The Recovery Is-->AWESOME!!

The recovery of the Chilean miners was awesome to watch last night live on CNN. As the rescue operation continues today, please God, let all of them be returned to family and friends.

You know, it is totally beyond my ability to imagine the true horror of being trapped underground for that length of time. It goes to prove how resilient the human spirit can be when put to the ultimate test.

Last night, Tuesday, Billi Pod screwed up, big-time. How, you are no doubt breathlessly asking? Well, I had booked a show called LOVE DIVIDED BY/TIMES THREE for 8:00, at a theater on my block. When I went to the box office @ 7:30 to pick up my ticket I discovered that the correct time was ... tada ... 7:00. Man, was that embarrassing. What makes it even worse, Billi Pod knows that on Tuesday most of the shows, Broadway and Off-Broadway, now start at 7:00. My bad-->and, will probably be surcharged by my ticket service for not picking up my ticket. Barf!! Oh, well ...

Came back to PHC and settled in to watch the RAYS/RANGERS game, alternating with the rescue efforts on CNN.

As you know, The Rays lost a game they could have won, so it will be YANKEES/RANGERS for the American League Championship and on to the World Series. I am truly sorry ‘bout The Rays-->now, bring on those sorry-ass hillbilly Rangers.

This afternoon I have my semiannual cleaning/checkup session with my dentist. I, frankly, have this only because his office kept calling and “reminding” me that I need to schedule an appointment. I hate this, I really do. I call it my “chisel and bleed torture session,” or, “the dental hygienist's pay-back time.” OMFG!! I always bring her a single rose. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. OMFG!!

Anyhoo - assuming I don’t end up in a mental institution with a nervous breakdown--

Tonight-8:00-->EDWARD ALBEE'S ME, MYSELF & I-“Mother can't tell her identical twins apart. But when Otto announces his brother doesn't exist, the household descends into chaos.” At a theater on my block.

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.”

BMS-15

Billi Pod Says-->Happy Columbus Day!!

Happy Columbus Day my loyal and faithful readers. I hope that each of you had a great weekend, I know that Billi Pod certainly did up here in The Greatest City In The World, which is so full of amazing things and stuff to do and why I love living here.

Let me start by giving report cards on things since my last posting on Saturday morning:

Of course the highlight was The Yankee game on Saturday night-->behind a remarkable performance by Phil Hughes, the Yankees won 6-1, sweeping the Twins and advancing to the American League Championship Series (ALCS) on Friday against either The Rays or The Rangers. It was an exciting game to watch and be a part of.

The picture is of two of my buds/seat mates, Erik and Mike. During the game I was basically unable to use my iPhone because, I have been told, almost everyone in the stadium was also trying to get online, texting etc. As a result I didn’t get much timely info about the dreadful GATOR/LSU game until it was over. Maybe that was a blessing in disguise. BARF!!

Anyhoo, it was 12:45am when Billi Pod finally got back to PHC-->tired, hungry, but very very happy that The Yankees had taken a major step toward repeating as World Champions.

Sunday was a doubleheader:

My first show was PERFECT HARMONY-“a comedy about the greatest singing group in High School history, The Acafellas, and their female counterpart, perennial runners up, The Ladies in Red”-->B<--fun, a bit long and kinda cliché-heavy but still worth seeing.

IT’S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY-“an autobiographical movie about a clinically depressed 16 yo boy who checks himself into an adult psychiatric ward”-->B+<--there are laughs but basically it is a touching movie with great acting. I highly recommend it even though I know it has received very mixed reviews

This being a Monday, it is my errands and stuff day. I do have a show scheduled for the late afternoon-5:00-->SHOW CHOIR: THE MUSICAL-“a musical about a TV documentary following the path to fame of a small town High School show choir.”

This show is produced by my FaceBook friend Julie Miller and is part of the New York Musical Festival (NYMF). It has gotten very good reviews. Unfortunately, this afternoon is its final performance. Hopefully it will find a life in another venue.

Tonight I will probably either stay in to watch the crucial BRAVES/GIANTS game or catch a movie.

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.”

BMS-17

PS: Does anyone remember when was the last time The Gators were out of the top 20 in midseason? (awkward sentence, I know).

Saturday - GO GATORS - GO YANKEES!!

Good afternoon everyone. It is another beautiful afternoon in the Big Apple, cool and only a few clouds in the sky.

Let me start off this brief posting (hold the f-ing applause, dammit!) with a report card on last nite’s THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS-->A<--an extremely well performed, very emotional show done in a minstrel show format. I, frankly, liked it much much more than I thought I would. If you are in NYC-->see it.

Today is a mega-sports day-->Billi Pod will be glued to the tube watching college football and The Rays/Rangers game, then --

7:30-->FLORIDA/LSU @ The Swamp (on ESPN). The Gators look to bounce back from the embarrassing ass-whipping they got last weekend at ‘Bama. Hopefully I will get text updates on the game while I am at The Stadium, because --

8:30-->YANKEES/TWINS with Phil Hughes on the mound, going for the sweep. Frankly I am worried about all of the hype that The Twins are out of it, that this game is a mere formality, etc. etc. Hey everyone-->remember 2001? The Yankees lost the first 2 games at home and then came back to win the Division. Again ... it ain’t over ‘til it’s over ... never ever forget that in baseball or any sport for that matter.

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.”

BMS-19

Andy Was Excellent!!

Oh Yes, Andy Pettitte came through in the clutch last night in Minn. with a stellar performance and the Yankees now have a 2 game lead, but-->guys, please remember-->"it ain’t over 'til it's over,” to quote Yogi.

The next game is Saturday at 8:30, at The Stadium, with Phil Hughes on the mound and Billi Pod will be there with his buds, hoping and praying for a sweep.

Man, The Rays are in deep s**t. Their offense is nonexistent. Nothing more to say, except that I have a very very bad feeling about this.

Tonight-8:00-->THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS-“This musical, the final collaboration by Kander and Ebb, is based on the 1930s case in which 9 African-American young men were unjustly accused of a terrible crime.” On Broadway after a very successful Off-Broadway run.

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.”

BMS-20

Roy Halladay Was AMAZING!!

It is a beautiful fall day in The Big Apple and, of course, Billi Pod should be out and about in The Greatest City In The World, but ... it’s not gonna happen ... because ... well, you loyal and faithful readers probably know why, so ... see the details below.

I want to give a brief report card on LE BETE-->C<--as in confusing. Acting was excellent but the book-->?????. It was not what I expected. I have a feeling I may be in the minority with this, but ... it’s how I feel.

Last night’s Yankee 6-4 win over the Twins was very exciting, but I have to say, as a baseball nut, that watching Doc Halladay’s no-hitter over The Reds was even more exciting. I was in the stands when David Cone pitched his perfect game, so I know how it feels to be a witness to baseball history. In Halladay’s case, it was the first post season no-hitter since Don Larsen did it way back in 1956.

In the Yankee/Twins game CC gets only a C. He was ultimately baled out by the Yankee bats and, of course, Mo. Oh, on what should have the last out of the game, the umpiring crew totally blew a call on a line-drive to right field that was actually caught, not trapped. Thank goodness it didn’t effect the outcome of the game. Another reason for limited “Further Review/Replay.”

The Rays may be in serious trouble. Their problems at the plate have followed them into the post season. I hope I am wrong, of course, because I would love to see the Yankees/Rays play in the AL League Championship and the Yankees advance to The World Series.

All of the local newspaper reviews of The Wall have been "Off The Wall" (no pun intended) mega-favorable.

As you might expect, today is 100% baseball on TV --

2:30-->Rays/Rangers

6:00-->YANKEES/TWINS with Andy Pettitte on the mound

9:30-->Braves/Giants.

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.”

BMS-21

The Wall Was AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!

As many of you loyal and faithful readers know, I have been a diehard Pink Floyd fan for most of my adult life (much to the chagrin of many of my older judicial colleagues, I might add) and I have seen the original Pink Floyd in concert at least 4 times, maybe more.

Never seen The Wall performed live, however. I have the DVD of the movie, and, of course, several CDs issued by Pink Floyd.

This made last night’s concert, ROGER WATERS: THE WALL LIVE @ Madison Square Garden, a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me and I am sooooooo happy to report that the concert was AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!!

It began around 8:30 and was over around 10:30, with an intermission. Waters, at age 67, has a mesmerizing on-stage charisma and he was backed by a six-piece band that remained true to the Pink Floyd sound.

Terrific projections, 3-D effects, huge inflatable puppets and, of course, The Wall, helped explore the themes of fascism, conformity, alienation and death.

When The Wall came tumbling down, ending the concert, I felt emotionally drained. I am not being overly dramatic, just trying to convey to you loyal and faithful readers how I felt, and, frankly, still feel.

Yes, I do indeed feel blessed that I had this opportunity in The Greatest City In The World.

Now, briefly, on to other things--

2day-2:00-->LA BETE-“stars David Hyde Pierce and Mark Rylance and sinks its teeth into the age-old debate of high art verses popular entertainment.” Broadway. This show had a sold-out run in London.

8:30-->YANKEES/TWINS @ Minn. with ace CC Sabathia on the mound. The march toward the World Series begins.

Will also watch the rest of the Rays/Rangers game and then the Reds/Phillies game @ 5:00

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.”

BMS-21

OMG!! - The Wall Tonight - OMG!!

Tonight-8:00-->ROGER WATERS: THE WALL LIVE @ Madison Square Garden-“Roger Waters, cofounder and principal songwriter of Pink Floyd, is commemorating the 30th anniversary of the original release of The Wall.”

“Featuring a full band and a state-of-the-art production, this masterpiece of alienation and transformation is performed in its entirety.”

“The Wall was America's top-selling album of 1980, is one of the top-selling double albums of all time, and is still in the US Top 5 best-selling albums of all time.”

Nothing more for me to say-->I am soooooooooo F**king charged-->I can’t wait.

Billi Pod

BMS-24

Monday in the Big Apple

Good morning my loyal and faithful readers. I hope everyone had a great weekend. This being Monday, errands and stuff are on my agenda, so this missive will be somewhat shorter than usual. What is that? Do I hear applause in the background? Be careful what you wish for. You are warned!!

Well, on to the post season. As you know, The Rays won the AL East outright and will host the Rangers and Cliff Lee on Wednesday.

The Yankees, who limped in as wild card, play the Twins in Minn. on Wednesday @ 8:30 with ace CC Sabathia on the mound. Two games there. The first home game is Saturday @ 8:30 and the 2nd, if necessary, on Sunday, starting time not yet announced. As previously reported, I have tickets to all post season (including the World Series) home games in my regular season seat.

A bit of information in response to a message from a FaceBook friend-->post season ticket prices are determined by Major League Baseball, not by the individual teams. The season ticket price for my seat is $70 per game, reflecting a $10 discount for being a season ticket holder. The day of game price is $90. These are the post season prices:

Division Series - $60

Championship Series - $120

World Series - $160

Last year World Series tickets in my section were selling on Stub Hub for $400-$500 a seat

The Gators fell out of the Top 10-->barf!! We are 7 1/2 point favorites over unbeaten LSU in The Swamp. Go figure.

Billi Pod’s report card on THE DIVINE SISTER-->very funny and just what I needed. It has an open run, so my Big Apple readers-->see it if you can.

Tonight-8:00-->BORN FOR BROADWAY-“a benefit for the Christopher Reeve Foundation-hosted by Kathie Lee Gifford-featuring dozens of Broadway performers.”

In the name of fair and unbiased reporting, Billi Pod has to admit that it actually will be kinda nice to have a break from baseball, for a couple of days that is.

Oh, just compiled the entertainment stats for September and they are pretty awesome. Will post later today.

Got things and stuff to do, so ...

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.”

BMS-25

Billi Pod's September 2010 Entertainment Stats

The stats for September 2010 reflect Billi Pod’s “involvement” with the Yankees as the season moved toward its nail-biting finale. This was exemplified by my decision to get additional tickets for all of the games in the final week of the season not in my season ticket package.

The result was 7 consecutive nights at The Stadium. That, my loyal and faithful readers, is way-too-much of a good thing and something I don’t anticipate repeating in the future.

Anyways-->here are Billi Pod’s entertainment stats for September 2010:

In checking my daily log (log, not diary - real guys don’t keep diaries) I find that during the month of September 2010 Billi Pod did/saw/attended the following:

4 Broadway shows (The Pitmen Painters; Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson; A Life In The Theatre; and Lombardi); 5 Off Broadway shows plus 2 New York Fringe Festival Encore shows; 2 movies (Going the Distance and The Virginity Hit); 1 New York Philharmonic concert; and 9 Yankees games, including the last 7 consecutive home games (5 wins & 4 losses - season record-->32 wins & 18 losses).

Was out of town for 5 nights for the trip down to Columbia, SC, to be with family and friends for an early celebration of my oldest grandson Alex Falletta’s 30th birthday. This was the highlight of the month, without a doubt.

Because of “commitments” Alex was not available for his actual birthday, September 12th, and he will not be available for his next birthday in 2011. Soooooooo happy we could all be together.

Other highlights of the month: the ongoing medical recovery and 80th birthday of my dear friend actor David Huddleston; my sister Ann Parker’s 73rd birthday; and quality face-time with student/General Manager Scott Reed.

During the month there were 5 days/nights when Billi Pod stayed in PHC without attending some entertainment event. On each of these Billi Pod was in a couch-potato mode glued to the TV, watching ...tada... Yankee games.

I posted regularly to my FaceBook Wall http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=name&id=100000655659050 and 33 times on this blog, although in a somewhat abbreviated format.

So, my loyal and faithful readers, there you have it. Was it another outstanding month in The Big Apple? I humbly think so, but it is up to you to decide, because --

I report - you decide.

GO YANKEES AND GO GATORS!!

Billi Pod

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

Gators/'Bama=Painful

OK my loyal and faithful readers, in the name of fair and unbiased reporting, let’s get right to it-->the 31-6 ass-kicking by ‘Bama was more than painful to watch. The Gators sucked and made almost every error imaginable on offense.

‘Nuff said-->let’s put it behind us guys and move on-->we will have our hand’s full again next weekend when LSU comes to The Swamp.

The Yankees split their doubleheader with the FuckSox, the first game began at 4:00pm and the last game ended around 1:15am this morning. The Yankees also stunk in the last game, one they should have won.

The AL East championship will be decided today. The Yankee game starts at 1:35. If both the Yankees and The Rays win (or both lose) they would be tied, but the AL East Pennant would go to The Rays because they won the season series with the Yankees 10-8.

Billi Pod’s report card on THE ROAR OF THE GREASE PAINT-THE SMELL OF THE CROWD-->excellent. FaceBook friend Josh Grisetti did a terrific job.

Billi Pod’s entertainment event for tonight --

7:00-->THE DIVINE SISTER-“tells the story of St. Veronica's indomitable Mother Superior (played by playwright Charles Busch), who is determined to build a new school for her convent.”

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.”

BMS-26

See The Social Network ASAP Says Billi Pod

Good morning everyone. Thank goodness the weather has cleared up here in The Big Apple, it is beautiful out.

I saw THE SOCIAL NETWORK yesterday and want to share some of my thoughts about the film, and in doing so, let me start by paraphrasing some background from part(s) of a highly favorable

review written by Rex Reed in The New York Observer--

"Revenge of the Nerd - The Social Network is the story of how Mark Zuckerberg, a nerdy 19-year-old Harvard doofus with his face glued to a computer screen and all the personality and charm of road kill, invented a Web site one drunken night in 2003 that evolved into a $25 billion phenomenon called Facebook that changed the fabric of how people throughout the world now talk to each other without speaking the actual words.”

My loyal and faithful readers, this is a terrific movie, especially the acting. Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zukerberg is incredible and the filming is amazing. In Billi Pod’s opinion, this is the Must-See movie of the year so far, even if you aren’t on FaceBook or that much into the Internet.

Couple of strange things happened in the theater. The show, previews, was supposed to start at 11:45am, so I got there around 11:30 and there was only one other person in the theater (huge) and that was really eerie. For some reason the previews were late in beginning and by the time they started I would estimate that the theater was about 1/3 full. Lots of previews. Then, 10 minutes into the movie, just as Zukerberg was finishing the steps that ultimately gave birth to FaceBook-->WTF-->it shut down. After a bit it was rewound back to previews-->finished them again and then-->shutdown again. What the F**K? Had Zukerberg hacked into the system? Info was slow in coming. Bottom-line-->we had to change theaters in time for the next show-->to watch the ... tada ... previews again ... but it was worth it, oh yes ... it was worth it.

No joke, folks, see this movie-->this time the critics got it right with all of their highly favorable reviews and buzz. See it ASAP!!

Billi Pod’s entertainment schedule for today is interesting, I think you will agree--

2:30-->THE ROAR OF THE GREASEPAINT-THE SMELL OF THE CROWD @ The York Theatre-“a musical about 1960s London, where two gentlemen of different classes are always trying to get the best of each other and neither truly win.” In the cast is my FaceBook friend Josh Grisetti. Break a leg Josh!!

4:00-->YANKEES/FUCKSOX @ fetid Fenway Park. This is the first game of a doubleheader because of the rain out last night. The second game starts at 9:00.

The Rays lost yesterday so the Yankees now lead the AL East by 1/2 game.

8:00-->GATORS VS. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE @ Tuscaloosa aka Hillbilly Heaven. The #1 ranked Tide is favored by 8 points over the #7 ranked Gators. It should be a nail-biter to the very last play.

Wow, when Billi Pod finally crashes tonight after-->theater; Yankees doubleheader; and, Gators playing in Hillbilly Heaven, I think he will be a little tired. Hopefully it will be-->tired but happy.

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.”

BMS-27

Rain Go Away - Billi Pod Has Things to Do!

Man, it is a totally nasty day here in The Big Apple. It is raining and the wind is gusting and it is supposed to get worse as the day progresses, so it would be a good day/evening to stay in PHC, right? Well, of course it would be, my loyal and faithful readers, but you already know what is coming next, don’t you? Despite the weather Billi Pod has already scheduled the following entertainment events --

11:30am-->THE SOCIAL NETWORK, starring Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg founder of FaceBook; and, then --

8:00-->New York Philharmonic @ Avery Fisher Hall - Mahler’s Symphony No. 6 (“Tragic”) . It is 83 minutes, without an intermission.

Also, at 7:00-->Yankees/FuckSox at fetid Fenway Park, with Andy Pettitte on the mound.

This is the final 3 game series of the regular season. The Yankees are now tied again with The Rays for lst place in the AL East, so this series has significance beyond just playing the hated and despised FuckSox. The poor FuckSox will be spending the remainder of the month and early November watching TV and sucking ... well, you know what they suck, don't you?

The weather may become a factor and that could really screw things up big-time.

I will close with a report card on LOMBARDI-->WINNER!! Totally enjoyed it. Dan Lauria as Lombardi and Keith Nobbs as the reporter/narrator are excellent. It is 90 minutes without intermission. The yelling and screaming got a bit irritating toward the end but that didn’t detract from an insider-look into one of football’s all-time legends. I highly recommend it.

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.”

BMS-28

Billi Pod Says-->See A Life In The Theatre

Good afternoon my loyal and faithful readers.

It is a dark and gloomy day in The Greatest City In The World and rain is forecast for the remainder of the day, into the evening and for tomorrow too.

Let me start with a report card on A LIFE IN THE THEATRE-->A+<--Patrick Stewart and T.R. Knight combine to bring Mamet’s play to life. There is definitely positive chemistry between Stewart and Knight and you can feel it sitting in the audience. If you are in the NYC area, or plan to be, and love theater-->you gotta see this show!! It only runs until January 2, 2011, unfortunately.

Billi Pod’s entertainment schedule to today --

8:00-->LOMBARDI-“Dan Lauria (Wonder Years) plays Vince Lombardi, the Hall of Fame football coach, one of the most inspirational and oft-quoted personalities of all time, but who was the person behind the icon, the man behind the legend?” Broadway.

There is mixed buzz about this show, in previews.

Man, I can’t wait for THE SOCIAL NETWORK, starring Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zukerberg, the founder and CEO of FaceBook, to open on Friday. Up here all of the advance buzz and pre-opening reviews have been very very positive. I will catch it tomorrow during the day without a doubt-->will get my ticket today.

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.”

BMS-29

THE YANKEES WIN!!

Good morning my loyal and faithful readers. It is a beautiful early fall day in The Greatest City in The World.

Last night, behind a stellar performance from ace CC Sabathia the Yankees beat The Blue Jays 6-1 and finally clinched a post season berth. The win also eliminated the Boston FuckSox and good riddance.

Luckily Billi Pod was back in PHC, following the New York Philharmonic concert, in time to catch the final inning and the post-game celebrations.

This headline in The Post pretty much says it all-->“THEY’RE IN: Yanks Clinch Another Trip to the Playoffs.” Whew!!

Speaking of the New York Philharmonic concert-->A+<--as in mega-awesome due to the unbelievable performance by Itzhak Perlman.

Perlman was afflicted with polio at age 4. He came on stage to a roaring ovation. He is on crutches and it is obviously difficult for him to move around, but he does it totally without assistance, including getting up on a riser, where he sat in a chair during the 37 minute performance of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, done without break between movements.

When it was over the audience gave him a roaring standing ovation, hoping for an encore performance, but, alas, it wasn’t to be.

Today’s scheduled entertainment event is--

2:00-->A LIFE IN THE THEATER-“a behind-the-scenes peek at the challenge of actors battling to share both a dressing room and the spotlight. The story follows two actors in a repertory company: Robert (Patrick Stewart), an older, experienced performer, and John (T.R. Knight), a newcomer to the stage.” On Broadway.

I will probably catch the Michael Douglas movie in the evening.

I am also happy to report that for the upcoming 10 days Billi Pod has already booked a very eclectic entertainment schedule: 4 Broadway shows; 1 Off Broadway show; 1 New York Philharmonic concert; and, 1 Rock concert. It may also include 2 post season home games, depending on who wins the AL East, the Yankees or The Rays. Not bad, not bad at all.

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.”

BMS-30