Tuesday - I Am So Lucky!!!

Boy, time flies when you are having fun, and make no mistake about it, Billi Pod has been having fun for the past 4 weeks since moving into Penthouse C at 420 W. 42nd Street, in the Greatest City in The World.

Oh God!! I love this apartment. I am sooooooooooo fucking lucky, I really really am. Thank you Higher Power.

Now, let me share with you, my loyal and faithful readers, what my entertainment schedule will be for the next 9 days --

Tuesday - 7:05 - Yankees vs. Seattle

Wednesday - 8:00 - “The Fantasticks” - Off Broadway. This, of course, is the longest running musical in the world, which has moved from its original West Village location to a venue at Broadway and 50th Street. I have seen the show many times but when it came up on one of my services I couldn’t miss the opportunity to see it again, with a free ticket. To refresh your recollection about the show, this is the press blurb: “A new production of The Fantasticks, the world's longest running musical love story features music by Harvey Schmidt and book and lyrics by Tom Jones. Jones also directs. The musical tells the story of a young boy and girl who fall madly in love at the hands of their meddling fathers, but soon grow restless and stray from one another. Will their separation provide a deeper appreciation for the love they once shared or create a permanent gulf between them?” (complimentary ticket).

Thursday - 7:05 - Yankees vs. Seattle

Friday - 8:00 - “The Rivalry” - Off Broadway. This show has received rave reviews and has been extended several times. I am looking forward to finally getting to see it. “In 1858, two extraordinary men shared a podium to debate issues that would rock the world. Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, the nation's most charismatic orators, tackled these historic debates with a fervor and an energy which hypnotized the nation. Using their passionate words, playwright Norman Corwin opens the world of the past with searing intensity and offers a play as trailblazing as the real life characters who inhabit it.” (complimentary ticket).

Saturday - July 4th - 1:05 - Yankees vs. Toronto.

In the evening I will watch the Hudson River fireworks from the roof deck of 420 W. 42nd Street. Awesome.

Sunday - open at the moment.

Monday - 1:05 - Yankees vs. Toronto

Tuesday - 8:00 - “The Unbearable Lightness of Being Taylor Nagron” - Off Broadway. “This new spoken-word fusion of true stories and music is performed by the iconoclastic actor and comedian Taylor Nagron. (discounted TDF ticket).

Wednesday - 7:30 - “The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)” - Off Broadway. “The acclaimed off Broadway hit by Eric Rockwell and Joanne Bogart that has played to sold-out houses across the United Stages, in Canada and on London's West End, will return to New York for a one-night-only performance, on Wednesday, July 8. The evening will benefit the York Theatre Company, the award-winning off-Broadway company that first produced the show, in 2004, in honor of the theatre's 40th Anniversary.”

“The plot is simple: June, an ingénue who can't pay the rent, is threatened by her evil landlord. Will the handsome leading man come to her rescue? In an evening of variations on a theme, this basic plot is musicalized the way Rodgers and Hammerstein might have envisioned it, taking place in Kansas in August, complete with a Dream Ballet. The story is then done in the style of Stephen Sondheim, featuring the landlord as a tortured, artistic genius who slashes the throats of his tenants in revenge because they don't appreciate his art. When presented in the style of Jerry Herman, the story becomes a splashy star vehicle, while the Andrew Lloyd Webber version is a rock musical, with borrowed themes from Puccini. The story is re-told one last time in the style of Kander and Ebb, set in a speakeasy in Chicago. The tone of this evening of satire is loving/irreverent "in a sorry/grateful" kind of way.”

I am a financial supporter of the York Theatre Company. I love this show and saw it multiple times during its run at The York and then at a larger Off-Broadway venue. I have a full price ticket to this show, which includes an after-show reception. Really looking forward to the evening.

On Thursday I have my semiannual PSA and finger-up-the-butt appointment with my urologist. I know - but it is something guys my age have to do. In fact, all guys over the age of 50 should do it on at least an annual basis.

So, my loyal and faithful readers, this is what my upcoming entertainment schedule looks like.

I am working on the stats for the month of June and for the first 6 months of 2009 and hope to post them early next week.

I was gonna post some observations about living in the Westside vs. living in the Eastside but I will save that for later because I have things and stuff to do.

Oh, last night I ordered bedroom stuff online from IKEA - a bed frame, 2 night tables, and a 6 drawer chest. Delivery should be sometime after July 4th.

Hey, anyone want to volunteer to help me assemble this stuff? Anyone??????

Go Yankees and 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.”

Sunday - Yankees Sweep Mets at Citifield

It was a terrific Sunday evening as The Yankees beat The Mets 4-2 to sweep the 3 game series at Citifield and thereby winning the 2009 Subway Series 5 games to 1.

If you watched the game on ESPN you know that The Mets played bad baseball, as they have for the entire Subway Series, ending up with their closer, K-Rod, walking The Yankee’s closer Mariano Rivera to force in a run, giving “The Sandman” the first RBI of his major league career. It was also Mariano’s 500th career save. Yes, for the past 3 nights Citifield has been “The Land of the Lost” for The Mets.

And speaking of “The Land of the Lost” - this afternoon I finally got around to seeing the Will Farrell movie by the same name, and ... what a MAJOR disappointment. Now, going in I knew that the movie had been trashed by the critics but I like Will Farrell and his brand of humor so I was actually looking forward to seeing it. Man, what a waste of time and money. It wasn’t funny at all. If this pile of T-Rex dung is on your “to-see” list, take it off immediately. You are warned, my loyal and faithful readers, you are warned.

Just a quick note about my “audition” on Friday for the upcoming HSBC (a worldwide mega-bank) commercial - I have no clue how I did. The bit before the casting director took about 10 minutes and when it was over all she did was thank me for auditioning. I totally forgot to ask her how many Extras were being cast or when the decisions would be made. On the plus side, I was able to re-connect with my friends Scott Wojcik and Michael Rodriguez who have offices (separate) in the same suite where the audition studio was located. Great to see you guys!!

OK, it is getting late, so I will post this and crash.

Go Yankees and 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."

Friday - Billi Pod Has An Audition

On Thursday afternoon I received an email from my friend Scott Wojcik, who is a casting agent, telling about a project a friend of his is working on, casting a commercial for HSBC. This is the information:

“We are seeking Real People (non-actors) for a National Network commercial for HSBC. We prefer that you are NOT a SAG member and have limited to NO television exposure. We are looking for a wide range of people- all ages, ethnicities & genders. Specifically- we would like to find, but not limited to, cowboys, fishermen, elderly, men & woman with dreads. Diversity is a plus!!!!! MUST BE A RESIDENT OF NY STATE! Auditions will be held by appointment on Friday, June 26. This commercial shoots July 16th, with a possible wardrobe fitting beforehand.”

Hummmmmmmm thought I, this sounds interesting, so around 4:00 I sent them an email with my stats and a photo (my blog profile photo actually).

Around 5:30 I got a call asking if I could come to the office of Acting Management, 247 W. 38th Street, 7th floor, at 4:00pm on Friday, today, for an interview/audition. I, of course, said yes.


I have just finished updating my theater bio. As some of you loyal and faithful readers may remember, I was cast as a Background Performer (Extra) in the 2002 movie “Two Weeks Notice,” starring Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant. I was on set at the River Cafe in Brooklyn for 3 nights shooting the gala scene. The back of my head appears in a brief scene involving Bullock, Grant and Donald Trump.

I have not gone to any other casting calls simply because I just didn’t want to get that involved.

I have no clue whether I have a chance to be cast but that doesn’t matter because what I am interested in is being involved in the “process.”

Oh, for your information SAG stands for Screen Actors Guild, a union representing actors.

So, just another page in Billi Pod’s Big Apple Adventures.

Will keep you advised.

Go Yankees and 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.”

My Ode To Fresca

It is a dark and dreary day in The Big Apple, rain is lightly falling and the forecast is for it to continue into the early evening hours. My show tonight is at 7:00pm and, of course, I will be there regardless of the weather.

But right now I am antsy because the Yankee game is not until tonight and I have no interest in the US Open. I could, of course, work on unpacking some of the boxes I still have stashed in the large main closet, or ... I could work on something to enlighten and entertain you, my loyal and faithful readers ...

Hummmmmmm ... which will it be, I wonder?

I have been a loyal and devoted fan of the soft-drink Fresca for many years. From the time I stopped drinking alcoholic beverages back in March 1990 Fresca has been my drink of choice at home, including meals.

It is not easy to find and when stores stock it there is usually only 2 or 3 12-can cartons available. That is, until Billi Pod makes his appearance, then the demand begins to soar. Unfortunately, Fresca is almost never available in restaurants, so when I am dining out my drink of choice is Diet Coke with a slice of lime or lemon.

But Fresca remains my drink of choice. Luckily for me the Food Emporium across the street from PHC is now well-stocked,

As I write this short (for me) posting I am drinking a
Fresca.

I will now share with you, my loyal and faithful readers, the results of my research into the history of this wonderful nonalcoholic calorie-free fruity beverage --

================================
“Fresca is a brand of citrus soft drink made by The Coca-Cola Company. First introduced in the United States in 1963, the drink is now sold throughout the world, although it is not widely available outside of North America. Unlike other Coke products, it does not have a Pepsi equivalent.

Since its inception, Fresca has been marketed in the United States as a calorie-free, grapefruit-flavored soft drink, ostensibly catering to discriminating adult tastes. Fresca underwent its major ingredient change in 1985, when its non-caloric sweetener saccharin was replaced by aspartame.

Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin wrote that Fresca was the favorite drink of U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson, who had a button installed on the desk in the White House's Oval Office which would summon his military aide to bring the drink. In addition, Fresca was the favorite drink of the expansion teams in the NHL during the 1967 season; therefore, Fresca was originally slated to be the sponsor to the NHL the following year. However, the NHL board of governors rejected the proposed sponsorship; this may have played a role in Fresca's failure to break through to the mainstream.

For years, Fresca maintained somewhat of a cult following, similar to Tab, consisting of people who had grown up with the drink, yet it didn't obtain major market appeal. Around the turn of the century (2000), however, Fresca grew in popularity somewhat organically, enough so that it was sufficiently popular for Coca-Cola to take notice.

In 2005, Coca-Cola gave Fresca a more contemporary look, Fresca's first makeover since 1995. Fresca advertising continues to emphasize sophistication. During this redesign, two new flavors were introduced (Sparkling Peach Citrus and Sparkling Black Cherry Citrus) and the original grapefruit flavor was renamed Sparkling Citrus. Subsequently, "Sparkling" was dropped from the name of the first two flavors and the original flavor renamed Original Citrus.

Fresca means "fresh" (feminine form) in Portuguese, Spanish and Italian.”
=========================

You are so very welcome. I report - you decide.

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

Friday - Why Billi Pod Lives in The Greatest City in the World.

Living in The Greatest City in the World is awesome on a day-to-day basis but sometimes even moi becomes a little blasé about the almost unlimited entertainment opportunities that are available only a mouse-click away. Yes, my loyal and faithful readers, I know that my lifestyle isn’t to everyone’s taste and that there are those living in the hinterlands that just don’t understand, but what happened this morning is an example of what I mean.

What do I mean by “mean,” you are no doubt breathlessly asking? Well, today is Friday the 19th of June, meaning a little less than a half of a month to go. This morning in less than 10 minutes of online time I was able to complete my entertainment schedule for 10 of the remaining 12 days/nights of the month. And, almost everything scheduled is either complimentary or at a substantial discount.

So, without further ado, this is what Billi Pod’s Big Apple entertainment schedule looks like for the reminder of the month of June --

Friday - 8:00 - “The Temperamentals” - Off Broadway. “Jon Marans' play tells the story of two men - the communist Harry Hay and the Viennese refugee and designer Rudi Gernreich - as they fall in love while building the first gay rights organization in the United States pre-Stonewall. The play weaves together the personal and political to tell a relatively unknown chapter in gay history. It explores the love between two complex men, as their impossible dream of forming such an unheard of organization becomes a reality in this perilous, unpredictable world.” (discounted TDF ticket). This show has generated great advance word-of-mouth and I am really looking forward to seeing it.

Saturday - 7:00 - “Vampire Lesbians of Sodom” - Off Broadway. The press blurb for this show is: “Written by Charles Busch. The show is a send-up of vampiric tales and actress's vanity. The story begins in Sodom, transports us to 1920s Hollywood, and drops us on a modern stage. The rivalry begins in Sodom where a guard is lamenting his social life and a succubus is awaiting a sacrificial virgin. The virgin is turned into a succubus and a 2000 year battle of feminine wiles, toothy marks, and blackmail ensues. It is a mirthful love-hate relationship that sustains them both." (complementary ticket).

Sunday - 3:30 - “#9” - Off Broadway. “#9.” “A musical exploration of the information age and its discontents. (discounted TDF ticket).

7:00 - “Dance of the Seven Headed Mouse” - Off Broadway. “Fault lines are exposed when a seemingly picture-perfect Fifth Avenue family faces the harshest of realities, the death of their daughter. A father turns to work to drown his sorrow, while his wife drifts into a haze of pills and booze. When their surviving child Avril inexplicably drops out of her prestigious New England boarding school, her roommate Juliana arrives for a visit, determined to lure her back. Acting as a catalyst and witness, Juliana exposes the gaping cracks in the family's Upper East Side facade, forcing its three surviving members to engage with one another and the tragedy they share. (discounted TDF ticket).

Monday - 7:30 -”The Tricky Part” - Off Broadway. This is a one-man show written and performed by Martin Moran. “A true story of sexuality, spirituality and the mystery of human experience, this show is one of the most heralded one-man plays in recent memory. Between the ages of 12 and 15, Martin Moran had a sexual relationship with an older man. Now 42 and an established New York actor, he has transformed his story into a journey through the complexities of Catholicism, desire and human trespass.” (discounted TDF ticket).

Tuesday - 8:00 - “Unmitigated Truth: Life, a Lavatory, Loves and Ladies” - Off Broadway. “Emmy Award Winner and Four-time Tony Award Nominee Melvin Van Peebles performs his newly penned show. With his characteristic wit and sharp eye, Van Peebles's latest work candidly recounts the memories of a life well lived, ...well almost, through song. The production also features music director and guitarist William "Spaceman" Patterson and vocalist Carmen Barika.” (complimentary ticket).

Wednesday - 3:00 - “Don’t Leave It All To Your Children” - Off Broadway. “Steve Rossi (who partnered with Marty Allen in the famous Allen & Rossi comedy team), Marcia Rodd (Last of the Red Hot Lovers), Ronnie Schell (Gomer Pyle) and Barbara Minkus (Picon Pie) are the veteran performers featured in this new musical comedy. The show is 85 minutes of music and comedy that celebrates the occasionally bumpy but amusing journey as baby boomers become "seniors".” (discounted TDF ticket)

7:30 - New York Philharmonic Orchestra @ Avery Fisher Hall. This is the last concert program by conductor Lorin Maazel who will be ending his tenure with the orchestra at the end of the month. He is going out in style with this concert which will be Mahler’s Symphony No. 9 “Symphony of a Thousand.” (season subscription series).

Thursday - 7:30 - “Tin Pan Alley Rag” - Off Broadway. “Two of America's greatest composers, Irving Berlin and Scott Joplin, share an evening of fascinating stories and toe-tapping rhythms. This show weaves their tales together into one syncopated rhythm, as two great icons discover they have more in common than they ever imagined." (Roundabout Theater subscription series).

Friday - June 26 - open at the moment

Saturday - 8:00 - “Danny and Sylvia: The Danny Kaye Musical” - Off Broadway. “This new musical stars Helen Hayes Award winner Brian Childers as Danny Kaye and Kimberly Faye Greenberg as his wife and creative partner, Sylvia Fine, who wrote many of his most famous songs. The musical follows the duo from the time the young undisciplined comic Danny Kaminsky meets aspiring songwriter Sylvia Fine at an audition in the 1930s. Under Sylvia's guidance as mentor, manager and, eventually, wife, Kaye rises from improvisational comic to international film star.” (discounted TDF ticket).

Sunday - open at the moment

Monday - 7:30 - “The Umbilical Brothers: Speedmouse” - Off Broadway. I have seen these guys several times and they are truly unbelievable. This is the press blurb: “These toon-like troublemakers mimic sounds, creating a warped world where they whip up another uproarious fiesta of carefully choreographed mayhem. Silly behavior of the highest quality. Up to the minute tomfoolery in the new vaudeville tradition of thinking man's clowns. Like Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd on the set of Terminator." (discounted TDF ticket)

Tuesday - June 30 - 7:05 - Yankees vs. Seattle.

So, to those of you who had the courage and stamina to read this way too long blog from beginning to end, I hope you understand that this is the reason(s) why Billi Pod is, and will forever more be, an awestruck resident of New York City - The Greatest City in The World.

Go Yankees and 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."

Wednesday - Michael Jackson and Stuff

I’ll probably get into trouble for posting the following item from today’s Cindy Adams (the noted gossip writer) column in The New York Post, but this is it --

“...Our president is black; head of the RNC, Michael Steele, is black; best-known media mogul, Oprah, is black; greatest golfer, Tiger Woods, is black; highest-grossing actor, Will Smith, is black. Michael Jackson must be kicking himself ...”

Anyway ... please remember to write me if I end up in Riker’s Island. Oh, I posted the photo, it wasn't in the column.

Now some comments on my entertainment schedule and events ....

Saturday afternoon was a rather strange musical called “Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe.” starring the respected actor Andre DeShields. I have never been a fan of Moliere’s “Tartuffe” so I can’t really give an unbiased opinion about this show, but, I would call it a so-so performance at best. And, gospel music isn’t high on my list either.
.
Monday night I saw a really interesting one-man show called “The Monthly Nut,” written and performed by James Braly about the difficulties in living and working in NYC. The show has a limited run but I highly recommend it.

Last night’s, Tuesday, entertainment event, Matthew Broderick in “The Philanthropist,” which I described in the last posting, was a MAJOR disappointment. I knew the show had gotten very lukewarm reviews, especially Broderick’s performance, but I went with an open mind because I have liked him in all of the other works I have seen him in.

Well, my loyal and faithful readers, it was one of the most boring shows I have seen in ages and Matthew was simply ... oh what is the word ... simply ... blah. Yes, blah and double blah. At intermission there was a mass exodus to the exit as it appeared as if at least 25% of the audience fled. I came close to joining them but I didn’t. Instead I opted to give Matthew and the cast an opportunity to make Act II interesting. Well, they failed. Act II was just as flat as Act I. Oh well ...

Sunday afternoon I was at Yankee stadium when the Bronx Bombers put a major ass-whipping on the Mets, winning 15-0 against the Mets’ ace pitcher Johan Santana and winning the Subway series 2-1. This was my 15th game of the season and the Yankee’s record for those games is only 8-7. Not one of the 3 games at the new stadium was a sellout and this in and of itself speaks volumes about the wretched decision by Yankee management to price the prime seats out of the reach of almost everyone. It’s called GREED assholes!!!

Tonight, Wednesday, I will head out to the stadium to see the game against the pathetic Washington Nationals. Chien-Ming Wang (0-4) will have what is probably his last shot at remaining in the starting rotation. If he fails his spot will be taken by Phil Hughes.

I have added a show for this coming Saturday, an Off-Broadway show called “#9.” that is described as: “A musical exploration of the information age and its discontents. (discounted TDF ticket).

Finally, let me highly recommend the movie “The Hangover” about a Vegas bachelor party that goes awry when the 3 buddies wake up to find their suite trashed, their memories fuzzy and their soon-to-be-married friend nowhere to be found. Trust me, if you are in a mood to laugh then this is the show for you. If you aren’t, then stay the hell away.

This is just the kind of movie Billi Pod loves and I am really looking foward to “Year One” starring Jack Black and Michael Cera, opening on Friday.

In closing, my loyal and faithful readers - it is hard to believe that I have been in PHC for 2 whole weeks. I am loving it and will write about my thoughts and impressions soon.

Go Yankees and 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.”

Saturday - Billi Pod's Awesome Upcoming Schedule

Last night was the first game of the 3-game Subway series with The Mets at Yankee Stadium and I was there to watch the improbable ending of a game the Yankees should have lost. If you are a baseball fan you know that the Yankees won 9-8 on a 2-run error committed by Mets 2nd baseman Luis Castillo when he dropped a routine pop-up that should have ended the game. The stadium went wild. We couldn’t believe what we had just seen.

It brought back a memory of something I have never forgotten - a game I was involved in back in Junior High School. We were behind 1 run in the bottom of the 7th (games in Jr. High were only 7 innings), the bases were loaded with two outs. I was on first base. The pitch count to the batter was 3 balls and no strikes and ... I got picked off, ending the game. Our coach and my teammates gave me the silent treatment. Wow - after all of these years I still feel guilty. Some things are never forgotten as I was reminded by one of my classmates at our 55th class reunion.

Anyway - back to other things - I have a ticket to the Sunday afternoon game.

Thus far this season I have seen 14 games at the new stadium and the Yankees record is a rather pathetic 7 and 7 for those games. I will post my thoughts on the new stadium in a later blog.

I can honestly say that Billi Pod has returned to his frenetic entertainment mode. This is what the next 10 days looks like --

Saturday - 3:00 - “Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe” - Off Broadway. “This original play with music is inspired by Moliere's great comic classic and informed by the gloriously unorthodox ministries of Reverend Ike, Daddy Grace, and Rasputin. Set within a fabulously theatrical Harlem Renaissance-era "church", the play explores the outrageously creative criminal mind of the title character through a series of songs, dances, sermons and feats of divine inspiration. The cast is headed by two-time Tony Award nominee André DeShields.” (complimentary ticket). Very early previews.

4:10 - watch the second Yankees/Mets game on TV.

8:00 - The New York Philharmonic Orchestra @ Avery Fisher Hall. The program is Britton’s War Requiem. (discounted TDF ticket)

Sunday - 1:05 - Yankees vs. Mets

Monday - 7:00 - The Monthly Nut” - Off Broadway. “This autobiographical tale performed by James Braly is about the struggle to be a provider, including working at a job he hates to pay for a lifestyle he can’t afford while living a life that makes him miserable so that his family can be happy.” (complimentary ticket). Early previews.

Tuesday - 8:00 - “The Philanthropist” - Broadway. Two-time Tony Award® winner Matthew Broderick (The Producers, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Ferris Bueller's Day Off) stars in this biting comedy that turns Molier's The Misanthrope on its cynical ear. Set at an elite British university, The Philanthropist is about nice-guy professor Philip (Broderick), who in refusing to succumb to his colleagues' excessively critical ways winds up destroying his own credibility in the twisted world of academia and in the bedroom.” (Roundabout Theater subscription series).


Wednesday - 7:05 - Yankees vs. Washington Nationals

Thursday - 7:30 - New York Philharmonic Orchestra @ Avery Fisher Hall. The program is: Two works by conductor Lorin Maazel and Sibelius Symphony No.2.(season subscription series)

Friday - 8:00 - “The Temperamentals” - Off Broadway. “Jon Marans' play tells the story of two men - the communist Harry Hay and the Viennese refugee and designer Rudi Gernreich - as they fall in love while building the first gay rights organization in the United States pre-Stonewall. The play weaves together the personal and political to tell a relatively unknown chapter in gay history. It explores the love between two complex men, as their impossible dream of forming such an unheard of organization becomes a reality in this perilous, unpredictable world.” (discounted TDF ticket). This is in early previews.

Saturday - 7:00 - “Vampire Lesbians of Sodom” - Off Broadway. The press blurb for this show is: “Written by Charles Busch. The show is a send-up of vampiric tales and actress's vanity. The story begins in Sodom, transports us to 1920s Hollywood, and drops us on a modern stage. The rivalry begins in Sodom where a guard is lamenting his social life and a succubus is awaiting a sacrificial virgin. The virgin is turned into a succubus and a 2000 year battle of feminine wiles, toothy marks, and blackmail ensues. It is a mirthful love-hate relationship that sustains them both.” (complementary ticket). Make no mistake about it - this will be either a love-it or hate-it show, with no middle ground.

Sunday - 7:00 - “Dance of the Seven Headed Mouse” - Off Broadway. “Fault lines are exposed when a seemingly picture-perfect Fifth Avenue family faces the harshest of realities, the death of their daughter. A father turns to work to drown his sorrow, while his wife drifts into a haze of pills and booze. When their surviving child Avril inexplicably drops out of her prestigious New England boarding school, her roommate Juliana arrives for a visit, determined to lure her back. Acting as a catalyst and witness, Juliana exposes the gaping cracks in the family's Upper East Side facade, forcing its three surviving members to engage with one another and the tragedy they share. (discounted TDF ticket). Me thinks this may also fall into the love-it or hate-it category. It is in very early previews.

So, my loyal and faithful readers, I think that you will agree that my upcoming 10 days should be very very interesting.

I also need to report that Gina Falletta, who is married to my oldest grandson Alex, is in The Big Apple with 5 friends (4 gals and 1 guy) for a few days of vacation time. They are having a blast. On Wednesday I was able to meet up with them for dinner at my favorite theater district restaurant, Angus McIndoe on 44th Street. After dinner they came over to PHC to get a peek at my new digs and to see the awesome views. Thanks Gina and your posse for including me in your plans.

Sooooooooooo much more to write about, but this is enough for now.

Go Yankees and Go Gators!!

Billi Pod 

Thursday - Hot Off the Internet

This just in, my loyal and faithful readers, an update on “You Know You Are A Redneck When ...”

“You take your dog for a walk and you both use the same tree.

You can entertain yourself for more than 15 minutes with a fly swatter.

Your boat has not left the driveway in 15 years.

You burn your yard rather than mow it.

The Salvation Army declines your furniture.

You offer to give someone the shirt off your back and they don't want it.

You have the local taxidermist on speed dial.

You come back from the dump with more than you took.”

Yes, it feels soooooooo good to be back in the “I report - you decide” mode. You are so very welcome.

Billi Pod

June 10, 2009 - A New Adventure Begins!!

Yes, I know I have been most remiss in writing newsletters and/or posting to this blog - but I do have an excuse, sorta ...

You see, my loyal and faithful readers, for the past 6 weeks I have been involved in making a decision whether I would renew my lease at 335 E. 51st Street, or, move into a nice 1 BR apartment in the Senior Citizen's Home, The Williams, at 95th Street & West End Avenue, or, select one of the several 1 BR apartments available in a newish high-rise building located at 420 W. 42nd Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues. I postponed making my final decision until after I returned from my wonderful trip to Paris to be with my former college roommate David West.

When I got back I decided that I just wasn’t ready for the structured environment of living at The Williams. Maybe some time in the future but not now. My options then were: renew or become a Westsider. I have been an Eastsider the whole time since my Big Apple adventures began back in June 1995. Was I ready to make the change?

I went back to 420 W. 42nd St. to look at their apartments and the leasing agent told me he had a new availability located in the Penthouse section, on the 41st floor. Penthouse!! Holy F@@k!! From an alcove studio to a Penthouse apartment - no way, thought I.

When he opened the door to PHC and I walked in and saw the Northern and Northeast views of The Greatest City in The World, my heart began to race. It was awesome and the apartment was in pristine condition. A spacious 1 BR with breathtaking views, in mint condition, at a rental far below what it was one year ago - Oh My Fucking God!! I asked if I could have 24 hours to think about it and he said yes, but no longer because obviously PHC is a prime location even though the rental market is way down (good for us renters, of course).

Let me make a very difficult decision making process quicker - 4 hours later I called the leasing agent and said I wanted it. OMG!!

Then began the long and arduous process of: jumping through the necessary hoops to get approved; informing my current landlord of my decision (she offered a substantial rent reduction to keep me); arranging a wire transfer of funds for the first and last month’s rent; signing the 1 year lease; sorting, throwing away and packing stuff; and, making moving arrangements with a professional mover.

I moved into PHC on Tuesday, June 2nd. Then began the task of unpacking and settling in. Student/bartender/manager Scott Reed helped me hang some of my art work. Thanks Scotty.

The whole process has been much more stressful than I anticipated. Maybe it is just a result of getting older - whatever - bottom line - Billi Pod has now become a Westsider and is loving it.

This is the building --


This is the northern view --

This is looking down on 42nd Street at the intersection with 9th Avenue.


Why am I here? Well, to begin with, when you walk out of the building door and turn left, right next door is The Little Schubert Theater and next to that is a very nice diner. If you turn right from the building entrance - immediately next door is Playwright’s Horizon Theater (with 2 venues), next to that is the trendy Chez Josephine restaurant, next to that is Theater Row (with 5 venues) and next to that is a pizza place. The Port Authority terminal is a block and a half away. Across the street is a grocery store that comes as close to being a Publix as any store I have seen in Manhattan. And I could go on and on, but ... you get the picture.

I know some of you want to know this: the rent is only $850 more per month than I paid at 335 E. 51st for my alcove studio. Stop your deep breathing - remember - this is New York City.

Interestingly, since June 2nd I have somehow found the time to do the following: 3 Yankee baseball games; 1 Off-Broadway show; and 1 New York Philharmonic concert.

So, my loyal and faithful readers - bottom line - I am alive, well, and very happy to be embarking on a new adventure. I expect to be blogging on a regular basis again.

Go Gators and Go Yankees!!

Billi Pod

PS: This morning I signed an amended lease agreement for 2 years rather than 1 year.