An Entertainment Doubleheader for Thursday

Thursday==>Good morning to everyone out there in the morass known as cyberspace.

Your favorite blogger here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, needs to get this posting started because Billi Pod has an entertainment doubleheader scheduled for today ... yes ... I know it is a Thursday ... but ... he still has a doubleheader scheduled for today ... so just keep reading ...

First, let’s get Billi Pod's comments/thoughts on yesterday’s staged reading of ...

A WOMAN ON TOP, about Senator Virginia Stanton who has had it all, career, marriage, family, success, and divorce. Reaching toward her ultimate goal, Virginia seeks the Presidential nomination of her party while her ex-husband, Governor George Reitman, runs on the opposing side’s ticket==>interesting premise but it needs a lot of work if it is going to find a commercial production.

I saw it with my theater-buddies Dian Crystal aka My Lady and Marty Kosarik aka Whatever, with his boyfriend Robert, and we all had about the same reaction.

When the reading was over Marty and Robert split and Dian and I headed over to our favorite Ethiopian restaurant, Meske, on West 47th Street in my Hell’s Kitchen ‘hood.

This photograph shows our usual awesome meal, The Vegetarian Platter. 

We had a great time and did a lot of much needed catching up.

When we were finished stuffing ourselves, we split. Dian headed over to the Eastside, walking, of course, for her Kabbalah class (not sure I totally understand what this is) and I headed back to the apartment to watch the 7:05pm YANKEES/INDIANS game, from Cleveland.

Man, what a game! The Yankees won 5-4 in the 14th inning on a homer from Jacoby Ellsbury and David Robertson’s 22nd save.

The final out was made just a few minutes before midnight. Another good thing about the game - I did my usual each 1/2 inning walking routine and that ultimately made for a very good walking day, with total mileage of 4.10 miles.

The final game of the 4-game series will be tonight at 7:05pm. On the mound for The Yankees (46-44) will be David Phelps (3-4) vs. T.J. House (1-2) for The Indians (44-46).

The Yankee Universe is in utter disbelief over the late breaking news that our ace, Masahiro Tanaka, has been placed on the 15-day DL due to an “inflamed elbow.” WTF!! Results from the MRI will be released today. WTF?????

Anyway ... moving on to the details for today’s entertainment doubleheader ...

First is a show in the just opened New York Musical Theater Festival (NYMF) ...

1:00==>ACADEMIA NUTS - “It's the National High School Quizbowl Championship and dreamy-eyed brainiac Maggie McCutter hopes to win a scholarship so she can escape her controlling mother. Maggie's world is hilariously turned upside down when she falls for Tyler O'Neil, a football-loving opponent from rival team, the Walla Walla Walruses. As she's torn between the family she's got and the friendship she's found, will Maggie's trivial pursuits be in jeopardy?” (NYMF - $9.00 TDF ticket)

This self-described “nerd-rock musical” is playing at The Signature Theatre Complex on West 42nd Street, has a running time of 1:50, with intermission, and the remaining performance dates are: Thursday, July 10 at 1:00pm; Friday, July 11 at 9:00pm; Saturday, July 12 at 5:00pm; and, Sunday, July 13 at 8:00pm.

When the show is over I will come back to the apartment and have my usual pre-theater snack, a fruit and cheese plate, and then will head out for the second half of my doubleheader, the Off Broadway show ...

7:00==>HONOR BOUND - “An ambitious young reporter tries to uncover secrets about a respected, retired doctor but instead discovers long-buried conflicts between two old friends. Set against the bonds of baseball, curve balls are thrown and cherished memories are recaptured.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This well-reviewed drama is playing at St. Lukes Theatre on West 46th Street, has a running time of 2:00, with intermission, and the remaining performance dates are on Fridays only through September 26th.

I should be back in PHC in time to watch the final innings of the YANKEES/INDIANS game.

So ... there you have it my loyal and faithful readers and followers. I hope you will agree that today's entertainment doubleheader sounds very very interesting ... so ... time to post this and then get ready to let the doubleheader begin.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>4.10 miles (or, 8,969 steps)

Total mileage for 2014==>733.77 miles (average 3.86 miles per day)

GO YANKEES!!

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 Is Back

Wednesday==>When I opened the door to my apartment, PHC, yesterday at 4:30pm I felt pretty much at peace with the World. I was home again in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

The trip back from Orlando went well, starting with an early arrival at the airport, saying goodbye to Bill III aka The Bill, clearing security easily, some major walking around the terminal, on-time departure, good seat with extra leg room, on-time arrival, checked bag arrival and bus ride into Manhattan (saving myself $50).

The whole process represented my attempt to begin the healing process and move forward as I know Chris would want me/us to do.

Yes, the whole time down in Orlando had been emotionally draining, as might be expected.

My son, Bill III aka The Bill, was everything, and more, that one could expect during these difficult times. He basically took care of his 80-year old father while also being actively involved in the family healing process. He and Chris had a very unique bond.

THANK YOU BILL==>LOVE YA - MEAN IT! 

Everything went very well and the services were well organized thanks to the collective efforts of David and Crystal Falletta, Kathi and John Bendeck and Alex and Gina Falletta.

Both the Viewing and the Funeral were very well-attended and filled with loving family and friends, many of whom traveled long distances to say their final goodbyes to Chris.

I was very impressed with the large number of his fraternity brothers who showed up. Chris was an active member of Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR) at The University of Florida.

I want to send a special THANK YOU to==>Linda, Sandy, Tim, Buddy, Nick, Mike, Lance and Jimmy. Your special efforts meant sooooooooo much to me.

After I got unpacked and read some of the collected newspapers I felt the sudden urge to be out and about, so I had a rather nice walk and wander session in my immediate ‘hood. Got some pizza for the evening and then came back and settled in to watch the YANKEES/INDIANS game, details below. I felt the need to be alone.

THANK YOU also to==>Dian, Scott and Ginger for reaching out to me. It meant a lot.

I won’t say that everything is totally OK, but I can say that at least for me, the healing process has begun and I am back ... so ...

Moving on ...

This afternoon I have an entertainment event scheduled, a staged reading of ...

3:00==>A WOMAN ON TOP - “Senator Virginia Stanton has had it all, career, marriage, family, success, and divorce. Reaching toward her ultimate goal, Virginia seeks the Presidential nomination of her party while her ex-husband, Governor George Reitman, runs on the opposing side’s ticket. Who will win this tugging match between Virginia and George and will there be a clear winner?” (staged reading - free ticket)

This is a “Special Industry Reading” and is taking place at The New 42nd Street Studios on West 42nd Street. I was invited to attend by my Facebook friend Zach Laks.

At the moment my entertainment plans for the evening are in flux. I may just stay in and watch the Yankee game ... so stay tuned.

Speaking of The Yankees (45-44) ... last night they lost 5-3 to The Indians (44-45) as our ace Masahiro Tanaka had his second less-than-stellar outing.

Tonight at 7:05pm, from Cleveland, will be the 3rd game of the 4-game series. On the mound for The Yankees will be recently acquired Brandon McCarthy (3-10), making his Yankee debut vs. Josh Tomlin (5-6) for The Indians.

OK, my loyal and faithful readers and followers I have stuff to do ... so will post this after I close with a deep and heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to message, text, post, email, snail-mail, and call. Because of you==>Billi Pod is back.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.95 miles (or, 8,643 steps)

Total mileage for 2014==>729.67 miles (average 3.86 miles per day)

GO YANKEES!!

Billi Pod

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

Rest In Peace CHRISTOPHER WILLIAM FALLETTA

Monday==>This morning we said our final goodbyes to Christopher William Falletta in an emotional service filled with family and friends.

Now the healing process has begun. While we will never ever forget him, we, as a family, must now move forward.

A deep and heartfelt Thank You to everyone who took the time to contact us and to travel long distances to be with us at this time of need.

I will return to New York City on Tuesday and will have a much more detailed posting when I get back home.

REST IN PEACE CHRIS - WE ALL LOVE YOU.

Granddaddy

CHRISTOPHER FALLETTA (1982-2014) - Updated

Friday==>Well, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, I want to thank everyone who took the time to message, text, post, email and call me regarding the still unfathomable loss of my youngest grandson, Chris Falletta, on Wednesday in Apopka, FL. They all meant so much to me and to other members of Chris’s family.

Yesterday I spent most of the day/evening in an almost comatose mode, in total denial and disbelief over what had happened to my family.

I had a lot of things to do in connection with my plans to head down to Florida. 

Had a show scheduled for the evening but when it came time to head out I just had to admit that I wasn’t mentally or emotionally ready for a show ... so ... I skipped the show, walked around a bit in my ‘hood ... and then spent the rest of the evening in front of TV watching the YANKEES/BREWERS game, which The Yankees won 7-4.

Here are my upcoming plans ... 

Saturday @ 11:30am I will head down to Orlando where I will stay with my son Bill III. That night we will have dinner with friends.

On Sunday we will head down to Lakeland for The Viewing/Visitation scheduled at Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home on South Highway 98, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. We will then return to Orlando.

Funeral Service will be on Monday @ 10:00am, also at the Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home. Interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery on 98 South between Lakeland and Highland City.

At the moment I am uncertain just when I will return to New York City.

This is the obituary that appeared in today’s Lakeland Ledger:

CHRISTOPHER

WILLIAM 

FALLETTA, 32

“LAKELAND - Christopher William Falletta, 32 years old, died July 2nd 2014, from an accidental drowning.

Christopher is a Lakeland resident, graduate of George Jenkins High School and the University of Florida with a degree in Agriculture Science. He is an avid fisherman, duck hunter and a devoted Gator fan.

He is survived by his mother Kathryn Bendeck and stepfather Dr. John Bendeck, father David Falletta and stepmother Crystal Falletta, brother Alex Falletta and his wife Gina, sister Kaitlynn Falletta, grandfather Judge William Norris, grandmother Mary Francis Kilgore, nieces Saylor and Finley Falletta.

Visitation is set for Sunday July 6th from 2-4 p.m. at Gentry Morrison Funeral Home, Hwy 98 S, with funeral services on Monday July 7th at 10 a.m. Love ya mean it.”

OK, everyone ... just don’t feel like writing any more ... so ...

REST IN PEACE CHRIS!

Love ya,

Granddaddy

CHRISTOPHER FALLETTA (1982-2014)

Thursday==>It is with a heavy heart that I must report that yesterday my youngest grandson, Christopher Falletta, of Apopka, FL, drowned in Cub Lake in Apopka, where he lived with his girlfriend, Ashley Goebel. It was an accident and the details are currently under investigation. Chris had just turned 32 on May 4th.

He leaves behind a large number of shocked and grieving family members and friends.

I am now in the process of making my plans to head down to Florida.

Obviously, I am not in the mood to write anything more ... so ...

REST IN PEACE CHRIS!

With all my love,

Granddaddy 

The Bronx Bummers==>WTF? - NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC Concert

Wednesday==>Man, what a bummer yesterday’s so-called “entertainment event” turned out to be.

Yes, that’s right ... your favorite blogger is talking about the 7:05pm WANKIES/RAYS game out at Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed and Ego Built. It was hot and very humid ... and ... 

The Rays (37-49) beat The Wankies (41-41) 2-1 behind a stellar outing from their ace David Price, aided and abetted by the total lack of offense from the limp Wankie bats. Our pitcher, Hiroki Kuroda, pitched a decent game and deserved better. WTF??

Yes, I stayed until the bitter and disappointing end, our 4th consecutive loss to teams with records below .500. WTF??

The feeling of utter frustration among The Yankee Universe is reflected in the following excerpt from one of the beat-writers in today’s New York Post ...

“They have reached a new low. They generate little offense and no buzz.”

“Bronx Bombers, forget it. They are the Bronx Bummers, 18-22 at home. They are tough to watch in person and on TV.”

Your favorite blogger totally agrees. We  are not paying big bucks to see a .500 team. WTF??

This afternoon at 1:05pm will be the final game of the 3-game series. On the mound for The Wankies will be Vidal Nuno (2-4) coming off an excellent outing last week against The FuckSox vs. Jake Odorizzi (3-7) for The Rays.

Happily, tonight’s entertainment event is something much more interesting ... a classical music concert at Lincoln Center ...

7:30==>NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC @ Avery Fisher Hall - The program is:

Tchaikovsky - Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker;

Tchaikovsky - Marche slave;

Shostakovich - Festive Overture;

Mussorgsky - Night on Bald Mountain;

Rachmaninoff - Vocalise; and,

Rachmaninoff - Piano Concerto No. 1, performed by Joyce Yang.

(subscription series exchange ticket)

This concert of Russian crowd-pleasers will be conducted by the legendary Bramwell Tovey, who is also a crowd-pleaser with his humorous and informative comments during the program.

Really looking forward to this concert because I am in need of a classical music fix.

When the concert is over I will walk back to the apartment, weather permitting.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.26 miles (or, 7,123 steps)

Total mileage for 2014==>710.43 miles (average 3.90 miles per day)

GO YANKEES!!

Billi Pod

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

Dian, Scott & Billi Pod

Tuesday==>Good morning to all of my loyal and faithful readers and followers out there in the morass known as cyberspace.

In yesterday’s report on Billi Pod’s march with the FacebookNY team in the 2014 Gay Pride Parade I made reference to the unexpected meeting with Dian Crystal aka My Lady along the parade route. This is what I said ... 

“Also, about 1/2 way down, at a stop, my friend Dian Crystal aka My Lady was in the crowd. She got my attention and Scott and I went over to give her hugs and kisses. AWESOME!!”

Well, John Scott Reed posted the following picture on Facebook ...

and this is what Dian posted in response, totally unedited ...

“I spotted Bill across the Avenue... I was on the East Side, and he was on the West Side... It was super noisy, and, stupid me starts calling his name... Then, everyone around me started calling his name with me... There was a cop a few feet away, and she asked me which one was Bill... I described him to her, and the next thing I know, she walks over to get him... I thought that was so very sweet of her...”

IMHO it makes the whole event even more AWESOME.

While this was indeed AWESOME, in the name of fair and unbiased reporting, I must acknowledge to you that Monday was anything but awesome. 

Yeah ... it was a kinda blah day of nothing but my errands and chores list (which was not completed), no evening's entertainment event, and another painful Wankie loss out at Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed and Ego Built.

Actually, the only really positive aspect of the day was good walking mileage, which included a walk and wander session in my Hell’s Kitchen ‘hood up to 57th Street and back. I did this while listening to the ball game.

The total mileage for the day was 5.05 miles which brought the total for the month of June to 145.49 miles, averaging 4.85 miles per day. Now that’s not bad.

Moving on ... 

Last night The Wankies (41-40) continued to find ways not to win as they lost to the last-place Rays (36-49) 4-3 in 12-innings. With the loss The Wankies, at the halfway point of their season, are a lackluster 41-40, a record that is becoming more and more troubling and frustrating to their fan base.

Tonight’s so-called “entertainment event” for Billi Pod will be a trip out to Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed and Ego Built, for the 7:05pm game 2 of the 3-game WANKIES/RAYS series.

On the mound for The Wankies will be Hiroki Kuroda (5-5) vs. The Rays titular ace David Price (6-7) who The Rays might trade to reduce their payroll.

Ahem, GM Brian Cashman, we certainly could use Price to bolster our current pitching staff ... jus sayin’.

Will close this out now and try to finish up my errands and chores including my weekly trip to the Food Emporium to take advantage of their additional 5% discount for senior citizens.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.05 miles (or, 11,034 steps)

Total mileage for June==>145.49 miles (average 4.85 miles per day)

Total mileage for 2014==>707.17 miles (average 3.91 miles per day)

GO YANKEES!!

Billi Pod

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