Couch Potato Thy Name Is Billi Pod

Sunday==>Yes, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, yesterday before a sellout crowd of 82,485 at Choke Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, FL, the Will Muskrat Era came to a frustrating end. Yes, it ended with a mystifying set of play calls in the final minutes of the game. So typical Muskrat.

As you know, The ‘Holes won 24-19 to remain undefeated @ 12-0.

For The Gators it was yet another game of mistakes and missed opportunities.

With the distinct possibility of an upset win my Gators settled for field goals, committed several costly penalties and dropped critical passes.

As I said above, it was a typical Muskrat game of decent defense, lackluster offense and lack of player discipline.

The Gators will play, probably, in the post season, without Muskrat as coach. Trust me ... it will be against a team as worthless and lackluster as The Gators, in the Toilet Bowl.

Moving on ...

As expected, beginning at noon your favorite blogger was a total couch potato yesterday, transfixed in front of his 42” flat screen TV watching college football.

At the last minute in the evening I ditched my plans to see an Off Broadway show called POCATELLO, opting instead in remain in the warm and cozy confines of PHC watching football. It lasted until midnight.

The ‘Bama/Auburn game was a nail-biter with The Crimson Tide winning 55-44 in a shootout in The Iron Bowl. I was pulling for The Tide because my son Bill III aka The Bill is an avid ‘Bama fan and Billi Pod hates Tigers.

OK ... enough sports ...

So ... let’s move on to what Billi Pod has planned for today ... which is ...

Duh ... probably more football, this time pro. 

Yeah ... at 4:30pm it will New England (9-2) vs. Green Bay (8-3) from frigid Lambeau Field.

And then at 8:30pm it will be Denver (8-3) vs. Kansas City (7-4).

Man, talk about a boring posting ... sorry ... 

I will mercifully end it now and head outside for a nice walk and wander session to take advantage of the balmy weather ... yeah ... at 12:30pm it is cloudy and a balmy 51º. Perfecto!!

Oh, 95% of yesterday’s walking mileage was recorded while walking around my apartment during the ball games. As you will recall ... during time-outs, commercial breaks and possession changes I get up and walk briskly around the apartment. Over time it adds up.

Anyway ...

HAVE A GREAT REST OF THE WEEKEND EVERYONE!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.04 miles (or, 6,663 steps)

Total mileage for 2014==>1,343.98  miles (average 4.04 miles per day)

Billi Pod

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

Gisela & Ron - Orquestra Instituto GPA - Half Ass U - Pocatello

Saturday==>OK, my loyal and faithful readers and followers out there in the wastelands, hinterlands and boondocks ... it is important that you each join forces with your favorite blogger at 3:30pm in support of The Florida Gators as we take on the undefeated Half Ass U Semi-holes at that disgrace of a field known as Choke Campbell Stadium.

The game will be carried on ESPN and the ‘Holes are favored by 7 1/2 points.

This will be Coach Muskrat’s final game as a Gator. Interestingly, the last game the 'Holes lost was two years ago to The Gators.

Honestly, to win we will need the intervention of The Football Gods and I don’t know if Coach Muskrat is worthy of their help. So ... pray ... keep your fingers crossed ... and ... keep repeating==>GO GATORS!!

Moving on ...

Had a wonderful time yesterday afternoon with my dear friend Circuit Judge Gisela Cardonne Ely from Miami, FL, and attorney Ron Hedges from ... gasp ... that plague-ridden Province known as New Jersey.

As planned, we had lunch at one of the restaurants at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. We did some much needed/wanted catching up and then strolled though the galleries for awhile.

So==>Gisela and Ron ... it was great being with you and I look forward to seeing you in March.

Moving on ...

Last night’s entertainment event was a classical music concert ... 

ORQUESTRA INSTITUTO GPA @ Carnegie Hall.

This Brazilian orchestra performed works by Tchaikovsky, Wieniawski, Breiner, and Kreisler, as well as a rendition of Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind.”

According to the info section of The Playbill: “Orquestra Instituto GPA, a string orchestra, was founded in 1999 and is composed of 30 to 40 musicians between the ages of 10 and 21 years. It has performed more than 500 concerts throughout Brazil, Argentina, the US, France and Italy.”

This extremely talented group was totally enjoyable. In several of the numbers the musicians actually sang and/or danced while playing their instruments. They totally had the full-house audience enraptured, earning roaring ovations. They rewarded us with 3 encores.

The program also featured excellent performances by West Orange High School Orchestra and Arlington High School Wind Ensemble.

My comp. seat couldn’t have been better. I was in the second tier, center box, seat 3. Great sight line and, of course, awesome acoustics.

Yeah, I left Carnegie Hall a totally happy camper.

Moving on some more ...

As mentioned above, this afternoon will be devoted to college football. Then, for the evening will be an Off Broadway show on my block ...

8:00==>POCATELLO - “Eddie manages an Italian chain restaurant in Pocatello - a small, unexceptional American city that is slowly being paved over with strip malls and franchises. But he can’t serve enough Soup, Salad and Breadstick Specials to make his hometown feel like home.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This “heartbreaking comedy” is playing at Playwrights Horizons on my West 42nd Street block, has a running time of 1:40, without intermission, and runs through January 4th.

In closing==>yesterday’s trips to and from The Met, plus some walking and wandering before my Carnegie Hall concert resulted in a totally amazing walking day ... 6.02 miles. YES!!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>6.02 miles (or, 13,163 steps)

Total mileage for 2014==>1,340.94 miles (average 4.04 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.” 

Thanksgiving Day 2014==>AWESOME!!

Friday==>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 lots of football, just as we had expected.

It was also great to be totally, and I mean totally, disconnected from the outside cyberworld since our cellphones were turned off and stored in a locked desk drawer from around 1:00pm to about 5:00pm. The drawer remained locked until we were ready to leave the apartment ... no checking ... nothing.

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 in Midtown Manhattan.

We had tons and tons of excellent food and then spent the rest of the afternoon watching football.

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 6th consecutive year.

I opted to stay in and spend the remainder of the day/evening in front of my 42” flat screen TV watching even more football.

Moving on ...

Your favorite blogger here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, chooses to completely 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 ...

What Billi Pod has scheduled for today ...

Starting with ...

Around 1:00pm this afternoon I will meet up with my dear friend Circuit Judge Gisela Cardonne-Ely from Miami, FL, and Ron Hedges from ... gasp ... New Jersey, for lunch at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Really looking forward to seeing her because it has been awhile and we need to do some major catching up.

Then ... for the evening is ... a classical music concert ...

7:30==>ORQUESTRA INSTITUTO GPA @ Carnegie Hall.

This Brazilian orchestra will perform works by Tchaikovsky, Wieniawski, Breiner, and Kreisler, as well as a rendition of Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind.” 

The program will also feature a performance by West Orange High School Orchestra.

(concert - complimentary ticket)

In closing==>Turkey Day and football combined for a less than stellar walking day ... sorry ‘bout dat ...

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>2.03 miles (or, 4,446 steps)

Total mileage for 2014==>1,334.92 miles (average 4.03 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.”

Happy Thanksgiving - Allegro - New York Philharmonic

Thursday==>It is a gray, overcast and cold Thanksgiving Day here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. At 8:00am the temperature was 37º, with wind chill it was down to 33º and there is a steady wind. 

But, this is so much better than yesterday, which was really ugly and nasty, with cold rain and the first snow of the season, that lasted all of the day and most of the evening. Totally yucky.

Of course, your favorite blogger was out and about in the elements because he had an entertainment doubleheader, one event downtown and the other uptown.

The TOTALLY INSANE thing about yesterday was that when the day was finally over Billi Pod had recorded ... gasp ...  5.05 miles on his WeightWatchers Pedometer.

TOTALLY INSANE ... but then ... it is Billi Pod here in The Big Apple, so what did you expect?

OK ... enough about the weather ... let’s move on ...

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 his 42” flat screen TV, 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.

The morning papers reported the possibility of Ferguson protesters attempting to disrupt the parade. That would certainly suck.

Oh well ...

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 and Broadway to be precise, for Thanksgiving Dinner with some of my AA buddies. This is the 6th consecutive year we have been together for this event that always turns festive.

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 now an express 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 12:30pm 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 ...

So ... now ... let’s move on to Billi Pod’s report cards on yesterday’s entertainment doubleheader, starting with ...

The Off Broadway musical ... 

ALLEGRO, this revival of the little known 1947 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical follows the story of Joe Taylor, Jr. from cradle to early manhood in this loving and wise exploration of America’s coming of age, as seen through the eyes of a young physician learning about the mysteries of life and death==>B

There is a lot to like about this show ... but ... having each of the actors also playing and carrying instruments majorly distracts from an otherwise interesting and involving story line.

Now, don’t get me wrong, the individual cast members do excellent jobs playing their instruments and some of them play multiple ones ... it just has a mega-contrived feeling and it interferes with the physical relationship(s) between the characters.

In the name of full disclosure I must tell you that Billi Pod was less than enamored with the Broadway show ONCE, that also uses the same actors-with-instruments bit.

The stellar multi-talented cast is headed by Malcolm Gets as Dr. Joseph Taylor, Sr. and Claybourne Elder as Dr. Joseph Taylor, Jr.

The house was 95% full and seemed to be very much into the show.

Billi Pod says==>yes, it is worth seeing.

It is playing at the Classic Stage Company on East 13th Street in the Union Square area, has a running time of 1:30, without intermission, and has been extended to December 14th.

When the show was over I braved the elements again and subwayed back to the warm and cozy confines of PHC where I had time to change clothes, have a quick snack, and then brave the elements again to head up to the Upper Westside for my second event ...

A classical music concert at Lincoln Center ...

NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA @ Avery Fisher Hall. The program was:

Wagenaar - Cyrano de Bergerac Overture;

Korngold - Violin Concerto (performed by Hilary Hahn); and,

Beethoven - Symphony No. 7

It was another excellent concert by the NY Phil, this time conducted by guest conductor Jaap van Zweden. Zweeden has been music director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra since 2008 and music director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra since 2012.

Hilary Hahn did an outstanding job in performing Korngold’s (not one of Billi Pod’s favorite composers) Concerto.

The highlight of the evening was Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, which earned a roaring standing ovation.

Yep, despite having to brave the elements this was an entertainment event that was definitely worth it.

OK, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, it is time to post this and then get ready to head uptown.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!! HAVE A GREAT DAY!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.05 miles (or, 11,055 steps)

Total mileage for 2014==>1,332.89 miles (average 4.04 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.”

Snow - The Underclassman - This Is Our Youth - Allegro - New York Philharmonic

Wednesday==>Man, it is really nasty this morning here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. Yeah ... at 10:00am it is 37º with a light rain.

But ... the really bad news==>it is forecast that the rain will continue into the early afternoon when it will turn into ... gasp ... snow, which will last into the evening with a projected 3-5 inches in Manhattan.

Yes, that will be a driving Hell for those headed out for Thanksgiving. Walking around will be pretty unpleasant, too.

Billi Pod will be in the warm and cozy confines of PHC ... right? WRONG!!

Yep ... your favorite blogger has yet another doubleheader scheduled for today.

Oh well ... ain’t nuttin I can do ‘bout it ... so ... let’s move on with his report cards on Tuesday’s entertainment doubleheader ... starting with ...

UNDERCLASSMAN, in 1915 the young and brilliantly talented F. Scott Fitzgerald is swept into the hierarchy of Ivy League society and the antics of the Princeton Triangle Club as he pursues  the beautiful and elusive debutante Ginevra King. Their romance inspired one of the greatest novels of the 20th century==>B+

This interesting and involving musical features a stellar cast of young and energetic and talented performers headed by Matt Dengler as Fitzgerald, Jessica Grove as Ginevra and Marrick Smith as Fitzgerald’s friend JP.

The music and lyrics by Peter Mills are totally involving and adequately develop the story line.

The staging and choreography is excellent.

I have two quibbles with the production. First, it is too long at 2:20, with intermission, and could use some serious trimming. Second, it is at the small and intimate venue at The Duke so the actors are often only a few feet away from the audience ... so .. why are they miked? Seriously ... why??

Anyway ...

Billi Pod says==>it is worth seeing.

It is playing at The Duke on West 42nd Street, has a running time of 2:20, with intermission, and runs through November 30th.

When the show was over I literally raced back to the apartment for a quick snack and then it was time to head back to Times Square for the second part of my doubleheader ...

A revisit to the Broadway show ...

THIS IS OUR YOUTH, Kenneth Lonergan's comedy/drama about three very lost young souls in the Upper Westside of New York in 1982, who are struggling to find themselves and trying to deal with the everyday demands of social interactions and relationships, starring Michael Cera and Kieran Culkin==>A-

As mentioned in yesterday’s posting, I had seen this show in early previews back on August 25th. I gave it an A- then.

Michael Cera gives an award-worthy performance as Warren, a character that is not easy to like, while Kieran Culkin’s Dennis, the manipulative petty drug dealer, controls the flow of energy onstage most of the time.

Tavi Gevinson, as Jessica, Warren’s “love” interest, develops as the show progresses and the final scene between she and Warren is very emotional.

As might be expected from Lonergan, profanity spews from the mouths of the three young characters and, of course, drugs and teenage angst are integral to the story line.

The set is totally amazing.

I found the show, as a whole, to be extremely well-acted and very emotionally involving ... so ... 

Billi Pod says==>see this show.

It is playing at the Cort Theatre on West 48th Street, has a running time of 2:15, with intermission, and tickets are on sale through January 4, 2015.

My comp. seat for this show was excellent, center orchestra, row G, one seat from the aisle. Seated to my immediate right was Mel Miller who is the Producer/Artistic Director of Musicals Tonight, one of my favorite theater companies.

Mel and I had a nice ongoing conversation before the show and at intermission, and that was nice. He liked the show but a lot less than I did.

Anyway ... I hope you loyal and faithful readers and followers will agree that it was an interesting entertainment doubleheader, especially for a Tuesday.

Moving on to the details on today’s second consecutive entertainment doubleheader ...

First is the Off Broadway musical ...

3:00==>ALLEGRO - “This revival of the little known 1947 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical follows the story of Joe Taylor, Jr. from cradle to early manhood in this loving and wise exploration of America’s coming of age, as seen through the eyes of a young physician learning about the mysteries of life and death.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show received very mixed reviews. The major criticism being the fact that the actors also play musical instruments ala ONCE. The critics thought that it was contrived and did nothing to enhance the show.

It is playing at the Classic Stage Company on East 13th Street in the Union Square area, has a running time of 1:30, without intermission, and has been extended to December 14th.

When the show is over I will come back to the apartment, change clothes, have my usual pre-theater snack and then head up to The Upper Westside for the second part of my entertainment doubleheader ...

A classical music concert at Lincoln Center ...

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

Wagenaar - Cyrano de Bergerac Overture;

Korngold - Violin Concerto (performed by Hilary Hahn); and,

Beethoven - Symphony No. 7

(concert - season subscription series)

For this performance I will be seated next to my friends Lenny Gordon and his wife, Marie Taylor, and that will be nice because we have some catching-up to do.

OK, my loyal and faithful readers and followers this brings you up-to-date.

In closing==>Billi Pod will celebrate Thanksgiving with his AA buddies for the 6th consecutive year. This will be in the Upper Westside. Will give the details in tomorrow’s early posting.

BREAKING NEWS==>It is 10:45pm and it is lightly snowing. Brrrrrrrrr!!

Stay warm everyone.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>4.08 miles (or, 8,917 steps)

Total mileage for 2014==>1,327.84 miles (average 4.04 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.”