Another Doubleheader

Good morning my loyal and faithful readers and followers. I hope that everyone out there in the morass known as cyberspace is having a great weekend - Billi Pod certainly is.

Last night’s NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC All Brahms concert was absolutely wonderful. 

It started off a bit strange, however. First the orchestra’s Executive Director came on stage to announce that in the first number, Brahms Concerto for Violin and Cello, the original cellist, Carter Brey, was unable to perform and that he was being replaced by Alisa Weilerstein. I actually knew this in advance because they had sent an email to subscribers.

Then he said that Conductor Emeritus Kurt Masur was “unable” (he could have said "unavailable") to conduct the Concerto and would be replaced by one of the resident conductors. He then said that Masur would conduct the second number, Brahms Symphony No. 2. That sounded really strange and my seat mates and I exchanged puzzled looks. Well ... 

I am pleased to report that the Concerto sounded flawless and violinist Glenn Dicterow and cellist Weilerstein received a roaring ovation.

After intermission Kurt Masur came out and he received a loud round of applause. But, my God ... he looked old, gaunt and very very frail. He is 85yrs old and is reported to be suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

Well, whatever the problem was/is, it didn’t interfere with his masterful conducting of the beautiful Symphony No. 2  and he and the orchestra were rewarded with a standing ovation.

Yes, it was indeed a great concert.

As I posted yesterday, Masur has another All Brahms concert scheduled for next week, featuring Symphonies No. 3 and No. 4. I will be there.

I had gotten to Lincoln Center about an hour early so I had a nice walk session in the underground areas of the Center, obviously out of the elements. When the concert was over it was too windy and cold for me to consider walking back to the apartment so I took the subway to the Port Authority Bus Terminal and did a 30-minute walk-around there.

Moving on ... 

In yesterday’s posting I bitched about today’s GATOR/LOUISIANA game not being carried locally. Well, after booking an afternoon show I found out that the game will, in fact, be carried locally on MSG. Damn!!

I had checked with the Gator Zone website and all it said was that the game would be carried on the SEC Network. I will have to depend on my grandson Chris Falletta aka Topher to keep me up-to-date via texts.

Oh, well. This is what today’s entertainment doubleheader looks like ...

2:15==>A TWIST OF WATER - “The daughter of a gay widower seeks her birth mother in this modern drama about what it means to be a family.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show is playing at the 59th Street Theatre Complex, one of my favorite venues.

Then for the evening is ...

8:00==>THE PERFORMERS - “A romantic comedy about the ins and outs of life and love in the adult entertainment industry.” (Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This Broadway show features hot and sexy Cheyenne Jackson and Ari Graynor, Alicia Silverstone and Henry Winkler. It is in previews and the advance buzz has been very mixed, basically either “loved-it” or “hated-it.”

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>6.78 miles (or, 14,827 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>708.40

Mileage remaining until 4/23/13==>370.60

GO GATORS!!

Billi Pod

“Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.”

Billi Pod Has A Hearing Aid Thingy Scare

Good afternoon all of my loyal and faithful readers and followers out there in the morass known as cyberspace.

I am happy to report that it is a beautiful TGIF in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, with azure skies and 46º @ noon. This means Billi Pod will be able to do a major walk and wander session this afternoon, all outdoors==>HOORAY!!

So ... let’s get this posting started with Billi Pod's report card on last night’s entertainment event ...

FIGARO, about a barber/servant who faces various obstacles en route to the altar==>B+

I found this show to be totally enjoyable. I had mixed feelings about it going in so I was pleasantly surprised with the overall quality of the production.

The cast is excellent, headed by Sean McNall as Figaro and Chris Nixon as Count Almaviva, Figaro’s boss and nemesis.

It is very funny and very well performed and staged. It is, of course, a farce. The audience was really into the show.

If you want something a bit different, it is well worth your time and travel to the newly refurbished West 42nd Street venue.

Billi Pod says==>See it!!

Oh, before the show began the Artistic Director of The Pearl Theatre Company, J. R. Sullivan, announced that they had signed a 20yr lease on this venue.

Had a VERY scary moment before the show started. Just after I found my seat my right ear hearing aid thingy informed me that the battery was about to die.

WTF!! Should I ignore it and depend on the left ear thingy, at least until intermission, or should I immediately change the battery? I opted to attempt to immediately change the battery.

Well, folks, that was an incredibly dumb decision because as I trying to insert the insanely small battery into the insanely small hearing aid thingy, the thingy slipped out of my hand and fell somewhere. OMFG!! This was the worst case scenario, to the nth degree, because people were filing into their seats and the show was about to start.

I got down on my hands and knees with the small flashlight on my key chain and started frantically searching for this small, mega-expensive thingy ... but ... I couldn’t find it. My heart was racing, not making make this up, it was racing.

Then, a young 20s guy seated next to me also got down on his hands and knees. He had a larger flashlight. Long story short, he found it. The thingy was on the floor under the seat in front of him.

I thanked him profusely, of course. The house lights dimmed and the show started. I held the thingy tightly in my hand until intermission. At intermission I went into the lobby and changed the battery while seated at a table.

What I had attempted to do is explicitly discussed in the user guide which strongly says==>don’t attempt to change the battery while in cramped quarters.

Trust me, I learned a valuable lesson.

Moving on ... 

Tonight’s entertainment event is ...

8:00==>NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC @ Avery Fisher Hall - “Kurt Masur conducts an All Brahms program: Double Concerto for Violin and Cello and Symphony No. 2.” (subscription series)

Masur is also conducting the orchestra next week in another All Brahms program, Symphonies No. 3 and No. 4. I have a ticket for that concert. I love Brahms.

I plan to head out to Lincoln Center at least an hour early and do some walking there and then after the concert, weather permitting, will walk back to the apartment.

The weekend has now been booked and I have doubleheaders for both Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately the GATOR/LOUISIANA game is not being carried locally.

This is my schedule ...

Saturday - 2:15==>A TWIST OF WATER;

8:00==>THE PERFORMERS (Broadway)

Sunday - 2:00==>MARCH MADNESS;

7:30==>5 LESBIANS EATING A QUICHE

Yeah, looks like a fun weekend doesn’t it?

BREAKING NEWS==>Yesterday Billi Pod reached the 700 mile marker on his 1,079 walking adventure/challenge. 

Yeah, that’s right, 700+ miles since July 1st, or an average of 5.36 miles per day. AWESOME!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.17 miles (or, 11,299 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>701.62

Mileage remaining until 4/23/13==>377.38

GO GATORS!!

Billi Pod

“Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.”