Worker Bees Head Back to Work - Yesterday’s Doubleheader Report ...

It was another bright and cold morning in the Big Apple==>28º @ 8:30am as all of my Worker Bee friends began their lemming-like treks back to their cubicles, offices, wait-stations etc. OK ... guys, gals and whatevers ... your weekend is over ... so get back to work ... and stop the whining ... just get on with it ...

As I am writing this posting it is 2:00pm and the weather has warmed up a bit to 39º but the high is predicted to only reach 40º. I have spent most of the morning and early afternoon doing my usual errands and stuff and, trust me, it is really windy and cold in Hell’s Kitchen.

OK ... enough with the weather ... let’s move on to more important stuff ... like ... Billi Pod’s Sunday doubleheader. I know you loyal and faithful readers out there in the hinterlands and boondocks are dying to know if Sunday’s doubleheader was better than Saturday’s so-so doubleheader.

Well ... Billi Pod is happy to report that Sunday’s doubleheader was totally AWESOME!! So ... let’s begin with the first entertainment event ... which was ...

THE NAVIGATOR, about a man whose GPS starts giving him 100% correct advice on his life-issues and future==>A.

The show was very funny and also thought-provoking once you buy into the concept that maybe being “right” all the time isn’t necessarily everything one imagines or wants it to be. It was very well acted.

The show runs until the end of the month so Billi Pod says==>see it!

The running time for the show was 75 minutes so when it was over I braved the bitter cold and came on back to PHC for my usual fruit and cheese snack and then headed back to the same complex for my second doubleheader event, which was ...

THE THREEPENNY OPERA - “The 1920s Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht classic about Mack the Knife==>A.

WOW!! The incredibly talented cast made the 3 hour running time fly by. In today’s times the show is still very politically incorrect so I can only imagine what the reaction was when it originally opened in the mid-1920s.

The house was virtually sold-out and few, if anyone, left at the only intermission. The show runs through Feb. 29th and Billi Pod says==>see it!!

Man, it was freezing cold on the way back home, about a 15 minute walk. Picked up a couple of slices. It was 11:30 when I opened the door to the warm and cozy confines of PHC, thus ending an awesome entertainment doubleheader. I couldn’t have planned it any better.

As I am writing this posting I am also on the phone with Telecharge trying to use my ticket exchange option to see tonight’s performance of RENT at New World Stages. My FaceBook friend Josh Grisetti is over his bout with the flu and has returned to the cast in the lead role of Mark.

Unfortunately there is a communication problem/issue between Telecharge and the New World Stages box office so I am not certain if things are gonna work out for tonight’s show.

If not, then I will head to one of the multiplex movie theaters in the ‘hood to finally see THE DESCENDANTS with George Clooney.

Wow!! The ticket exchange did indeed work out and I will be seeing RENT tonight at 8:00. AWESOME!!

For you new readers ... RENT is - “Returning to NYC after its groundbreaking 12-year Broadway run, RENT, set in NYC's East Village, is a modern take on the classic Puccini opera, La Boheme. It tells the unforgettable story of a group of young artists learning to survive, falling in love, finding their voices and living for today.”

Really charged about finally getting to see Josh and the new cast ...

I want to close this posting by sharing something that I posted almost two years ago about Timmy Tebow. This is verbatim from my posting on April 25, 2010 ...

“Oh, and congratulations to Timmy Tebow for being drafted by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the NFL Draft. Billi Pod’s prediction - give him 2 years and he will make all of the doubters and nay-sayers look like fools. Just remember where you read it first.”

Oh Yeah ... you are so very welcum ...

GO YANKEES AND GO GATORS AND GO TIMMY!!

Billi Pod

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

ALEX-174

Billi Pod Survived GOTTERDAMMERUNG!!

Billi Pod survived his opera evening, GOTTERDAMMERUNG @ Lincoln Center, last night, which began at 6:00pm and ended at 11:45pm. He was back at PHC at 12:15am.

As I had mentioned in earlier postings, there were two intermissions ... the first was 38 minutes and the second was 28 minutes. Actually, it felt good to have the opportunity to walk around a bit. It helped me keep focused.

I thought that the show was extremely well performed, particularly Deborah Voigt in the role of Bruunhilde. Her voice held up and she is actually both age and weight appropriate for the role, something that is often an issue with Billi Pod.

The tenor Jay Hunter Morris also gave an outstanding performance in the role of Seigfried, although he is a bit on the pudgy side, IMHO.

The Met orchestra brought out the beauty and might of Wagner’s complex score and the men’s chorus in Act II was outstanding.

I wasn’t blown away by the staging or the set, which consisted of 24 movable planks and computerized video. At least this production moved along without any glitches, which had been a problem earlier in the Cycle.

I think that I mentioned in an earlier posting that my full-price ticket was in the rear orchestra, house left.

When I finally got back to PHC I have to admit that I had a pretty good feeling about the evening and, yes, it was worth the price of the rather expensive ticket. Billi Pod did, however, acknowledge to his inner self that he will probably never ever see another production of GOTTERDAMMERUNG ... and that is OK.

Tonight’s entertainment event couldn’t be more different ...

7:30==>NAKED OLD MAN - “An eighty-two-year-old man, played by the wonderful David Margulies, invites three of his closest friends, all recently deceased, to spend the evening with him.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket).

I think the concept of this show is extremely interesting, don’t you, but ... please God ... don’t let there be any full-frontal nudity ... please ...

While we are talking about the theater ... I want to share a link with you for an article written by Michael Musto in The Village Voice ... if you are a theater-nut like moi most of the things mentioned in the article will certainly ring a bell ... so ... check it out ...

WHY I HATE THEATER! APPALLING!

http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-02-01/columns/why-i-hate-theater-mike-musto/

And, speaking of appalling ... the results of the Republican primary vote in Florida really stuck it to Newt, didn’t it? He should call it quits, but he ain’t gonna do it because of his oversized ego, among other reasons.

New York City is getting into a frenzy over The Super Bowl on Sunday. Really looking forward to it and it should be a nail-biter to the final whistle. I still believe The Giants are gonna win.

Oh ... Timmy Tebow is gonna be on Jimmy Fallon tonight for you loyal and faithful readers who either stay up late like moi ... or have TiVO.

GO YANKEES AND GO GATORS AND GO BIG BLUE!!

Billi Pod

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

ALEX-162

Billi Pod Says==>Happy Saturday Everyone!!

Happy Saturday to all of my loyal and faithful readers.

It was 29º @ 8:00am this morning in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World ... but you know what ... it was actually colder down in Atlanta.

While I haven’t been outside yet it appears as if the wind has died down and that makes all the difference in the world from where I live ... just blocks away from The Hudson River. The wind is like a knife coming off the river.

So ... why don’t we get right to the important things and stuff ... like ...

Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s first preview performance of INSTINCT, about four cohabiting epidemiologists fighting to contain a potentially devastating virus while trying to keep their personal relationships from unraveling==>C+.

You know, I really wanted to like it much better than I did but there was way-too-much yelling and screaming plus a mostly unbelievable story line that attempts to equate personal relationship problems with dealing with a potentially devastating SARS outbreak. Also, at least 10 minutes needs to be trimmed from the 90 minute running time.

The acting was adequate. It will be interesting to see what the critics ultimately say.

Today’s entertainment event is ...

3:00==>PERIOD OF ADJUSTMENT BY TENNESSEE WILLIAMS - “A comedy that tells the story of two marriages at points of acute crisis. One couple has just broken up after five years together. The other has not been able to come to terms in one day of wedlock. Both couples are going through a 'period of adjustment,' and the phrase is tinged with irony.” (Off Broadway - $9.00 TDF ticket).

Somehow I get the feeling that there will be a lot of anger, frustration and yelling since this is, after all, a Tennessee Williams creation. Yes ... I know ... it has the word “comedy” in the press blurb ... but we will see.

The nice thing is ... it is playing at a theater only 2 short blocks from PHC so I won’t have to worry about the cold weather.

As previously posted ... tonight Billi Pod will settle into the cozy and warm confines of PHC to watch the BRONCOS/PATRIOTS game at 8:00pm. The Patriots are favored by 13.5 points.

You know ... it is simply amazing to me what a lightening rod Timmy has become and how he has become, personally, the subject of so much media generated bile and hatred. For example, the internet is buzzing with postings about his sexuality, among other things.

All Billi Pod can say is==>HE STILL BELIEVES!!

BREAKING NEWS==>The Yankees made their first major move of the off-season, shipping rookie Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi to Seattle for right-hander Michael Pineda. They also signed former Dodgers right-hander Hiroki Kuroda.

This is a major boost to our pitching staff although Billi Pod is sorry that it required trading Montero, who had become a crowd favorite at the end of last season. Oh well ... that’s how it works in the major leagues.

OK ... let me close this posting with a heads-up reminder to you loyal and faithful readers==>SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE tonight at 11:30pm is gonna be hosted by Daniel Radcliffe, who has just finished his highly acclaimed run in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING.

I think this will fall into the “must-see” category so if you can’t stay awake ... then just TiVO it. It Is So Ordered!!

GO GINA! GO ARMY GUY!! GO SAYLOR!!!

Billi Pod

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

ALEX-144

Cough, Sneeze, Drip Drip==>DAMN!!

DAMN!! Had to leave FOLLIES last night at intermission due to sneezing, coughing and a runny nose.

The nasty stuff started just before I left PHC for the theater. I had stocked up on nose spray and cough drops just to be safe. My seat was in the very rear orchestra, row X, in the middle.

Once the show started my nose started running (actually draining is probably a better word) and I was fighting back the urge to both cough and sneeze. DAMN!! I didn’t want to be the old guy who keeps everyone around him from enjoying the show with all of his extraneous noise/sounds.

DAMN!! I found myself concentrating more on not coughing and/or sneezing than what was happening on stage. DAMN!!

At intermission Billi Pod faced up to it, returned his hearing device and headed back to PHC, coughing and sneezing the whole way. It wasn’t pleasant.

The show runs until January 22, 2012 and I am confident I will be able to score a TDF ticket before the run ends.

Went to bed much earlier than usual, 1:00am, feeling kinda sorry for myself.

When I woke up at 9:30am (1.5 hours later than usual) I felt blah, out of sorts and not in a good mood. Basically, right now I feel like shit.

Of course I have been taking my usual cold remedies: Echinacea & Goldseal and extra Vitamin C.

The good news, as you loyal and faithful readers know, Billi Pod usually has a quick recovery rate, meaning, a cold usually lasts only 3 days, rather than 5-7 for the rest of you out there in the vast hinterlands.

And further good news==>this will get my annual Winter cold out of the way before heading down to Columbia, SC, for Christmas with the family.

Oh ... yesterday afternoon’s staged reading of ==>BURLY-Q! A Gay Burlesque, was funny, profane and a lot of fun. It is what it is ... a work in progress. Glad I saw it.

Yes ... Billi Pod has an entertainment event scheduled for tonight, of course ...

8:00==>THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER - “Celebrated critic and radio personality Sheridan Whiteside slips on an icy doorstep while lecturing in Mesalia, Ohio. While recovering in the home of a utterly conventional family, he proceeds to turn the family's life inside out with his incessant demands, long-distance phone calls and parade of eccentric celebrity guests.” (Off Broadway - $9.00 TDF ticket)

This revival stars Jim Brochu who has outstanding as Zero Mostel in the critically acclaimed “Zero Hour.”

We will see how Billi Pod feels as show time arrives. It is playing at a theater just one block away and since he actually paid for the ticket ($9.00) he won’t get into any trouble if he skips the show.

Let me close this shorter posting with a link to a rather interesting article in today’s New York Post about Timmy Tebow --

"Serby’s exclusive Q&A with...Tim Tebow"

Click on the following link to read the story, it is worth it ...

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/serby_exclusive_with_tim_tebow_umO1GNRjsz53WWbzbQTZMN

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-113

An Awesome Holiday Music Doubleheader for Billi Pod

Good morning everyone out there in the hinterlands and in the wilderness known as cyberspace.

Billi Pod is happy to report to you loyal and faithful readers that yesterday’s music doubleheader was yet another awesome entertainment experience in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

It started in mid afternoon with The Principal Brass Quintet from The New York Philharmonic playing at Avery Fisher Hall. The Quintet joined forces with the jazz group, The Lee Musiker Trio, for 2 hours (including a 15 minute intermission) of holiday songs that put smiles on the faces of the sold-out audience.

This event has become a staple in Billi Pod’s holiday schedule and it again exceeded my expectations. I had a great mid-orchestra aisle seat.

When the performance was over I took the subway up to 96th Street for my next concert, the a cappella group THE VOICES OF GOTHAM, performing at Symphony Space @ 6:00pm. Had time for coffee and something sweet.

As I reported in yesterday’s posting, Doug Goodenough, the rental agent for 420 W. 42nd Street, is a member of the group. He also performed as part of a quartet known as The Flatiron Four.

It was a sublime evening of barbershop, doo wop, R&B and pop a cappella arrangements of mostly holiday related songs. The program was a bit over 2 hours with an intermission.

On the subway back to PHC many of the songs were still swirling in my head.

Folks, I just can’t adequately describe what a fulfilling day this was. It really put Billi Pod in a holiday mood and was yet another example of why he loves living in The Big Apple.

Today, being Monday, Billi Pod has errands and stuff to do, so this posting will be somewhat briefer (OK ... OK ... hold the applause ... don’t make me come over there and bitch-slap you ... Billi Pod knows who you are and where you live).

How ‘bout Timmy Tebow==> he does it again - he leads the Broncos to yet another come from behind win. BELIEVE!!

In today’s NY Daily News there is a terrific article from Mike Lupica titled ...

IT’S IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO BELIEVE IN TEBOW

The link to the article is --

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/denver-broncos-quarterback-tim-tebow-pulls-miracle-beats-chicago-bears-proves-good-guys-finish-article-1.990146

This evening will finally have some much needed face time with John Scott Reed. Our busy schedules have made it difficult to arrange anything. He will come over to PHC after work, we will do some catching up and then grab a bite at a restaurant in da ‘hood.

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-110