Billi Pod Reports On September 11, 2011

September 11, 2011 was a very somber and reflective occasion here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

When I went to bed at the usual 2:00am on Sunday morning I set my alarm clock for 8:00am just to be certain that I would be up when the ceremonies down at Ground Zero began, especially the moment of silence at 8:46am, which was the time that the first airplane struck.

I watched all of the ceremonies until it was time to head out to Brooklyn for my scheduled facetime with John Scott Reed. I left PHC at 12:30pm.

On my walk to the Port Authority Bus Terminal I noted the sparse foot traffic and how quiet it seemed. There was no horn blowing.

A very very heavy security presence in and around the Port Authority.

Admission==>in my backpack was a week’s worth of my meds, including all of my eye drops.

Everything went OK, of course.

Had a great time with Scott. I like his new pad and ‘hood. We spent some time on the roof deck of his building and then he took me on a walking tour of his ‘hood.

We had a nice lunch/brunch at a Cobble Hill restaurant named Char No. 4.

I left Scott around 4:00pm and subwayed back to PHC in time to change clothes and then head down to the Gramercy area to meet my theater buddy Dian Crystal for our entertainment event for the evening, which was ...

A BLUE SKY LIKE NO OTHER. This was a tribute to the fallen fire department reponders, told from the perspective of the performer, whose office was located several blocks South of The World Trade Center.

It was poignant and very well performed. Thanks Dian for the invite.

When the show was over we had a great meal at Mollys Pub, a Gramercy area staple.

When I left the Port Authority around 10:30pm I was again struck at how quiet it was and that a somber feeling was still everywhere. Trust me ... I am trying not to be overly dramatic ... this is just how I felt it was.

I have to admit that I was pretty tired when I crashed last night at the usual 2:00am. It certainly helped that I was able to spend the day with friends who also shared my sadness and latent anger over the tragedy of 9/11/01 and its aftermath. Thanks Scott and Dian.

Also, thanks to everyone for all of the emails, texts and posts regarding my 9/11/01 email posting. Frankly, I was amazed at the number of responses and page views I got.

OK, folks ... now it is time for Billi Pod to move on to other things and stuff ... like ...

Billi Pod’s report cards on shows he saw for his entertainment doubleheader on Saturday night ...

SWEET AND SAD==>B<==would have gotten a higher grade except for the staging that had the actors speaking important dialogue while their backs were turned to large portions of the audience. It is staged in the 3/4s round (if that makes any sense to you). I was on the side only 3 rows back and I had difficulty hearing. I wasn’t the only one having problems because I was privy to a lot of bitching after the show.

Also, It is almost 2 hours without intermission. I agree with the lack of intermission, but it needs to be cut back to not more than 1:45.

Then later that night was ...

SILENCE! THE MUSICAL==>A+<==it was as raunchy, campy and profane as advertised, and then some. OMFG!

I can’t remember having as much fun at a show. The sold-out house was roaring from beginning to end. I mean, what’s not to like in a show that has Hannibal Lecter singing the following wistful ballad as he thinks about Agent Starling ... PROFANITY ALERT! PROFANITY ALERT! DO NOT READ THE FOLLOWING IF YOU ARE PRUDISH AND/OR OVERLY SENSITIVE ....

“If I Could Smell Her Cunt.”

Yes, my loyal and faithful readers out there in the vast hinterlands, that is the correct title of the ballad and it pretty much reflects the theme of the show.

I loved it. Will see it again and Billi Pod highly recommends it if, and only if, you are in the mood to laugh and laugh and gasp and then laugh some more.

You are welcum!!

Moving on ... yes ... yes ... I know ... many of you are wondering about the lack of postings regarding The Yankees.

Well, Billi Pod has no excuse ... he just hasn’t felt in the mood to opine on their lackluster performances on this critical road trip.

They lost 4 straight games they should/ have could/have won. In doing so they lost an opportunity to effectively bury The Boston FuckSox, who are on a 5-game losing streak.

The main problem has been a lack of clutch hitting from their injury depleted roster. Yes, we do lead the AL East by 3 1/2 games (4 in the loss column) over the FuckSox, but ... folks ... we got lots of problems, with the age of our starting lineup beginning to take its toll.

The FuckSox have a lot to worry about too since they now lead Tampa Bay in the Wild Card race by only 3 1/2 games.

Tonight The Yankees begin a 3 game series in Seattle and Phil Hughes will be on the mound for the Bronx Bombers.

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

8:00==>FOURTEEN FLIGHTS - “Two commercial pilots are on the brink of madness.” (Off Broadway - $9.00 TDF ticket)

This show is part of the Fringe Festival Encore Series. I know ... it does sound kinda iffy, doesn't it.

Billi Pod will close this overly long posting with ...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO==>ALEX FALLETTA aka Army Guy. This is #31. We love you. Be safe.

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-19

Billi Pod Is Back In His Theater Modality

First ... a big TGIF shout out to all of my Worker Bee friends out there in the vast hinterlands. Have an awesome weekend!!

Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s THE SUBMISSION==>B+<==excellent acting from a stellar cast headed by Jonathan Groff.

A very thought-provoking story line weaving racial bias and sexual preferences into our everyday psyche and perceptions of other people.

My major criticism is that there was way-too-much shouting/screaming and obviously forced anger. This was the first preview performance and the show, at 1:45 without intermission, needs trimming.

This was Billi Pod’s first theater event in ... gasp ... 8 days/nights and ... man ... did it feel great to just be there.

Bottom line==>Billi Pod says see it.

Yesterday afternoon the Yankees lost to The Orioles 5-4 in 10 innings, in Baltimore, a makeup game. Basically the bullpen sucked, blowing a 3 run lead.

This means that we lost two consecutive extra innings games to the last place Birds ... not good.

Tonight @ 10:05pm (EST)==>YANKEES vs. LA ANGELS.

This is the first game of a 9-game road trip. Bartolo Colon will be on the mound versus their ace Jered Weaver.

The Bronx Bombers still lead The Boston FuckSox by 2 1/2 games in the AL East.

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

8:00==>THE WORLD IS MY CHEESECAKE - “7 short plays that blend the surreal, the absurd and the outlandish with biting social commentary for a funny, moving and thought-provoking evening of theatre.” (Off Broadway - $9.00 TDF ticket)

Yeah, this is what I need for tonight.

Now some miscellaneous things and stuff ...

On Saturday I have a night doubleheader, a show at 7:30pm and then one at 10:30pm. I will post the details about this tomorrow.

Tomorrow I will also post the details of what Billi Pod will be doing on Sunday, September 11, 2011.

In summary, he will have brunch in Brooklyn with John Scott Reed and then a concert in the evening with Dian Crystal. Meaning, yes ... Billi Pod will follow his usual routine on this date, including riding the subways.

The details for Sunday’s activities will be posted on Saturday because on early 9/11/11 I will post unedited copies of emails that I wrote to family and friends on September 11, 12 @ 19, 2001. Nothing else will be posted on that day, either to my blog or on my FaceBook Wall.

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-16

We Must Never Forget September 11, 2001

We must never ever forget what happened to This Great Nation on September 11, 2001, a day filled with loss, fear and anger.

I want to post two emails (unedited) that I sent to friends and family back then, one around noon on 9/11/01 and the other on the next day:

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

Subject: September 11 - I am OK - NYC Under Siege

Date: Tuesday, September 11, 2001 @ 12:07PM

From: Wanjr

To: Internet and Snail Mail List

Hi:

Thanks for the emails. I am OK.

NYC is presently in an under-siege mode. I have just gotten back from the grocery store to put in supplies. It reminds me of Fla. just after a hurricane warning. On the corner of 51st and 2nd Ave. looking south you can see the dense smoke downtown. All mass transit is shut down. Manhattan is isolated now, no transportation in or out of the city. A steady stream of people walking uptown. It is scary and very emotional out on the street. Not sure how long my internet connection will stay up. On the TV they just announced that the police now want to clear the streets in Manhattan.

You know, I feel personally violated and very emotional about this whole thing right now - will keep you all advised.

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

Subject: September 12 - Thank You Dear Friends

Date: Wednesday, September 12, 2001 @ 02:09PM

From: Wanjr

To: Internet and Snail Mail List

My dear friends:

The email and calls have helped me during a most difficult time - thank you my dear friends.

Like hundreds and thousands of New Yorkers I went to bed very late last night and awoke this morning very early. When I opened the door to get the 3 daily newspapers there was nothing so I dressed and went to the newsstand and only The Post and The Daily News were available - no New York Times. At 7:30am very few people were on the streets and there was almost no traffic. Was able to get a Post and a News, but no Times.

I feel very very unsettled and more emotional than I expected I would be, partly, I think, because I had such a link with the World Trade Center area. As many of you know, the beginning of the Norris Downtown Tour is the World Trade Center and its outside plaza. On Tuesdays the 1/2 TKTS booth offers advance tickets to Wednesday matinees and I had planned to go down there later in the day to get a matinee ticket, but I wouldn't have been there until noon or later.

I can understand the concept of the buildings being damaged, but the fact that they no longer exist is beyond my comprehension.

I felt so restless that I just had to get out of the apartment so I decided that I would take the subway up to Yankee stadium to swap my last night game ticket for the game tonight. It would be something to do, a distraction perhaps. The streets in the neighborhood were still virtually empty. On the way to the subway entrance you pass a Fire Department station and as I was walking past I observed groups of fireman still in dust covered gear washing each other with fire hoses. Their trucks and other equipment were covered with dust and soot. According to TV reports the fire department sustained major casualties yesterday when the buildings collapsed. I got tears in my eyes as I walked past and then I turned around and hollered ..... God bless you guys .... and several guys waved back. I cried and I am not ashamed to admit it.

I collected myself and got on the train. The subway was about 25% full. No one, and I mean no one, was talking even those who were traveling with someone. When I got to Yankee Stadium none of the businesses that border the stadium were open. The stadium was cordoned off with yellow tape and there was a very visible police presence. I asked the police officers about tonight's game and they said that the remaining games for the week had been canceled. I am not surprised. I came back to the apartment and the subways downtown were the same as the uptown ones with the exception that almost everyone was reading either the Post or the News - still no sign of The Times.

Reading between the lines from all of the local coverage I believe that the final death toll will be horrific. The scope of the physical damage is beyond description, the most often used phrase is ...... this looks like a war zone.

I don't know why I am writing this or even if I will send it.

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

We must never ever forget 9/11/01

Bill

We Must Not Forget September 11, 2001

I have pretty much been in a funk for most of the day, something that has happened on each September 11th since 2001. Just got through watching a special 2 hour program on MSNBC that basically covered the tragedy as it was developing. It was so eerie and it brought back memories and feelings I thought I had stowed away.

I want to post two emails that I sent to friends and family back then, one around noon on 9/11 and the other on the next day:
-------------------------------------
Subject: September 11 - I am OK - NYC Under Siege
Date: Tuesday, September 11, 2001 @ 12:07PM
From: Wanjr
To: Internet and Snail Mail List

Hi:

Thanks for the emails. I am OK.

NYC is presently in an under-siege mode. I have just gotten back from the grocery store to put in supplies. It reminds me of Fla. just after a hurricane warning. On the corner of 51st and 2nd Ave. looking south you can see the dense smoke downtown. All mass transit is shut down. Manhattan is isolated now, no transportation in or out of the city. A steady stream of people walking uptown. It is scary and very emotional out on the street. Not sure how long my internet connection will stay up. On the TV they just announced that the police now want to clear the streets in Manhattan.

You know, I feel personally violated and very emotional about this whole thing right now - will keep you all advised.
-------------------------------------
Subject: September 12 - Thank You Dear Friends
Date: Wednesday, September 12, 2001 @ 02:09PM
From: Wanjr
To: Internet and Snail Mail List

My dear friends:

The email and calls have helped me during a most difficult time - thank you my dear friends.

Like hundreds and thousands of New Yorkers I went to bed very late last night and awoke this morning very early. When I opened the door to get the 3 daily newspapers there was nothing so I dressed and went to the newsstand and only The Post and The Daily News were available - no New York Times. At 7:30am very few people were on the streets and there was almost no traffic. Was able to get a Post and a News, but no Times.

I feel very very unsettled and more emotional than I expected I would be, partly, I think, because I had such a link with the World Trade Center area. As many of you know, the beginning of the Norris Downtown Tour is the World Trade Center and its outside plaza. On Tuesdays the 1/2 TKTS booth offers advance tickets to Wednesday matinees and I had planned to go down there later in the day to get a matinee ticket, but I wouldn't have been there until noon or later.

I can understand the concept of the buildings being damaged, but the fact that they no longer exist is beyond my comprehension.

I felt so restless that I just had to get out of the apartment so I decided that I would take the subway up to Yankee stadium to swap my last night game ticket for the game tonight. It would be something to do, a distraction perhaps. The streets in the neighborhood were still virtually empty. On the way to the subway entrance you pass a Fire Department station and as I was walking past I observed groups of fireman still in dust covered gear washing each other with fire hoses. Their trucks and other equipment were covered with dust and soot. According to TV reports the fire department sustained major casualties yesterday when the buildings collapsed. I got tears in my eyes as I walked past and then I turned around and hollered ..... God bless you guys .... and several guys waved back. I cried and I am not ashamed to admit it.

I collected myself and got on the train. The subway was about 25% full. No one, and I mean no one, was talking even those who were traveling with someone. When I got to Yankee Stadium none of the businesses that border the stadium were open. The stadium was cordoned off with yellow tape and there was a very visible police presence. I asked the police officers about tonight's game and they said that the remaining games for the week had been canceled. I am not surprised. I came back to the apartment and the subways downtown were the same as the uptown ones with the exception that almost everyone was reading either the Post or the News - still no sign of The Times.

Reading between the lines from all of the local coverage I believe that the final death toll will be horrific. The scope of the physical damage is beyond description, the most often used phrase is ...... this looks like a war zone.

I don't know why I am writing this or even if I will send it.
------------------------------------------------

We must never ever forget 9/11/01

Bill
wanjr@aol.com