Saturday - Billi Pod Vents and Also Reports ...

OK, right up front I have to say that Billi Pod is in a nasty mood ... the reason(s) will be in the bottom of this posting, so please stay with me until then ... OK? But, first ...

I hope that everyone out there in cyberspace is having a great weekend. I have to admit that here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, it was a very cold start for the weekend==>29º @ 7:00am. Burrrrr!!

Next ... let’s get right to Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s entertainment event ...

THIRDS, about three sisters who inherit their mother's home and are fighting over what to do with it==>B<==decent acting but at 1 hour and 40 minutes, with intermission, the sibling bickering finally gets tiresome.

I really wanted to like this show a lot more but I never got into the characters who were very stereotypical siblings who alternated between loving one another and hating one another. And, of course, lots of screaming and very foul-mouthed cussing.

Fellas ... no way is this a “guy” show, in fact, the audience last night was about 85% female.

Is it worth seeing, you are no doubt breathlessly asking? Yes ... with a steeply discounted ticket.

Next ... Billi Pod’s entertainment event for the evening is yet another awesome classical music concert ...

8:00==>NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA @ Avery Fisher Hall - “The Modern Beethoven Festival: Beethoven - Symphony No. 8; Barber - Cello Concerto; and, Beethoven - Symphony No. 4.” (subscription series).

This is the second of the Festival concerts and I really enjoyed the first, which I saw on Tuesday. Looking forward to tonight.

Next ... my predictions about Peyton Manning and The New York Jets came about much quicker than even I anticipated. Yesterday The Jets signed their quarterback Mark Sanchez to a new five year contract that could be worth as much as $68.5 million.

The local headlines are ...

“PEY OFF! Out of Manning hunt, Jets give Sanchez extension.” NY Post

“Jets pull out of Peyton sweepstakes, give Sanchez 3-year extension and say ... HE’S OUR MANN.” Daily News

“With Extension for Sanchez, Jets Give Up on Manning.” NY Times

It is reported that Manning met Friday night for 6 hours with The Denver Broncos and John Elway, who has never seemed sold on Timmy Tebow. Billi Pod still thinks Manning will end up in Miami with the Dolphins, where he has a condo in South Beach.

We will just have to see how things work out, won't we ...

Now ... speaking of things not working out ... this is why I am in a nasty mood and need to vent ...

For those of you loyal and faithful readers who are covered by prescription drug plans ... can there be anything more annoying and/or frustrating than having your coverage switched to another provider? I think not.

Those of you who are State of Florida retirees like moi know what I am talking about.

First ... I never received the so-called “informational packet” with my new benefits card. Second ... I live out-of-state ... and ...

Third ... yesterday, when I went to the Duane Reade pharmacy in the ‘hood, that I have used for the past 3 years, to get 2 new prescriptions filled ... I was declined. WTF!!

After multiple phone calls, by me and the really nice pharmacist, and seemingly endless hours on “hold” I/we finally learned that Duane Reade had not renewed its contract with the new provider, Medco. How the f**k was I to know this?

Problem was enhanced, of course, because I didn’t have my card in hand. So ...

This morning ... more phone calls and ... finally ... around noon ... I was able to get the prescriptions filled at a CVS Pharmacy in my ‘hood.

You know the scary thing ... the total cost of the two meds, without insurance coverage, would have been $179.00. I only had to pay $14.00, when everything was finally approved.

Well ... I have vented ... but ... Billi Pod is still in a bad mood over the whole issue and ... all he can say to the “system” is ...

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-200

TGIF & Billi Pod Reports On PROJECT X

Good afternoon to all of my loyal and faithful readers out there in the hinterlands and boondocks.

Let’s start off this posting with a huge TGIF for all of Billi Pod’s Worker Bee friends as they are anxiously checking their watches in anticipation of beginning their weekend.

Sorry to remind you guys and gals ... but the Winter ain’t over yet ... it was only 40º @ 7:30am this morning and it has only warmed up to 47º @ 2:00pm. So ... put away your shorts and swim suits ... sorry ...

I know there are a number of you loyal and faithful readers out there who are anxiously awaiting Billi Pod’s review of last night entertainment event, which was ... tada ...

PROJECT X, the “gross-out” movie about a loser teenager’s birthday party that spirals out of control==>B+<==what’s not to like about a movie featuring 12-year-old security guards with Tasers, naked babes, drugs, booze, a crotch-punching midget and an angry drug dealer with a flame-thrower?

Yes, it is instant junk food for the brain, but I knew that going in. The audience was very much into the show, often responding audibly to what was going on, and that wasn’t a distraction, as it usually is for me.

Bottom-line ... need a laugh==>see it. Otherwise==>stay far far away.

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

8:00==>THIRDS - “A comedic drama about three sisters who inherit their mother's home. The fun begins when the sisters try to decide if they should sell, keep or choose who lives in their childhood home. When one of them begins to build a brick wall to claim her "third" of the house, it's clear a decision has to be made before the mortar dries.” (Off Broadway - $9.00 TDF ticket).

This is playing at a theatre on my block and has received generally favorable reviews and good buzz. Yes, I know that it has the underlying theme of a “dysfunctional family” but Billi Pod is going to take a chance that it will be more comedic than dramatic. He is not in a mood for too much drama.

And speaking of drama ... the local papers have begun their coverage of the future of Peyton Manning ...

“MAN TO MANN - Rex must convince Peyton his Jets aren’t a joke.” NY Post

“HAIR BRAIN - Traitor Trump: Miami’s best for Peyton.” Daily News

“One Player, 32 Teams, Breathtaking Possibilities.” NY Times

Various sources have reported that “the Peyton Pursuit might be short-lived” because Manning wants to make a decision before free-agency opens at 4:00pm on next Tuesday.

Gonna be interesting. My gut feeling is that he is gonna end up with the Miami Dolphins.

Again ... Happy Friday to everyone and I will leave you with something to think about ...

Yeah ... what’s the answer?

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-199

THANK YOU HIGHER POWER!!

Well, my loyal and faithful readers out there in the morass known as cyberspace ... I have just returned from my annual session with my cardiologist (and FaceBook friend), Dr. Fred Feuerbach, who saved my life back in July 2001, and I am happy to give you this report, in Dr. Fred’s handwriting:

“Chronic Atrial Fibrillation. Doing very very well. Lab work is stable. No changes in medications. BP 112/70. Wt. 178lbs. Routine followup in 6 months.”

And ....my response is==>Whew!! THANK YOU HIGHER POWER!!

In the name of fair and unbiased reporting, I have to admit to being emotionally drained when I finally got back to the apartment. For whatever reason I had built up a dark foreboding about this session, for no good reason because I hadn’t been experiencing any problems or anything like that. I honestly think part of it may have been a subconscious response/reaction to my recent class reunion where most, it not all, of my classmates in attendance had experienced, or where experiencing serious health problems/issues ...

Anyway ... the bottom line is that Billi Pod is in excellent physical condition for someone approaching his 78th birthday and Dr. Fred attributes a lot of it to my active lifestyle here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. I always give him a copy of my annual activity report and he always says he is impressed with the raw numbers.

OK ... now that is out of the way ... on to other things like ...

Billi Pod’s report cards on yesterday’s awesome doubleheader ...

OTHER DESERT CITIES, the award winning drama about the lefty daughter of GOP-operative parents who wants to blow the lid off a dirty family secret in a soon-to-be-published memoir==>A.

The incredible cast, led by Stockhard Channing, keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. The show is extremely thought-provoking, and a hint from Billi Pod==>don’t rush to judgment about any of the characters and/or issues.

Channing is will be out of the production from March 13th through April 6th. She will be filming an ABC pilot. Regardless ... this is a must-see show.

After the show I had time for a quick snack, the usual fruit and cheese, and then it was time to head over to The Mint Theatre, in my 'hood, for the 7:00 performance of ...

RUTHERFORD & SON, a drama set in 1912 about a power struggle between an unloved Northern England industrialist and his oldest son==>B+.

OK, right up front ... I had problems at first with the Northern England accents but, thankfully, my ears finally got attuned to most of the characters.

The show starts off kinda slowly but things pick up when the father makes his entrance and things move quickly (sometimes a bit too quickly) from that point on. The engrossing story line made the 2 hour 40 minute (two intermissions) running time tolerable.

I have no problem recommending this show.

Yes, the “dysfunctional family” doubleheader was very emotionally draining but it was great theater and that is what makes it all worthwhile.

And speaking of being emotionally drained ... as I am finishing this posting it is 3:30pm and I have to admit that I am still experiencing some emotions about the favorable results from my cardio. session.

So far nothing that interests me has shown up on any of my ticket services, and, one thing for certain ... I am not, repeat, not in the mood for heavy drama and/or more dysfunctional families.

So ... unless something unexpected shows up ... this is what Billi Pod will see tonight ...

PROJECT X - “A ‘gross-out’ movie about a loser teenager’s birthday party that spirals out of control.”

Reviews are highly mixed and it has been called a combination of “Superbad” and “The Hangover.”

Oh yeah ... this is just what Billi Pod needs for tonight ... hey ... don’t judge me ... OK?

Let me close with something for you loyal and faithful readers who are parents to ponder ...

Really ... think about 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.”

ALEX-198

Billi Pod’s Wednesday Doubleheader and Other Things and Stuff ...

Good morning everyone.

Let’s get right to it because Billi Pod has a doubleheader scheduled for today, so he needs to get this posting done ASAP ...

Last night’s NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA @ Avery Fisher Hall, The Modern Beethoven Festival, featuring Beethoven’s Symphonies 2 & 7 was absolutely wonderful. Sandwiched between the two symphonies was a piano work by Stravinsky - "Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra" - and it good but not as engrossing, at least to me, as the two symphonies.

I was seated with my friends Al and Irene Warshauer, both attorneys, and we had time to do some catching-up. Great seeing you guys!!

This being a Wednesday - Billi Pod has yet another interesting entertainment doubleheader on his schedule ...

2:00==>OTHER DESERT CITIES - “An awarding winning drama about the lefty daughter of GOP-operative parents who wants to blow the lid off a dirty family secret in a soon-to-be-published memoir.” (Broadway - discounted TDF ticket)

This show had a highly successful Off Broadway run and has just transferred to Broadway with a stellar cast, including: Stockard Channing, Stacy Keach, Judith Light and Justin Kirk.

It is in early previews and has generated very favorable buzz. I am really looking forward to seeing it since I missed the show in its Off Broadway run.

Then for this evening is yet another drama about a dysfunctional family (for the theatre community is there any kind of family other then dysfunctional? I think not) ...

7:00==>RUTHERFORD & SON - “A drama set in 1912 about an unloved Northern England industrialist and his oldest son who engage in a power struggle that threatens to stain the family’s glassworks company.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show has a running time of 2 hours and 40 minutes, with two intermissions. It is playing at a theatre in my ‘hood and has received generally very favorable reviews.

Yeah, a pretty heavy day with two dramas featuring the inner-workings of dysfunctional families ... when I finally get back to PHC I know I will be emotionally drained.

Speaking of being emotionally drained over dysfunctional families==>IMHO the GOP needs to go into therapy if they have any chance of winning in November ... jus sayin ...

And ... Payton Manning is now looking for a new team since he was just let go by the lowly and miserly Colts (who have no sense of loyalty). The local papers are urging The Jets to make an aggressive pitch to sign the four-time MVP.

Well ... as much as Billi Pod would LOVE to see a duel between Payton Manning and Eli Manning for the hearts and souls of New York sports fans==>it ain’t gonna happen because The Jets aren’t gonna cough up the big dough necessary to bring Payton to The Big Apple.

Oh ... they will be in “the hunt” for PR purposes but they just ain’t gonna part with the big bucks necessary to land a soon-to-be-36yr old QB who missed all of 2011 with serious neck injury problems. It just ain’t gonna happen.

Will close this posting with another question for you loyal and faithful readers to ponder ...

Really ... think about it. It isn’t being sacrilegious so ... think about 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.”

ALEX-197

Report Card on JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and Other Stuff Too.

Man, it was freezing cold this morning in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World==>26º @ 8:00am. Burrrrrrrrrr!!

Have just gotten back from braving the cold elements on a trek to the far Eastside to my cardiologist’s office to have my fasting blood work done in preparation for my annual physical on Thursday morning. My appointment was for 10:00am. It was cold and windy and basically unpleasant.

As I have mentioned before, Dr. Feuerbach’s office is on 61st Street, between 1st and York Avenues, almost as far East as you can go, meaning ... Billi Pod walked a total of 2 miles, roundtrip, just going to and from the various subway stations. Not complaining ... just reporting.

I was under strict orders to not eat anything for 12 hours before the blood was to be taken, drinking water was OK, though. So ... the last thing I ate was my usual fruit and cheese plate at around 4:30pm yesterday, and ... to put it mildly ... I was starving.

Got back to PHC at 11:15am and immediately fixed breakfast: english muffin, with peanut butter and jelly, strawberries, fresh pineapple, 1/4 of a Granny Smith apple, and, of course, tons of red seedless grapes. Ah yes ... all is now well in Billi Pod’s Universe.

That being said ... it is still cold out==>39º @ 1:00pm. The forecast is for warmer weather for the rest of the week, into the weekend, with highs in the low 70s. Nice.

OK, my loyal and faithful readers ... why don’t we move on to Billi Pod’s entertainment event for last night ... which was ... tada ...

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, the Broadway revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s dramatized rock-opera version of the last 7 days in the life of Jesus of Nazareth==>A.

Yes, I am totally aware of the extraordinarily negative buzz about this show, in early previews, generated on several of the chatboards ... but ... I found the evening to be very enjoyable and entertaining.

I saw the orginal Broadway production and also the revival back in, I think, 2000, and this production feels both energetic and timely. It is extremely well performed although I thought Chilina Kennedy’s Mary Magdalene was the weakest link by far.

Folks ... I just don’t understand why the so-called NYC “theater-elite” hate Andrew Lloyd Webber so much. They have hated everything he has ever had produced on Broadway, and, I guess, they always will ... why I don’t know ...

I really hate all of the negativity ... I really do ...

Remember folks, this is a rock-opera written when Sir Andrew was only 21 years old, it ain’t and never will be a “Broadway-classic” but ... and a big butt ...... it was never intended to be ... it is what it is ...

So ... if you like rock music, an energetic cast of basically young performers and provocative staging ... then see this show ... if not ... then stay the Hell away, so sayeth Billi Pod.

Billi Pod’s entertainment event for this evening is ...

7:30==>NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA @ Avery Fisher Hall - “The Modern Beethoven Festival: Beethoven - Symphony No. 2; Stravinsky - Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra; and, Beethoven - Symphony No. 7.” (subscription series)

As part of the Modern Beethoven Festival The Philharmonic will also perform Symphonies 1, 3, 4 & 8 later in the month and then the Dresden Philharmonic will perform Symphony #5. I have tickets to each concert and really look forward to this stellar event.

Yes, as some of you have commented ... Billi Pod seems to be on a classical music binge and I confess to it. Counting tonight ... I have scheduled 4 classical music concerts for the remainder of this week ... yep ... that’s right ... 4, including a doubleheader for this coming Sunday.

Let me close this posting with something for you loyal and faithful readers to consider ...

Think about it -- seriously.

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-196

My Awesome 60th HS Class Reunion Report

Yes, my loyal and faithful readers out there in the vast wilderness and hinterlands of Nowhereland==>Billi Pod is back in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

When I opened the door to PHC last night at 6:30pm I ended my AWESOME adventure down in Bartow, in PFC aka Polk F**king County, in celebration of the 60th High School Class Reunion of the 1952 Class of Summerlin Institute. Make no mistake about it, I had a great time with classmates, friends and family and I am sooooooooooooo glad that I was able to be there. AWESOME!!

I did a lot of things and stuff while there and that will be my excuse for not posting timely on this blog. Yes ... yes ... I know ... it is a lame excuse ... but it is what Billi Pod is going to use ... so just live with it as loyal and faithful readers are supposed to do ... OK? Well ... now ... lets move on (or perhaps back) to a summation of things and stuff I did since the last posting ...

Thursday - The adventure started when I woke up at 5:00am. The flight down was delayed so we were about an hour late in our arrival time. No problem though. Picked up my rental car, a small black Mazda something (no VW Beetle was available) and headed to Bartow.

After checking into The Holiday Inn Express, I basically chilled about a couple of hours and then it was time to head over to Winter Haven to see my new great-granddaughter, Saylor, and her Mom, Gina. Saylor is now almost 2 months old.

I guess the picture pretty much says it all.

Yep, IMHO this photo makes the whole trip an AWESOME success.

I had planned to take Gina out to dinner. We were joined by my son Bill III aka The Bill, who drove down from Orlando, and youngest grandson Chris Falletta aka Topher, who worked us into the end of his workday schedule.

We ate at a Chili's and it was just fun for the four of us to be together.

Yes ... it was a long and emotionally draining day, but I mean that in a totally positive way.

Friday - In the morning I drove around Bartow and the vicinity playing the game of ... “hey, I remember that house, I used to play/visit there ... but ... who with? Who lived there?”

Had an opportunity to visit with Blanche Bryant, my trusted and highly professional travel agent, and her business colleague, Cindi Eastman Beahm.

At noon I met up with Maggie and Jim Vandewalker for lunch at Fresco's Bakery & Bistro in the historic section of downtown Lakeland. We were joined by Tim Strickland and Bob Young. It was fun.

Then it was time for the first of my reunion activities, dinner with classmates and their family at The Peace River Country Club.

I think I should give just a bit more details about the class. I had previously posted that we had 72 classmates. I was corrected on that number ... it was 73. As far as we now know, 50 of us are still alive. Of that number 31 responded, and 18 attended at least one of the reunion events. Most of those who responded that they wouldn’t be in attendance cited major health issues as the reason.

Again ... I don’t purport to be a number-cruncher ... so if I made a mistake with these stats ... my bad ... please feel free to correct me and I promise to post it on this blog ... anyway ...

The majority of our class has been together since lst grade (or before). I didn’t join them until the 3rd grade.

We all owe LaVerne McCall a major shout-out for her efforts in bringing this event into fruition. Without her it never would have happened. She was assisted by Janet Hartsaw Rogers.

I also must recognize our class president, Fred Whitaker, who was at every event even though he has major health issues that made it extremely difficult for him to remain on his feet for any period of time. Fred’s attendance was a direct product of the efforts of his wonderful wife, Gwen, and his son Billy.

OK ... moving on ... my date for this event and all of the others was Jennie Swearingen Humphrey, who drove down from Ocala.

The dinner was fun and, as might be expected, we did a lot of catching up and reminiscing.

Ahem ... a certain number of my classmates were somewhat underwhelmed with Billi Pod and his blog ... oh well ... some things never change do they?

At least no one offered a "prayer session" over ... “the sinful lifestyle of one of our classmates” ... as was done at one of our prior reunions.

Saturday - got up early for our classmates only breakfast at 8:30am at the restaurant at The Bartow Golf Course. I think there were about 15 classmates in attendance. We were joined by Bubba Smith, former County Commissioner and County Executive, who was in the class of ‘53.

This time we had the opportunity to do some in-depth reminiscing and recalling. We basically split into guys and gals tables ... and you often heard: ... no, I didn’t say/do/ that ... are you sure that was me? ... no, I don’t remember it happening like that ... what did you just say? ... how many pills do you take? ... etc. etc. etc.

It was fun ...

In the afternoon I went to the 41st Annual Blooming Arts Festival in downtown Bartow and it was nice, as was the weather.

The festival was only a couple of blocks from where I grew up, 350 S. Carpenter, so I walked by and took several pictures, which I will share with you. Why I don’t know, but I just want to.

My family lived in this house from 1943 until 1978 when my Mother, Ruby, died.

Our final reunion event was at the posh residence of Sonny and Joyce Griffin, who have been gracious hosts for similar events at previous reunions. The food and their hospitality was awesome.

You know, it was a nice ending ... but it was also kinda sad (at least for me) because the thought(s) kept running through my head ... will I ever see these folks again? Who will be here for our next reunion? OMFG==>will I?

The picture is of LaVerne (seated), Jennie (left) and Janet (right).

So there you have it my loyal and faithful readers who have stayed with me through way too much detail.

The bottom line is ... I am soooooooo glad I went down to Bartow and I will keep going to future reunions until I am the last person standing ... Yes, Cotton Sumner ... Bill Norris aka Billi Pod is planning to be the last person standing!!

OK ... moving on now ...

Tonight’s entertainment event is ...

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR - “The Broadway revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s dramatized rock-opera version of the last 7 days in the life of Jesus of Nazareth.” (Broadway - discounted TDF ticket).

The show is in early previews and the buzz is mixed. I am looking forward to seeing it.

So, my loyal and faithful readers ... will post this and then do some much needed errands and stuff and ... maybe ... have time to watch the Yankee/Phillies preseason game on MLBN.

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-195