William S. "Moon" Mullon (1927-1998)

Ten years ago one of my dearest friends, Bill Mullon, died. I have just gotten off the phone with his wife, Sandy, and she said it was OK for me to post this email I sent to friends ten years ago. This is it in its entirety --
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RE: William S. "Moon" Mullon (1927-1998)

Hello everyone:

I was first introduced to William S. "Moon" Mullon in 1973 by Capt. Frank Cavandish, the owner of the Rod & Reel Pier, which is located diagonally across the street from the house I once owned in Anna Maria. Bill and I became friends and this friendship spanned 2 1/2 decades. Bill had just moved from Cocoa Beach where he had been employed with Boeing and then Tropicana. He had been a member of the City Commission there and a political activist in the Democratic Party.

In the ensuing years as a resident of Anna Maria Island Bill's career path took him from Tropicana to Manatee County government, where he was the County Purchasing Agent, back to Tropicana where he retired about 6 years ago as a Certified Purchasing Manager. He remained politically active in the local Democratic Party. I think the phrase "Yellow Dog Democrat" was coined with him in mind.

In 1976 I was asked to preside over the wedding ceremony uniting Bill and Sandy Gilmore. Sandy is a career upper-level manager/executive with HRS. Their vows were jointly written by Bill, Sandy, and Bill's eldest son, Bill, Jr., aka "Buns." The ceremony took place at daybreak in the surf adjacent to the City Pier in Anna Maria. Honestly, I doubt anyone in attendance expected that union to last more than a couple of years, if that. We were wrong - man, were we wrong. Sandy and Bill had a unique relationship, in that not only were they husband and wife, but also, they were truly best friends. They were a house divided on one issue, however. Bill was a Gator and Sandy a 'Nole.

Bill and Sandy lived in a series of places on the Island, each of which they named "The Digs," and finally settled in and purchased "Digs IV" in Holmes Beach. They were famous on the Island for their open hospitality with many many parties commemorated by special T-shirts designed by Sandy. Sandy is an accomplished artist.

I sold my Anna Maria house in 1991, however, shortly thereafter Bill and Sandy made the back bedroom in Digs IV available to me and I would guess that in the ensuing years, whenever I was in Florida, I would spend 3 out of 4 weekends with them. It was my home away from home away from home, it was my refuge. They became my best friends, my extended family, Bill the older brother I never had.

When the phone call came at 12:30am on Sunday morning, July 19th, that Bill had died, I called the airlines and was on a flight down to Anna Maria at 8:55am the same morning. I got there in the early afternoon.

Family and friends quickly gathered in support of Sandy and Bill's children by a previous marriage, Bill, Jr., Patrick, and Lynn, and their children. Moon was the consummate planner, so I was not surprised to learn that he had planned to the last detail how he wanted things handled when he passed away, I mean, he had scripted his wedding, why not his final memorial services as well? And that he did, down to naming the song to begin the services - "We Have Just Begun" by the Carpenters - and "Margaritaville," by Jimmy Buffett to end the services, which MUST conclude in one hour, max!!!!

The service was held in the Chapel of an Island funeral home on Tuesday evening, July 21st. The chapel was filled with photos and objects covering all aspects of Bill's life, including almost a dozen photo albums recording the social activities of 22 years of Digs Parties. The standing room crowd included local Islanders, executives from Tropicana, county officials, a local Judge, and just plain folks, all joined to remember, to cry, and especially to laugh. I was honored to have been asked to preside. In addition to me, others who shared their life experiences with Moon, were his sister Ann, his children Bill, Jr., and Lynn, Bradenton attorney Donald Hadsock, and Island resident Fred Adkins. As I said, Moon had directed (or perhaps ordered is the operative word) that the service last no longer than one hour, so, at the end of the hour, as the sounds of "Margaritaville" filled the Chapel, we all stood and sang along with Jimmy Buffett ......

When the song ended, I concluded the evening by saying ....

SO LONG MOON - WE WILL SEEYA LATER!!”


Yes, it has been ten years but in many respects it feels like it all happened yesterday and I still miss him as if it was yesterday. He will never be forgotten.

Bill
wanjr@aol.com

Friday - The Entertainment Pallet Remains Full

I have now pretty much completed my entertainment agenda for the next two weeks, yes, that is correct, for the next two weeks. This is pretty amazing for someone who has the Myers-Briggs Personality Profile of INTP.

What is the Myers-Briggs Profile, you ask? Well, in a nutshell:

“The purpose of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI) personality inventory is to make the theory of psychological types described by C. G. Jung understandable and useful in people’s lives. The essence of the theory is that much seemingly random variation in the behavior is actually quite orderly and consistent, being due to basic differences in the ways individuals prefer to use their perception and judgment.”

Over the years I have taken numerous MB personality tests and the results have always been the same, INTP. When I was Chief Judge I had my fellow Judges voluntarily take the test and most of them did. It was very interesting. Why am I writing about this now? I really don’t know, but I think I will post a detailed report of the INTP personality profile later on just to have it on record. Why? I still don’t know, so ... just live with it.

Now, back on topic ... what the next two weeks means entertainment-wise:

Friday - 8:00 - “The Time of Mendel’s Trouble: A madcap musical of Biblical Proportions” - “When Mendel Moskowitz gets a surprise visit from The Burning Bush in his apartment in Brooklyn, his life turns topsy-turvy. Together with his new friend, Murray Schwartz from Miami Beach, they become the two prophets of the Apocalypse, and embark on a madcap spiritual journey that leads them all the way to Jerusalem for some miraculous end-time adventures. An epic musical excursion through the Book of Revelation, the show incorporates a Romeo & Juliet-type love story, political satire, comedy, tragedy, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil when Messiah finally comes to earth. The end of the world was never so zany!” (complimentary ticket).

Saturday - 8:00 - “What To Do When You Hate All Your Friends” - “Four Chairs Theatre Company presents the world premiere of What To Do When You Hate All Your Friends, an anti-social comedy written by award-winning playwright Larry Kunofsky and directed by Jacob Krueger. Matt is a guy who hates all his friends. Celia is a woman at the center of The Friends, a secret group that has perfected friendship through special rules and a rigid ranking system. Can a guy who hates all his friends and a woman who needs friendship to go by-the-book figure out a way to spend time together without going mental? Set in a world of secret hot tub parties, craigslist hookups, and the myriad of ways people try to control intimacy by keeping it away, this edgy and witty new comedy looks at how romance and friendship works -- or doesn't work -- in the way we live now.” (complimentary ticket).

Sunday - 5:30 - “Give Em Hell, Harry” - “This one man show features Bix Barnaba as former President Harry Truman. Written by Samuel Gallu, it offers a unique insight into the humor and bite of one of our most colorful presidents.” (complimentary ticket).

Monday - 7:05 - Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins

Tuesday - 7:05 - Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins

Wednesday - 1:05 - Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins. If the weather permits, I will walk back to the apartment. This time I am gonna do it!!!

Thursday - 8:00 - “Buffalo Gal” - “A.R. Gurney's comedy centers around Amanda, a once successful television personality whose star is now fading. Life imitates art as she returns to her hometown of Buffalo to star in Chekhovs The Cherry Orchard. Just as she is connecting with her roots - both on stage and off - she is called back to Hollywood for a role that could recharge her career. Will her love of theater be enough to keep her in Buffalo?” (discounted TDF ticket).

Friday - 8:00 - “The Lady in Penthouse B” - “Gossip columnist Lady Susan, the aging, raging boss from hell, and struggling actress Mel Mitchell, her downtrodden assistant, engage in a comic war of wills surrounded by a friendly choreographer, a vicious male columnist, an evil cat, a faithful dog and Mel's dead Aunt Maida. Find out why musical-comedy lovers are calling this tuneful laugh-fest "The Devil Wears Prada meets The Producers!" (discounted TDF ticket).

Saturday - 2:00 - “Flamingo Court: A Comedy in Three Condos” -“Flamingo Court is a Florida community of retirees that isn't so much a vacation destination as it is a last resort! Here, a zany cast of characters in the sunset of their lives do whatever it takes to grab hold of one last chance at love, at compassion, and even at revenge. Starring Jamie Farr (TV's M*A*S*H, Guys and Dolls) and Anita Gillette (Chapter Two, Russell Patterson's Sketchbook) in this touching and funny look at life in the golden years.” (discounted TDF ticket). I will either love or hate this show, that is my prediction. There will be no middle ground.

Sunday - open, at the moment (OMG!).

Monday - 7:05 - Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles

Tuesday - 7:05 - Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles

Wednesday - 7:05 - Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles

Thursday - July 31 - 7:05 - Yankees vs. Los Angles Dodgers

Yeah, I know, back-to-back-to-back ball games again. What can I say except that I made these decisions way back in December 2007 when I renewed by partial season ticket package.

Now, what about the events of the early part of this week? In brief form:

The Bon Jovi concert on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden was super-excellent and my seat was terrific. Terrific except for the trailer-trash big-hipped long-haired bimbo in front of me who stood up during the entire concert flinging her hair this way and that way. Oft times she was the only person in my section who was standing. Bitch!! Now, I feel better. Jon really knows how to work a crowd.

“Eh Joe” on Wednesday night lasted only 30 minutes and I have no clue what the author, Samuel Beckett, was trying to say. In fact, when I got home I did a bit of research online and found out that even the author’s post-production comments were unclear. The house was sold out.

“Around the World in 80 Days” was one of the funniest and best acted shows I have seen in a while. Most of the actors played multiple roles and the humor was very in your face. Loved it. May try to see it again if I can score another complimentary ticket.

I want to end this posting by wishing my long-time friend, Jack Davis of Bartow, FL, a speedy and complete recovery from his current physical problems. Jack fell and broke his hip and that brought on other problems. He has been in the Winter Haven Hospital for about 3 weeks and will be there until at least the end of the month. Jack, my buddy, I am so glad we could talk yesterday and I want you and Jeff to know that the two of you remain in my thoughts and prayers.

Go Yankees!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

The Second Quarter of 2008

Wow, it is hard to believe that the second quarter of 2008 has come and gone, and, as usual, it was crammed full of exciting entertainment and travel events for moi.

In reviewing my daily log (log, not diary - real guys don’t keep diaries) I find that in April, May and June I attended: 6 Broadway shows (Boeing, Boeing; Thurgood; A Catered Affair; Glory Days; Cry Baby; and, Cirque Dreams - Jungle Fantasy); 26 Off Broadway shows; 3 comedy shows; 2 rock concerts (The Eagles and Ringo Starr); 8 classical music concerts (mostly with The New York Philharmonic Orchestra); 9 baseball games; and, 1 movie.

During this time-frame I was able to spend some quality time in the City with: fraternity brother and mega-Bull Gator Stumpy Harris of Orlando; Granddaughter Gina Falletta, of Columbia, SC, and her friend Kelly; Gordon Warner of Tavares, FL, and his new significant other Carole; former Law School classmate Steve Gardner; student/bartender/manager Scott Reed and his boyfriend Ben Sears; and, my AA buddies (you know who you are).

On April 23rd I turned 74 (barf and double barf, I don’t like being old), however, this event was made special by Scott and Ben who kidnapped me and took me away, via a Mini-Cooper, to a wonderful lunch in Staten Island.

April also saw the birth of this blog, with the first posting on April 6th. During the 3 months I posted 28 times in April, 7 in May, and 20 in June. I have actually enjoyed the posting process but there has been a downside and that is - I am not as current in writing in my daily log as I should be. My bad.

I was out of The City a total of 25 nights, 20 for my awesome Japan/China adventure and 5 nights in Orlando to be with my son Bill while he was recovering from ear surgery. The number of days I stayed in the apartment without some entertainment event was 11, most of which were in April when the weather sucked.

When all of this is factored in, I remain at my goal of attending some entertainment event 9 out of 10 nights. Not bad for a 74 year old guy, not bad at all. Yep, this 74 year old guy just keeps on keeping on. I hope you agree.

I am indeed blessed - Thank You Higher Power!!!

Go Yankees!!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Thursday - Thoughts About Laughter

1. When people are laughing, they're generally not killing one another. - Alan Alda

2. The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself. - Ben Franklin

3. Nobody really cares if you're miserable, so you might as well be happy. - Cynthia Nelms

4. A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs, jolted by every pebble in the
road. - Henry Ward Beecher

5. At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities. - Jean Houston

6. Laughter is the sensation of feeling good all over and showing it principally in one place. - Josh Billings

7. Nobody ever died of laughter. - Max Beerbohm

8. You can't deny laughter; when it comes, it plops down in your favorite chair and stays as long as it wants. - Stephen King

9. A clown may be the first in the kingdom of heaven, if he or she has helped lessen the sadness of human life. - Rabbi Baroka

10. Laughter is the shortest distance between two people. - Victor Borge

11. I want to make people laugh--so they will begin to see things seriously. - William Zinser

12. I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose. - Woody Allen
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Thought I would post this as a change in pace. Over the years I have become convinced that the more we laugh the easier it is for us to deal with the stress and discomfort produced by things over which we have no control.

More to come later in the day.

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

More Tuesday - An Interesting Five Days Ahead

Well, now that I have taken care of the problem with my youngest grandson, Topher of Fleasburg, FL, it is on to talking about what an interesting time I have scheduled for the next five days, starting tonight with the sold-out Bon Jovi concert at Madison Square Garden. He puts on a great show and I am really looking forward to it. His recent free outdoor concert on the Great Lawn in Central Park drew over 50,000 fans.

For the rest of the time, well, I think you will agree that what follows is a very eclectic schedule of entertainment events (and one of the major reasons I love this City so much) --

Wednesday - 9:00 - “Eh Joe” - “Samuel Beckett's Eh Joe, originally written for television, is stunning in its ability to capture the richness of Beckett's minimalism without a word from the main character. Joe, played by celebrated Irish-born actor Liam Neeson, sits alone in a room, prodded into uncomfortable thought by Penelope Wilton's disembodied voice. A projected close-up of the tortured expression on his face is all the audience needs to understand the pain of a memory explored.” (discounted TDF ticket). Liam Neeson - wow - awesome!!!!

Thursday - 8:00 - “Around the World in 80 Days” - “The Irish Repertory Theatre and the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park will present AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, adapted by Mark Brown from the Jules Verne novel. In England in 1872, Phileas Fogg is the most exact of men. Well-traveled, very wealthy and with no friends or relatives of which to speak, he keeps his days on the most precise of schedules and spends his evenings at the local Reform Club. After a newspaper asserts that traveling around the world in 80 days is a legitimate possibility, Fogg and his fellow Londoners debate whether becoming a globetrotter is indeed that easy.” (discounted TDF ticket).

Friday - 8:00 - “The Time of Mendel’s Trouble: A madcap musical of Biblical Proportions” - “When Mendel Moskowitz gets a surprise visit from The Burning Bush in his apartment in Brooklyn, his life turns topsy-turvy. Together with his new friend, Murray Schwartz from Miami Beach, they become the two prophets of the Apocalypse, and embark on a madcap spiritual journey that leads them all the way to Jerusalem for some miraculous end-time adventures. An epic musical excursion through the Book of Revelation, the show incorporates a Romeo & Juliet-type love story, political satire, comedy, tragedy, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil when Messiah finally comes to earth. The end of the world was never so zany!” (complimentary ticket).

Saturday - 8:00 - “What To Do When You Hate All Your Friends” - “Four Chairs Theatre Company presents the world premiere of What To Do When You Hate All Your Friends, an anti-social comedy written by award-winning playwright Larry Kunofsky and directed by Jacob Krueger. Matt is a guy who hates all his friends. Celia is a woman at the center of The Friends, a secret group that has perfected friendship through special rules and a rigid ranking system. Can a guy who hates all his friends and a woman who needs friendship to go by-the-book figure out a way to spend time together without going mental? Set in a world of secret hot tub parties, craigslist hookups, and the myriad of ways people try to control intimacy by keeping it away, this edgy and witty new comedy looks at how romance and friendship works -- or doesn't work -- in the way we live now.” (complimentary ticket).

About the shows I saw since the last posting on Thursday, in brief, OK?

The Strangerers - weird, a bit too long, but great acting.

Compose Yourself - a terrific showcase production from the songs written by Larry Grossman.

Stain - Oh My Gawd! Talk about a dysfunctional middle-class family: incest; child abuse; statutory rape of a male teenager; teenage angst; pot smoking; unwanted pregnancy; abortion vs. right-to-life; blackmail; lies, lies and more lies; divorce; and, alcoholism. I think the only hot button issues not touched would have been homophobia and AIDS. Acting was great, story? Well .... not very believable.

Bacchae - Alan Cummings camps up a Greek tragedy with lots of blood, gore and decapitation.

Damn Yankees - this has to be a highlight. Everything about the production seemed to be right on mark, especially the performances of Cheyenne Jackson at Joe Hardy and Sean Hayes as Applegate aka The Devil. I predict a transfer to Broadway.

A Night at the Operetta II - great songs and gorgeous voices.

OK, enough is enough, so ...

Go Yankees!!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Tuesday -To Set Things Straight - Another Topher Picture

I have to admit that I was somewhat taken aback by the negative reaction by my youngest grandson, Topher Falletta of Fleasburg, FL, to last week’s posting of the picture of him taken shortly after his graduation from college. He didn’t mind the picture per se - what upset him was my characterization of it as depicting his major asset. This is an excerpt from his email --

“Beloved Grandfather - I guess the picture was OK, but, you really should remember that since I was a little boy I took greatest pride in my skills as an outdoorsman and an avid hunter of Bambi and her ilk. To set things straight, I have enclosed a recent picture of me taken by friends during a hunting excursion in The Ocala National Forest. This, in my humble opinion, shows your Topher at his best. Please post it to that wonderful blog of yours. With deepest love and affection - your grandson”

SO, GRANDSON-OF-MINE HERE IT IS:

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Saturday - What the F**k Was Steve Jobs Thinking??

First off I want everyone to know that I am a 110% Steve Jobs/Apple/Mac person. I have always had a Mac, both lap top and desk top, and I have multiple iPods (Billi Pod, get it?) and a first generation iPhone, courtesy of my super-son Bill. I have always thought that Steve Jobs was a genius, but ... Friday’s debacle surrounding the highly anticipated release of the newest iPhone was something right out of the pages of the Windows “I’ve Got My Head Up My Ass” play book. Yes, Bill Gates has gotta be laughing his billionaire head off, and rightfully so.

As described in the New York Times: “For many people on Friday, the iPhone was the iCan’t. Apple suffered extensive network gridlock Friday morning, as many of the six million users of the original iPhone tried to upgrade to new software while the first buyers of the new iPhone 3G were trying to activate their purchases.”

For new purchasers, Apple instituted a policy that the phone had to be activated in-store in order to prevent a recurrence of the mass overseas exodus of modified phones for unauthorized cellular networks.

Well, all that decision produced was mass chaos, disgruntled customers and a huge PR faux pas.

To add to the PR problems, early performance reviews are highly critical of the lack of battery strength. Yes, the new wireless internet system is 3 to 4 times faster than the woeful AT&T Edge, but it comes with a price - it eats up the battery life, now estimated to be about 4 1/2 hours. And the battery is sealed inside the iPhone, meaning it cannot be exchanged, only recharged.

And what about us, the original iPhone users? Well, technically we can upgrade (when the system will permit) but the upgrade will not include access to the new and faster wireless 3G. Nice Steve, real nice. Thanks so very much.

OK, I have ranted enough. It will be interesting to see how Apple reacts.

Have two shows today. At 2:00 is the Off-Broadway dark comedy “Stain” and then tonight is Bacchae with Alan Cummings.

Gotta go - Oh, Yankee bats - wake the fuck up, OK?

Go Yankees!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Thursday - The Weekend is Complete Now

Before I set out the entertainment details for the rest of the week and weekend I want to share with you yet another picture that depicts my true feelings about the now departed Fucksox. Yeah Man!!

Actually the Yankees are on a bit of a roll now. We have won 4 straight games and the one last night was a 10 inning nail-biter with the Yankees winning 2-1 in the bottom of the 10th. Mariano had another stellar two inning performance to pick up the win. This win made the record for the 9 games I have just seen: 5 wins and 4 losses. We are not out of the AL East race just yet but after the All Star Game it’s gonna take a pretty massive winning streak somewhere along the way if we are gonna make the Playoffs.

This morning I had my semi-annual appointment with my Urologist and he and I are most happy with the results. My PSA was 1.1 and the finger-up-the-butt went OK. I see him again in January 2009. Hey guys!! If you are over 50 you gotta have at least an annual PSA test WITH, REPEAT, WITH, a Digital Rectal Examination (DRE). The fact that you are paying someone to stick something up your ass doesn’t mean you are gay. You gotta do this!!

Now on to entertainment - I had a show this afternoon at 2:00 but I really wasn’t in the mood for it for a number of reasons, so I just picked up the ticket and then came on back to the apartment. This is something I very rarely do, but ...

Anyway, tonight I see The Strangerers (yes, the correct spelling) which I have previously described and I am really looking forward to the show.

Friday night is a show at the York Theater as part of their Musicals in Mufti series and it is called Compose Yourself - “If you enjoyed Goodtime Charley and our Summer Mufti Series, be sure to join us for the series debut of New2NY, New York premieres of musicals in staged concert performances! The series opens with a new revue of the music of Larry Grossman, Compose Yourself!” (discounted TDF ticket).

Saturday - 2:00 - Stain - “This dark family comedy by Tony Glazer centers on the quickly-crumbling life of Thomas, 15 years old, and the relationships he has with his father Arthur, mother Julia, grandmother Theresa, best friend George, and his much-older girlfriend Carmen. When family secrets are revealed, Thomas is confronted with a choice that will either save or mark him forever. This Choice Theatricals world premiere is directed by Scott C. Embler.” (discounted TDF ticket). Yeah, I know, yet another dysfunctional family show.

8:00 - Bacchai - “From the moment Scottish actor Alan Cummings provocative Dionysus is lowered onstage from above, it is clear that in this North American premiere of the National Theatre of Scotlands acclaimed production, playwright David Greigs interpretation takes the mask off one of the last great Athenian tragedies. A unique take on Euripides, this is a Bacchae for the 21st-century. Noted for his Broadway debut as the emcee in the Roundabout's revival of Cabaret, Mr. Cumming, cast in this timeless exploration of sexuality, according to London's The Guardian, proceeds to give us a Dionysus who, while of divine origin, has adopted a flirty, sportive, sexually equivocal human form. Backed by a gospel-singing female cult of Maenads, Cummings narcissistic Dionysus arrives at Thebes to claim godly recognition from a disbelieving, ascetic King Pentheus, opening the door to a sardonic, contemporary look at the battle between hedonism and repression.” (discounted TDF ticket). I have to admit that I have had misgivings about this show since the word of mouth and reviews have been in the Love It or Hate It category. It closes this weekend so I thought, what the Hell, I like Alan Cummings so I will give it shot.

Sunday - 7:00 - Damn Yankees - “The second of New York City Centers Encores! Summer Stars series, Damn Yankees is the story of ultimate baseball fan Joe Boyd (Cheyenne Jackson), who sells his soul to the Devil (Sean Hayes) for the chance to help his team, the Washington Senators, win the pennant race against the Yankees. The Devil is aided by the sexy Lola (Jane Krakowski), who seduces Joe, but ultimately helps him outsmart the Devil and return to his beloved wife. Songs include "Heart" and "Whatever Lola Wants." (discounted TDF ticket). The show was gotten decent reviews and has a very limited run.

Monday - 8:00 - A Night at the Operetta II @ Town Hall - “Experience the epic music that took Broadway by storm, thrilling audiences ever since the operetta! Join current Broadway stars as they breathe new life into the thrilling creations of Sigmund Romberg, Rudolf Friml, Victor Herbert and more! This stirring evening of classic Broadway show music will feature some of the most passionate and romantic music ever written peppered with host Scott Siegel's entertaining commentary.” (discounted TDF ticket).

Tuesday - 8:00 - Bon Jovi @ Madison Square Gardens. (full price ticket). My seat is excellent and I am really looking forward to seeing him again.

So there you are. I hope you will agree with me that it will be a diverse and, hopefully, interesting and fun, next several days.

Oh, in closing. The show I saw last night, 7 Sins, which I described in an earlier posting, was one of the funniest shows I have seen in a long long time. The writer/performer is doing 5 shows in Washington, DC, next week and then goes across The Pond to participate in the Edinburgh Festival.

Have a great weekend.

Go Yankees!!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Tuesday - OK, OK - I’m Sorry Topher

Yesterday when I posted the picture of my oldest grandson, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Lex Falletta, I had no idea that it would stir up an avalanche of emails from family and friends who uniformly chastised me for omitting any references to my youngest grandson, Topher Falletta who now lives in Fleasburg, FL.

OK, I admit it, I should have posted something regarding Topher, so I searched my photo archives and found a picture taken last year, just after his graduation from the University of Florida, that more than any other picture I have portrays Topher’s strongest asset. I needn't say anything else because the picture speaks for itself and I am confident that family members and friends will agree - this is the Topher we know and love - at his best. It is at the end of this post. I hope all is forgiven.

Now, on to other things. I had a great time last night at [title of show], in very early previews. Since most Broadway shows are dark on Monday night the audience for this show was filled with lots and lots of younger theater-type folks who were very very loud in their response to the performance. I loved it and laughed a lot. The house seemed to be almost sold out. My TDF discounted seat was excellent, second row of the mezzanine. When the show was over the 4 person cast received a roaring standing ovation.

Interestingly, on some of the theater-related chat boards the audience response(s) are generating some negative reactions from some of the, in my words, “theatre elitists” who carp that the audience must be filled with shills. Not true you snobby butt-holes, the audience is full of people who enjoy the show for what it is, a light musical comedy, so get the fuck over yourselves already and go back to listening to your vinyl cast recordings of “Naughty Marietta,” or whatever.

Gosh, I feel better - now on to what I have scheduled for the next several days:

Tuesday - 7:05 - Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays

Wednesday - 1:05 - Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays (maybe a walk back to the apartment after the game, maybe).

7:30 - 7 Sins - "Comedian James Judd's hilarious true stories about trying to win his 5th Grade book report competition with My Search for Patty Hearst, and his careers as a forgotten employee of AT&T, a dot.com journalist (leading to an insane night in a Chinese bordello), and as an under-prepared criminal defense attorney.” (complimentary ticket). Sounds very interesting.

Thursday - 10:00 - semi-annual appointment with my Urologist so he can stick his finger up my butt. Oh, yes, lots of fun.

2:00 - East 14th: True Tales of a Reluctant Player - “What do you do when your mother divorces your father, then remarries a devout follower of "that religion," who takes you door-knocking at 7 o'clock in the morning? You escape and move in with dear old dad, of course. Problem solved. Until you discover your real pop is a real pimp...for real. East 14th: True Tales of a Reluctant Player is the hysterical one-man show chronicling Don Reed's true coming-of-age story in 1970s Oakland. From being forced to deliver the gospel door to door, to living on "Ho Row," Don Reed takes you down a road you'll never forget. At times moving and poignant, but always funny to the core.” (complimentary ticket). A very unusual time for a show, 2:00 on a Thursday, so I thought I would give it a shot.

Then, 7:30 - The Strangerer - “The Strangerer collides several of author Albert Camus' works with the first Bush/Kerry presidential debate in 2004. The formalities of the debate are overturned as Bush and Kerry struggle with the question not of if or why an innocent man should be killed (the man in question being moderator Jim Lehrer), but rather what is the proper manner in which to go about killing him. A fascinating and hilarious hybrid, The Strangerer is part political satire, part classical drama, and a murder mystery with the murderers in plan view.” (complimentary ticket). WOW!! What a way to end a very very interesting but different day, and, yes, that is the correct spelling of the title.

Now I've got things to do, so ...

Go Yankees!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com
TOPHER FALLETTA AT HIS BEST --

Monday - Baseball Overload

Well, I have to admit that 7 baseball games in 7 days is almost guaranteed to bring about sensory and emotional overload and it did, especially with the emotionally draining final two games with the Yankees winning on Saturday by a score of 2-1 and then winning in the bottom of the 10th inning last night by a score of 5-4 on the 2-strike 2-out clutch hit by rookie Brett Gardner off of Fucksox closer Jonathan Papelbon. In both games Yankees closer Mariano Rivera played a crucial role. Sunday’s game started at 8:00 and it was just past midnight when the winning run scored.

I won’t go into more details about the game(s) because if you are a baseball fan you already know that the wins evened the Fucksox series at 2 and 2. If you are not a fan, well, you could care less, so ...

But I have to admit, following my policy of truth and honesty in reporting, that scheduling so many games back-to-back was probably a mistake and, gasp, on Tuesday and Wednesday I have tickets to the two Tampa Bay Rays games, making it 9 games in 10 days. Wow!!

Tonight I am seeing {title of show} in its early Broadway previews. As I have written before, I saw the show twice in its Off-Broadway run and loved it. I hope it makes it on Broadway and can find an audience. The underlying story is about two guys who are trying to write and produce a musical and, among other things, they can’t agree on the title of the show.

In closing I want to thank my oldest grandson, Warrant Officer Alex Falletta, for sending me the pictures taken during his current training program in Arizona. I have taken the liberty of sharing one of them at the bottom of this posting. Way to go Lex!!

Go Yankees!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Saturday - In A Funk

OK, I have to admit that I woke up this morning in a definite funk from yesterday. The back page in The News: “YANKEE NOODLES - A-Rod, Bombers all wet in loss to Red Sox.” The back page in The New York Post: “ALL TALK - Meeting yields only Yankee Doodle Dud.” Yep, that pretty much sums up how I feel.

To add to the funkiness - it was gray and nasty looking when I woke up and then around 1:00 it started to rain and now at 2:30 it is still lightly raining. The game is supposed to start at 3:55 and soon I will have to make the decision of whether to head out to the Stadium to wait to see if the game is finally played, or just sit here. What they will probably do is wait for a couple of hours so the crowd can spend more money on $8.50 beers and then call the game, probably to schedule a day/night doubleheader tomorrow. I keep checking the TV but no word. Fuck!!

I will head out to the game and keep my fingers crossed.

More later. Oh, I didn’t stand in the rain last night to watch the fireworks show.

Go Yankees!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

KA-BOOM AGAIN!! The Fucksox 6 - The Wankies 4

At this point I need all of the help I can get to stay sane as I witnessed yet another example of dead bats and missed scoring opportunities. The game wasn't as close as the score indicates.

To make things worse, at the top of the 8th inning there was a 90 minute rain delay and the weather took care of my plans to walk back to the apartment after the game. It was 6:30 when the game finally ended, with the tying run at the plate. I did consider giving the walk a shot but the weather was nasty and I didn't want to risk getting caught in a rainstorm while in East Harlem.

So, maybe next Wednesday after the 1:05 Tampa Bay game. We will see.

Not sure whether I will join the 1,000,000 plus of my closest friends to watch the fireworks show at 9:00.; We will see.

Anyway, Happy Fourth of July to everyone.

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

KA-BOOM!! The Fucksox 7 - The Wankies 0

Thursday - The FuckSox Come to Town; Fourth of July Plans

Well, after getting swept by The Rays the Fucksox are in The Big Apple for a four game series and I have a ticket for each game.

The Fucksox come into town angry and ashamed and The Yankees are frustrated and hungry. It should be quite a series.

Last night the Yankee bats finally woke up and they scored some runs. It is only too bad that some of those runs couldn’t have turned up in the previous 3 games, but they didn’t. It was a fun game to watch. My seat was one of the extra tickets via my season ticket plan vouchers. It was only $5 and it was in the upper tier but not quite in the nose bleed section. Actually it was quite pleasant. At the end of the 3rd inning I was able to find an empty seat in the Loge area. The Yankees kicked butt, winning 18-7.

My matinee show, “Some Americans Abroad,” was really bad. It is in previews and I am certain the critics will trash it. It was soooooooooooo bad that I left at intermission, something I rarely do. It appeared to me that about 25% of the audience joined me in my exodus. Oh well, win some, lose some.

FOURTH OF JULY PLANS. One of the items I have had on my “Big Apple Things I Gotta Do” list since 1998 has been to walk from Yankee Stadium back to the apartment following a game. Each year it was the main thing that I didn’t get around to doing. Some of you may remember that several years ago I walked from the Northern tip of Manhattan to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal, via Broadway, in two 6.5 mile installments

My criteria for this adventure has been: (1) following a day game, (2) nothing planned for after the game, and (3) decent weather with acceptable humidity. Well, this is the year and Friday, July 4th, will be the day, weather permitting, of course.

So, my plans will be - when the game is over, probably around 3:30, I will get a bottle of water and start walking south on River Avenue to 149th Street, East on 149th Street to Grand Concourse, South on Grand Concourse to 138th Street and then West on 138th Street to the Madison Avenue Bridge where I will cross over the Harlem River and into Manhattan. I calculate the total distance of this leg to be just over a mile.

When I cross the Harlem River I will then walk South on Madison down to 51st Street and back to the apartment. That distance is about 5.5 miles or a total of 6.5 miles. Along the way if I get tired or decide that I have had enough I can always hop the subway or a bus.

OK, now stop it!! I know what some of you are thinking. Yes, I know that part of the time I will be in East Harlem but, trust me, within the past week I have scoped out the area in detail via bus and walking and I feel comfortable about it, I really do, especially during the day. Calm down.

So, there you have it folks. I hope you have a great Fourth of July too!!

It is now time to get ready to head out to Yankee Stadium for game one, so ...

Go Yankees!!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com

Tuesday night - Get Over It Billi Pod

I just got back from the Yankees/Rangers game and I am in a funk, no doubt about it. I thought that Monday’s 2-1 loss was difficult to witness but it didn’t hold the proverbial candle to tonight’s 3-2 debacle. Tonight the score was tied 2-2 going into the top of the 9th and Girardi brought in our Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera. He promptly gives up a double and a single and the score was 3-2 going into the bottom of the 9th. The leadoff runner walked but the Yankees couldn’t muster a hit and the lost their 3rd consecutive one run game. Where are the bats guys????

And, Tampa Bay beat Boston again and that means that the Yankees are trailing those Rays by 8, yes, 8 games in the loss column with the season half over. I am going crazy. Trailing Tampa Bay by 8 games?

Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t expect the team to win every game (although it would certainly be OK with me if they did) but this team hasn’t the old fire in the belly that other Yankee teams have had, certainly not the teams that I have seen in the past 13 years. I have seen only 10 games so far this season but their record for those games is 4 wins and 6 losses. I have tickets to 27 of the remaining 39 home games. Mediocrity is not acceptable!!

I know I gotta get out of this funk and “Get Over It,” but damn ...

OK, I’ve vented, so ... tomorrow I have a 2:00 matinee, “Some Americans Abroad,” and then the final Yankees/Rangers game at 7:05, hopefully with better results.

Go Yankees!!!

Billi Pod
wanjr@aol.com