We Survived The Nor’easter!!

Good morning everyone. Billi Pod is happy to report to you loyal and faithful readers and followers that midtown Manhattan survived the rain, wind and snow from yesterday’s nor’easter.

Yes, it was majorly nasty beginning around 2:00pm. The snow had arrived. By 4:00pm the gusting wind had the snow blowing almost parallel to the ground. When I left PHC at 6:30pm to walk the 100 steps to my theater venue there was slushy snow on the sidewalk and it was really cold and raw.

The snow stopped around 10:00pm and ... Thank You Higher Power ... there is no accumulation this morning. At 8:30am this morning it was basically clear and 34º.

I have to say that the prevailing attitude in the Tri-State area is summed up by the following headline in this morning’s Daily News ...

"Sandy, now snow & ice ... GOD HATES US!" 

Yeah, that is pretty much how we all are feeling.

I am happy to report that the weather forecast for today and into the weekend is much better, reaching 61º on Saturday.

So ... let’s move on to Billi Pod's report card on last night’s entertainment event ...

THE GOOD MOTHER, about a struggling single mother facing the repercussions of her past==>BAD

I really wanted to like it, but it just didn’t work for me. I hated all of the major characters and found the story line to be confusing and at times incoherent. Decent acting saves it a bit. 

The 90 minute running time, without intermission, seemed to be in the “when will this ever end?” category.

Billi Pod says==>you are warned.

Tonight’s entertainment event is ...

8:00==>FIGARO - “A barber faces various obstacles en route to the altar in this new adaptation of the 1778 farce, which was the inspiration for Mozart’s beloved opera.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This is the Pearl Theatre Company’s first presentation in their newly refurbished venue located at 555 W. 42nd Street, about a block and a half West of my apartment.

The show has just opened and has received very favorable reviews. It closes on November 18th.

Man, the spin time is in full swing on Fox News and the other ultraconservative news outlets. Last night, after my show was over, I forced ... and “forced” is indeed the operative word ... myself to watch Sean Hannity and ... OMFG ... he and his guests were unbelievable.

Basically they all spewed out the same bullshit ... “the voters were dumb” ... “the minorities have taken over ‘our’ country” ... “the liberal media is 110% to blame” ... “we are all doomed” ... etc. etc. etc.

I was saved from perhaps slashing my wrists by The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, who skewered Karl Rove, Dick Morris and Fox News for predicting that Romney would win in a landslide.

Oh, major kudos go out to the voters in Florida for overwhelmingly rejecting the GOP’s attempt to interject politics into the nonpartisan merit retention vote on the 3 members of the Florida Supreme Court who were on the ballot.

Moving on ... 

Even though it is only 36º Billi Pod feels the need to get out of PHC and do a walk and wander some place ... so ... 

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.18 miles (or, 11,339 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>696.45

Mileage remaining until 4/23/13==>382.55

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.”

Yes==>FOUR MORE YEARS!!

Yes, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, the voters have spoken and it will be FOUR MORE YEARS!! 

Hopefully, the President and the Republican leadership will finally work together to reach bipartisan solutions for the many problems facing this great Nation.

Were you surprised by the ass-whipping administered by Barack Obama? Well, in the name of fair and unbiased reporting, Billi Pod has to admit that he was.

Oh, just a thought==>HILLARY IN 2016.

I am sorry for the delay in this posting but I have legitimate excuses and here they are ... first, I had a late morning followup appointment with my audiologist, Rose DuLude, at her East 68th Street office. 

I am happy to report that she is pleased with my progress and, I think, a bit surprised that I have been strictly following her directions/instructions. Unless something unforeseen happens she will not me again for a year. Yes!!

Her office is in the far Eastside so I had decided to swing by my cardiologist’s, Dr. Fred Feuerbach, office on East 61st Street for the routine finger-prick test for my Coumadin levels and to get my annual flu shot.

When I left Dr. DuLude’s office it had begun to lightly rain and, of course, I had forgotten to put my umbrella in my backpack. The wind was howling and it quickly became majorly nasty.

As I was walking down 2nd Avenue the thought did occur to me that it would certainly be soooooooo ironic if I came down with pneumonia as a result of walking in the cold rain to get my flu shot.

Anyway, the finger-prick results were fine, as usual, and no problem with the flu shot.

It was even nastier when I left Dr. Fred’s office. I had a 3 block walk to the subway entrance. I was pretty wet by that time. When I got back to the Port Authority Bus Terminal I opted for a walk-around to clock some additional mileage because I knew that the weather for the remainder of the day and evening was gonna be terrible.

I was back in PHC around 1:30pm. Altogether I had clocked in 4.23 miles on my WeightWatchers Pedometer. That was a definite positive.

It is now 1:50pm and it has begun to snow and that, according to the weather gurus, is the first sign of the expected nor’easter. Barf!!

OK, let’s move on to more positive things, like ... tada ...

Last night's entertainment event ...

THE OLD MAN AND THE OLD MOON, about an old man who abandons his duties of filling up the moon every night to search of his missing wife==>A

I am happy to report that Billi Pod found this to be a totally enjoyable production with a young, talented and mega-energetic cast. 

The show is the result of the collaboration between the 7-person cast members, who are all graduates of Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama.

All of the cast play instruments and sing and most of them play multiple characters. The highlight is the hilarious use of shadow puppets during most of the show.

Yes, if you want a nice laugh this is the show for you. It has a 2 hour running time, with a intermission, and runs until January 6, 2013.

Tonight’s entertainment event is ... 

7:00==>THE GOOD MOTHER - “A psychological thriller about a struggling single mother facing the repercussions of her past.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show is playing at a theater on my block, Thank God, because the weather is supposed to remain nasty.

The show is still in previews and has generated very mixed buzz thus far.

It is almost 2:30 and the snow has gotten heavier and is blowing almost parallel to the ground. 

Again, I am sorry for the delay ...

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>4.34 miles (or, 9,495 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>691.27

Mileage remaining until 4/23/13==>387.73

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’s Activity Report for October 2012

It is now time for me to share with you loyal and faithful readers and followers Billi Pod’s entertainment stats for the month of October 2012 ... so ... here they come ... get ready ... take a deep breath ... tada ... here they are ... 

In checking my daily log (log, not diary - real guys don’t keep diaries - but then you know that by now, don’t you?) I find that during October 2012 Billi Pod attended/saw/did the following:

3 Broadway shows (Lewis Black on Broadway; The Mystery of Edwin Drood; and, Scandalous); 11 Off Broadway shows; 5 classical music concerts (mostly with the New York Philharmonic); and 5 Yankee baseball games, including 3 post-season games (their record for those game was 4 wins and 1 loss.). For the 2012 season the Yankees record for games Billi Pod attended was 28 wins and 15 losses. Not bad at all.

I also saw the Columbus Statue exhibition as a guest of My Lady Dian Crystal.

There were a total of 4 entertainment doubleheaders during the month

During the month I had face-time with John Scott Reed and several events with Marty Kosarik, as part of Dian Crystal’s aka My Lady posse.

Was also with some of my AA buddies (you know who you are) on a couple of occasions. Let's keep on keeping on guys!

During the month Billi Pod walked a total of 183.36 miles (401,008 steps) in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. That averages 5.91 miles per day. AWESOME!!

I posted daily on my FaceBook Wall and 31 times on this blog website.

Billi Pod Blogs had 2,059 blog page views during the month, bringing the total for the past 12 months to 19,421.

The highlight of the month was finally addressing my hearing loss issues, in both ears.

This meant: finding a hearing specialist; making the decision about getting the hearing aid thingys (expensive though they were); and, then following the program to the letter. I did everything that I was supposed to do.

October also marked one year since my dear friend Gil Goshorn left us much-too-soon. I really miss him.

Of course, the major negative was Hurricane Sandy and the aftermath in the Tri-State area. Luckily 420 W. 42nd Street received no damage and I had power.

In the name of fair and unbiased reporting Billi Pod must also admit that during the month there were ... gasp ... 8 days/nights where he stayed in the confines of his apartment without attending some entertainment event. The majority of these times were sports related and/or weather related.

So there you have it my loyal and faithful readers and followers.

I humbly think that it ain’t bad for a 78yr guy ... but ... it is up to you loyal and faithful readers and followers to determine because ...

I report ... you decide.

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.”

IT’S TIME TO VOTE!!

It is bright and cold this morning in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World==>34º @ 8:30am.

Yes, the future of this great nation now rests in the hands of voters in the metropolitan areas, the boondocks, the hinterlands and the wastelands - East, West, North and South. This is Democracy, the foundation of our freedom and what made us the greatest nation in the World.

I know that it will be a long long process before the winner is finally confirmed and Billi Pod expects to be glued in front of the tube beginning around 10:00pm until it is finally over.

And, yes==>he is hoping and praying for the reelection of President Obama.

Now, moving on ...

A weather update==>NOT GOOD!! A powerful nor’easter is threatening our area with lots of rain, more flooding, gusting winds and frigid temperatures.

It should start blowing hard in NYC by midday tomorrow and into tomorrow night, with gusts hitting 50 to 60 mph. The high will be 48º, low will be 38º (wind chill 24º).

I will keep you loyal and faithful readers and followers advised.

Moving on some more ...

Had a terrific time last night with John Scott Reed aka Fabson. We had face time and catching up at PHC and then we braved the cold weather and walked up to 45th Street to Southern Hospitality for a great meal. I had a BBQ ribs and chicken platter that was delicious.

I am happy to report that Scott has now returned to where he belongs==>Chelsea.

Oh, the hearing aid thingys worked well in filtering out a lot of the ambient noise in the restaurant, so Fabson didn’t have to yell at me. This is a very very positive sign.

Tonight’s entertainment event is ...

8:00==>THE OLD MAN AND THE OLD MOON - “The tale of an old man who must abandon his duties of filling up the moon every month to cross the seas in search of his missing wife, who left home in search of a mysterious melody carried in the ocean breeze. On his journey, the Old Man will encounter titanic leviathans of the deep, apocalyptic storms, civil wars, cantankerous ghosts and other startling and fantastical creatures.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show is playing at the Gym @ Judson down in The Village, has been very favorably reviewed and has extended its run until January 6, 2013. I am really looking forward to seeing it.

I am soooooooo happy to report that My Lady Dian Crystal had successful surgery on her right foot yesterday, is at home and is in the process of recovery.

She reports that she is doing "great" and I believe her.

Looking forward to seeing you back on the “walking trail” soon, My Lady. Hugs!!

I still have some things and stuff left over from yesterday’s errands day, so will post this, brave the frigid weather for a bit of walking and wandering and then attack the rest of the chores and stuff.

Oh, how ‘bout my Gators!! They are ranked #6 in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS).

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>4.01 miles (or, 8,772 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>686.93

Mileage remaining until 4/23/13==>392.07

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.”

WTF??==>Another Storm Heading Our Way? WTF??

I can’t believe this could be happening. The National Weather Service is forecasting that another tropical storm, a Nor’easter, is headed our way. WTF??

If it remains on course it should arrive in our area on Wednesday morning with winds up to 50mph and freezing rain. WTF??

Man, we gotta cross our collective fingers and hope and pray that it takes a more northerly course and remains way offshore.

On a positive side, the recovery process continues. The subways are almost back to full service in Manhattan and power has been restored.

This is not true in the outer boroughs where frustration is reaching the boiling point and this is certainly understandable. The main frustration is the lack of power and scarceness of gasoline.

Will keep you loyal and faithful readers and followers advised.

Moving on ...

Yesterday’s entertainment event, CONCERTANTE CHAMBER PLAYERS @ Merkin Hall, was totally enjoyable. 

I had an excellent comp. seat, center orchestra, 10 rows from the stage.

I got to the Lincoln Center area a bit early and had some walk and wander time before the concert and then afterwards, despite the cold, I walked back to PHC.

I have to comment that one of the things I hate about this time of year is the fact that with putting the clock one hour back on Saturday, it is almost totally dark at 5:00pm and that is a M A J O R bummer.

I had hoped that I would be able to meet up with My Lady Dian Crystal for an early bite but her schedule in preparing for her foot surgery didn’t permit it.

My thoughts go out to her for a successful procedure and a quick recovery. This morning she will have surgery on her right foot and then in a couple of months the same procedure for her left foot.

Today is Monday (I guess that most of you out there in the hinterlands, boondocks and wilderness knew this), meaning that Billi Pod has a ton of things and stuff to do on this errands and chores day.

Tonight I am meeting up with John Scott Reed aka Fabson for some much needed face time and catching up. 

He will come over to PHC after work and we will get a bite someplace in my Hell’s Kitchen ‘hood.

Oh, have a interesting entertainment week pretty much all lined up. The only open date is Thursday and I am working on that.

BREAKING NEWS==>at 12:30pm the phone rang and it was Dian. The procedure went well and she is now home and the recovery process is underway. WHEW!!

I know, My Lady, that you will make a faster recovery than your Doc’s expected and that you will be back on your feet soon.

Hugs!!

OK, now it is time to post this and begin doing stuff ...

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>4.15 miles (or, 9,103 steps)

Mileage for week==>32.11 miles (avg. 4.59 miles per day)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>682.92

Mileage remaining until 4/23/13==>396.08

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.”