OK, What About Tonight?

Well, now that I have spent so much time preparing my Yankee venting posting I don’t have much time, energy or desire to post anything else, but I know that I have an obligation to you loyal and faithful readers out there in the vast hinterlands and in the wasteland known as cyberspace.

Yes, I know and recognize that I have a responsibility to keep you apprised of Billi Pod’s entertainment schedule in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, on a timely basis ... so ... here it is

Billi Pod’s entertainment event for tonight is ...

8:00==>DERBY DAY - “It's Derby Day and the Ballard brothers have a luxury box at the Oaklawn Racetrack in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Their father has just died, and Frank, the oldest, has flown down from Chicago to see the angry newlywed Ned and the ex-con Johnny. Over the course of one long day the Ballard boys destroy everything and everyone in their way – drinking, cursing, and revealing family secrets that might just tear them apart forever.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

Oh, yes, yet another “dark” comedy about a mega-dysfunctional family ... just what Billi Pod needs. I mean ... he hasn’t seen one in almost a week. Thankfully, it is playing at a theater on his block.

Last night’s reading of DO THE HUSTLE, about a father/young-son con team, was interesting although I think I enjoyed the pre-and-post show banter with Dian, Vera and Marty more than the show itself.

Speaking of Marty Kosarik==>Billi Pod wants to welcome him into the world of blog-mania inhabited by the teeming hordes of Billi Pod’s loyal and faithful readers and page-viewers.

Yes, Marty, as you requested==>your world will now and forevermore be changed, beyond your wildest dreams. You are welcome! Remember, you asked for it.

Billi Pod

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

ALEX-98

A Yankee Partial Season Ticket Holder’s Rant

OK, you are forewarned about what is going to happen in this posting ... but ... please take a deep breath and stay with me ... because Billi Pod needs to vent because he is really pissed off ...

A couple of weeks ago I got an email from my new Season Ticket Sales and Service Account Executive, Chelsea Duffy, advising me that shortly I would receive the renewal information for my 41-game season ticket package.

In response, I sent her an email advising that I was very very interested in moving my seat location, Section 212, row 5, seat 17, to a location underneath an overhang. And, yes ... I deliberately brought the “age-issue” into play. Whorish, yes ... but I did it ...

We later had a nice telephone conversation, leaving me with the definite impression that my request would be honored. That made me feel good although I didn’t like the idea of leaving the friends that I had developed over the past 3 seasons.

Well, the renewal package arrived Thursday and guess what ...

(1) The same seat location (with no explanation)

(2) An increase in ticket price from $70 to $80 per game.

(3) A Byzantine new ticket exchange policy that limits the number of exchanges and the games for which they may be exchanged. Plus, the exchange must take place at least 14 days before the date you want to change.

(4) No reference to post-season privileges. I assume it will be the same as last year, which was 1/2 of what it was originally, something we 41-gamers have been majorly pissed about.

The things that attracted me to the 41-game package in the first place were the generous exchange policy and the right to buy the same seat for all of the home post season games. Both of these privileges are now gone.

All of this harks back to my gut feelings from Day One in dealing with Yankee management==>they really don’t care about anyone with less than a full season ticket plan.

They know that for the most part we partial season ticket holders are pretty frugal with our expenditures at the games. For example ... I spend absolutely nothing at a game. I buy a bottle of water outside the stadium for $1.00 and bring it with me into the stadium.

Management would much rather have someone in my seat who is there for the first time, who will be buying beer and hot dogs and popcorn at horribly inflated prices.

Oh, management gives lip service to our “loyalty” but it is really just a bunch of bullshit ... they know it ... and we know it.

I decided to let several days pass before responding, so ... today I sent Chelsea an email detailing my disappointment and displeasure. Have not heard back from her but I feel that I probably will.

After walking around the apartment sucking my thumb for these several days I have concluded that unless my seat relocation request is honored, without making me jump through a bunch of hoops and stuff, I will not renew my 41-game season ticket package.

OK, now calm down a bit ... this does not mean I have stopped being a Yankee fan or that I will not be seeing games in the 2012 season. NO!!

I love the Yankee team, but ... I HATE Yankee Management.

It means I will see fewer games and will see them totally on my own terms. Once the season starts I will go out to the stadium to purchase individual game tickets (probably 4 or 5 games at a time), thereby saving the horrendous service fees for purchasing online. Remember, it ain’t a big deal for me to go from PHC to Yankee Stadium via subway.

Why am I posting this rant now? Well, because I want to and because it makes me feel a little better.

Is there a risk of "retaliation" from Management? Possibly.

Will keep you loyal and faithful readers advised.

Billi Pod

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

ALEX-98

Well, It Is Now Official ...

Well, as you loyal and faithful readers know, it is now official==>the remarkably “recovered” Urban Meyer will now undertake the arduous task of rebuilding the Ohio State football program.

A couple of headlines from the local papers ...

“URBAN RENEWAL AT OSU” - Daily News

“HELLO, COLUMBUS! Meyer Agrees To Take Over Ohio State.” - NY Post

I have to admit that Billi Pod has very mixed feelings about how this whole thing has played out. Deep inside his Gator gut is a feeling of betrayal, similar to the feeling he had when Spurrier left The Gator Nation to go to the NFL.

On the other hand he recognizes that a career is based on personal choices and the fact the Urban has made this choice is his to make.

But ... I definitely don’t like how the whole thing played out over the past year or so. Yahoo Sports has an interesting article with the following headline ...

"Meyer’s Credibility Takes Another Hit"

and the first sentence is ... “The ‘Urban myth’ line has been worn to a nub with Urban Meyer, but it’s never been more fitting than now.”

The article is very insightful and worth reading. The website is ...

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=pf-forde_meyer_credibility_urban_myth_112711

Oh, well ... it is done and ain’t nothing gonna change it ... so ... moving on ... to ...

Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s HORSEDREAMS==>B<==an emotionally draining depiction of the effects of drug addiction on an upper-class NYC family.

Boy, did I have mixed emotions going in about this show, based on personal experience(s). It is very in-our-face and pulls no punches in making its point that addiction is an equal-opportunity destroyer, with which, of course, I agree.

The acting is excellent especially the young boy playing Luka, the 10 year old boy whose world and family is being destroyed by coke and heroin.

I saw this show with 3 of my theater buddies, Dian, Vera and Marty. After the show we compared notes and I asked each for their letter grade and they ranged from B+ to D-. Billi Pod will stick with his initial grade of B.

Tonight I am going to another theater event with Dian, Vera and Marty. We will be attending a staged reading of a show at a theater on my block ...

7:00==>DO THE HUSTLE - “Eddie and Sam Sisson are more than just father and son, they're a crack team of hustlers always looking for their next mark. The show is a tricky and entertaining display of how cons really work, with a visceral sense of the strain of their desperate business, which threatens to drive them apart.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

Actually, Vera, Marty and Billi Pod are just members of Dian's posse, for which we are each eternally grateful.

Damn ... it’s hard to believe that I am approaching 20,000 hits to this blog, which, as you know, are for barely over a year of recording. I think I will write in some detail about this 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.”

ALEX-97

Cyber Monday & Billi Pod’s Doubleheader

On this Cyber Monday Billi Pod wants to remind all of his Worker Bee friends out there in the vastness known as cyberspace that it is highly inappropriate to shift your focus from your menial jobs to the world wide web in an attempt to indulge in your shopping/spending fantasies.

Boys and girls, boy/girls and girl/boys and sexual-cyphers ... your responsibility is to work, giving 110% effort to your dead-end jobs. Nothing, repeat, nothing is allowed to interfere with your obligations to your employers and to your too often misunderstood bosses/supervisors.

Plus ... and you know this to be true ... most of you either don’t have the required credit/debit cards or you have already maxed-out your $250 credit limits.

I know this sounds harsh, but it is my responsibility, in the name of fair and unbiased reporting, to fulfill my responsibilities to maintaining the economy in this great country of ours, and in doing so, permitting we poor pensioners to eke out our existence(s) in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

And ... specifically... to ...

Worker Bee #1 - whose name rhymes with==>Peed - his job involves polishing celebrity shoes and serving coffee;

Worker Bee #2 - whose name rhymes with==>Beers - his job involves emptying colostomy bags and searching for lost keys;

Worker Bee #3 - whose name rhymes with==>Cypher - his job involves booking rooms at Motel 6 and forwarding mail; and,

Worker Bee #4 - whose name rhymes with==>Bris - who doesn’t live in NYC - his job involves collecting and packaging manure.

Just because you know Billi Pod does not, repeat, does not give you special privileges in The Worker Bee World ... so ... to you and everyone else out there ...

BACK TO WORK==>IT IS SO ORDERED.

Moving on ... like ... Billi Pod’s report cards on yesterday’s excellent doubleheader ...

MESSIAH: REFRESHED @ Avery Fisher Hall==>A<== a perfect way to start the holiday season.

The enhanced orchestration of Handel’s classic, supported by a full orchestra and a 175+ person chorus, filled the auditorium with gloriously beautiful sounds that transfixed the audience.

The performance, done with one intermission, clocked in a 2:45 but the time passed quickly.

Whenever I hear The Messiah I remember back to high school (Summerlin Institute in Bartow, FL) where I was a member of the Glee Club for 3 years. We performed The Messiah each season, but our version ended with the Hallelujah Chorus, omitting the final 4 numbers in the original format. I still like our format better, frankly.

When the show was over, as predicted, the weather was excellent, so I opted to walk back to PHC, a distance of a little over a mile. It felt great.

Had time for the usual fruit and cheese plate and then it was time to head out to The Playwright's Horizon (directly underneath PHC) for the second and final part of my doubleheader ...

MAPLE AND VINE, about a couple who exchange their modern lives for a controlled community (sect???) where everything, and I mean everything, is set in 1955.

The plot line in this show is difficult to describe and I think that is one of the reasons I left the theater when the show was over with very mixed feelings.

The concept is interesting, in that it shows how different the World was 56 years ago. It caused me to reflect on what was going on in my life in 1955 ... wow ... back then Billi Pod (not his name then) was married, with a daughter, stuck in a no-future job and contemplating enlisting in the Army (which he did).

I thought that the acting was stellar and the sets very impressive.

When the show was over I was confused about what the final message was, so I looked for my theater buddy, Marty, to get his thoughts, but ... alas ... he had fled the scene.

In my earlier FaceBook posting this morning I gave the show a B and I am going to stick with that even though I now know that Marty gives it a D-.

So, you loyal and faithful readers in the greater New York area ... give this show a shot and then let me know what you think.

Today, being Monday, will be Billi Pod’s errands and stuff day, including paying the first of the month bills. Barf!!

Then for tonight ...

8:00==>HORSEDREAMS - “Explores the breakdown of the family unit as a result of addiction. After his wife dies of an accidental overdose, Loman faces the harsh reality of raising their son alone.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This is not one of my favorite themes, but ... I am seeing this show with my theater buddies Dian, Vera and Marty.

Let me close this posting on a positive note and that is ...

TIMMY DID IT AGAIN!!

Yes, he did it again, leading the Broncos to an overtime win over the Chargers. They are now 5-1 with Tebow as their starting QB.

Neigh-sayers be damned. Eventually you people will understand that this guy is a winner!

BELIEVE!!

Billi Pod

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

ALEX-96

It Was A Good and Bad Day

Good morning everyone!!

Yes, my loyal and faithful readers out there in the hinterlands, Saturday was a good and a bad day for Billi Pod, so let’s get right to it by starting with Billi Pod’s report cards on what went down yesterday ... the good and the bad ...

Let’s begin with ...

AN EVENING WITH PATTI LUPONE AND MANDY PATINKIN==>A+

In this two-act production, these highly professional and talented actors perform songs from Company, South Pacific, Anyone Can Whistle, Into the Woods, Roberta, New Faces of 1956, Gypsy, Follies, Merrily We Roll Along, Evita, Little Shop of Horrors, and Carousel.

Folks, this was heaven for musical theater-lovers like moi. The obvious chemistry between Patti and Mandy takes their performances to even a higher level. Billi Pod was transfixed through the entire show, which sped by.

Billi Pod is happy to report to you loyal and faithful readers that his comp. seat was awesome. Yes ... awesome ... and it wasn’t in the upper nosebleed section as he anticipated but rather in the orchestra, row J, far house left.

I left the theater thinking==>WOW! Over a 4 day period you have seen Hugh Jackman, Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin. It can’t get better than this!!

But, I am happy to report ... the day got even better. At 6:00pm I walked over to Sardi’s, the legendary theater district restaurant, to meet up with my dear friend David Huddleston and his wife Sarah Koeppe.

As I posted yesterday, they are in town for about a week to participate in the 40th anniversary of The Homecoming, a tv film that became the pilot for the Walton's. Unfortunately they are being sheltered in the remote outpost known as Newark.

With David and Sarah was their friend, Judy Haskell, a retired theater director and choreographer.

We had a great time and the food was excellent, as always. Thanks David and Sarah!!

On a personal side note to David==>Yes, David, there are actually two iHop restaurants in Manhattan ...

240 W. 35th Street

2294 Adam Clayton Powell Junior Blvd. @ 135th Street

You are welcome!!

OK, now you know what is coming next ... but I have to keep on because of my responsibilities as a fair and unbiased reporter ...

When dinner was over I raced back to PHC to catch the remainder of the GATOR/HALF ASS U game. I checked my ESPN app and the ‘Noles were leading 7-0.

Damn, just as soon as I turned on the tube John Brantley threw his second interception leading to another ‘Noles TD.

At half-time it was 14-0 and in my gut I had a feeling that the game was over. The Gator offense was inept, putting it mildly. The defense held the ‘Noles to 30 yards rushing and 95 total yards. Most of the time those numbers would reflect a victory. In this game they just made the loss even more painful.

It was an embarrassment for a program to look this inept for 60 minutes.

Here's the good news==>Billi Pod doesn’t think it can get any worse.

Things were so great around The Swamp for 20 years, but this nose dive from the top of the mountain has been amazingly rapid. No one (except perhaps Urban Meyer) saw it coming.

Last night was the low point, the bottom of the barrel of despair. At least Billi Pod hopes and prays it is. It can only get better ...

And ... please guys ... do not ... repeat ... do not accept any invitation(s) for a bowl game ... let’s just put this puke-inducing season to bed and move on.

So ... moving on to other things ... like Billi Pod’s next doubleheader ...

2:00==>MESSIAH: REFRESHED @ Avery Fisher Hall. “Jonathan Griffith leads the Distinguished Concerts orchestra and chorus in Thomas Beecham and Eugene Goossens's re-orchestration of Handel's holiday classic.” ($9.00 TDF ticket)

I am looking forward for the concert to lift Billi Pod out of his funk.

The weather today is beautiful so after the concert is over I will walk back to PHC, a distance of a bit over a mile.

Then for tonight is ...

7:30==>MAPLE AND VINE - “Katha and Ryu have become allergic to their 21st-century lives. After they meet a charismatic man from a community of 1950s re-enactors, they forsake cell phones and sushi for cigarettes and Tupperware parties.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This is playing at a theater on my block.

I hope that all of my Worker Bee friends out there in the hinterlands have a great end of the weekend in preparation for returning to their jobs at 8:00am tomorrow morning. Don't be late!!

GO WORKER BEES!!

Billi Pod

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

ALEX-95

Billi Pod Liked THE BLUE FLOWER

I want to start this posting with my thoughts on last night’s THE BLUE FLOWER.

First of all, I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. I went into the evening with a lot of negative thoughts whirling around in my head as a result of the barrage of neigh-sayers on the various chat boards and some of the less-than-flattering reviews.

Well, folks, I was virtually transfixed from the opening moments of the show, which combines music, words, art and video into a fascinating historic collage. The show never stops moving.

The cast is stellar, led by the stage veteran Marc Kudisch.

When the show was over the audience gave a standing ovation to the cast and orchestra.

Simply put - it was a very enjoyable evening.

Billi Pod’s report card==>B+

Well, I hope that everyone out there in the hinterlands survived Black Friday.

Billi Pod has a very remarkable day scheduled ...

2:00==>AN EVENING WITH PATTI LUPONE AND MANDY PATINKIN - “Two legendary Broadway performers in a once-in-a-lifetime theatrical event that is told entirely through some of the greatest songs ever written for the stage.” (Broadway - complimentary ticket)

I can’t believe I was able to score a comp. ticket for this Broadway show that has gotten excellent reviews. Oh, I know that the seat will probably be in the rear mezzanine, but so what ... the idea is that Billi Pod will be there for free.

Then for this evening ...

At 6:00pm I will meet up with my actor friend David Huddleston and his wife Sarah Koeppe for dinner at Sardi’s, the legendary theater district restaurant.

As a reminder to you loyal and faithful readers - years ago (1996) I sublet David’s apartment on E. 49th Street and we later became friends.

David’s long film, TV and stage career includes: The Mayor in Blazing Saddles: the Big Lebowski in The Big Lebowski; Santa Claus in Santa Claus: The Movie; Grandpa in The Wonder Years; and Ben Franklin in 1776, on Broadway.

They are in town for the 40th anniversary of The Homecoming, a tv film that became the pilot for The Waltons.

After dinner I will race back to 420 W. 42nd Street to catch the 2nd quarter of the GATORS/HALF ASS U game at The Swamp, on ESPN2.

Please, oh please, Coach Muskrat ... don’t embarrass us again on national TV - please!!

Man, after a shaky start the LSU Tigers (Billi Pod hates Tigers) came roaring back and kicked Razorback butts big time.

Billi Pod predicts that next week they will do the same thing to The Bulldogs in the SEC Championship game to insure their berth in the BCS Championship Game against ... ??? ... who knows ... ??? ... probably ‘Bama.

OK, my loyal and faithful readers I got a few things to do, so ...

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.”

ALEX-94

Thanksgiving Dinner Was Great!!

Happy Black Friday to everyone out there in the hinterlands and vast wasteland known as cyberspace.

Yes, I know that there are a lot of bargains offered today at stores everywhere ... but ... folks ... isn’t it sick to spend the night in front of a BestBuy or WalMart or KMart to make it inside when they open at 6:00am, or whenever?

Yes it is, especially when many of the same bargains will be offered online on Cyber Monday.

Billi Pod has many vices, but ... Thank God==>shopping ain’t one of them.

Anyway ...

Had a great time yesterday with my AA buds and their families at an awesome Thanksgiving Dinner hosted in a very posh Upper Westside apartment.

Holidays are often very difficult times for people in recovery, even those of us who are blessed with long-term sobriety. We had a great time sharing our experience, strength and hope in a non-stressfull fellowship environment, bolstered by an ton of excellent food.

As I wrote yesterday, everyone had previously agreed to be cell-phone-less for the whole time ... and ... we were ...

Yep, Billi Pod was disconnected for almost 4 hours and he survived.

It was a bit after 5:00pm when I got back to PHC. Had thought about seeing a movie, but instead I just settled in to watch football and that was OK. The Texas/Texas A&M game was very interesting and exciting to watch.

Billi Pod’s entertainment event for tonight is ...

8:00==>THE BLUE FLOWER - “This musical, spanning two continents and half a century, explores the romantic and tumultuous relationships between four young friends – three artists and a scientist – as they create a world of art, revolution and passion amidst the turbulence and destruction of the World Wars.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show was received very mixed reviews, more often than not falling into the “love-it" or "hate-it” category.

I have avoided seeing it but when one of my theater buddies, whose judgment I trust, said it was worth seeing I decided to give it a shot. I think that it closes on Sunday.

The countdown to the GATORS/HALF ASS U game on Saturday has begun and, as I have posted several times, Billi Pod has a very bad feeling in his gut about this game.

On Saturday I am having an early dinner with my dear friends David Huddleston and his wife Sarah Koeppe at Sardi’s, so I will probably miss the first quarter of the game. I will, however, come back to PHC and witness the rest of what could be an ass-whipping.

Oh, and on the topic of football ... please explain to me how Urban Meyer, who was too fragile to remain the head coach of The Gators, is now, less than a year away from his “medical” retirement, on the brink of signing-on to coach at Ohio State, a program that has a bucket-load of problems, to put it mildly?

WTF Urban==>we have a coach who resigns because of his health, returns because he has discovered balance in his life, then resigns because of his health. Now, he has rediscovered his health/balance and wants to sign with Ohio State?

WTF Urban==>this fails the smell test big time.

Anyway ...

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.”

ALEX-93

Billi Pod Says==>HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EACH AND EVERYONE!!

It is a beautiful fall day in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World==>bright and sunny and 38º at 8:30am.

As I write this posting The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is underway and ... no ... I didn’t even consider going outside to watch it - been there, done that. In fact, Billi Pod isn’t even watching it on the tube, he is listening to one of his favorite oldies radio stations doing a countdown of No. 1 songs from A to Z.

After I post this I will get all cleaned up and head out to the Upper Westside, 72nd Street to be precise, for Thanksgiving Dinner with some of my AA buddies. This is the 3rd consecutive year we have been together for this festive event.

We have a kinda unique tradition. What, you are no doubt breathlessly asking? Well ... here it is ... by agreement, when you arrive you must turn off your cell phone - not turn it to vibrate, but TURN IT OFF - and place it in a drawer, that is then locked and remains locked until we all get ready to leave. There is no running out to check for messages etc. Nothing. Total disconnect.

As might be expected this is harder on some than on others, but since it is a condition of being in the “group” it is somewhat easier to deal with.

This means that Billi Pod will be unreachable from approximately 1:00pm to 5:00pm.

At this moment I am not sure what, if anything, I will do for the evening. May try to catch a movie, or just come on back to PHC and watch football. Time will tell, as “they” say ...

Billi Pod’s report cards on yesterday’s doubleheader ...

HUGH JACKMAN: BACK ON BROADWAY==>A++

Folks I don’t want to sound too gushy but this is one of the best shows E V E R!! Jackman is an amazing performer and his interaction with the audience in unbelievable.

He ended Act 1 with Billy Bigelow’s Soliloquy from Carousel and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house, and I am not being overly dramatic, it was that powerful.

Sooooooo glad I saw him. The house was sold out, with standing room.

Now, in the name of fair and unbiased reporting Billi Pod must report to you loyal and faithful readers about the females in the audience ... well ... please don’t hate me for reporting this ... but ...

Hugh Jackman is to post-menopausal women what Justin Bieber is to tweens.

Jus sayin’ ...

Moving on ... then for the evening ...

STANDING ON CEREMONY: The Gay Marriage Plays==>B+

Funny, well-performed and thought-provoking. The house appeared to be sold out. See it.

Let me close out this posting with a THANK YOU to grandson Alex Falletta aka Army Guy and all of his brothers and sisters in arms stationed with him “over there” who are putting themselves in harms way on a daily basis in order to protect and maintain our way of life and to keep American strong.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!!

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.”

ALEX-92