Billi Pod Reports On John Scott Reed

It is freezing cold in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World==>23º at 8:00am this morning. Fortunately, no snow accumulation.

Mayor Mike had the City in a 100% disaster response mode, like it should have been two weeks ago. Face it, Mike, the first goof up made you look incompetent while this reaction just made you look unrealistic. You lost the public’s confidence big time in both instances. Sorry, but the truth hurts sometimes.

Anyway, Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s JOHN FAUSTUS AND THE OVERCLOCKED DEATH DRIVE==>B+<==really different and very interesting.

The young ensemble cast does a great job and the multimedia special effects are outstanding. Its running time is 70 minutes and performances are scheduled through January 30th. I recommend it if you are in a mood for something a bit different.

Today is a doubleheader for Billi Pod --

11:00am (yes, that is the correct time)==>YOU SAY TOMATO, I SAY SHUT UP-“a real-life married couple takes a comedic look back at their years together as they navigated the conflicts that come with romance, money, and children.” (complimentary ticket)

8:00pm==>NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC @ Lincoln Center-works by Ads, Mozart and Mahler. (discounted TDF ticket).

Between these two events I will come back to my warm and cozy 41st floor apartment aka PHC and work on transferring data from my iBook and my old iMac to my new and state-of-the-art 21.5” iMac.

Will also spend time in front of the tube watching football.

OK, my loyal and faithful readers, I can now fill you in on what is happening to John Scott Reed==>effective January 3rd he became Director of Operations & Executive Assistant to the CEO, Lori Levine, of Flying Television, a talent booking and brokering firm, with offices located in Chelsea. Basically they facilitate the connection between corporate-sponsored events and A-list celebrities.

Yes, I totally agree==>WOW!! How did this young Lakeland transplant land this type of job, you are no doubt breathlessly asking?” Well, it was through connections, his earned reputation for handling large amounts of pressure and his ability to comfortably interact with just about anyone. He is a people person in a people-driven business.

I am so happy for him and excited about this new career path. I know he will do well.

On this positive and happy note Billi Pod has to head out for his 11:00am show, so ...

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

“The Iceman Cometh” was originally the title of a porn movie.

GO GATORS AND 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.”

Billi Pod Says==>December 2010 Was Awesome!!

On this snowy and nasty Friday afternoon I have no excuse for not posting the stats for last month, so ...

Here are Billi Pod’s entertainment stats for December 2010 --

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

2 Broadway shows (“Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark” and “Jim Gaffigan On Broadway”); 10 Off Broadway shows; 5 classical music concerts, including The New York Philharmonic’s New Year’s Eve Gala and The Vienna Boys Choir.; and, 1 movie (Gulliver’s Travels).

Was out of town for 6 nights in Columbia, SC, for a family Christmas with: daughter Kathi and son-in-law Dr. John; son Bill III aka Billy Boy aka The Bill; and, oldest grandson Alex Falletta aka Army Guy aka Lex and his wife Gina. Unfortunately, youngest grandson Chris Falletta aka Topher was unable to join us due to other family commitments.

Daughter Kathi is due a major shout-out for being her usual AAA hostess even though she had major physical discomfort as a result of a slip-and-fall on December 23rd.

My visit to Columbia was actually 24 hours longer than planned due to the blizzard, but, in all honesty, all that did was give me more time to eat the wonderful food prepared by my gourmet-chef son-in-law Dr. John.

During the month was able to have face time a couple of times with John Scott Reed, who has now embarked on a major career path change. Details in the next posting, I promise.

Also high on the highlight list was an awesome gourmet luncheon with John Horne of Anna Maria, FL, and his posse.

I renewed my Yankee 41-game season ticket package although I remain pissed off with their “decision” to reduce our "privilege" to buy the same seat for all post season games. ‘Nuttin I could do about it, so ...

Of course, there were downsides too. December marked 4 years since my dear friend and longtime colleague Randy Bentley of Lakeland, FL, left us. Also, his wife, Sue, had major surgery to address serious heart problems. I am happy to report that she is making a remarkable recovery.

And, Urban Meyer’s decision to retire, yet again, as Coach of The Florida Gators was also a major downer for Billi Pod.

Now, taking into consideration the time I was out of the city, the basically nasty weather, and an annoying eye problem, I must report that there were only 2, yes, this is correct, 2 days/evenings that Billi Pod stayed in PHC without attending some type of entertainment/social event.

This, in my humble opinion, is a pretty awesome stat, but it is up to you loyal and faithful readers to decide, because ...

I report - you decide!!

GO GATORS AND 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.”

Friday==>Snowing Again In The Big Apple.

It is snowing again but it is not expected to reach blizzard intensity. The predictions are for 2 to 5 inches of “powder” snow with little, if any, accumulation. We will see.

Of course Mayor Mike has been on a nonstop PR blitz to assure “us” that The City is ready this time for whatever happens. Sorry Mike, but you are two weeks too late to win us back.

The view from PHC, on the 41st floor, is awesome and I am nice and warm and comfortable. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

As you loyal and faithful readers will no doubt recall, when Billi Pod gave his report card on DRACULA he predicted that the critics were going to drive a stake through its heart when it opened ... well ... tada ... they just did that and almost everyone hated the show and the so-called actor playing Dracula.

According to internet buzz the show will probably close this weekend.

Which leads into Billi Pod’s report card on --

BEIRUT==>F<==worst show in a long long time, 10 times worse than DRACULA. The acting sucked and I can’t remember less applause from an audience at a curtain-call. Thank God it is only 60 minutes long.

Tonight’s entertainment event --

9:30==>JOHN FAUSTUS AND THE OVERCLOCKED DEATH DRIVE-“a frenetic and futuristic multimedia adaptation of The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus.”

Oh yes, this time it is a brilliant young programmer who sells his soul to the Devil. Hummmmm ... hello Mark Zuckerberg, it that you?

The nice thing about this show is that it is playing in a theater just 3 short blocks from my building.

I am happy to report that I got the new printer all setup and am becoming very comfortable with my new machine. Will do some data transfers this afternoon (what better way to pass the time on a snow-day) and figure out what stays and what goes.

So, my loyal and faithful readers, I leave you with what I know will be Billi Pod’s most controversial musing thus far. Please, just think about it for a few minutes before you judge ...

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

“Who circumcised God?”

Remember==> please think about it ...

GO GATORS AND 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.”

Billi Pod Is In Apple Heaven!!!

BREAKING NEWS from The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World==>my new 21.5" iMac and wireless HP printer arrived last night. I brought them upstairs to PHC when I got back from my show. OMG!!

I promised myself ... “self, it is 11:00pm, just leave them in their respective boxes and deal with them tomorrow” ... and did I keep my promise to “self”? Well, those of you loyal and faithful readers who have known me over the years already know the answer ... OF COURSE F**KING NOT!!

OMG!! Billi Pod stayed up until almost 4:00am playing with the awesome 21.5” iMac. After working with my trustworthy iBook, with its 11.5” screen, for 18 months this new iMac feels like I am watching everything at an iMax theater.

When I got up this morning I went directly to the new machine and have been here ever since and it is almost noon. Haven’t even had breakfast yet. I am just working with the basics, getting myself familiar with the new operating system etc.

My plans are to get the wireless HP printer operational this afternoon and to delay major data transfers until tomorrow.

Yep, I gotta say it==>Billi Pod is in Apple Heaven. Bless you Steve Jobs, Bless You!!

Now, my loyal and faithful readers, on to other stuff like ...

Report card on GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES==>W+<==as in majorly weird and creepy, but, it is still worth seeing because the two-person cast is excellent.

My entertainment event for tonight is --

8:00==>BEIRUT-"a young man has been quarantined to a dark, squalid room (referred to as "Beirut") on the LES of NYC, after testing positive for a nameless disease. His uninfected girlfriend makes the dangerous journey across the quarantine line to be with him.” ($9.00 TDF ticket).

Man, does this sound grim, but it is playing at a theater on my block, so I thought I would give it a shot.

OK, everyone, Billi Pod needs/wants to get back to becoming one with his new iMac, so he will close with ...

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

"Are there zip codes for zip lock bags?"

GO GATORS AND 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.”

Billi Pod Says==>Congratulations Dian Crystal!!

What better way to begin this bright and cold day in The Big Apple than to share with you loyal and faithful readers the breaking news about my dear friend and fellow theater junkie, Dian Crystal, who has now become famous world-wide as a result of this news article in today’s New York Post. I am so proud to be her friend.

Billi Pod’s report card on NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC concert==>A<==The featured performer was 25yo. Yulianna Avdeeva, the first female winner of The International Chopin Competition.

And, loved hearing The Nutcracker, Act II, for the second time in a week and the audience was really into the performance. A great evening.

Gonna do some more errands and stuff this afternoon. Eagerly awaiting the delivery of my new iMac and wireless HP printer.

Billi Pod’s entertainment event for tonight --

8:00==>GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES- “Over the course of 30 years, the lives of Kayleen and Doug intersect at the most bizarre intervals, leading the two childhood friends to compare scars and the physical calamities that keep drawing them together.” (discounted TDF ticket).

Yeah, I know, it sounds mega-weird.

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

“A stream of consciousness has no boundaries, except when routed through Idaho.”

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.”

Tuesday==>Billi Pod Grades Himself

Good afternoon, on this cold Tuesday, from The Big Apple, The Greatest City in The World.

Well, my loyal and faithful readers, in the name of fair and unbiased reporting, it is only proper that Billi Pod give a report card on Monday, his errands day, so ...

Report card on Billi Pod’s errands day==>C-.

Actually that grade may be a little generous, too. Oh, lots of lists, lots of planning, but, little resolve and virtually no execution. My bad!! Will try to make up for it today and tomorrow ‘cause I got things that need to get done.

On a more positive note - had a great late dinner last night with John Scott Reed @ Westville in Chelsea.

We each got caught up on the other’s holiday activities (the plus and the minus) and what we look forward to in 2011.

As I have mentioned in previous postings, Scott has just embarked on a new career path and I am so excited for him. I will share with you loyal and faithful readers, many of whom know him personally, the details as soon as I get his permission. Trust me, it is all good!!

Tonight’s entertainment event --

7:30==>NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC @ Lincoln Center - Chopin-Piano Concerto No. 1 and Tchaikovsky-The Nutcracker, Act II.

This is part of my 3 series subscription and, yes, the Tchaikovsky is a repeat of part of the New Year’s Eve program and that is just fine with me.

Actually have been doing some errands today, so let me close, my loyal and faithful readers, with the usual and highly anticipated --

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

“Being a 21st century moray eel is not easy.”

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.”

Monday==>Errands Day

Monday in The Big Apple, The Greatest City in The Word, is Billi Pod’s errands day, the first in 2011.

Have a very long list of stuff I oughtta do...will I do them (or even some of them) ... hum ... well ... time will tell.

Happy to report that my iPhone alarm works. It is really just a backup because my body-clock usually wakes me up in the morning after my usual 6 hours of sleep.

In the name of fair and unbiased reporting Billi Pod has to admit that he is about to OD on football==>spent all day and evening, again, in front of the tube.

Jets in. Giants (10-6) and Tampa Bay (10-6) out. Seahawks (7-9) in. This makes no sense to me.

Tonight I am having dinner with John Scott Reed who has just embarked on a new career path and I am so excited for him. Will post many more details later.

OK, my loyal and faithful readers, Billi Pod is about to leave this ‘puter and start doing things and stuff, but, never fear, he wouldn’t leave you without ...

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

“Despite repeated denials from CBS, Andy Rooney died on December 13, 2009.”

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.”

Sunday In The Big Apple==>WTF?

Good morning my loyal and faithful readers on Sunday, the second day of 2011.

Today is a rather strange beginning to 2011 for Billi Pod. Why? Well==>(1) the alarm in my iPhone is not working. I understand it is supposed to correct itself tomorrow, and

(2) missed deliveries for both The Times and The Post today. Now that is really annoying for a news junky like moi.

When I called to report the problem(s) was advised that The Times would be delivered later this morning. (addendum-->it just arrived)

At least The Gators won the last game in the Urban era, wrestling a victory from the jaws of mediocrity in a game much much closer than the final score of 37-24.

It just seemed to me that The Gators were sloppy in almost every aspect of the game and where the f**k was the offense? Oh well ... a win is a win, right?

BREAKING NEWS==>Gators will soon announce the hiring of Charlie Weis as our new offensive coordinator. Great news!! The new era begins.

Yesterday, between watching way too much football, Billi Pod look care of the number 1 item on his 2011 To Do List. What was it you are no doubt breathlessly asking?

Well, folks, midweek I will receive delivery of a new 21.5” iMac with of all the new bells and whistles, including a new HP printer, but ...

OMFG!!==> I hate the thought of getting it set up and transferring data from this old but trusty iBook and my old iMac, but it has to be done.

Billi Pod’s activity schedule for today==>Football in the afternoon and a movie in the early evening.

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

“Used condoms are our Gross National Product.”

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.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“No one ever returns calcified corn husks.”

GO YANKEES AND GO GATORS!!

Billi Pod

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Some other things and stuff ...

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

1. Bedbugs.

2. Pee-wee Herman’s comeback.

3. Larry King’s farewell.

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

5. Ricky Martin comes out.

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

1. How much better New York used to be.

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

3. Rent.

4. Food.

5. Yankees vs. Mets.

You are so very welcum.

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

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

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

“Meaning bush when you say Busch is bushwhacky.”

GO YANKEES AND GO GATORS!!

Billi Pod

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

Billi Pod Says==>Oh The Drama!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“A Bear is barely naked”

GO YANKEES AND GO GATORS!!

Billi Pod

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

Wednesday==>Mayor Mike Is Taking Heat!!

On this Wednesday morning it is bright and cold in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

There is still lots of snow and ice on sidewalks and roads and there is major anger in the outer boroughs over the failure of the city to bring snow plows into the areas. Of course, the Mayor is taking the heat (no pun intended) and the headlines are pretty brutal:

“SNOW EXCUSES! - Mayor Mike defends plowing amid outrage.” The Daily News.

"COLD COMFORT - Mike finally mad over blizzard blunders.” New York Post

"CITY STRUGGLES AS STORM IMPACT CHASTENS MAYOR - Many Streets Unplowed-the Council Will Hold Hearings.” New York Times

In Manhattan the major thoroughfares are passable but vast stretches of the outer boroughs remain untouched, leaving tens of thousands of residents unable to get to work etc. If I lived out "there" I would be upset too.

Last night Billi Pod stayed in and watched pro and college football involving teams he cared nada about - oh well ... at least he was warm and back home.

Tonight’s entertainment event --

7:30==>NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC @ Lincoln Center - works by Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Vivaldi, DeBussy and Ravel (Bolero). Really looking forward to this.

Just renewed my 41-game Yankee season ticket package even though I am still pissed about their decision to reduce our right(s) to purchase the same seat for all post-season games. Oh well nothin’ I can do about it ... so ...

Now, to close with what you loyal and faithful readers are doubtlessly anxiously awaiting ...

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

“From outer space Illinois looks like chewed tobacco.”

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.”