BROADWAY CLASSICS CONCERT==>EXCELLENT

Saturday==>Your favorite blogger here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, is happy to report to you loyal and faithful readers and followers that last night’s concert at Carnegie Hall ...

BROADWAY CLASSICS, with the New York City Chamber Orchestra, the Manhattan Chorale, and soloists Cheyenne Jackson, Phillip Boykin, Julia Bullock, and Carolee Carmello, was==>EXCELLENT!

The 90 minute, without intermission, show included works from: Candide, Guys and Dolls, Kiss Me, Kate, West Side Story, Les Miserables, Porgy and Bess, and others.

Each of the soloist did terrific jobs and the orchestra, chorale and dancers were wonderful. The full-house audience gave the performers a well-deserved standing ovation at the conclusion of the concert

Yes, it was a totally enjoyable evening, made even better because: (1) my seat was in the parquet (orchestra) section, row N, in the middle - a perfect location; and (2) I ran into my friend Daniel Nickle before the show and we had time for a nice conversation etc etc.

Yeah, I left Carnegie Hall with a big smile on my face. Of course, it was way too cold and windy to even consider walking back to the apartment.

Moving on ...

OK ... the countdown to kickoff for the noon GATOR/HALF ASS U game on ESPN has begun and I can already feel my gag-reflex getting into position. I am a true Gator fan so I will watch all of this “game” from the warm and cozy confines of PHC.

I just hope and pray that we won’t be totally embarrassed on national tv.

As you know, the Semiholes are favored by 27.5 points ... BARF!!

As I posted yesterday, my plans for today and tonight is to become a total 110% couch potato, watching college football all day and all evening.

I will watch ‘Bama/Auburn @ 3:30pm, pulling for The Crimson Tide because my son Bill III aka The Bill is a huge ‘Bama fan and also because Billi Pod hates Tigers.

Then for the evening will be Texas A&M/Missouri @ 7:45pm, pulling for The Aggies because I like Johnny Manziel aka Johnny Football and, again, because Billi Pod hates Tigers.

OK ... it is getting close to game time ... so ... will post this ... and ... whatever ...

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.01 miles (or, 6,582 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/13==>517.69 miles (average 3.41 miles per day)

GO GATORS==>FIRE COACH MUSKRAT!!!!! 

Billi Pod

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

Thanksgiving Day==>AWESOME!!

Friday==>Your favorite blogger chooses to ignore the barf inducing mega-frenzy known as Black Friday. Nothing more will be said about it ... so ... let’s move on to something more positive ... like ...

I had an AWESOME time with my AA buddies (you know who you are) at Thanksgiving dinner at a posh Upper Westside apartment. It was good food, friendship, fellowship and football, just as we had expected.

It was also great to be totally disconnected from the outside cyber-world since our cellphones were turned off and stored in a locked desk drawer from around 1:00pm to about 5:00pm.

My special task was to lug a 12-pack of Fresca on the 1 train from 42nd Street up to 72nd Street. Yeah, I have turned a couple of my friends onto my favorite libation which, incidentally, is becoming even more difficult to find.

We had tons and tons of excellent food and I came back to the warm and cozy confines of PHC around 5:15pm with enough leftovers to last for the rest of the week and the weekend. Nice.

Thanks guys==>it was great being with you for the 5th consecutive year.

I opted to stay in and spend the remainder of the day/evening in front of the tube watching more football.

Moving on ...

It is a beautiful morning here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In the World, with azure blue skies and a few puffy clouds. At 11:00am the temperature has "warmed up" to 36º, wind chill 30º, with a light breeze.

I am meeting some friends for a late lunch and then for this evening is a concert ...

8:00==>BROADWAY CLASSICS AT CARNEGIE HALL - “Celebrate Thanksgiving and welcome December holidays with a night of popular favorites, featuring: solos by Broadway stars including Phillip Boykin, Julia Bullock, Carolee Carmello, and Cheyenne Jackson; musical theater overtures by the New York City Chamber Orchestra; and, vocals by New York City’s Manhattan Chorale. The program includes songs from Candide, Guys and Dolls, Kiss Me, Kate, West Side Story, and more.” (concert - $9.00 TDF ticket)

Oh Yeah ... seeing Cheyenne Jackson live for $9.00 ... doesn’t get more better than this.

Moving on ...

This is advance warning to you loyal and faithful readers and followers==>tomorrow your favorite blogger will be a total 110% couch-potato in front of the tube. 

Yes, he plans to watch the Gators get their ass-kicked by Half Ass U @ noon, ‘Bama/Auburn @ 3:30pm, and then Texas A&M/Missouri @ 7:45pm.

Hey ... don’t be judgmental ... many of you loyal and faithful readers and followers know that Billi Pod loves college football.

I will close this posting by sharing the results of my extensive internet research regarding the fundamental differences between dogs and cats ...

You are so very welcome!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>1.01 miles (or, 2,217 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/13==>514.68 miles (average 3.41 miles per day)

GO GATORS==>FIRE COACH MUSKRAT!!!!! 

Billi Pod

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

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

Thursday==>It is a beautiful but cold Thanksgiving Day here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. At 8:30am the temperature was 30º, with wind chill it was down to 19º and there is a steady wind. This is in stark contrast to yesterday, which was really ugly and nasty, with cold rain.

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, instead, he is listening to one of his favorite oldies radio stations, Q104.3, as they are doing their annual countdown of 1,043 No. 1 songs, from A to Z.

After I post this for you loyal and faithful readers and followers 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 5th consecutive year we have been together for this festive event.

As I have previously reported ... we have developed a kinda unique tradition. What is it, you newbies are no doubt breathlessly asking? Well ... newbies ... here it is ... by agreement, when you arrive at the posh Upper Westside apartment you must, repeat MUST turn off your cell phone - not turn it to vibrate, but TURN IT OFF.

It is then placed in a drawer, that is then locked and remains locked until we all get ready to leave the apartment. There is no running out to check for messages etc. Nothing. Total 100% disconnect.

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

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

Yes, it will be food, friendship, fellowship and lots of football. Folks, it doesn’t get any better than this.

At the moment I am not sure what, if anything, I will do for the evening. Right now my gut tells me that I will just come on back to the warm and cozy confines of PHC and watch some more football. Time will tell, as “they” say ...

Moving on to Billi Pod’s report card on yesterday’s outstanding Broadway show ...

700 SUNDAYS, Billy Crystal reprises his Tony-winning performance in this heartfelt and often hilarious story of growing up in the jazz world of Manhattan, growing old and the undeniable power of family==>A+

I can’t remember when I had so much fun and pleasure at a performance/show. Billy does a perfect balance between funny and touching without ever letting it become maudlin.

For those of you out in the hinterlands, wastelands and boondocks, the 700 Sundays refers to the number of Sunday’s he had with his father, whom he adored and who died of a sudden heart attack when Billy was 15. It created a burden which he still carries with him.

Billy had the full-house audience in the palm of his hand from the moment he stepped onto the stage in front of a replica of the front of the house he grew up in on Long Island.

I could go on and on ... but ... suffice it to say that this is a theatre event that isn’t to be missed, even if you have to pay full price, like moi.

Billi Pod says==>SEE IT!!

It is playing at The Imperial Theatre on West 45th Street. has a running time of 2:15, with intermission, and runs through January 2, 2014.

When the show was over it was still majorly nasty, with light rain. I made the decision that I was gonna stay in the warm and cozy confines of PHC for the evening and that is just what I did.

OK ... time to post this and then get ready to head uptown.

Again==>HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE. HAVE A GREAT DAY!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>2.18 miles (or, 4,784 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/13==>513.67 miles (average 3.42 miles per day)

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.”

Seeing Billy Crystal This Afternoon

Wednesday==>Yes, like most of the Northeast today, it is majorly nasty and ugly here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. It rained most of last night, but, thankfully, at 11:00am it is clearing up a bit.

So ... let’s get started with Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s entertainment event ...

NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA @ Avery Fisher Hall, featuring works by Mozart and Britten==>EXCELLENT, as usual.

The highlight of the concert, for me, was the final number, Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 - Jupiter. It was beautiful.

My friends Al & Irene Warshauer, both attorneys, were seated next to me and that was nice because we needed some major catching-up time.

Also made contact with two other seat-mates from another series, Marie & Lenny Taylor, and that was nice, too.

Of course, at the end of the concert it was way too nasty and cold to even consider walking back to the apartment.

Moving on ...

Today’s entertainment event is a Happy Thanksgiving present from self to Billi Pod, a full-price ticket to the highly acclaimed Broadway show ...

2:00==>700 SUNDAYS - “Billy Crystal reprises his Tony-winning performance in this heartfelt and often hilarious story of growing up in the jazz world of Manhattan, growing old and the undeniable power of family.” (Broadway - full price ticket)

This well-reviewed show is playing at The Imperial Theatre on West 45th Street, has a running time of 2:15, with intermission, and runs through January 2, 2014.

Billy Crystal is one of my favorite performers. I saw the show originally back in December 2004 and loved it so there was no way I was gonna miss it when it returned.

The show is virtually sold out. Luckily self was able to score a great seat for this matinee performance, in the middle of the front row of the mezzanine. Nice!!

So ... thank you self ... Billi Pod is sooooooooooo appreciative of your thoughtfulness and generosity.

At the moment my entertainment plans for the evening are in flux ... so ... stay tuned.

STOP IT!! Yeah ... yeah ...  I know ... I know ... the Gators have a game Saturday against Half Ass U. The reason I haven’t posted anything about it is because I don’t want to even consider the potential horror(s) that will probably play out at The Swamp ... so ... 

Stop the fucking texts and emails ... OK ... I mean ... stop them ... N O W!!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.55 miles (or, 7,774 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/13==>511.49 miles (average 3.43 miles per day)

GO GATORS==>FIRE COACH MUSKRAT!!!!! 

Billi Pod

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

Monday’s Doubleheader==>B+ and Meh.

Tuesday==>Good early afternoon to all of my loyal and faithful readers and followers. Yes, it is another gray and cold day here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. 

The bad news==>its gonna get even colder and nastier for the next several days, with the possibility that the Thanksgiving Day Parade will be adversely affected. Oh well ... ain’t nothing I/we can do about it ... so ... let’s move on to ...

Billi Pod’s report cards on yesterday’s third consecutive entertainment doubleheader ... first ...

A CHRISTMAS CAROL, a spirited new adaptation of the beloved Dickens’s classic==>B+

It is very well performed and creatively staged. Broadway veteran Peter Bradbury does an excellent job as the unlikeable Ebenezer Scrooge.

The remaining 4 performers play multiple roles including playing period musical instruments and singing.

In the name of fair and unbiased reporting I have to admit that I would have probably given it a higher grade if I had been in a holiday/festive mood.

Billi Pod says==>it is very worth seeing.

This show is playing at The Theatre at Saint Clements on West 46th Street, has a running time of 1:30, without intermission, and runs through January 4th.

When the show was over I came back to the warm and cozy confines of PHC for my usual pre-theater fruit and cheese plate and then it was time to head up and over to 57th Street for my Carnegie Hall concert ...

THE THIRD ANNUAL CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK CONCERT @ Carnegie Hall - Featuring the world premiere of The Songs of Christmas==>MEH

The picture is the 225-member American Festival Choir, consisting of 8 choirs from thoughout the United States.

I really wanted to like this concert better but the blaring synthesized background music in each of the 23 numbers got old very fast. I was in the center of the 3rd upper level (called The Dress Circle) and at times the sound level was screechingly loud and unpleasant. I can just imagine how it was in the lower levels.

After awhile it began to feel like I was at a  service at one of those mega-churches.

The house was almost full but after intermission it appeared as if about 1/3 of the seats were empty.

I considered leaving at intermission but I didn’t, hoping it would get better ... but it unfortunately didn’t.

On a positive note I can say that I was impressed with The American Festival Choir and most of the performances by singer Charles Billingsley. I didn't care for the other singer Marcia Ware.

Moving on to today ...

Since I had my third consecutive doubleheader yesterday I didn’t get my usual errands and chores done ... so ... we need to move on ... with ... tonight’s entertainment event ...

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

Mozart - Symphony No. 39

Mozart - Symphony No. 41, Jupiter

Britten - Symphony for Tenor, Horn, and Strings.

(season subscription series)

Really looking forward to this concert.

Oh ... in response to several emails and texts ... yes ... your favorite blogger has plans for Thanksgiving ... around 1:00pm on Thursday I will head uptown to West 72nd Street for Thanksgiving Dinner with some of my AA buddies. This will be the 5th consecutive year we have been together for this festive event. Really looking forward to it. A few more details later ...

Now ... gotta do stuff ... so ...

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.70 miles (or, 8,091 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/13==>507.94 miles (average 3.43 miles per day)

GO GATORS==>FIRE COACH MUSKRAT!!!!! 

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 Will Now Bring You Up-To-Date

Monday==>Yes, everyone out there in the morass known as cyberspace ... your favorite blogger did not post yesterday and this posting is somewhat late on Monday ... but ... he has excuses that include ... a jam-packed entertainment schedule with multiple doubleheaders and dealing with the coldest weather of this Fall season ... so ... let’s get started with some catching up ...

First ... Billi Pod’s report cards on Saturday’s entertainment doubleheader ...

THE (CURIOUS CASE OF THE) WATSON INTELLIGENCE, a time-jumping, loving tribute dedicated to the people and the machines upon which we all depend==>B+

The show is very well acted with the actors playing multiple roles. The story line is involving, but at times is a bit difficult to follow due to the quick shifts between times, locations and characters.

Billi Pod says==>it is definitely worth seeing.

It is playing at Playwrights Horizons on West 42nd Street, has a running time of 2:20, with intermission, and runs through December 29.

Then for the evening was ...

8:00==>AMERICAN CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA @ Alice Tully Hall - The program was works by: Bach, Buxtehude, Caldara, and Handel==>WONDERFUL!!

The American Classical Orchestra attempts to restore the original baroque sound to classic pieces and it really works in the somewhat smaller Alice Tully concert hall.

My comp. seat was excellent, in the very center orchestra, 10 rows from the stage. Perfecto!

When the concert was over it was way too cold to even consider walking back to the apartment.

Now ... as most of you loyal and faithful readers and followers know ... Saturday also included the dreadful GATOR/GEORGIA SOUTHERN game from The Swamp.

Thank the Gods above that the game wasn’t carried locally. Folks, even 2 long days later I am still having difficulty expressing and processing the depths of my disappointment and frustration with The Gators.

Our streak of 22 consecutive seasons earning a bowl berth is dead. So is the Gators' run of 33 straight seasons with a winning record.

And ... how about this ... barring an unlikely upset victory over FSU,  Coach Muskrat will finish his first three seasons in Gainesville with fewer victories than Ron Zook. Yeah ... that’s right ... fewer victories than Ron Zook.

COACH MUSKRAT HAS GOTTA GO!!

Anyway ... we will now move on to yesterday’s second consecutive doubleheader.

First, it was the coldest day of the Fall season here in The Big Apple. At 8:30am it was 24º, wind chill 9º, with gusting winds.

And ... both of my entertainment events were far far away from the warm and cozy confines of my apartment on West 42nd Street.

The first was ...

2:00==>NORWAY PLAYS: Drama Beyond Ibsen - “Two one-act plays: 

THE RETURNING - “Imagine the last person you'd ever expect to see, and ... A dark comedy that takes the audience on a hilarious and unpredictable ride.”

MORE - “Two young women are playing and one of them gets killed. Could it have been a lesbian act of passion or an accident between friends?” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

Billi Pod’s report card==B+

Both plays were very well performed, thought-provoking and a bit quirky. 

Kristoffer Tonning as Gustav, the “returning” son in THE RETURNING, gives a stellar performance.

This show is playing at the Theater for the New City on lst Avenue in the East Village, has a running time of 2:30, with intermission, and runs through December 1.

It was about 4:30pm when the show was over and my next show was at 6:00pm at a venue about a 1/2 mile further south, so I began my walk.

Man, it was freezing with the wind swirling from every direction.

It was very unpleasant and, honestly, the thought kept crossing my mind that it was really stupid for a 79+ year old guy to be out in the cold like this on a voluntary basis. Yes, I thought about just heading back, but ... I had a comp. ticket through one of my ticket services and I didn’t want to risk the chance of being kicked out for being a “no-show.”

I actually used the cavernous Whole Foods store on Houston Street as a refuge from the bitter cold.

Anyway ... about the show ...

6:00==>THE JUNKET - “Written and performed by Mike Albo, it asks the questions: what happens when your freelance job turns out to be your worst enemy and can one gift bag change your life ... forever?” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

Billi Pod’s report card==>A-

The show is very thought-provoking, entertaining and well performed.

Albo was a free lance writer for The New York Times, which he calls The Tomes for “legal” reasons, who was fired when he took a press junket to Jamaica, in violation of Tomes policy.

Albo’s stresses the conflicts-of-interest faced daily by journalists, especially those writing about fashion and consumer goods. Make no mistake about it ... he feels as if he has a score to settle, and maybe he does.

Billi Pod says==>worth seeing.

It is playing downtown at Dixon Place on Chrystie Street in the Lower Eastside, has a running time of 1:20, without intermission, and the remaining performance dates are December 1 & 8

It was 8:00pm when I opened the door to PHC. The temperature was 26º, wind chill 12º. I had logged in 5.11 miles on my trusty WeightWatchers Pedometer and I was tired and starving.

I fixed a huge fruit and cheese plate. Folks, there was no way I was gonna sit in front of this ‘puter and write so ... your favorite blogger just settled in to watch the PATRIOTS/BRONCOS game, won by The Pats in overtime 34-31, after a simply amazing comeback from a 24-0 half-time deficit.

OK ... that’s brings you almost up-to-date ... so let’s move on to today ...

First ... today is my third consecutive doubleheader. I am working on this posting before it is time to head out for my first show at 2:00pm ... so ... will not post this until I get back to the apartment after the show.

I also have to report that it is another cold day ... 25º, wind chill 15º @ 8:30am.

Your favorite blogger has two Christmas-related shows scheduled for today/tonight ...

2:00==>A CHRISTMAS CAROL - “A spirited new adaptation of the beloved Dickens’s classic. Using nothing more than some simple props, fresh physicality and the power of imagination, five gifted actors bring to life all of your favorite characters.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show is playing at The Theatre at Saint Clements on West 46th Street, has a running time of 1:30, without intermission, and runs through January 4th.

When the show is over I will come back to PHC and, hopefully, finish up this long overdue posting.

Then ... for the evening is a concert at Carnegie Hall ...

8:00==>THE THIRD ANNUAL CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK CONCERT @ Carnegie Hall - Featuring the world premiere of “The Song of Christmas” by Dr. Phil Barfoot and Rebecca Peck, performed by Charles Billingsley and Marcia Ware and The American Festival Choir.” (concert - complimentary ticket)

OK, my loyal and faithful readers and followers ... you are now totally up-to-date ...

Hold the applause ... I know who and where you are ... don't make me come over there and bitch-slap you ... jus sayin'

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.28  miles (or, 11,546 steps)

Total mileage for the week==>26.37 miles (average 3.77 miles per day)

Total mileage since 7/1/13==>504.24 miles (average 3.43 miles per day)

GO GATORS==>FIRE COACH MUSKRAT!!!!! 

Billi Pod

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