Billi Pod’s First 2013 Doubleheader

Good morning all of my loyal and faithful readers out there in the boondocks, wastelands and hinterlands. I hope your work week is going well.

Today will be Billi Pod’s first entertainment doubleheader for the new-borne 2013, details to follow ... but first ... let’s begin this posting from The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, with his report card on last night’s entertainment event ...

GOLDEN AGE, the comedy-drama set backstage on the opening night of the composer Vincenzo Bellini’s new opera==>C+

I really wanted to like this show more because I respect its author Terrance McNally, but ... it just wasn’t as satisfying as I had anticipated. Yes, Terrance, we understand that being a talented composer back in 1835 was difficult, especially when he believes he is shortly going to die, but ... you don’t have to pound it into our heads with exposition after exposition after repetitive exposition. And ... 

At least 15 minutes needs to be trimmed, including Bellini playing pieces from yet to be written operas as a “comic relief.”

The cast is uniformly good, especially Lee Pace as Bellini. Bebe Neuwirth does a good job when she finally comes on stage in Act II.

So ... Billi Pod says==>you are forewarned

Now ... let’s move on to today ... which is going to be Billi Pod’s first 2013 entertainment doubleheader ... first on the schedule is a matinee ...

2:00==>R.U.R - “A modernized version of the classic Karel Capek drama that takes place in a factory that makes robots to serve humans. A hostile rebellion arises that threatens the very existence of the human race.” (Off Broadway - $9.00 TDF ticket)

This show is playing at a theatre on my block and I think this is the first preview performance.

Then ... for the evening ...

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

Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 - performed by Pinchas Zukerman; and,

Bruckner: Symphony No. 6

(season subscription series)

I plan to head out to Lincoln Center a bit early so I can get in some walking time in the protected underground areas.

Moving on ... 

Well, I am a little bit surprised that my Gators remained in the Top 10 of the final AP poll ...

1. Alabama 13-1

2. Oregon 12-1

3. Ohio St. 12-0

4. Notre Dame 12-1

5. Georgia 12-2

5. Texas A&M 11-2

7. Stanford 12-2

8. South Carolina 11-2

9. Florida 11-2

10. Florida St.

The SEC finished the year with five teams in the AP’s top 10: Alabama (1), Georgia (5), Texas A&M (5), South Carolina (8) and Florida (9). LSU finished 14th, while Vanderbilt came in at number 23. The SEC has now captured seven consecutive national championships.

Despite the awful results in The Booger Bowl, the Gators had a great regular season, far better than anyone had predicted or expected.

Well, it is time to post this and then head outside for a bit of a walk and wander session since it has warmed up to 45º ... 

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.13 miles (or, 11,221 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>1,007.47 miles

Mileage remaining until 4/23/13==>71.53 miles

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.”