1/1/12==>HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Good morning my loyal and faithful readers.

HAPPY 2012!!

It is a bright, brisk and beautiful morning in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. It was 43º @ 8:30am. What a wonderful way to begin 2012.

Billi Pod is happy to report that yesterday’s doubleheader was everything that he had hoped it would be, starting with ...

2:00==>LYSISTRATA JONES - “A musical about Lyssie J. and her girl-power posse who won’t “give it up” to their basketball playing boyfriends until the boys win a game.”

Billi Pod’s second report card==>A.

Yes, the cast was still as vibrant as they were when I saw the show in early previews. This show is what it is ... a lot of fun with a mega-talented and energetic cast giving 110% to put smiles on the faces of their audience members.

Everyone around me seemed to be having a ball. I am just sorry that the show hasn’t created the buzz necessary to remain open during the dreaded months of January and February. It seems to me that the show would really fit into one of the larger Off-Broadway spaces at New World Stages, joining Broadway transfers AVENUE Q, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, and RENT.

Oh well ... ain't nothing I can do about it, is there ... so ...

And then for the evening was ...

8:00==>NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA @ Avery Fisher Hall - New Year’s Eve Gala.

The house was soldout and the program was carried live on PBS stations nationwide.

The highlight’s of the evening, for me, came in the second act, starting with Bernstein’s “Symphonic Dances from West Side Story.” It was divinely beautiful and brought back so many fond memories. Earlier in this blog I had posted about how lucky I was to have been present at a pre-Broadway out-of-town performance of WEST SIDE STORY in Washington, DC, in 1957. I still consider this to be my No. 1 theatre experience of all times.

The audience gave the performance a roaring ovation ... but ... things got even better with the final number of the evening, which was Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” performed by pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet. OMFG!! It was beautiful and the audience gave the performer and the orchestra a well deserved and earned roaring standing ovation.

What a wonderful way to say hello to 2012.

The concert was over at 10:00 and I left with a smile on my face. I headed back to The Port Authority on the 1 train, which was packed with revelers, many already blitzed, heading to Times Square.

When I got off the subway and exited onto 42nd Street the crowd had already begun to gather even though this spot was blocks from the ball dropping site, which wasn’t visible. The police presence was everywhere and they didn’t appear to be too happy.

Anyway ... it was 10:30 when I opened the door to PHC. The party was already underway in PHB, the 2 BR apartment next door. The nice asian guys who live there had made a special effort, earlier, to invite me to attend but I had politely declined.

My plans had been to grill one of the awesome Allen Brothers steaks, along with a baked potato and grilled onions, but I just wasn’t that hungry, so instead I fixed an awesome salad and settled in for the final countdown.

At midnight I said “good-riddance” to 2011 and fell to my knees to thank my Higher Power for allowing me to welcome in 2012.

Then ... Billi Pod officially celebrated 2012 with a toast with his favorite libation==>Fresca.

Yes, in all honesty I can say that 2012 is already shaping up to be an interesting and eventful year.

It was around 2:15am when I finally crashed, thus ending a remarkably good day.

What about today you are no doubt breathlessly asking?

Well, my loyal and faithful readers ... in the name of fair and unbiased reporting Billi Pod will have to admit/confess that he has deliberately planned to be a 100% pro-football couch-potato today/tonight. Yes, it will be ...

1:00pm - JETS/DOLPHINS (a must-win for The Jets)

4:15pm - BRONCOS/CHIEFS (Go Timmy!!)

8:15pm - GIANTS/COWBOYS (Loser goes home with heads down - season over)

OK ... OK ... it is all right with Billi Pod if you want to be judgmental ... that is your prerogative as my loyal and faithful readers out there in the vast hinterlands ... because ... I acknowledge that ...

I report - you decide.

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-130

It Is ALL Done!!

Well, everyone out there in cyberspace, Billi Pod is happy to report that except for getting his butt down to Columbia, SC, on Thursday, December 22nd, everything that needed to be done for his Christmas has now been done.

Yes==>the carryon suitcase has been purchased; the cards with gratuities for the building staff have been delivered to the Super for distribution; all the gifts that needed to be mailed are in the hands of the Postal Service; the remaining gifts will easily fit (unwrapped) into the new carryon; transportation via car service to Laguardia has been booked; laundry is in the hands of the building valet service; the annual beloved “Condom on the Sleeve” story is ready for posting, probably tomorrow; entertainment events for every day/night between now and the departure date have been booked; and, the long-range weather forecast for here and Columbia is satisfactory.

Only downside is the fact that it is cold and windy right now and my nose is still running. Despite this, Billi Pod feels good and is definitely now in a Holiday Mood.

Tonight’s entertainment event is ...

8:30==>KISSING SID JAMES - “Eddie and Crystal - two lonely hearts - throw caution to the wind and decide to spend a festive weekend together in an English seaside town. Hoping to find love amongst warm beer and cold chips, the mismatched lovers fight to find some common ground. But should Eddie have stayed at home to play scrabble with his mum?” (Off Broadway - discounted TDF ticket)

This is playing at the 59th Street Theatre complex and is part of their Brits Off Broadway series.

Tomorrow is going to be a major entertainment day/night. In the afternoon I am seeing THE VIENNA BOYS CHOIR at Carnegie Hall and then for the evening is a new Broadway show in very early previews called THE ROAD TO MECCA. More details will be in tomorrow’s posting.

Unfortunately tomorrow’s Broncos/Patriots game is not being carried locally. The Patriots are favored by 7 1/2 points. We will see about that.

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-115

It Was Great Being With John Scott Reed Last Night

Good morning everyone out there in the hinterlands.

It is bright and cold in The Big Apple, The Greatest City in The World==>36º @ 8:30am.

Had a great dinner last night with John Scott Reed @ Southern Hospitality, a restaurant in da ‘hood. The food was excellent and there was plenty of it, too.

I had a pulled-chicken platter (yummy) and Scott had fried chicken.

We did a lot of catching up. Scott has tons of stuff going on in his life right now and that is putting it mildly. And ...

On Friday he leaves The Big Apple to begin an awesome two week family-based holiday adventure that will take him to ...

Birmingham, AL;

Muscle Shoals, AL;

New Smyrna Beach, FL; and then ... gasp ...

Deer Creek, TX.

For your information==>Deer Creek, TX, is in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

Wow!!

All Billi Pod can say is==>May The Force Be With You, Fabson!!

Did most of my errands yesterday, including some Christmas stuff, too. How ‘bout dat!!

Have a dentist appointment at 5:00pm (yes, that is the correct time) this afternoon for basically some repair and cosmetic stuff. God, I can already feel my anxiety level beginning to rise ...

Anyway ... assuming everything goes OK with my dentist, then for this evening is ...

7:30==>NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA @ Avery Fisher Hall - “Handel’s ‘Messiah’ performed with the Westminster Symphonic Chorus.” (subscription series).

This is, of course, a holiday tradition for Billi Pod.

Speaking of “holiday traditions” - just got the Happy Holiday card from the building staff, a kinda gentle “reminder” of the upcoming holidays ... hint ... hint ... hint. In this 41 story high-rise apartment building we have ...

Superintendent - 1

Concierge/Doormen - 7

Porters - 4

Handyman - 1

Part-Time - 2

That’s a total of 15 staff-members. In NYC the “expected” range for annual gratuities is $50-$100, so do the math.

Yeah, I know, but it is one of the expectations for living in a full-service building like 420 W. 42nd Street.

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-111

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

Thanksgiving Dinner Was Great!!

Happy Black Friday to everyone out there in the hinterlands and vast wasteland known as cyberspace.

Yes, I know that there are a lot of bargains offered today at stores everywhere ... but ... folks ... isn’t it sick to spend the night in front of a BestBuy or WalMart or KMart to make it inside when they open at 6:00am, or whenever?

Yes it is, especially when many of the same bargains will be offered online on Cyber Monday.

Billi Pod has many vices, but ... Thank God==>shopping ain’t one of them.

Anyway ...

Had a great time yesterday with my AA buds and their families at an awesome Thanksgiving Dinner hosted in a very posh Upper Westside apartment.

Holidays are often very difficult times for people in recovery, even those of us who are blessed with long-term sobriety. We had a great time sharing our experience, strength and hope in a non-stressfull fellowship environment, bolstered by an ton of excellent food.

As I wrote yesterday, everyone had previously agreed to be cell-phone-less for the whole time ... and ... we were ...

Yep, Billi Pod was disconnected for almost 4 hours and he survived.

It was a bit after 5:00pm when I got back to PHC. Had thought about seeing a movie, but instead I just settled in to watch football and that was OK. The Texas/Texas A&M game was very interesting and exciting to watch.

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

8:00==>THE BLUE FLOWER - “This musical, spanning two continents and half a century, explores the romantic and tumultuous relationships between four young friends – three artists and a scientist – as they create a world of art, revolution and passion amidst the turbulence and destruction of the World Wars.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show was received very mixed reviews, more often than not falling into the “love-it" or "hate-it” category.

I have avoided seeing it but when one of my theater buddies, whose judgment I trust, said it was worth seeing I decided to give it a shot. I think that it closes on Sunday.

The countdown to the GATORS/HALF ASS U game on Saturday has begun and, as I have posted several times, Billi Pod has a very bad feeling in his gut about this game.

On Saturday I am having an early dinner with my dear friends David Huddleston and his wife Sarah Koeppe at Sardi’s, so I will probably miss the first quarter of the game. I will, however, come back to PHC and witness the rest of what could be an ass-whipping.

Oh, and on the topic of football ... please explain to me how Urban Meyer, who was too fragile to remain the head coach of The Gators, is now, less than a year away from his “medical” retirement, on the brink of signing-on to coach at Ohio State, a program that has a bucket-load of problems, to put it mildly?

WTF Urban==>we have a coach who resigns because of his health, returns because he has discovered balance in his life, then resigns because of his health. Now, he has rediscovered his health/balance and wants to sign with Ohio State?

WTF Urban==>this fails the smell test big time.

Anyway ...

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-93

1/1/11==>HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Good morning my loyal and faithful readers. It is a bright, brisk and beautiful morning in The Big Apple, The Greatest City in The World. What a wonderful way to begin 2011.

Last night’s NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC concert was excellent and Lang Lang was awesome, as usual. The house was sold-out. What a great way to end 2010.

Tiny snafu (when is the last time you saw that word?) after the concert. What, you are no doubt breathlessly asking? Well, coming back from Lincoln Center I take the 1 train one stop to Columbus Circle and then transfer to either the A or C train, whichever comes first. Done it thousands of times. Last night I guess my mind was wandering a bit because I inadvertently got on a D train and didn’t realize it for 2 stops. No problem since I knew what I had to do, but the train service was very slow (as was expected) so I got back to PHC around 11:00, rather than 10:00. Because I was so late I opted to postpone grilling the steak until tonight.

Actually it wasn't much of a problem because I watched the ball drop on TV in my warm and cozy 41st floor apartment, toasting the arrival of the New Year with a Fresca.

Today-1:00pm==>Gators vs Penn State in the Outhouse Bowl (oooops sorry, I meant Outback Bowl) on ABC.

Please guys, don’t embarrass your loyal and faithful fans again on national TV.

After the game Billi Pod will spend the rest of afternoon/evening watching football in a total couch-potato mode. I will also work on the stats for December and for the year and on my 2011 To-Do List.

Musings from THE MIND OF BILLI POD (a memoir in progress):

“No one ever returns calcified corn husks.”

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.”

Billi Pod Says==>HAPPY NEW YEAR’S EVE!!!

Happy New Year’s Eve to each and everyone!!!!

In response to your emails and texts ... no, Billi Pod will not be in Times Square tonight for the dropping of the ball, saying good riddance to 2010 and ushering in 2011 - been there done that. Instead ...

8:00==>NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC @ Lincoln Center - New Year’s Eve Gala - featuring pianist Lang Lang - works by Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1; Polonaise from Eugene Onegin; and The Nutcracker, Act II. It will be broadcast live on PBS.

I have done this event for the past 6 years and it has always been a very enjoyable evening.

When the concert is over I will come back to warm and cozy PHC, grill a steak (with baked potato and grilled onions), watch everything on the tube and then toast the New Year with my favorite libation==>Fresca.

Billi Pod’s report card of GULLIVER’S TRAVELS 3D==>C<==actually pretty disappointing and this comes from a mega-Jack Black fan. It simply is not very funny and 3D added nothing. Sorry folks, but you have to man-up when your mantra is fair and unbiased reporting.

Some other things and stuff ...

In Thursday’s New York Times was an article called: “The 110 Things New Yorkers Talked About in 2010.” To give you a flavor, this is their first 5:

1. Bedbugs.

2. Pee-wee Herman’s comeback.

3. Larry King’s farewell.

4. The best campaign slogan of 2010: “I am not a witch.”

5. Ricky Martin comes out.

Well, my loyal and faithful readers, as much as Billi Pod admires The New York Times, in this instance they are 110% wrong because the truth is, there are only 5 things real New Yorkers ever talk about, and they are:

1. How much better New York used to be.

2. How much better New York is than anywhere else.

3. Rent.

4. Food.

5. Yankees vs. Mets.

You are so very welcum.

One more observation==>The State of Florida is the college football mecca because 6 state colleges received invitations to play in Bowl games (albeit all could be classified as Toilet Bowls): Florida International; Central Florida; South Florida; Miami; FSU; and U. of Florida.

So, my loyal and faithful readers, this will be the last communication for 2010, so let Billi Pod close with ...

Musings from THE MIND OF BILLI POD (a memoir in progress):

“Meaning bush when you say Busch is bushwhacky.”

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.”

Billi Pod Says==>Oh The Drama!!

Good morning my loyal and faithful readers from the still frigid Big Apple.

Progress has been made snowplow-wise but the anger in the outer boroughs is still bubbling and the papers have been relentless in their criticism of Mayor Mike and the Sanitation Workers Union.

Why the union? Well, stories are circulating that they staged a slowdown in protest of the massive job cuts earlier in the year. Oh the drama.

I also understand that the airports are still jammed and that there has been up to 3.5 hour waits at JFK for a cab into the city. Oh the drama.

Anyway, this is Billi Pod’s report card on the NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC concert==>A<==a revised program because of rehearsal cancellations due to the blizzard.

A wonderful evening, ending with Ravel’s Bolero, which got a roaring standing ovation.

At the moment Billi Pod has nothing scheduled entertainment-wise for today. Unless something shows up on one of his ticket services he will catch a movie - GULLIVER’S TRAVELS 3D - “Travel writer Lemuel Gulliver takes an assignment in Bermuda, but ends up on the island of Liliput, where he towers over its tiny citizens.”

Yeah, I know that it has been almost universally panned by the critics, but I like Jack Black, so ... screw the critics.

Before closing I want to respond to a recent comment on this blog asking what “PHC” means ...

Billi Pod lives in a 1 bedroom apartment in a high-rise rental apartment building on West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues. The top floor is 41 flights up and is designated the “Penthouse Floor.” Billi Pod is in unit C, so ... tada ... PHC is apartment C on the “Penthouse Floor” with awesome northern views of Hell’s Kitchen.

So, in closing, my loyal and faithful readers, we will have ...

Musings from THE MIND OF BILLI POD (a memoir in progress):

“A Bear is barely naked”

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.”

Billi Pod Is Back In The Big Apple==>WHEW!!

Oh the drama and the nail-biting times leading up to Billi Pod’s successful return to The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

I spent most of the day and evening yesterday trying to access the Delta website to checkin for my “confirmed” 6:05am flight this morning and to get a seat assignment. Man, was it frustrating because the site was obviously overloaded and it just didn’t work. I even had the help of my trusted Travel Agent, Blanche Bryant, but she was unable to gain access even though she tried until her 11:00pm bedtime. Thanks, Blanche, you are indeed a professional and a friend.

Finally around 1:30am I was able to checkin but was unable to get a seat assignment. Was advised that I would have to see an agent at the airport.

Finished packing and got about 90 minutes of sleep. When I woke up I checked the flight status and it was a go for the scheduled 6:05am departure. At 4:15am son-in-law Dr. John drove me to the airport, only about a 15 minute trip at this time of the morning. Thank you Dr. John!!

I wasn’t surprised that there were already lines at the Delta checkin area but it didn’t bother me because all I had to do was print out my boarding pass and baggage ticket at one of the self-serve kiosks - no problemo, right? WRONG!! None of the machines were working, none of them, so everyone had to check in with a live (and obviously stressed-out) agent.

Nothing I could do about it and, fortunately (ahem Dr. John) I had gotten there a bit early. When I was finally checked-in I wasn’t given a boarding pass with a seat assignment, rather, it was called a “seat assignment request” to be given to the agent at the gate. OMFG!!!

This made my heart begin to pump. Had no problem clearing security although the lines were again long. Was at the gate at 5:00am. When I presented my “seat assignment request” to the agent she told me that she hadn’t figured out yet what to do with the 9 of us who were booked on this flight following yesterday’s cancellation and would I ... “like to volunteer for a later flight?” I told her no and then she said she would get back with us once the boarding process began. Now my heart was really pounding. But, nothing I could do about it.

Well, let me make this a bit shorter ... in summary, all of us were given seats and I had an excellent one, 1A. The plane was full, of course. We were delayed in taking off in order to de-ice but were airborne at 6:40am.

The flight up was uneventful and we made-up time. As we were approaching the New York area we could see the results of the blizzard.

We touched down at LGA at 8:10am, or only 15 minutes past our scheduled arrival time. Man, LGA is still covered with snow as the picture taken from my window shows.

The terminal was packed. Picked up my duffle and got in line to catch the next “express” bus into the city, with stops at Grand Central Station and then Port Authority Bus Terminal, which is only 1.5 blocks from my building. It is not a bad deal at only $10.00. The lines for cabs were unbelievably long and out in the blowing cold. I was on the bus at 9:20am.

Well, my loyal and faithful readers, in the name of fair and unbiased reporting I have to state that from this point it took as long for me to get to PHC as it had for me to fly from Columbia to LaGuardia. The Delta terminal was the first pickup and we had 4 more and that took forever. Then when we finally were headed into the city the traffic was very heavy and very slow moving, but, honestly, I was expecting that, so ... I just sorta relaxed.

Then came the killer -- when we finally got to Grand Central the driver announced that this would be the last stop for this bus, that the dozen or so of us headed to The Port Authority would have to wait for a shuttle bus. Man, everyone was really angry, including moi. Lots of cussing and yelling, to put it mildly. We huddled together in the freezing cold. No one would tell us how long we would have to wait for the next shuttle bus to arrive.

At this point Billi Pod said Fuck It and went out to 42nd Street and hailed a cab, which cost an additional $9 with tip.

Anyways ... it was 10:51am when I opened the door to PHC. I silently thanked my Higher Power for bringing me back to The Big Apple.

Was hungry, tired and just a bit out of synch. Unpacked, checked the mail, paid the last of the first of the month bills and then went to the grocery store for fruit and stuff. Man, it was/is very treacherous walking in the snow, ice and slush, especially at the crosswalks. I was very very careful.

Bottom-line==>Billi Pod had an awesome time in Columbia with family: Kathi and John, Bill, and Alex and Gina.

A special shout-out to Kathi for hanging-in-there despite some major pain and discomfort from her slip and fall on Thursday.

Now Billi Pod can return to his Big Apple life-style, despite the nasty weather, so he will end this much-too-long posting with the highly anticipated ...

Musings from THE MIND OF BILLI POD (a memoir in progress):

“A platypus never puts the seat down.”

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.”