Summer Has Arrived - At Last!!

It is a hot and humid day in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. Love it!!

But, people have already begun bitching that it is ... too hot ... too humid ... too much like Florida ... etc. etc. etc. These are the same people who were bitching that Winter would never end and Summer would never begin.

Get a life people!!

Yesterday was my usual errands day and I did get a lot of “stuff” done.

I had hoped that I would be able to connect with John Scott Reed to see his new apartment out there in the vast wilderness known as Brooklyn, but ... alas ... it didn’t come about. I am confident that it will one of these days.

Billi Pod spent the majority of the day/evening in front of the tube watching baseball. The Yankees are in Oakland for the second leg of their 3 series West coast schedule.

The new name of the baseball stadium in Oakland is ...

Overstock.com Coliseum

No, I am not kidding ... that’s the new name for what used to be called The Oakland Coliseum. On April 27, 2011 it was renamed via a 6 year, 12 million dollar naming rights deal with the online retailer Overstock.com. Man ... talk about selling your soul for big moolah ...

Anyway, The Yankees won 5-0 behind a stellar 4-hit shutout performance from Bartolo Colon.

The Yankees are now back atop the AL East, leading the Boston FuckSox by a nose.

The game began at 4:00pm EST. Billi Pod was getting a little restless, so he headed out around 6:30pm, listening to the game on his trusty, but now ancient, Walkman.

The weather was awesome. Walked south from 42nd Street down to 23rd Street in Chelsea and then over to the Hudson River. I spent the next 2 1/2 hours leisurely walking along the river, north, back to 42nd Street.

Would periodically stop, find a place to sit down and just people watch and absorb the wonderful feeling of being outside, at leisure, in The Big Apple. It is difficult for me to describe how good it felt. I actually got a bit emotional inside when I reflected on how lucky I am to be still living out my dream of a lifetime.

Wow!!

When I got back to PHC around 9:00pm I showered and settled in for the rest of the evening. Watched baseball and later grilled a great steak on my George Foreman grill.

As I am writing this posting, in the name of fair and unbiased reporting, I have to acknowledge that Billi Pod hasn’t an entertainment event scheduled for this evening.

OK ... OK ... folks, don’t panic ... you loyal and faithful readers out there know that something will either show up on one of his ticket services, or he will catch a movie, probably THE HANGOVER PART II, a major box office smash despite rather tepid reviews.

BREAKING NEWS==>I just got off the phone with Ginger Flowers, from her hospital room in Atlanta, and I am happy to report that she is doing much much better. In fact, if a procedure scheduled for this morning goes as expected she will be discharged from the hospital and transferred to a nursing home to begin an extensive two week rehabilitation program.

If that goes as expected she will then be able to return to her apartment. In respect for her privacy I will not give any more details.

Whew!! Thank you Higher Power!!

BREAKING NEWS #2==>A Broadway show just came up on one of my ticket services, so I now have a complimentary ticket to see ...

7:00==>BABY IT’S YOU - “tells the inspiring story of Florence Greenberg, the woman who changed the recording world forever when she discovered The Shirelles and became the music industry's first female powerhouse.”

Have been wanting to see this show for some time, and ... zap ... here it is.

Yep ... this is the reason Billi Pod lives in 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.”

WE MUST NEVER FORGET!!

We must never forget the sacrifices made by the young men and women who have served, and all-too-often given their lives, to protect and defend this great country of ours and to bring freedom and democracy to this often troubled World.

To the members of Bravo Company of the 1-151st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, and my grandson CWO2 Alexander Falletta, who are presently training at Ft. Hood, TX, for their pending deployment to The Middle East==>you will remain in my thoughts and prayers until you safely return to your family and friends.

GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU!!

Bill

Billi Pod & Calvin Say==>Females = Cooties!!

Good afternoon my loyal and faithful readers. It is a beautiful day in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

Before I begin giving you my usual daily update I need to respond to the torrent of female and feminazi emails, texts, posts and messages I received regarding my reference in yesterday’s post to the connection between females and cootie infestations.

Laydeez ... this fact has been known by the male sex from the beginning-of-time and is passed down from father-to-son, generation after generation. Need further proof? Calvin is never wrong ...

Billi Pod rests his case!!

Now on to other things and stuff, like Billi Pod’s report cards on yesterday’s so-so doubleheader ...

KNICKERBOCKER==>B-<==parts were funny, parts not. Good acting. 15 minutes too long. Worth seeing with comp. ticket.

NARRATOR 1==>C-<==decent acting but incomprehensible story line. 7 person cast vs. 10 people total in audience. Awkward!! Needs serious cutting. Be warned.

And, yet another night of failure for The Yankees as Mo gives up the winning run in the bottom of the 12th. Not pretty. Both teams wasted numerous scoring opportunities. The game wasn’t over until ... gasp ... 2:30am (EST). Yes, Billi Pod watched it until the bitter and frustrating end.

Today The Wankies hope to avoid a sweep as they rely on their ace CC Sabathia.

Today’s entertainment event is ...

2:00==>CRADLE AND ALL - “Annie and Nate have a baby who won't sleep. Claire and Luke are losing sleep over the decision to get married and start a family. In adjacent Brooklyn Heights apartments, this is a comedic look at love, sex, commitment and parenthood.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

Have very mixed feelings about this. We will see.

Will come back to PHC and watch the 4:15pm (EST) YANKEES/SEATTLE game. Not sure if I will try to catch a movie later or not.

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.”

Billi Pod Is Alive And Well!!!

Yes ... yes ... yes ... I know ... I know ... I know ... Billi Pod has been extremely remiss in making timely postings to keep you loyal and faithful readers out there in the vast hinterlands up-to-date on his comings and goings in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

The last posting was way back on Sunday, May 22nd, and he knows that many of you were concerned that he had been, perhaps, a late rapture, or something, but that wasn’t the case.

In the name of fair and unbiased reporting Billi Pod must admit to a major case of sloth and procrastination, aided and abetted a bit by the fact that he had a wonderful wonderful time with his dear friend Sandy Mullon of Anna Maria, FL, who was with him in PHC from Monday until Friday morning.

No, I am not blaming it on Sandy in any way, shape, manner or form (when was the last time you saw that phrase?). I had plenty of time to write - I just didn’t ... so ... mea culpa ... my bad ... I be sorry ... forgive me ... and stop the snarky emails, texts and posts ... now, dammit, get the the f**k over it!!!

I will now try to summarize the many things Sandy and I did during her all-too-brief visit ...

On Monday, after her midmorning arrival, we went to The Guggenheim Museum, spending about 3 hours there. Mid-afternoon I learned that our show for the evening, NEWSICAL THE MUSICAL, had been canceled. Bummer! We decided not to attempt to book something else. That evening we met up with Executive Assistant John Scott Reed and had a terrific dinner at Angus McIndoe, my favorite Theater District restaurant. Angus, the owner, treated us with dessert - nice.

After we got back to PHC Sandy and I had a long long discussion about my role for the next several days, which is summarized in this picture.

Yes, it took a bit of “getting-use-to” but I knew in my inner Billi Pod that I had to comply or risk, among other things, at the best ... gonad removal ... so ... it was a no-brainer ... Billi Pod basically zipped it up for the remainder of the time.

To you doubters out there, Sandy will be happy to confirm, just email her at: smullon666@druid.com

Tuesday was the beginning of 4 consecutive days of awesome weather. Each day we did lots and lots of walking. We started our Tuesday adventure by taking the subway up to 86th Street and then walking leisurely across Central Park to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where we spent 3+ hours visiting exhibits that Sandy had selected.

I had previously posted that Sandy teaches art history at State College of Florida. Her background makes our visits to art galleries etc. even more enjoyable. It is like having my own private tour guide. Oh, even so ... we always got audio guides when available.

Our evenings entertainment was the mega-hit musical BILLY ELLIOT. Our seats were terrific and the show was just as good as the first time I saw it over in London the week after it had opened. Billi Pod has seen it twice in London and 3 times in NYC.

After the show we got a bite at the West Way Diner in my ‘hood.

Wednesday was a different day since we headed overseas to the foreign country known as Brooklyn, where we visited The Brooklyn Museum of Art. We left PHC at 10:00am and were back around 3:30pm. The museum is excellent and I highly recommend it.

Our entertainment event for the evening was NEWSICAL THE MUSICAL. This performance wasn’t canceled. It was funny, topical (of course) and well performed.

After the show we had dinner at The Theater Row Diner, on my block.

OK ... OK ... OK ... take a deep breath ... only one more day to report on ... so ...

Thursday was The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), plus a couple of extra artistic sites Sandy had selected. MoMA was its’ usual awe-inspiring event.

Our final show was HOW TO SUCCEED AT BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, starring Daniel Radcliffe of Harry Potter fame. We had excellent seats and the show was a lot of fun. I remain impressed with how well Radcliffe sings and dances and just don’t understand why he was snubbed by The Tony Nomination Committee.

When the show was over we had a major dining experience to honor Sandy’s last night in The Big Apple. Where/what was it, you are no doubt breathlessly asking .... well ... it was ... tada ... at a neighborhood pizza place called The Bread Factory. Yes, for Sandy’s final night we each had a slice of pizza and a diet coke. Howz that for royal treatment.

And, this was the second time we had eaten at this place ... yes ... Billi Pod is known for his class and taste ...

On Friday morning Sandy left PHC around 8:15am and Billi Pod began the laborious process of converting PHC back to an all-male unzipped lifestyle, which included, of course, bringing in the exterminator to rid the place of cooties ... awwwww ... come on ... everyone knows that females bring cooties with them wherever they go ... this is fair and unbiased reporting at its best ... just get over it ... Billi Pod did.

Billi Pod’s entertainment event for last night was THE BEST IS YET TO COME: The Music of Cy Coleman - a staged concert of his music playing at the 59th Street Theater. Billi Pod’s report card==>A<==terrific performance by excellent cast and supporting orchestra. See it.

Today is a doubleheader ...

2:00==>KNICKERBOCKER - “A splendid cast makes this comedic take on impending fatherhood a blessed event.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket).

And then ...

8:00==>NARRATOR 1 - “Two writers who seem destined for love find their own literary creations are plot-blocking them.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

Have lots more to write about regarding The Yankees but will save that for later.

Damn, it feels strange not having Sandy Mullon here==>come back soon ... please please please!!!

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.”

The End Of The World Didn’t Happen!!

It is overcast and kinda gloomy In The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, but at least the World as we know is still here. For better or worse, the beginning of the end did not occur yesterday at 6:00pm EST, as predicted by that nut case Harold Camping.

New York City being New York City there was a lot of coverage about the “believers” who were left standing in Times Square at 6:00pm, looking at their watches in disbelief when they were not raptured. The predicted gigantic earthquake did not happen, of course.

I wonder where Harold Camping is this morning? I have my doubts that it would be in heaven. Sadly, he is personally responsible for thousands of people losing money, jobs, family, friends, credibility etc etc. That, my friends, seems to be a major sin. Anyway ...

Now on to other things ... like ...

Billi Pod’s report card on yesterday’s

10 X 25==>A<==8 short plays, interesting and well performed.

Looking forward to seeing the next 2 series. See this if you can.

Before the show I finally got to meet my FaceBook friend Daniel Nickle, who was there with his friend Travis.

When the show was over the weather was very nice so Billi Pod walked back from the theater on West 16th Street to PHC on 42nd Street, a little over a mile. It felt great.

Around 6:00pm I headed to the Upper Westside for my evening’s entertainment event==>a YANKEE/METS game-watching party. Thanks to Alex & Joe for hosting this all-male no-booze event. Great job guys.

The Yankees kicked butt, finally, winning 7-3 and hitting 4 home runs. AJ Burnett aka Loser Boi had a very shaky first inning, giving up 2 runs, causing everyone at the party to think ... well, here we go again ... but he settled down and pitched a very good game through the 7th inning. The bullpen closed it out.

Billi Pod will be at the final game this afternoon at the Stadium @ 1:05.

I am in the final stages of getting PHC ready for my guest Sandy Mullon of Anna Maria, FL, who will be arriving Monday morning. Really looking forward to her all-too-brief visit. Yes, yes ... I know ... I know ... she technically doesn't live in Anna Maria any more, but she still has property there and a post office box there, so in Billi Pod's mind, that is where she lives.

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.”

The Yankees Sucked!!!

OK my loyal and faithful readers, let’s cut right to the chase==>the Yankees 1-2 loss last night to The Mets @ Yankee Stadium was sooooooooooo frustrating. Yankee bats squandered yet another excellent performance by the pitching staff.

We just can’t get hits with runners in scoring position and this sucks. We were held to 4 hits by a knuckleballer whose record was 1-5, with an ERA of 5.08, coming into the game. Mets pitchers struck out 11 and caused the Yanks to go 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position.

To add to the frustration, it briefly rained in the 3rd inning. Luckily Billi Pod had his rain gear with him this time

The game was not a sellout even though this was a Friday night game and The Subway Series. WTF Yankee Management, WTF?

In the 6th inning, in the lst row of my section, a very nasty fight broke out between a drunk, mega-profane 30s woman (wearing a Yankee jersey) and a very meek looking 50s man seated behind her. Don’t know if he was a Mets fan or not. When security and the police arrived she had to be forcibly carried out and she hit one of the cops several times. It wasn’t nice.

For tonight’s game AJ Burnett aka Loser Boi will be on the mound for The Wankies. Oh, yes, this makes Billi Pod feel a lot better.

On to other things ...

Today’s entertainment event is ...

2:30==>10 x 25 - “A festival of 10-minute plays written by 25 playwrights.” (Off-Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This is a presentation by The Atlantic Theater Company and they usually do pretty interesting stuff.

Tonight==>Billi Pod will head up to the Upper Westside to meet up with some of his AA buds to watch the YANKEES/METS game. It is an all-guy thing. I understand we are equally divided: 5 Yankee fans and 5 Mets fans.

In closing==>my thoughts and prayers go out to my BFF Ginger Flowers, of Atlanta, GA, who was hospitalized yesterday due to some extremely serious and possibly life-threatening health issues.

Ginger and I go way way back, beginning when she was in the 8th grade at Bartow Junior High School. That is a long long time.

GET WELL GINGER!!

Billi Pod

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

MAY 21, 2011

MAY 21, 2011

In the name of fair and unbiased reporting I have to admit to you loyal and faithful readers that for the past several days I have been mired in a mental quagmire over the predictions that tomorrow, May 21, 2011, will be the beginning of the end of life on this earth, at least according to Harold Camping, the founder of Family Radio.

Camping predicts that The Rapture will occur on Saturday and that the World will be totally destroyed on October 21st.

The arguments for this prediction can be found at ..

http://www.familyradio.com/

A very strong counter-argument can be found at ...

http://www.worldtocome.org

I spent most of yesterday glued to my computer doing research and reading lots and lots of material pro and con. I was so involved and in such a funk that I actually skipped the show I had scheduled for last night, DESPERATE WRITERS.

Late late last night I came to the conclusion that at some time there will indeed be a “Judgment Day” but there is no way that any human being could accurately predict the actual date(s).

I also found many of Camping’s biblical interpretations to be highly disturbing, for example, he says that ...

1. God selected the “saved” before they were born; and,

2. All organized religions are now basically under Satan’s control.

Yeah, yeah ... I know ... but please don’t judge me, because I just wanted to share this info with you, clear my mind, and then move on to ...

Tonight’s entertainment event is ...

7:05==>YANKEES vs. METS - the 3 game Subway Series @ Yankee Stadium is underway.

I also have a ticket for the Sunday afternoon game.

Last night Yankee bats came alive as they won their 3rd straight game, beating The Orioles 13-2.

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.”

SPIDER-MAN - Version 2.0 - Is Much Better!!

It is yet another gloomy/ugly morning in The Big Apple, just like yesterday, and, no, Billi Pod wasn’t able to do any long distance walking, dammit.

OK, my loyal and faithful readers let’s get right to it ...

Billi Pod’s report card on SPIDER-MAN: Turn Off The Dark - version 2.0==>MB<==yes, it goes from “bummer” as reported regarding version 1.0 to “ much better” for version 2.0.

Billi Pod was very pleasantly surprised with the reworked material. Some of the positive changes:

1. Elimination of the geek-chorus

2. Reduction of Arachine (aka Spider-Woman) from “costar” to a supporting role.

3. A coherent story line, even if you aren’t familiar with the Spider-Man franchise.

4. More focus on Peter Parker’s troubles in accepting his fate as a crime-fighting superstar.

5. More face time between Peter and Mary Jane.

6. More stage time for The Green Goblin.

7. Vastly improved musical score.

8. A climatic ending.

The ambitious flying sequences were performed without a glitch and their number seemed to have been reduced. Still, they are extremely impressive and add to the story, rather than being a distraction.

Basically, Billi Pod was surprised with the new show and found it to be very entertaining as did the people seated around him in the rear orchestra.

Will the theater critics like the new version? Some will and some won’t.

Will the so called “theater affectionados” like it? No f**king way. They are still mired in endless discussions like, whether it is a musical or a play-with-music. Get a life.

Will it have a decent run despite the neigh-sayers and vocal critics? Yes, it will because it has become an enjoyable family-orientated entertainment event.

Is it worth seeing, you are no doubt breathlessly asking? Yes, so long as you understand that it ain’t “Sweeney Todd,” “Les Miz,” or “South Pacific” etc etc etc.

And there you have it folks ... you are welcum ... but remember ... I only report ... you decide.

Last night the Yankees finally, and I mean finally, got some crucial hits, beating the Orioles in the 15th inning, 4-1, after Mo blows a save in the 9th. Hey, a win is a win ... right ...

Tonight’s entertainment event is ...

8:00==>DESPERATE WRITERS - “With the baby clock ticking and their home about to be sold out from under them, Ashley and David are driven to desperate measures to get their script sold in cutthroat Hollywood.” (Off-Broadway - complimentary ticket).

It has lightened up and not raining, so Billi Pod will post this and then do some walking ... later ...

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.”

Billi Pod Is Restless

It is another gray day in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, but at least it isn’t raining at the moment and that is a big plus because Billi Pod woke up this morning with a massive case of “cabin fever.”

Yeah, I know ... I’ve been going out and about but the nasty weather has kept me from doing any long distance walking for the last several days and that is beginning to bother Billi Pod. So ... as soon as he posts this brief (stop the f**king applause, dammit) update he will try to get in about 3 miles ... so ... tada ...

Let’s get this started with Billi Pod’s report card on ...

THE SPHINX WINX==>B<==very energetic cast. Show grew on me. Lots of zingers and topical references ... some work, some don’t.

I don’t think the critics are going to like it but so what ... I did and so did my theater buddy Dian Crystal and her friend.

If you are in the mood for something a bit quirky, then this is worth seeing. If not, then stay away.

Tonight’s entertainment event is ...

8:00==>SPIDERMAN: Turn Off the Dark - version 2.0. Yeah, I know, I know ... it has been “totally reworked.”

Billi Pod saw version 1.O back in December and hated it. This is what he reported back then ...

******************************

"Billi Pod’s report card on SPIDER-MAN TURN OFF THE DARK==>total bummer<==music and book suck and this comes from a major Bono/U2 fan. First 30 minutes of swinging/flying OK, then it becomes redundant. No tech. problems, thank God, although a couple of times stage hands were seen picking things up from the stage floor. My seat was 4th row in the orchestra to the side - very good, actually.

Act 1 is so-so, but, OMFG==>Act 2 is totally incomprehensible, made so by the addition (100% needless) of “Spider-Woman.” Someone squash that bitch.

In all honesty, unless you are familiar with the Spiderman story line there is no way you can understand what is going on. There is no build up to a climatic ending. In fact, when it is “over” the audience isn’t sure it is until the actors begin to appear for their curtain calls, to very tepid applause.

People around me looked bored and uneasy and kept looking at their watches. Not over till 11:00. Thank God Billi Pod had a discounted ticket.

The sad part, there ain’t no way to fix this piece of crap and this comes from someone who went into the show with an open mind, hoping all of the nay-sayers were wrong. Well, they weren’t because this show SUCKS!!!"

*******************************************

Very mixed buzz on version 2.0. I have an excellent discounted TDF ticket in the orchestra. We will see and Billi Pod will give his usual fair and unbiased report card tomorrow.

Really restless ... so ... will close by observing that Yankee bats finally, and I mean finally, came alive last night as they broke a 6 game losing streak beating The Rays 6-2. A-Rod hit two home-runs ... ‘bout time.

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.”

Billi Pod Says==>Mike Birbiglia Is Excellent!! - REPOST

NOTE: THIS IS A REPOST OF THE THURSDAY, MAY 12TH, THAT THE SYSTEM DELETED

OK, my loyal and faithful readers, Billi Pod wants to begin this posting on a positive note, so ...

Here is his report card on last night’s MY GIRLFRIEND’S BOYFRIEND==>A+<==A charming performance by Mike Birbiglia that is both heartrending and laugh-out-loud funny.

He had the audience in the sold-out house completely enthralled from the moment he walked on stage until the very moving final bit. It was soooooooo much fun and he was clearly enjoying himself.

Folks, this is a MUST SEE. It has been extended again to June 25th. SEE IT!! I think he is going to tour the show, so if it comes to your area out there in the vast hinterlands ... SEE IT!!

The show is playing at the Barrow Street Theater down in The Village. When it was over Billi Pod decided to walk back to PHC, a distance of 2.5 miles, which he did while listening to the YANKEE/ROYALS game.

Man, what a disappointment to come out on such a high only to have it quashed by yet another dismal performance by the Yankees.

AJ Burnett aka Loser Boi pitched an excellent game, giving up only 1 hit and 1 run in 7 innings. He left the game with a 2-1 lead, only to have the bullpen blow it, sending the game into extra innings.

The Royals won 3-4 in the 11th inning on only 4, yes that is correct, 4 hits. In contrast the Yankees had 12 hits but went 2-for-16 with runners in scoring position and stranded a season-high 15 runners on base.

It was a puke-inducing performance from the team with the highest payroll in the major leagues and it once again highlighted a basic team flaw which, if not immediately corrected, will keep them out of the post-season.

Yes, yes, yes ... I know ... I know ... it still early in the season but, folks, Billi Pod has seen hundreds of Yankee games since June of 1995 and this just ain’t the Yankee team of the past. The killer instinct just ain’t there. There appears to be a total lack of confidence. Why? I don’t know.

To quote from the sports section of The Post --

“The Yankee bats belong on the back of a milk carton right now because they have not been seen for days.”

And, folks, what is it that A-Rod has stuffed in his mouth while at-bat? He is chewing, spitting stuff out, and then striking out. Has anyone had the guts to suggest to him that he is more focused on chewing and spitting than on getting crucial hits? Jus askin ...

And, of course, tonight’s entertainment event is ...

7:05==>YANKEES vs. ROYALS. I ain’t got nothing to add.

To close on a positive note==>feel 100% OK today.

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.”