Billi Pod Is Alive And Well

Good morning to all of my loyal and faithful readers and followers.

Yes, I am happy to report that Billi Pod survived Hurricane Sandy and he is doing fine as the rest of the City is in the process of recovering from the devastation and havoc brought about by the hurricane. Luckily 420 W. 42nd Street avoided any damage or power outage.

One minor glitch was the interruption of service from my WiFi provider. I lost it at 8:30pm on Monday. The reason it was disrupted was because the provider’s location is in downtown Manhattan, which was/is without power.

This meant that my internet access had to be provided by my iPhone 4G, which made posting to this blog virtually impossible.

Service was restored sometime on Tuesday night, however, as I am working on this posting at 9:30am on Wednesday morning the system isn’t working. F**K!!

Well, I will just continue working on this posting and hopefully WiFi service will be restored again. 

As you know, Hurricane Sandy dealt death and destruction to the Tri-State area. In Manhattan the record tidal surges resulted in major flooding in lower Manhattan. This caused the subway system to be shutdown and loss of power for most of the lower Manhattan areas.

Bus service has been partially restored but the subways remain closed. A major part of lower Manhattan is still without power.

Monday and Tuesday were two of the longest days/nights I can ever remember. The time I spent watching TV was second only to the aftermath of 9/11/01.

Yesterday I was able to have decent walk and wander times even though it was majorly nasty weather, misting rain, cold and windy. I walked over to the Hudson River and took this picture of the wind damage to the space shuttle Enterprise exhibit located on the USS Intrepid.

For the evening I had planned to catch a movie but all of the movie theaters in my immediate ‘hood were still closed down, so I walked down to the Chelsea area where everything South of 28th Street is without power. Man, was that eerie looking/feeling.

Damn, the service is still down. WTF??

Bottom line on Sandy==>we are in recovery and are moving on with our lives. We New Yorkers are a tough breed and we will survive, regardless of the circumstances.

Thanks for all of the emails, texts, postings and telephone calls. They really mean a lot to me.

So ... moving on ...

Today is an entertainment doubleheader for Billi Pod ...

First is a Broadway show ...

2:00==>THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD - “In this raucous staging of Charles Dickens’ last novel everyone on stage is a suspect in the murder of young Edwin Drood and the audience gets to choose the killer.” (Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show is in early previews and the advance buzz is very favorable.

When the show is over I will leisurely walk up to the Lincoln Center area for my second event, which is ...

6:45==>NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA @ Avery Fisher Hall - “Rush Hour Concert”

The program is: Rachmaninoff -  Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini and Elgar - Enigma Variations

(discounted TDF ticket)

When the concert is over I will, of course, walk back to the apartment.

WOW!! It is 10:30am and I now have WiFi access. So ... it is time to post this before it goes out again.

On Monday I only walked 1.05 miles, all within my apartment. This is the reason I have worked to put mileage in my storage locker. Tuesday I was able to have a couple of good walk and wander sessions. 

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>7.44 miles (or, 16,270 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>659.30

Mileage remaining until 4/23/13==>419.70

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.”

NYC Is Awaiting The Arrival of Hurricane Sandy.

It is 9:00am in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

The countdown to the arrival of Hurricane Sandy has begun. All public transportation, bus, train, subway, is shut down. No school. Streets are eerily empty already. Almost no pedestrian traffic. All Broadway/Off Broadway shows have been canceled. Evacuations have been ordered for certain downtown areas. It is lightly raining.

Right now it feels and looks like the calm before the storm.

The worse will come around 4:00pm with heavy rain, winds 40 to 60 mph with gusts 75+ mph. It has been reported that at the upper levels of high-rise buildings, such as 420 W. 42nd Street, add another 10 mph.

It is going to be a long 24-hours, make no mistake about it. Our greatest fear in my immediate area is water damage to the electrical system underground and the possibility of power outages.

In the high-rise apartment building across the street people have cleared their balcony areas of chairs, tables, bikes, etc. and that is good.

I am ready and prepared.

Gonna skip my usual report card on yesterday’s entertainment event because ... well ... because ... who cares at this point ... right ...

Even though the weather was nasty yesterday I did have a decent walk and wander session. Ain’t gonna happen today and probably tomorrow. Can’t even head over to The Port Authority Bus Terminal because it is totally shut down. This is why I have mileage stored in my locker.

I will do my best to keep you loyal and faithful readers and followers up-to-date as things develop.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.27 miles (or, 11,523 steps)

Mileage for week==>45.79 miles (avg. 6.54 miles per day)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>650.81

Mileage remaining until 4/23/13==>428.19

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 In A Funk

Well, as much as Billi Pod would like to say “good morning” to all of his loyal and faithful readers and followers out there in the hinterlands, wastelands and boondocks, he just can’t because this morning his mood is anything but good.

Yes, Billi Pod finds himself in a deep funk that started with yesterday’s painful-to-watch GATOR/BULLDOGS dung-heap game. As you know, in every aspect of the game The Gators basically sucked in our 17-9 embarrassing loss.  

It was one of the sloppiest games I have ever seen at the college level. The two teams had 24 penalties for a total of 227 yards. WTF???

For God’s sake, we made 6 turnovers with 4 fumbles and 2 interceptions. The last fumble, by Jordan Reed, which was recovered in the end zone, ended our chances for a comeback. Barf!!

The game itself took F O R E V E R. I had to skip my 8:00 show. No matter, I wasn’t in the mood for it anyway.

With the loss our chances to advance to the SEC Championship are basically nil.

When the game was over I had to get outside even though it was chilly and windy, so I headed over to the Port Authority Bus Terminal. I still wore my Gator cap. After about 45 minutes I exited the Terminal and as I did I heard a voice say ... “tough day for your Gators” ... WTF????

I looked to my left and there was a young NYPD officer with a smile on his face. He was with another officer. They were both smiling. He motioned me over and we had a funny talk. He is originally from Columbia, SC, and, of course is a Gamecocks fan. As you probably know, they won their game against Tennessee but lost their star running back Marcus Lattimore for the season.

He and his partner, a Penn State graduate, had watched both games before they came on duty. We all agreed that it was a terrible afternoon for the Gators. Actually the conversation with them helped improve my mood just a bit.

Also, this was once again an example of how small this World really is.

I came back to PHC and settled in to watch Game 3 of the World Series. Well, my “team,” The Tigers, lost 2-0 and are on the cusp of being swept in 4-games.

Damn, does all of this mean that “The Norris Travel Curse” has expanded to include sporting events?

Then, of course, there was the news of the upcoming visit from Sandy, no not my friend Sandy Mullon, I mean from Hurricane Sandy, due to have its greatest impact on NYC late Monday night, early Tuesday morning.

Yes, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, as a native Floridian I know about hurricanes and I have done all of the right things and even made the following posting on my FB Wall for all of my Tri-State friends ...

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

“To my Tri-State friends==>from a Fla guy who has survived numerous hurricanes==>prepare but don’t overdo it.

Check the flashlights, recharge everything, get extra batteries if necessary. Use all of those plastic cups you have to store water. Cover with saran wrap and store in your dishwasher. Find your hand operated can opener.

You can get by for at least a week on ...

Cheese, peanut butter, crackers, bread, protein bars, and fruit (apples, pears, grapes and bananas). Trust me, you ain’t gonna be hungry anyway.

Bottom line==>DON’T PANIC!!”

******************* 

I guess my major concern is being stuck on the 41st floor if the power goes out for a long period of time.

I will keep you advised as best I can.

Moving on to today ...

My entertainment event is ...

3:00==>HERESY - “In a parade of government imprisonment, immaculate conception, religion, politics, cocktails and one articulate working girl, Heresy views the not-so-distant-future through the satiric and hilarious lens of A.R. Gurney.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

Yeah, I know, but I like Gurney’s work. It is playing at the Flea Theatre way downtown.

OK ... will post this and try to get in some walk and wander time before the weather turns bad.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.10 miles (or, 11,162 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>645.54

Mileage remaining until 4/23/13==>433.46

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 Gators Are Gonna Kick Ass!!

Well, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, we are only a few hours away from the GATOR/BULLDOGS kickoff @ 3:30pm in Jacksonville. To say that Billi Pod is charged is an understatement because the rest of the season depends on the outcome of this game.

In all likelihood the winner will ultimately play ‘Bama for the SEC Championship and, as most of you know, the winner of that game almost always goes on to play in the BCS Championship game.

The fact that this is even possible for the Gators this season is almost beyond belief and I tip my Gator cap to Coach Muskrat and his staff for molding this team.

OK, let’s move on to Billi Pod’s report card on Friday’s entertainment doubleheader ... 

NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA @ Avery Fisher Hall==>wonderful. It was a terrific concert, especially Mahler’s Symphony No. 1. 

My discounted TDF seat was excellent, row T in the right orchestra section.

I went to Lincoln Center a bit early and had a nice walk and wander session before the concert and then when the concert was over I walked back to the apartment.

Had the usual fruit and cheese plate and then headed out a bit early over to the Eastside for my second event, which was ...

GEEKS! THE MUSICAL, that follow the adventures of a gaggle of geeks through a Comic Book/Sci-Fi Convention==>A+

Man, this show was gut busting funny and very well performed by a young and energetic cast. 

The hour and 45 minute intermissionless running time flew by because the action never stopped.

The small venue, The Richmond Shepard Theatre on 26th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues, was filled and the audience was really into the show.

I can’t remember when I had so much fun and I would highly recommend it to you loyal and faithful readers in the Tri-State area but, alas, it closes on Sunday and the last performances are sold-out.

One of the staff told me that there is a possibility it will be moved to a larger Off Broadway venue. I hope it does because I would see it again in a heartbeat.

Today’s entertainment event, other than the GATOR/BULLDOGS game, is ...

8:00==>MARCH MADNESS - “The office sports pool, once a fun diversion, becomes a deadly serious game when the ante is substantially raised, and what's at stake becomes no less than their lives. And yes, it's a comedy!” (Off Broadway - ($9.00 TDF ticket)

This sounds mighty interesting doesn’t it. It is playing at a theatre on West 36th Street, only 6 blocks from PHC, so I don’t anticipate having any problems with the ending of the Gator game and picking up my ticket. Also, since my ticket is a “paid-for” I can just skip the show if, say, the Gator game goes into overtime or whatever ... 

I will post this and do a bit of a walk and wander session in my immediate hood.

Yesterday was a great walk and wander day, including the Lincoln Center area and then down to my Eastside theater venue. It was my third 7+ mile day in the last 5 days. Nice!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>7.70 miles (or, 16,845 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>640.44

Mileage remaining until 4/23/13==>438.56

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.”

NEXT TO NORMAL==>A

 A big TGIF shout-out to all of my loyal and faithful readers and followers and Worker Bee friends out there in the hinterlands, wastelands and boondocks.

Reminder to my Worker Bee friends==>the weekend doesn’t, repeat, doesn’t start until at least 5:00pm so don’t try to sneak out to start your weekend early. Why? Because your boss is watching you, butt-hole.

Anyway ... let’s move on to things of importance, like Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s entertainment event ...

NEXT TO NORMAL, about a family trying to take care of themselves and each other in the face of a mother's deteriorating mental state==>A

An incredibly gifted cast performs in a very small space. For certain, the music is anything but small. This is really a rock-opera because there is very little spoken dialogue. The story line is delivered with a punch.

I usually have no problem with “color-blind” casting but in this instance the casting of an African-American actress in the lead role of Diana added an unintended reason for her character’s emotional problems, IMHO.

The show runs for 2 hours and 15 minutes, with an intermission, and is definitely worth seeing.

Billi Pod has an entertainment doubleheader scheduled for today, something rather unusual for a Friday ...

2:00==>NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA @ Avery Fisher Hall.

The program is: Mozart - Serenade No. 6 in D major; Mozart - Horn Concerto No. 3; and, Mahler - Symphony No. 1 (discounted TDF ticket)

After the concert I will walk back to the apartment in time for my usual 4:00pm fruit and cheese plate.

Then it is over to the Eastside for ...

8:00==>GEEKS! THE MUSICAL - “Follow the adventure of a gaggle of geeks through a Comic Book/Sci-Fi Convention. Will the geek boy find true love and a mint copy of Batman #92? Will the artist and Goth girl sell their avant-garde comic? Will the has-been sci-fi actor get cast in the remake of his old TV show?” (Off Broadway - $9.00 TDF ticket)

Ah yes ... this sounds like the kind of humor Billi Pod loves.

So, it looks like my entertainment doubleheader will go from highbrow to lowbrow over the space of only a few hours. Only in New York folks, only in New York.

I have my fingers crossed that Hurricane Sandy will not have an adverse impact on Saturday’s GATORS/GEORGIA game in Jacksonville.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>6.29 miles (or, 14,341 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>632.74

Mileage remaining until 4/23/13==>446.29

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.”