Billi Pod’s Next Adventure/Challenge

OK my loyal and faithful readers and followers out there in the morass known as cyberspace, I know that you have been anxiously awaiting Billi Pod’s revelation about what he has added to his Bucket List as his next adventure/challenge.

Well ... you don’t have to wait any longer because here it is ...

Between July 1, 2012 and April 23, 2013, my 79th birthday, I will walk at least==>1,079 miles. 

Yes ... that is the correct figure==>1,079 miles<==calculated at 1,000 miles plus an additional 79 miles honoring my next birthday.

For you number crunchers the total days are 296, so the daily average must be at least 3.65 miles, or 25.51 per week.

Of course the mileage will be recorded on my Weight Watchers Pedometer, but you already knew that, didn’t you.

I actually decided on this new adventure/challenge back on July 1st but I didn’t reveal it until I let the idea soak in and checked out a few things ... like ... and most importantly ... what will I do when Winter arrives and the streets and sidewalks are covered with snow and ice? Or when we have extended days/nights of rain and nasty weather?

Honestly, I was quite concerned about this then it suddenly hit me ... hey Billi Pod ... you live just 1 1/2 blocks from the Port Authority Bus Terminal, so ... you can walk to the Terminal and then either walk around the Terminal, or walk the various platforms ... or ... take a subway to either Penn Station or Grand Central Station and walk around those cavernous spaces.

I knew that during the Winter the sidewalks leading from 420 W. 42nd Street to The Port Authority Bus Terminal are usually kept in good condition, mostly free of accumulated snow and ice.

So I gave both Penn Station and Grand Central a couple of test walks and I had no problems in easily accumulating at least 3.7 miles, without feeling strange or out-of-place.

I also plan to step up my present daily average, which is currently 3.95 miles, so I can have some extra miles in the bank, just in case something happens, like being sick or whatever.

OK ... there you have it my loyal and faithful readers and followers ... Billi Pod’s next challenge/adventure.

Why am I doing this I know some of you are asking? Simple. Two reasons: (1) Because I want to; and (2) Because I can.

So ... here are the up-to-date stats ...

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>142.90

Mileage remaining until 4/23/13==>936.10

I will share with you loyal and faithful readers and followers the ups and downs of this next adventure/challenge, on, hopefully, a daily basis.

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.”

Saturday’s Doubleheader==>50/50

It is overcast, kinda gloomy and very very humid in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

And ... speaking of gloomy ... this is just how we Yankee fans felt yesterday at Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed And Ego Built, as we witnessed Seattle pitcher Felix Hernandez aka King Felix pitch a 2-hit complete game shutout.

Yes ... we lost 1-0 and King Felix totally owned us from the very first pitch to the last one 2 hours and 42 minutes later. Hiroki Kuroda pitched a decent game but our bats were totally silent. 

Painful!!

Happily, later the pain was somewhat alleviated by THE MOSTLY MOZART concert at Avery Fisher Hall, which was sublimely beautiful, as I had anticipated, especially the Nelson Mass.

I had an excellent seat in the First Tier. When the concert was over I walked back to PHC and there was a nice breeze blowing off of the Hudson River.

This afternoon I will stay in and watch the final game of the YANKEES/SEATTLE series. The first pitch time is at the usual 1:05pm.

It will be Freddy Garcia (4-5) on the mound for the Yankees vs. Hisashi Iwakuma (2-2) for the Mariners.

Monday the Yankees begin a 7-game road trip with 4 games vs. Detroit and then 3 games vs. Toronto.

My entertainment event for today is ...

7:30==>SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD - “In a new and uncharted world we must ‘hold on, hold fast’ and allow the music of our souls to propel and transport us through life’s greatest moments.” (complimentary ticket)

This concert is being performed at The York Theatre, one of my favorite venues. Sounds like a fitting way to end the weekend, doesn’t it?

Well, I hope everyone has a great time for the remainder of the weekend.

Oh ... tomorrow I will share info with you loyal and faithful readers and followers about Billi Pod’s next Bucket List project so ... stay tuned ... I think you will like it.

Oh, my goodness ... you have already begun to deep breathe in anticipation haven’t you? Well ... just keep calm ... as a hint ... it will have something to do with what is below ... and that is ...

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.37 miles

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.”

BRING IT ON: THE MUSICAL==>A+

I hope all of my loyal and faithful readers and followers are having a great weekend because Billi Pod certainly is.

It all started last night with my entertainment event, the recently opened Broadway show ...

BRING IT ON: THE MUSICAL, about competing High School cheerleading squads==>A+

I loved loved EVERYTHING about it! There is an incredible young cast headed by Taylor Louderman, Adrienne Warren, Elle McLemore and Ryann Redmond, with amazing choreography/gymnastics and staging.

The music and lyrics immediately catch your attention and the storyline is intriguing.

My discounted ticket was in the front mezzanine, row D, and that was excellent.

Folks, there is no way for me to adequately describe the physicality involved in most of the cheerleading routines. Suffice it to say that they make SPIDERMAN look like a kindergarten production and it was all done without wiring and/or safety nets.

There were lots of young people in the audience and those that I could see were literally sitting on the edge of their seats for the entire show.

The show is now on Broadway following an extensive road tour and it is my understanding that it is a limited run ... so ....

Billi Pod says==>See this show ASAP!!

Yes, the show put me in a good mood, which was bolstered by the YANKEE/SEATTLE game, won by the Yankees 6-3 on an outstanding complete game performance from our ace CC Sabathia.

This leads me to today, which will be yet another doubleheader for Billi Pod, starting with ...

1:05==>YANKEES/SEATTLE, game #2 at Yankee Stadium, The House The Greed And Ego Built.

Hiroki Kuroda (10-7) will be on the mound for the Yankees vs. Felix Hernandez aka King Felix (9-5) for the Mariners.

When the game is over I will come back to PHC, shower, change clothes and then head uptown for the second part of my doubleheader, which is ...

8:00==>MOSTLY MOZART FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA @ Avery Fisher Hall. “The program is: Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2 and Haydn’s Nelson Mass.” (complimentary ticket)

Yeah I know ... “Mostly Mozart” but no works by Mozart. No matter because I love both pieces on the program.

I have a feeling that my comp. seat will be in the nosebleed section, but again no matter ...

In closing ... A huge shoutout to my oldest grandson Alex Falletta aka Army Guy and his lovely wife Gina, who are celebrating their TENTH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!! I was honored to have presided over their wedding ceremony. Yeah, they are still together and Granddaddy is still alive and well==>AWESOME!!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>4.31 miles

Billi Pod

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

YES!! Another Awesome Doubleheader!!

TGIF everyone!!! Have a great weekend all of my loyal and faithful readers and followers.

I am sooooo happy to share with you that Billi Pod had a great time yesterday in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

First on his agenda was KINGDOM OF THE SHORE, the staged reading of a comedic drama about what to do with a house that has been a family's summer retreat for over fifty years. Featured in the stellar cast were Kathleen Chalfant and Tom Wopat.

This was both thought-provoking and engrossing but a bit long at 2 hours and 30 minutes. I am confident that issue will be addressed.

I saw this with my buddies Michael Pederson and Dennis Dohman who are friends of the playwright Terrence Lamude.

When the reading was over Michael, Dennis and I leisurely walked from the 8th Avenue studio up to 420 W. 42nd Street so that I could prove to them once-and-for-all that Billi Pod does indeed live on the penthouse floor (41), in apartment PHC.

I am happy to report that after touring the apartment, checking out the awesome views and imbibing on my libation-of-choice, Fresca, they mostly acknowledged my residential status.

However ... it was also suggested that I was actually just apartment-sitting. Oh well ...

Anyway ... then it was time for dinner, so we again leisurely walked, this time up to 46th Street to Restaurant Row for our 8:00pm reservation at Joe Allen, the world famous restaurant. As I posted yesterday, this is one of my favorite Theater District restaurants.

As anticipated, the restaurant was virtually empty because all of theatergoing crowd had departed. We spent the next 90+ minutes talking about our pasts, telling stories, making jokes etc. etc. etc. The food was excellent, as usual, including to-die-for deserts.

So Michael and Dennis==>It was great being with you guys.

Today’s entertainment event is ... 

8:00==>BRING IT ON: THE MUSICAL - “The story of the challenges and unexpected bonds formed through the thrill of extreme competition in a cheerleading contest. A colorful but controversial crew of characters perform explosive choreography and aerial stuntwork.” (Broadway - discounted TDF ticket).

This Broadway show just opened to mostly very positive reviews. My theater-buddy Marty Kosarik loved the show so Billi Pod is really looking forward to seeing it.

Tonight @ 7:05pm, out at Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed And Ego Built, the first-place Bronx Bombers begin a 3-game series against the Seattle Mariners.

On the mound for The Yankees will be our ace CC Sabathia (10-3) vs. Kevin Millwood (4-8) for Seattle.

Well, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, Billi Pod feels the need for a walk and wander session, so he will post this now and then head out.

Oh ... as you can see ... Alex and Gina are indeed raising my darling great-granddaughter Saylor correctly ...

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.43 miles

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.”

Back-to-Back Doubleheaders

Good morning to all of my loyal and faithful readers and followers.

Yes, I am happy to report that yesterday’s entertainment doubleheader was EXCELLENT, so let’s get right to the important things ... starting with ... 

The YANKEES/BALTIMORE game at 1.05pm at Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed And Ego Built. It was gray and overcast when Billi Pod arrived at the stadium and he had the gut feeling that the possibly of either a rain-delay or even a postponement was on the horizon.

The game started on time but almost immediately it began to lightly rain. Thank God my new seat assignment is under an overhang, which protects me from the elements. It rained for most of the game but there were no delays.

Well, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, I am happy to report that The Yankee bats came alive and we crushed the Orioles 12-3, fueled by a grandslam from Robinson Cano in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Phil Hughes had a decent outing.

In the 7th inning Joba Chamberlain took the mound for his first appearance in Pinstripes since June 5, 2011. He got a roaring ovation from the standing crowd. He was only so-so, but the important thing is ... he is back.

The Yankees have the day off today and then begin a 3-game series against Seattle at the stadium.

The second half of the entertainment doubleheader was ...

GLEE CLUB, the explicit musical comedy about singing, friendship, and the riffs in between==>B+.

It is funny, profane and very well acted. The virtually sold-out house was really into the performance and I totally enjoyed it. I left the theater with a smile on my face.

Yep ... it was an excellent doubleheader ... and ... Billi Pod has another one scheduled for today ... first ...

4:00==>KINGDOM OF THE SHORE - “The four Moloney sisters have a problem. What to do with the house that has been the family's summer retreat for over fifty years? (Off Broadway)

This is a staged reading. Featured in the cast are Kathleen Chalfant and Tom Wopat.

The playwright, Terrence Lamude, is a friend of my friends Michael Pederson and Dennis Dohman and this is how I got invited to the reading at the Ripley-Grier Studios at 520 8th Avenue.

When the reading is over Michael, Dennis and I will walk up to 42nd Street and I will finally have the opportunity to confirm to them that Billi Pod does indeed live on the Penthouse floor of 420 W. 42nd Street, more specially, in PHC.

Then we will walk up to Restaurant Row on 46th Street to have dinner at the world famous Joe Allen, one of my favorite Theater District restaurants. 

I am using this as an opportunity to partially repay the guys for their numerous dinner parties and hospitality at their apartment located down in Chelsea.

Yeah ... two doubleheaders in a row ... this is why I love living in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

I will close out this posting with the following which pretty much sums up Billi Pod’s philosophy of life ...

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.13 miles

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.”

Mostly Mozart Concert==>Excellent; Yankees Sucked!!

Good morning to all of my loyal and faithful readers and followers. 

This posting will be somewhat shorter (stop the applause - Billi Pod knows who you are and where you are) because he has an early afternoon entertainment event ... so ... let’s get right to it ... with ...

The MOSTLY MOZART FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA @ Avery Fisher Hall concert was every bit as good as I expected it to be. 

I am so glad I was able to score a ticket, which was in the orchestra, row H, far house left. It was OK but at intermission I was able to score an excellent seat in the First Tier. Nice!

I went out to Lincoln Center a bit early so I could listen to the first innings of game 2 of the YANKEES/BALTIMORE series from Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed And Ego Built. I was elated when The Yankees jumped off to a 5-run first inning lead.

But ... OMFG!! The Orioles came charging back, scoring 7 runs in the top of the 2nd and it was all downhill for The Wankies from that point on. Their bats died and they got only 5 hits for the remainder of the game.

Ivan Nova sucked. The final score was 11-5, meaning that The Wankies have now lost 9 of their last 12 games and  their lead in the AL East has dropped from 10 games to 5 1/2 games.

We Yankee fans have every reason to be afraid because The Wankies don't have the killer instinct, they are not that formidable coming from behind and Soriano ain’t no Mo!

Only good part about the game==>Billi Pod wasn’t there ... but ... guess what ... today’s entertainment doubleheader starts with ... tada ...

1:05==>YANKEES/BALTIMORE @ Yankee Stadium in game 3 of the 3-game series as the Orioles go for the sweep.

Phil Hughes (10-4) will be on the mound for The Wankies vs. Zach Britton (1-0) for the Orioles.

As I said, this is the final game of the series and, hopefully, our bats will come alive ... otherwise it is gonna be pretty bad according to Billi Pod's gut feeling ... we will just have to see.

The evening’s entertainment event is ... 

9:00==>GLEE CLUB - “Eight misfit members of Romeo, Vermont's cut-throat glee club, are on the verge of meltdown after their soloist makes a disastrous decision to stop drinking right before a performance. An explicit comedy about singing, friendship, and the riffs in between.” (Off Broadway - $9.00 TDF ticket)

This sounds kinda interesting, doesn’t it? It is playing at a theater in my immediate ‘hood.

Have compiled the entertainment stats for July and they are as AWESOME as usual. One stat is new and that is the total mileage that Billi Pod walked during the month and that figure is below.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>6.40   miles

Total mileage for July==>123.25 miles==>TOTALLY AWESOME!! 

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.”