Billi Pod Is A KLUTZ!!

You know, my loyal and faithful readers==>Billi Pod is nothing more than a 100% KLUTZ, it is as simple as that.

What am I talking about, you are no doubt breathlessly asking out there in the hinterlands and boondocks? Well ... here goes ... you remember about a week ago I posted that I had ordered some metal frames for the remaining 3 paintings that I had shipped up here from my Bartow storage area. When I ordered them via the internet I knew they would have to be assembled. No big deal.

The stuff arrived early this morning ... and ... thought I ... no problemo ... right ... all I had to do was: put together 3 frames (9 x 12, 20 x 24, and 24 x 30); put the paintings into the frames; attach the hanging thingy on the back of every frame; and, then just hang the paintings on the hangers I had already nailed into the walls. No big deal ... right ... it should take no longer than ... say ... about 30 minutes ... right??

Wrong!! Without boring you loyal and faithful readers with too many more details ... let me just say that: (1) directions are included for a reason (2) I never follow directions in putting things together (3) going back and starting over sucks (4) and, I am a total 100% KLUTZ!! with the finger dexterity of a 6 month old baby. F**K!!

What should have been a 30-45 minute project took over 3 hours ... but ... at least it finally got done ... but ... I hate being such a f**king klutz. The paintings do look good in their new frames and on the walls in PHC. Glad it is done.

Now, on to more important things ... like ...

Last night’s concert, REFLECTIONS OF LIFE WITH SPECIAL GUEST CLAY AIKEN @ Carnegie Hall, was wonderful. My seat was in the 3rd level, front row, a bit to the side. OK.

The first half was the world premiere of a 45 minute work called “Flowers Over The Graves of War,” performed with a full orchestra and a 150 person chorus. It was very moving.

The second half was even more interesting and featured Clay Aiken, who didn’t sing, but instead narrated a series of works which were “a reflection on the power of song” in the lives of children. There was the same orchestra but a new chorus, this time with 200+ members on stage plus another 100+ members singing from the upper tiers of the Hall. It was fantastic and that is putting it mildly.

The picture is one I took just before the second half began.

It was a wonderful evening’s entertainment and I left Carnegie Hall with a smile on my face. Would definitely have walked back to PHC had the weather not been freezing cold.

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

7:00==>CALL ME WALDO - “Extraordinary things happen when an ordinary electrician begins channeling the spirit of Ralph Waldo Emerson. A warmhearted comedy about an average guy experiencing a mid-life crisis.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket).

I think this sounds very interesting and one of my favorite actors, Brian Dykstra, is in the cast.

Oh, AJ Burnett aka Loser Boi is now trying to blame his dismal tenure with The Bronx Bombers because ..."I let too many people tinker with me." Really?? How about it was because you basically sucked you scumbag Loser Boi.

Still have a few things and stuff to do left over from yesterday ... so ... I will close with a question that has to have occurred to many of you computer nerds/geeks ...

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-182

Back to Work & Billi Pod’s Awesome Sunday Doubleheader

Yes, my Worker Bee friends, I know that it is President’s Day ... but you cannot use this as an excuse for not showing up for your mundane jobs and assignments. Now ... stop your whining.

You know that holiday’s have virtually no effect on your obligation to maintain the Gross National Product in order that we poor retirees can maintain our lifestyles without worry and/or concern ... so ... as I said ... stop your whimpering and whining and get to work.

Stop it now ... don’t make Billi Pod come over there and individually and collectively bitch-slap you.

Moving on to more important things ... like ... yesterday’s totally enjoyable and awesome entertainment doubleheader ...

First was BAD KID, the story of a Goth boy who dreamed of being anywhere but the middle of Texas in 1991==>B+<==extremely well written and performed, funny but also kinda in-your-face, too.

The writer/performer, David Cragg, brings to life his colorful cast of characters in a 80 minute work that is hilarious and also heart-wrenching at the same time.

My only quibble is that he fails to bring the audience up-to-date as to how he finally gets to where he is today ... performing in New York City to an almost full-house.

That minor flaw aside ... Billi Pod says==>definitely worth seeing. It runs on Friday’s and Saturday’s through March 10th.

When the show was over I raced back to the ‘hood to meet up with my longtime AA buddy, Joe (not his real name) at a 5:00pm meeting that Joe chaired in "celebration" of his 10th AA birthday. YES!!!

Then ... the second entertainment event was ...

ONE MAN LORD OF THE RINGS, where the writer/performer Charles Ross recreates the enchanting world of Middle-earth with nothing more than elbow pads and his imagination==>A+<==absolutely amazing performance that totally entranced the virtually full-house audience.

What Ross has done is take segments of the films, those snippets that you remember for both their visual impact and/or memorable dialogue, and strung them together to create an hour’s worth of fast-moving and extremely funny material, all delivered breathlessly (well, almost) by a solitary figure throwing himself about on a bare stage, without props of any kind.

I can’t remember when I was more transfixed with a performance. The audience gave him a well-deserved roaring standing ovation.

Unfortunately, the show was only booked for this weekend. If it ever reappears in this area you gotta, and I mean, gotta see it.

When I got back to PHC I mentally thanked my Higher Power for allowing me to have yet another wonderful day in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. I am soooooooooo lucky/fortunate ... I really am.

It is another bright and cold morning==>31º @ 7:30am but the cold will not interfere with Billi Pod’s usual errands and stuff day.

Tonight’s entertainment event is ...

7:00==>REFLECTIONS OF LIFE WITH SPECIAL GUEST CLAY AIKEN @ Carnegie Hall - “Distinguished Concerts Orchestra and Singers International present works by James Eaken and Greg Gilpin.” (9:00 TDF ticket)

Yeah, that’s right. I will see Clay Aiken perform, and an orchestra and chorus, for only $9.00. How can you beat that, I humbly ask you?

This concert is the first of 5 classical music concerts I have already scheduled for the upcoming 9 days. More details later.

Oh ... MLB approved the deal and he passed the physical ... so ... AJ BURNETT AKA LOSER BOI is officially no longer a Bronx Bomber ... and Billi Pod says==>good riddance to very bad rubbish!!

With that thought in mind ... I will close with what is no doubt going through Loser Boi’s mind right now ...

Yes ... you f**king are!!

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-181

Billi Pod’s Saturday Entertainment Doubleheader & So Long Loser Boi

Good morning everyone.

I am happy to report that my return visit last night to THE INEXPLICABLE REDEMPTION OF AGENT G was even more fun than the first time, on Wednesday.

Folks ... hurry up ... you gotta see this show ... trust Billi Pod on this ... you gotta see this show before its run ends on March 4th. Yes, I know that I am sounding a bit like a shill, but you loyal and faithful readers know that isn’t the case ... so ... see this show ...

Today is going to be yet another potentially awesome doubleheader for Billi Pod in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. Both shows are in my ‘hood. The first event is ...

2:00==>CQ/CX - “An up and coming reporter at The New York Times has dreams of becoming a famous journalist, but in a flash, they come crashing down when he becomes the center of a plagiarism scandal.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This is based on a true story. The show has gotten generally favorable reviews and I am looking forward to it.

Before the show I will meet up with my theater-buddy Dian Crystal and her posse. They have the same scheduled events. After CQ/CX we will have a bite in the ‘hood and then come back to PHC and chill until it is time for our second show ... which is ..

8:00==>THE LADY FROM DUBUQUE by Edward Albee - “At a late night party, the hosts are entertaining their friends with a round of Twenty Questions and another round of drinks. When an unexpected guest and her mysterious companion arrive, the question ‘Who are you?’ gains a whole new and desperate meaning.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show is playing at the new Signature Theater space. I haven’t found much advance buzz so I really don’t know what to expect, except that it is an Edward Albee play, whose works usually entertain me and piss me off at the same time. We will see ...

So, I hope you loyal and faithful readers will agree that today sounds very interesting. Will, of course, report in detail tomorrow.

I am extremely happy to report that the deal between The Bronx Bombers and The Pirates has been finalized and AJ Burnett aka Loser Boi is history (bad history at that). The deal is subject to approval by MLB and Loser Boi passing a routine physical. Neither is expected to be a problem.

So==>SO LONG LOSER BOI ... don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.

And ... now in closing ...

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-179

POETIC LICENSE Report Card and Today’s Doubleheader Info

OK my loyal and faithful readers ... let’s get right to the important stuff ... like ...

Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s POETIC LICENSE, exploring how one person's past can shape his art, his family and his future in academia==>A<==a thought-provoking drama where the “truth” is uncertain even at the end.

Yes, hidden secrets are uncovered, characters are a bit over-dramatic, and anger boils over to yelling, screaming and cursing ... still ... the story line is believable and the show is extremely well acted. The 80 minute running time flies by. See it!!

When the show was over I had the opportunity to meet and shake hands with the playwright, Jack Canfora, and that was nice.

When I got back to PHC I prepared (meaning warmed up) my first full meal from the recently opened neighborhood gourmet deli, Well Green Market, which consisted of chicken breast, brown rice, mushrooms and veggies - nice - tasty. I estimated its cost at an eye-rolling ... $6.00. Can you beat that? I think not ...

This morning it is gray and overcast in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In the World ... 40º @ 8:30am.

Billi Pod has a highly “diverse” doubleheader today ... starting with ...

2:00==>HURT VILLAGE - “A hard-edged drama about a soldier returning to the projects in Memphis, where many of the residents, including his family, are being relocated and the community is disintegrating.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

The running time is 3 hours and the show has received very mixed comments from some of my theater-buddies. It is playing at The Signature Theater Company's newly opened complex located less than a 1/2 block from my building.

Then for the evening is a show which couldn’t be more different ...

8:00==>THE INEXPLICABLE REDEMPTION OF AGENT G - “It’s been 10 years since Agent G has been in Vietnam, where his family and friends were all viciously slain. He’s now come back looking for answers and a good bit of revenge.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

What isn’t to like about a show whose production company is named Vampire Cowboys? It is playing at a theatre on my block.

I am happy to report that the countdown to the beginning of Spring Training has begun. It is only 4 days until pitchers and catchers report to the Yankee training complex in Tampa. Billi Pod is more than ready!!

There are “reliable” insider stories that The Bronx Bombers are close to reaching a deal with the Pirates that will rid our team of AJ Burnett aka Loser Boi. Oh, we will have to eat a good part of the $33M remaining on his two year contract but it will be worth it just to get rid of him. Good riddance to bad rubbish!!

GO YANKEES!!

Billi Pod

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

ALEX-176

Billi Pod’s Doubleheader Was Intriguing!!

Good afternoon all of my loyal and faithful readers out there in the wastelands, hinterlands and morass known as cyberspace.

It is overcast and 38º at 1:00pm and the forecast is for rain later on in the afternoon and into the early evening ... not the most enticing of expectations. At least it ain’t snow ...

I think it is time to get past Thursday and move on to Friday ... what do you think?

Anyway ...

Yesterday’s doubleheader was intriguing to say the least, starting with the Broadway show ...

WIT, which follows a brilliant and exacting poetry professor as she undergoes experimental treatment for cancer==>A.

Cynthia Nixon was awesome in dealing with her character’s impending death ... not an easy topic for the mostly over-65 Wednesday matinee audience. My only quibble with the show, this production and the original one I saw several years ago, is that it is a bit long. IMHO I think 15 minutes could/should be cut.

I have to share with you loyal and faithful readers a thought that kept running through my head during the show ... and that was ... how interesting would it be if all of the characters switched genders, with the lead character being a 45 year old guy dying from prostate cancer and the male doctors all becoming female?

Think about it ...

Anyhow ... then for the evening I went down to The Village for my evening entertainment event, which was ...

THE NIGHTMARE STORY, about a young boy who must journey to a distant mountaintop to retrieve a flower that will magically revive his comatose mother==>A.

The show featured a highly talented cast who each played multiple characters along with playing musical instruments. There was a lot of laughs and some contemplative moments. I can certainly see why it won the 2011 NYC Fringe Festival Overall Excellence Award.

I totally enjoyed it and the 50 minutes flew by.

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

RENT, an Off Broadway revival of Jonathan Larson’s award-winning musical. (Off Broadway - discounted TDF ticket).

It is playing at New World Stages. I saw it back in December and loved it. I am seeing it again because my FaceBook friend Josh Grisetti has just joined the cast in the lead role of Mark.

Over the years Josh has developed almost a cult following that came about largely due to his highly regarded performance in the revival of ENTER LAUGHING, that had its premiere at The York Theatre, which is, as you know ... one of my favorite venues.

So ... Josh==>BREAK A LEG!!

On Tuesday Jorge Posada made his retirement from The Bronx Bombers official. It was a very emotional press conference, to put it mildly.

Posada's departure reduces the "Core Four" to just a dynamic duo, as he follows the path set by Andy Pettitte's retirement 12 months ago. Only Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera remain.

Posada did it in style and on his own terms and Billi Pod admires him for that. He contributed sooooooo much to maintaining the pinstripe legend.

Make no mistake about it, Jorge==>YOU WILL BE MISSED.

GO YANKEES!!

Billi Pod

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

ALEX-156

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

Billi Pod And His Awesome Great-Granddaughter

Good afternoon my loyal and faithful readers.

Yesterday Billi Pod went to the hospital to visit Little Falletta and her parents (who have now taken a back seat on the importance scale) where I met up with Bill III aka The Bill, who drove down from Orlando.

The picture pretty much says it all==>little Saylor and her Great-granddaddy. Folks ... it doesn’t get any better than this.

The hospital has a 4-visitor-at-a-time post-birth limit, so while I was there it was me, The Bill, and Chris aka Topher and his girlfriend Ashley. It was awesome to actually have this day-old baby in my arms and to see all of her tiny features and stuff. We took tons and tons of pictures.

This picture is The Bill and Saylor.

Gina was doing well although she was still experiencing some stomach discomfort. All of the guys agreed that there was no way a male would be able to handle what the female goes through during the birthing process. This is why, of course, God is a male.

When our visiting time was over we split and went our respective ways. Billi Pod came back to The Holiday Inn Express in Bartow, FL, located in Polk F**king County aka PFC and settled in to watch the BRONCOS/STEELERS game.

Man ... you couldn’t have scripted a more exciting ending than Timmy’s 80yd TD pass to win the game on the first (and last) play of overtime.

Folks, as Billi Pod has repeatedly said in this blog==>BELIEVE!!

Now ... about today ...

I have just gotten back from having a great lunch with my former law partner Buddy Campbell. Buddy retired from The Second District Court of Appeals and became “of counsel” to a law firm in Lakeland that deals mostly with personal injury litigation. He is well, happy and healthy. He is also 3 years older than moi. We had a lot of catching up to do and I am soooooooo glad he took the time to track me down and invite me.

I might add that he proclaims to be an avid (actually avid is my choice of words) reader of Billi Pod Blogs.

Tonight will be another entertainment event. My dear friends Maggie and Jim Vandewalker are hosting a dinner party in my honor and I am really looking forward to seeing some old friends. Billi Pod hopes they will all be wearing name tags.

Tonight is also the TIGERS/BAMA BCS Championship game, finally. Billi Pod will be pulling for Bama because The Bill is a huge Bama fan (why is it though ... I can root for his teams but he can never ever root for The Gators??) and Billi Pod also hates Tigers. ROLL TIDE!!

BREAKING NEWS #1==>Saylor and Gina have just been released from the hospital and they are heading to Winter Haven. I will drop by there tomorrow on my way to Tampa International for my evening flight back to The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

BREAKING NEWS #2==>I have just renewed my Yankee 41-game season ticket package. Was able to finally get a seat under an overhang ... but ... unfortunately, it is in a different section ... this time on the 3rd base side. Will miss being with my buddies but ... I am happy and very satisfied with the new location.

GO SAYLOR! GO GINA! GO ARMY GUY!

Billi Pod

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

ALEX-139

Entertainment Report Cards and Lots of Other Stuff

Thank God the rain has gone. Yesterday was one of the nastiest days/nights of the year. It began raining in the early morning and continued throughout the day and into the evening. Very very windy too. Very very unpleasant.

When Billi Pod crashed at the usual 2:00am it was still raining.

It is now clear and cold in The Big Apple==>37º @ 8:30am.

Have a bit of catching up to do on this blog since yesterday’s posting was exclusively about my recollections of December 7, 1941.

In that regard I want to thank everyone who took the time to email and text, especially the response from Gordon Warner of Tavares, FL, who commented on my uncertainty about whether I actually heard the news about the attack while riding in the family car ...

“I was also age 7 in the second grade on December 7, 1941. As the day was Sunday and the weather in Chicago, my home town, was unseasonably warm, naturally my father took me fishing - though I don't remember where. On the drive home in Dad's 1940 Oldsmobile, he turned on the car radio and we listened to the account of the Pearl Harbor attack. Of course I didn't understand most of what I heard on the radio and I was constantly "shushed" when I attempted to ask questions. My father, as I recall, did not say a word on the drive home."

"My main point, Bill is your dad probably did have a car radio. They were early jobs with tubes and would run the car battery down in just a few hours if played while the car was stopped. I listened to a White Sox double header one Sunday while my dad was fishing and - of course - the battery was dead when it was time to go home. I hope this reinforces some of your recollections.”

Thanks Gordon, I am now pretty confident that we, indeed, got the news while riding in our car.

Billi Pod will now bring you loyal and faithful readers up-to-date with his report cards on his recent entertainment events ...

ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER==>B-<== totally unbelievable story line saved by a sublime score and Harry Connick, Jr’s performance.

My discounted TDF ticket was in the upper nosebleed section of the mezzanine, row O, as far house right as you can get - not good.

I had not seen any theater productions of this show nor the movie, so I really didn’t know what to expect. There has been a lot of neigh-saying about the gender changes in the story line but that had no impact on me.

I think it opens shortly and Billi Pod has a gut feeling that it will have a short life. We will see.

Speaking of short life==>it is reported that BONNIE & CLYDE will close by year’s end. I hope not. Will keep you advised.

Moving on to yesterday’s doubleheader ...

2:00==>SEPARATIONS - staged reading of two short plays by Martin Halpern --

What the Babe Said ... “a human interest story about the relationship between a baseball manager and his aging centerfielder.”

Joint Return ... “a story about a separated middle-aged couple tying up loose ends in their relationship.”

Billi Pod’s report card==>C<==neither play had any oomph and both were kinda boring.

Then, for the evening was ...

7:30==>NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA @ Avery Fisher Hall - Featuring Violinist Joshua Bell. “The program was: Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D major; Oliver Knussen: Flourish with Fireworks; and Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring.” (subscription series)

Flourish with Fireworks was a 3-minute piece of atonal drek, but, Thank God ... the rest of the program was outstanding and earns a grade of==>A.

OMFG!! People ... Joshua Bell’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto was to die for. He got a roaring standing ovation.

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

7:15==>FARM BOY - “This sequel to the acclaimed novel War Horse is a moving account of the changing face of the English countryside and is a reminder that stories really can reach out across the generations. The play explores the bonds between grandfather and grandson and combines drama, storytelling and original music.” (Off Broadway - discounted TDF ticket)

This is playing at the 59th Street Theatre complex and is part of their Brits Off Broadway series. The advance buzz is very favorable and I am looking forward to seeing it.

Did you realize that Christmas is just around the corner? Maybe I need to think about doing Christmas stuff ... or ... maybe not ... I still have lots of time ... right ... ‘course I do ...

John Horne and his girlfriend Amanda Edge from Anna Maria, FL, and their 34 person posse arrive in The Big Apple today and I look forward to spending some time with them. I will join them for lunch on Saturday at Maloney and Porcelli, a very upscale Midtown restaurant.

Congrats to==>Guns N’ Roses; Red Hot Chili Peppers; and Beastie Boys for their recent induction into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The Boston FuckSox’s new manager, Bobby Valentine, has now entered into the battleground by making comments yesterday that drew the following local headlines ...

‘I HATE THE YANKEES’ - Bobby V wastes no time jumping into the rivalry with Sox. - NY Post

BOBBY V, AS IN VENOM - Valentine’s day is one of hate for his once beloved Bombers - Daily News

VALENTINE’S FIRST JAB - New York Times

Oh, yes, Bobby Baby ... bring it on!!

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-106