Billi Pod Says==>MONDAY SUCKS!!

Hello everyone out there in cyberspace

Yes ... Monday does indeed suck ... but ... Thank God it is finally above 32º in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

Billi Pod has tons of errands, things and stuff he has to do today ... the only problem ... it is gray, nasty and misting rain. Barf!!

It is supposed to be in the lower 50s later in the day ... we will see if that happens.

Really exciting football game last night, which, as you know, The Giants won in overtime and are on their way to Super Bowl 45 vs. The Patriots. Bring it on!!

These are the headlines in the local papers ...

“SUPER! - Giants outduel Niners, Pats next” - New York Post

“ONE MORE TYNES! - Giants boot Niners in OT, set up Super rematch with Pats” - The Daily News

“REMATCH - Giants and Patriots Win by a Foot and Will Reunite in the Super Bowl” - NY Times

Moving on ...

Billi Pod’s report card on yesterday afternoon’s THE FALL TO EARTH, about a mother and daughter who are trying to make sense out of their son’s/brother’s suicide==>B.

Yes ... the acting is excellent but this grade may be kinda generous because I really wanted to bitch-slap the ditzy mother character who is involved in some totally unreal scenes, including pinching a female police officer.

Interesting note - the audience was about 80% female-over-60.

Tonight’s entertainment event is ...

8:00==>YOU ONLY SHOOT THE ONES YOU LOVE - “A 75-minute solo show written and performed by Jeffrey Sweet that weaves an anecdotal history of improvisation and comedy in the 20th century, transporting us from Chicago to New York to Toronto to Russia to London and back again.” (Off Broadway - $9.00 TDF ticket).

This is playing down in The Village at The Barrow Street Theatre, and, yes ... I double checked the date, time and venue location ... if you read yesterday’s blog you will understand what this means. If not ... then go back and read it ... It Is So Ordered!!

Sad news about Joe Paterno. It is a shame that his legacy is now and forever tarnished. The Daily News had this headline that pretty much says it all ...

“SAD. OLD. BEATEN. BR0KEN. - The coach who won and lost it all”

And ... speaking of sad, old, beaten and broken ... the circus show known as The Republican Party moves on to Florida, a state known for its political manners and decorum, for the January 31st primary vote.

Yep ... Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert couldn’t have scripted it any better than this.

Well, my loyal and faithful readers, even though it is still nasty and ugly out at noon, Billi Pod has to brave the elements because he really has to do things and stuff now ...

Later!

Billi Pod

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

ALEX-153

Billi Pod Says==>Seeya Herman and Other Stuff Too ...

You know, Billi Pod takes his politics seriously, especially in today’s changing World ... but ... folks ... can there be anything funnier than the running soap opera known as the Republican Party?

As you know, Herman Cain is another “bye-bye everyone” joining Sarah Palin and others who have fallen ungracefully to the sidelines while seeking their party’s nomination.

The headlines in the local papers are pretty biting ...

“NO HERM DONE - Calamity Cain bows out of GOP race,” and

“IT’S NO ‘PAIGN, NO CAIN - Quits GOP prez race.” - New York Post

“NO CAIN DO - Sex scandals force Herman to bow out of GOP race,” and

“CAIN IS UNABLE: SEZ I QUIT PREZ CONTEST.” - Daily News

In The Gray Lady aka The New York Times there is a much more subdued headline ...

“A DEFIANT CAIN SUSPENDS HIS BID FOR PRESIDENT - Dogged by Accusations.” - NY Times

And, my loyal and faithful readers out there in the vast hinterlands, the current poll leader is that man known for his “family values”==>Newt Gingrich. Are you kidding me?

Where is Sarah Palin when her party needs her? Is she contemplating getting back into the race? Well, Billi Pod thinks==>you betcha she is. Just remember where you read it first.

Moving on ...

Yesterday was yet another awesome entertainment doubleheader for Billi Pod and here are his report cards ...

HAND TO GOD, about a boy whose hand puppet becomes possessed by the Devil==>A<==every bit as funny and profane as I expected it to be.

Loved it. It has tons of WTF and OMFG moments. The house was sold out and the audience was really into the show.

Interestingly, in the Arts and Leisure Section of today’s New York Times is a story about the show and the actor who plays the 15yr old boy. This coverage is gonna make this a “must-see” and a very hot ticket.

It has extended until December 18th, so see it if you can.

When the show was over I came back to PHC to watch the first half of the SEC Championship game between LSU and GEORGIA. As your know, for the first half the Bulldogs looked like they might be on the road to a stunning upset ... then ... in the second half the Tigers came roaring back, winning 42-10.

You know ... the amazing thing is that LSU had only a total of 30 yards passing. Wow!

LSU will play ‘BAMA in the BCS Championship Bowl on January 9, 2012. Billi Pod will be pulling for ‘Bama because his son Bill aka The Bill is a huge ‘Bama fan.

Moving on to the evening ...

ORPHEUS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA @ Carnegie Hall==>A<==incredible performances by world-renowned oboist Albrecht Mayer.

As I had anticipated my comp. seat was in the nosebleed section but it really wasn’t that bad. I was in the second row in the front of the Upper Balcony, center aisle seat. As I have opined numerous times, regardless of where you are in Carnegie Hall the sound is always awesome. The auditorium was full.

The only downside of the evening, at least for me, was a screeching atonal piece of crap called “Apart, Together” that had been commissioned by Orpheus. It was The World Premiere and it received a very tepid response from the audience, even when the young composer came on stage.

This afternoon I will stay in and watch Timmy Tebow and The Broncos kick Viking butt. This will be the first Broncos game carried locally so I am really looking forward to seeing Timmy.

Then for the evening is ...

7:30==>THE DOOR - “Two men wait in a room with only each other and a banging door for company. They talk, bicker, argue and joke. But these men are not strangers; they have history. Somebody died - but who was responsible?” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This is playing at the 59th Street Theatre complex, one of Billi Pod’s favorite venues.

I have just collected the entertainment stats for November 2011 and will post the awesome results tomorrow, so ... stay tuned.

Billi Pod

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

ALEX-102

NOVEMBER 4 2008 - AMERICA WINS!!

I was born in the deep south 74+ years ago and attended segregated schools. Fortunately the most influential person in my life, my mother, Ruby, was a progressive liberal in the truest sense of the word and as a result, I always thought of myself as being “color-blind” on the racial issue.

In my wildest dreams, however, I never imagined that a black man would be elected President of the United States of America, in my lifetime - no way could it happen.

At 11:00pm EST on Tuesday, November 4 2008, when all of the media declared that the President-elect was Barack Obama, I felt a wave of emotion I hadn’t expected and these emotions built until they reached a crescendo at midnight when the President-elect, his wife, and their two children, took the stage at Grant Park in Chicago. I was witnessing history in the making. I thought his remarks were right on, setting the proper tone for his upcoming administration.

A short time before, Sen. John McCain showed that he is indeed a classy man of character and integrity. I predict that Obama will reach out to McCain and ultimately he will become part of the Team for Change. Just remember where you heard it first.

I know that in the heavenly upstairs two of my dearest friends, Bill Mullon and Marvin Mounts, are smiling with Ruby.

The people have spoken. It is now time to begin the process of changing campaign rhetoric into action.

Mr. President-elect - the ball is now in your court.

Oh, I think I did a pretty good job in my predictions, especially calling the results in the swing states.

Billi Pod, a Proud American
wanjr@aol.com

Election Day Predictions

OK, my faithful and loyal readers, who span the voter demographics of this wonderful country of ours, the United States of America, your wait is now over. Yes, I have decided to post my predictions for the outcome of the election tomorrow.

So, without further ado or fanfare, here they are:

POPULAR VOTE:

Obama - 52%

McCain - 44%

Other - 4%

ELECTORAL COLLEGE:

Obama - 353

McCain - 227

In the so called “Battleground” states the results will be:

Ohio - Obama
Pennsylvania - Obama
Colorado - Obama
Nevada - Obama
Virginia - Obama
Iowa - Obama
Florida - Obama

Missouri - McCain
North Carolina - McCain

I also predict that the Democrats will add to their margins in both the House and the Senate but will fall just short in the Senate of reaching the so-called “filibuster-blocking” 60th seat.

In planning your evening on Tuesday - I also predict that the major news sources will begin calling the election in Obama’s favor between 11:30 and midnight. I have a show scheduled for Tuesday evening but will be back in the apartment around 10:30.

Am I correct? Who knows. These predictions do not necessarily represent my personal views because I remain committed to fair and unbiased reporting, so, “I report - you decide.”

Oh, a totally off-topic moment - yesterday was the running of the New York City Marathon. Did you know that Billi Pod ran in and successfully completed both the 1978 and 1979 New York Marathons? Well, I did and I have pictures to prove it. Of course I wasn’t known as Billi Pod back then. Just thought you might like to know this bit of biographical information.

Go Gators!!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Friday - Election Research - Part Two

Now, dear readers, this is the second piece of election research for your consideration, this time involving Barack Obama and a series of admissions he made during his recent campaign trip in the crucial swing-state of Florida.

I have no idea why it didn’t get major media coverage, well, yes, maybe I do know, but it is not my job to be judgmental - it is up to you to decide.

This is the report in its entirety --
===========================
‘I Would Make A Bad President,’ Obama Says In Huge Campaign Blunder.

TALLAHASSEE, FL -- In a campaign gaffe that could potentially jeopardize Sen. Barack Obama’s White House bid, the Democratic presidential nominee told nearly 8,000 supporters Tuesday that, if elected, he would make a terrible president.

The blunder, captured by all major media outlets, but for some reason not widely distributed, occurred when the typically polished Obama fielded a question about his health care policy. Obama answered by saying he would give small business owners a tax credit to help them provide health care for their employees, and then added, “Now, I’m not completely certain that my plan would work because, overall, I think I would make a bad president.”

According to sources, before those on hand could fully process what Obama had said, the Illinois senator continued to stumble, claiming that, were he to win the general election, he’d have absolutely no idea what to do.
“My youth and inexperience would definitely make me an awful president,” said Obama, whose seven-minute misstep was further exacerbated when he called himself ‘no expert’ on the economy, “To be perfectly honest, I'd be worried about putting me in charge of the most powerful military in the world because I’m not any good when it comes to making important decisions. Also, I'm not sure how much I care about keeping this great nation of ours safe.”

“I’m an indeed elitist, I hate Israel, and I want to lose the war in Iraq,” Obama concluded, and then, seemingly unaware of the magnitude of his blunder, smiled, gave a thumbs-up to the stunned crowd, and urged his supporters to get out and vote on Nov. 4.

Immediately following the speech, Obama campaign officials released a written statement alleging that their candidate’s comments had been taken out of context. In addition, Obama’s top adviser David Axelrod claimed that the senator was quoting former president Abraham Lincoln when he said, “I am not the guy to head the executive branch of the United States government. Trust me. I’m really not.”

Beltway observers agreed that the gaffes could come back to haunt Obama on Election Day.

In notes taken by various sources, but for some reason never released, the following observations were made: ABC political analyst George Stephanopoulos said - “It’s just not the message you want to send to voters when you are up in the polls. Swing states like Ohio and Florida have historically leaned toward the nominee who thinks he’d be a good president, rather than the nominee who thinks he’d probably just screw everything up worse.”

An analysis of historical documents supports Stephanopoulos’ claim, and confirms that the past 55 winning presidential candidates - with the exception of a dying Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944 - all strongly maintained they would be good or great presidents throughout their campaigns, and never hinted otherwise.

Interestingly, an unreported CNN poll taken moments after Obama’s speech reveled that the candidate’s misstep may have simply gotten lost amid the 24-hour news cycle. Though most citizens said they would prefer a candidate who thinks he’d be a good president, 23 percent said they would still vote for someone who thinks he would make an “okay” president. Furthermore, 35 percent of citizens said they would vote for a a nominee who promised to be a serviceable, or even a so-so president. Forty-two percent of citizens polled said that, at this point, a “just plain bad” president would also be good enough, so long as the campaigns would finally be over and done with.

As of press time, the McCain camp has yet to respond to the potentially damaging blunder(s). However, many feel this is exactly what the Arizona senator needed following a mistake he made earlier in the week when he said that “a vote for McCain is a vote for mass gentrification.”
===============================
source: The Onion - Vol. 44, Issue 44

Wow and double Wow!! Why hasn’t this been reported, I ask you?

Both of these postings, McCain/Palin and then Obama, are the result of hours of tireless research. Process them as best you see fit, and then you decide who gets your vote.

You are welcome.

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Friday - Election Research - Part One

As most of you loyal and faithful readers know, I spend most of my free time searching the various information sources available to me here in the Big Apple, to-wit: The New York Times, The Daily News, The Post, The Village Voice, CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News looking for important items that may have suffered from lack of broad exposure, for whatever reason(s).

I also rely heavily on: The Jon Stewart Show, The Colbert Report, Bill O’Reilly (God, I love that man), The Onion, and the World Wide Web aka the Internet.

When I find things, regardless of their sometimes controversial nature, I feel it my sworn responsibility to report/post them as part of my obligation to you for fair and impartial reporting. I must remain true to my mantra ... I report - you decide.

My recent research has discovered several very disturbing items regarding the upcoming election, involving each candidate, and I feel obligated to report each of them, so ...

I will start with a mailing from Cindy McCain, the wife of Senator John McCain. This is it in its entirety:
=============================
“My dear American Voter:

Normally, I don’t get out front and center like this, preferring instead to support my husband from the sidelines and let the pundits do the talking. But as Election Day draws ever nearer, I’d like to take this time to urge you to put “Country First” and cast your vote for my husband, John McCain! Because a vote for John McCain is not just a vote for experience, fortitude and American values, it’s also a vote for me, Cindy McCain, not tearing your ribcage open and spilling your steaming viscera into the street.

Let’s take back Washington and make America great again! Barack Obama has never fought for this great country like John McCain has. That’s a fact. So when you're in the election booth, ask yourself, do you want a president who believes in the strength of the American worker, or do you want me to rip off your limbs and use them to beat your skull to a bloody pile of skin and bone fragments? I think the choice is clear.

If you really think that a junior senator with no executive experience is the best person to lead us out of this economic crisis, then by all means vote for Obama. Just hope to God I never find out about it and, say, drive to your house in the dead of night, crawl through your bedroom window, and, in a calculated moment of seething rage, strangle you with my bare goddamn hands.

Do you really think Michelle Obama has the grace and assertiveness needed to be a good first lady? Do you think she has the poise and composure it takes? Consider this: Mrs. Obama might be younger and prettier than I am, but will she pull out your spine and howl like a hyena while drenched in the blood of your children? Because that’s just the sort of sick shit I’m prepared to do if you don’t vote for my husband. You hear that you Obama-supporting swing-state fucks? I'll fucking destroy you.

Oh, sure, I’m all smiles now. Got to give the cameras a happy face when they pull in for a close-up of me. Look at me. Look into my beady little eyes. See the way my delicate, birdlike head sits daintily on top of my poised, slender neck? Now imagine that head lunging in for the gruesome kill like the beak of a crazed, razor-taloned raptor intent on ripping open your jugular vein. Got the picture?

Do you have any idea how long I’ve been waiting for this? How many millions of dollars of my own money I’ve put up to help finance my husband’s campaigns, only to see his character assassinated by members of his own party for decades? To see a shitbird like Karl Rove spread a rumor that John McCain had an illegitimate black baby and steal the South Carolina primary for Bush in 2000? To have the same party that condemned him as a “maverick” turn to him in desperation and champion the very qualities they once abhorred?

After all that, do you seriously think I’m going to stand idly by when the Democrats trot out a charismatic outsider-type of their own and blatantly steal my husband’s outsider act just at the moment of victory?

I WILL BATHE IN YOUR BLOOD, OBAMA-SUPPORTING SCUM!

Now, please please get out there and vote McCain/Palin on November 4th.

Fondly,

Cindy McCain”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
source: The Onion - Vol. 44, Issue 44

Wow!! Remember, I report - you decide.

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

The Rays vs. The Fucksox and Stuff

And so it shall be after the Fucksox won a very exciting game against the LA Angels by a score of 3-2, scoring the winning run in the bottom of the 9th. The ALCS should be very interesting and I still think The Rays have a chance to go to The World Series, hopefully against The Dodgers. Time will tell.

You know, I am not certain why I felt compelled to write the “All Politicians Are Whores” post. I think it was largely due to my frustration with what is going on in politics, state and national government, and in both political parties. We are in deep trouble on the world stage, in the financial world and on the domestic scene and all we are getting from either side of the aisle is rhetoric and pontificating. I feel that Democrats and Republicans are equally at fault but we, the American Voter, are responsible for allowing our “system” to destroy itself. What do we have to do to restore faith in the Democracy our forefathers gave birth to and died to protect? I don’t know, I really don’t. I wish to hell I did, but I just don’t and I am scared. No joke.

Wow! Well, maybe on to lighter subjects, like entertainment and stuff, so ...

Saw some very good theater over the weekend starting with the Off-Broadway show “Boys Life” on Saturday night. As I have previously posted, Jason Biggs of “American Pie” fame headed the very talented cast in this comedy/drama about 3 young men making their way in the city in the mid-80s. They were friends from college days. I liked it a lot and the house was sold-out.

Also on Saturday the Gators bounced back and kicked butt, beating Arkansas 38-7. Our next game is H U G E. We play #3 ranked LSU Saturday at The Swamp with the kickoff scheduled for 8:00pm on CBS. Go Gators!

Sunday was a theater doubleheader. My first show was an Off-Broadway comedy/drama called “The Night Carter Was Bad,” which I detailed in a previous posting. It was a 90 minute show and explored the difficulty some guys have in making commitments regardless of their feelings for the other person. I liked the show. Hum ... trouble in making commitments ... where have I heard that before, I wonder?

The second show was at 7:00 in a very small theater down on 26th Street. The show, “Pick Me, Choose Me, Love Me,” was also detailed in an earlier posting. It involves a gay young man who comes to NYC to escape his angry and dominating mother in order to have a chance for a career in the theater. A group of straight friends help him make the transition from small-town USA to The Big Apple. It was very well written and performed and was only 75 minutes long.

Now about the upcoming week --

Tuesday - 7:30 New York Philharmonic Orchestra @ Avery Fisher Hall. The program is: Bartok’s Suite from The Wooden Prince; Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2; and, Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New World.” This is a different series from the concert last Wednesday. I have checked and my seat is in a different row, so I doubt I will be between the two “Arm-Tugging Women.” Oh, please God, let it be so. I am looking forward to the concert because “From the New World” is one of my very favorite classical works..

Wednesday - 2:00 “A Body of Water’ - Off Broadway. “Who are we without our memories? Avis and Moss awake one morning in a house set in the forested hills above a picturesque body of water. The weathers great, the views magnificent. However, neither of them seems to know whose house this is or who they are. Will a stranger at their doorstep be able to help? A Body of Water is a haunting new drama that explores the slippery nature of reality and conviction. The cast features Michael Cristofer (Tony Award®, The Shadow Box), Christine Lahti (Emmy® and two Golden Globes® for her role in Chicago Hope) and Laura Odeh (The Rivals)” (discounted TDF ticket)

7:30 - “An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein by Shel Silverstein” - Off-Broadway. “An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein is a provocative, farcical, cynical, and sometimes raunchy look into human relationships and interaction through a series of vignettes created by the late great author, giving a showcase to his incredible talent and irreverent wit. The ten sketches feature a cast of unlikely and neurotic characters from a husband obsessing that his wife is a bag lady, from two ladies of the night offering a bargain, to a courtroom scene where we learn the meaning of "meat and potatoes," and finally to a blind blues man and his talking dog, leaving us with a tail of "human" nature. An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein was first produced by the Atlantic Theatre Company in 2001, shortly after Silverstein's death. (discounted TDF ticket). Man, this should be fun.

The remainder of the week is unscheduled at the moment but I have a good idea that it will somehow get filled.

And, a week from Wednesday I head out to Paris.

Go Gators and Go Rays!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com