Food, Friendship and Football==>YES!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EACH AND EVERYONE!!

It is a beautiful fall day in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World==>bright, sunny and azure blue skies and 45º at 8:30am.

As I write this posting The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is underway and ... no ... I didn’t even consider going outside to watch it - been there, done that. In fact, Billi Pod isn’t even watching it on the tube, he is listening to one of his favorite oldies radio stations, Q104.3, as they are doing a countdown of 1,043 No. 1 songs, from A to Z.

After I post this I will get all cleaned up and head out to the Upper Westside, 72nd Street to be precise, for Thanksgiving Dinner with some of my AA buddies. This is the 4th consecutive year we have been together for this festive event.

We have developed a kinda unique tradition. What, you are no doubt breathlessly asking? Well ... here it is ... by agreement, when you arrive you must, repeat MUST turn off your cell phone - not turn it to vibrate, but TURN IT OFF - and place it in a drawer, that is then locked and remains locked until we all get ready to leave. There is no running out to check for messages etc. Nothing. Total 100% disconnect.

As might be expected this is harder on some than on others, but since it is a condition of being in the “group” it is somewhat easier to deal with.

This means that Billi Pod will be unreachable from approximately 1:00pm to 5:00pm.

Yes, it will be food, friendship and football. It doesn’t get much better than this.

At this moment I am not sure what, if anything, I will do for the evening. May try to catch a movie, or just come on back to PHC and watch some more football. Time will tell, as “they” say ...

Moving on ... 

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

2:00==>DEAD ACCOUNTS, about a surprise reunion that turns a family upside down==>B

It is funny and mostly well acted. Katie Holmes does a nice job but, frankly, Norbert Leo Butz’s over-the-top character wears thin in the last 20 minutes of the show.

The show isn’t a prize-winner but it is a worth see, with a discounted ticket.

Then for the evening was ...

7:00==>THE OUTGOING TIDE, about an Alzheimer victim who seeks his family’s approval to kill himself==>A-

The show is extremely well acted. The story line is very difficult, especially for someone my age, but it is totally engrossing. Don’t expect a “feel-good” ending ‘cause their ain’t one.

Billi Pod says==>See it.

AGAIN==>HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE, even my Half Ass U friends.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.84 miles (or, 12,772 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>776.27

Mileage remaining until 4/23/13==>302.73

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 Has Another Interesting Doubleheader Today

Yes, only one more day to Turkey Day and I hope all of my loyal and faithful readers and followers are awaiting the event with as much anticipation as Billi Pod (man, that was a kinda awkward sentence). Oh well ... 

We will start this posting with a report on ...

Last night’s NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC concert was yet another wonderful experience, especially Dvorak’s “From the New World,” which was sublimely beautiful.

Was initially uninvolved with Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1 but as the piece developed it became more engrossing largely due to the outstanding performance by violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann, who received a standing ovation.

Yes, Billi Pod left Avery Fisher Hall with a huge smile on his face while thinking to himself ... “I am sooooo f-ing lucky.”

Billi Pod has a rather interesting entertainment doubleheader scheduled for today, starting with ...

2:00==>DEAD ACCOUNTS - “The story of a brother, a sister, and a surprise reunion that turns their family upside down. A $27 million secret proves that the truth can be complicated.” (Broadway - discounted TDF ticket)

Starring in this comedy, in previews, are Norbert Leo Butz and Katie (formerly Mrs. Cruise) Holmes.

The advance chat-board buzz has been very mixed.

Then for the evening is ...

7:00==>THE OUTGOING TIDE - “A darkly ‘humorous’ drama about an Alzheimer victim who attempts to maintain control of his destiny by seeking his family’s approval to kill himself.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

It is playing at the 59th Street Theatre Complex, one of my favorite venues, as you all know by this time.

This show has just opened to mixed reviews and it raises the question in my mind about how can attempted suicide and Alzheimer’s disease be in any way humorous?

Moving on ... 

I am happy to report that the next 7 days have been booked and this is what it looks like in Billi Pod’s upcoming  entertainment world ...

Wednesday - doubleheader

2:00==>DEAD ACCOUNTS (Broadway)

7:00==>THE OUTGOING TIDE

Thursday - Thanksgiving dinner with AA buddies and lots and lots of college football.

Friday - doubleheader

2:00==>GRACE (Broadway)

8:00==>OY VEY! THE PLAY

Saturday - 3:30==>GATORS/HALF ASS U

For the evening probably a movie

Sunday - doubleheader

2:00==>MESSIAH ... REFRESHED (concert)

7:00==>SORRY

Monday - 7:00==>LET’S KILL GRANDMA THIS CHRISTMAS

Tuesday - with My Lady Dian Crystal

4:30==>early dinner at Meske, the Ethiopian restaurant in my 'hood. Then,

7:00==>PETER AND THE STARCATCHER (Broadway)

On this happy note I will post this and then get ready to begin my entertainment doubleheader.

HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

BTW==>FSU SUCKS!!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.79 miles (or, 12,663 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>770.43

Mileage remaining until 4/23/13==>308.57

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.”

PS: FSU really does suck!!

Monday==>Kinda Strange

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

Wow!! Monday was a kinda "strange" day. What am I talking about I know you are breathlessly asking your inner selves? 

Well, selves, it went down like this ...

First of all was the rather early morning “finger-up-the-butt” appointment with my urologist, which had a favorable result, as most of you know from yesterday’s posting.

I have to admit, in the name of fair and unbiased reporting, that these so-called “routine” appointments are none-the-less pretty stressful, at least for me.

When I got back to PHC and finished the posting I suddenly felt emotionally drained and I ... gasp ... OMFG! ... I napped for almost 90 minutes on the couch in the living room. As you know, Billi Pod just isn’t a napper. 

WTF??

Just chilled in the apartment, had the usual fruit and cheese plate and then ...

When it was time to head out for my show downtown in Chelsea I had trouble getting the elevator button to respond. WTF?? I kept pushing the down button (the only button since I am on the top floor) and nothing happened.

I thought I might have to walk down the 41 flights when the elevator door opened and one of the doormen said for me to get in. Strange. I did and he informed me that there was a problem in the computer system that operates the elevators and as soon as we got down to the first floor all three of the elevators would be taken out of service. Wow!! 

Not the best beginning for my evening's entertainment event.

Anyway, I then headed out to my show and spent about 45 minutes just walking back and forth in the 14th Street subway station. The station stretches from 14th Street up to 16th Street, so it has some decent walking space, although ... boring boring boring.

I am getting a bit worried because I find that I am using the phrase “boring boring boring” more and more often in describing my walking sessions. This ain’t a good sign because the cold weather has just begun.

Anyway, my show was good and my report card is below. I have to admit that the thought of possibly having to walk up 41 flights of steps back to PHC kept entering my head.

It was about 10:15pm when I got back to the apartment building and ... Thank You God ... all three of the elevators were back in operation. Whew and double Whew!!

So there you have it==> “finger-up-the-butt,” napping, and elevator problems = a strange day.

Moving on to Billi Pod’s report card on ...

WHAT RHYMES WITH AMERICA, a drama about an estranged father and his teenage daughter in crisis  - life is unraveling for him and is entirely uncertain for her==>A

Excellent acting from a stellar cast, especially Aimee Carrero in the role of the daughter Marlene.

The staging was interesting and the story line was involving. The running time is 80 minutes, without intermission.

Billi Pod says==>see it!

Oh, they did an outstanding job in refurbishing the Atlantic Theater venue, located on West 20th Street.

Today’s entertainment event is ... 

7:30==>NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC @ Avery Fisher Hall - The program is: 

Mendelssohn - “Son and Stranger;”

Shostakovich - Violin Concerto No. 1; and,

Dvorak - Symphony No. 9 “From the New World”

(season subscription series)

I am really looking forward to this concert because “From the New World” ranks in the Top-5 of Billi Pod’s favorite symphonies.

I will, of course, head out to Lincoln Center early for some walking time in the underground areas. Boring??

In response to several texts and emails ... yes ... I do have plans for Thanksgiving Day ... and they are ...

At 1:00pm I will head up to the Upper Westside, 72nd Street to be precise, for Thanksgiving Dinner with some of my AA buddies. This will be the 4th consecutive year we have been together for this festive event. Really looking forward to it.

Moving on ...

In the name of more fair and unbiased reporting Billi Pod must make the following observation(s) about Saturday’s GATOR/HALF ASS U game at Choke Campbell Stadium ... 

Grinding out a win on Saturday will be more difficult than ever because ... gasp ... The Semiholes lead the nation with 7.27 yards gained per offensive play and only 3.67 yards allowed per defensive play.

Yes, think about how crazy that is for a second. Per play, they are the nation’s No. 1 team on both sides of the ball. BOTH SIDES!!

Yep, it could be a long long frustrating afternoon for The Gators.

On this happy note will post this and then do a couple of leftover errands, like going to the grocery store etc etc.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.49 miles (or, 12,007 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>764.64

Mileage remaining until 4/23/13==>314.36

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 Was “Finger-Up-The-Butt” Time Again

Happy Back To Work Monday for all of my Worker Bee friends out there in the hinterlands, boondocks and wastelands and a Happy Good Afternoon to all of my loyal and faithful readers and followers.

Well, let’s get right to the important things and stuff, like ...

This morning @ 9:00am Billi Pod had a "routine" appointment with his Urologist, Dr. Erik Goluboff, who is now associated with Beth Israel Medical Center at Union Square. The appointment included the usual Digital Rectal Examination (DRE). Yepper, it was time again for the old “finger-up-the-butt” exam. The picture pretty much sums it up.

I am happy and, as usual, relieved to report that everything is “fine” up there - the PSA test result was 1.2 and the DRE - “everything OK.” Whew!!

I had been seeing Dr. Goluboff every 4 months, a new schedule due to “my age,” but after this examination he said he is comfortable with going back to semiannual exams, and that is great. So, my next exam will be May 20, 2013.

Now, moving on to other things ... like Billi Pod’s report on yesterday’s entertainment event ...

SONGS BY LEONARD BERNSTEIN AND STEPHEN SONDHEIM, the benefit concert for the Abingdon Theatre Company, was excellent and a totally enjoyable evening of melodies relating to love and relationships. 

The small theater was full and it was a nice way to end the weekend.

Moving on ...

Will try to do all of my chores and errands this afternoon and then it will be ...

8:00==>WHAT RHYMES WITH AMERICA - “A father and his teenage daughter stand on either side of a closed door. Life is unraveling for him, and is entirely uncertain for her, in this World Premiere play about estrangement and the partially examined life.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

Not sure I am in the mood for another dysfunctional family drama but the show was gotten very favorable advance buzz

It is playing down in Chelsea at the newly refurbished Atlantic Theater venue on West 20th Street.

Moving on some more ...

Well, the countdown to Saturday’s GATORS/HALF ASS U game at Choke Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, FL, has begun.

Despite our lackluster win over St. Thomas High School, oooooops ... I meant Jacksonville State, we moved up to #4 in the BCS ranking and are ahead of the Semiholes in all of the polls except the Harris poll.

The latest word from G-ville is that sophomore QB Jeff Driskel will be “available” for the game but no decision has been made whether he or Jacoby Brissett will start.

GO GATORS!!

Oh, did you know==>FSU SUCKS!!

Will post this and try to get some things and stuff done and then some walking time, so ... 

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.48 miles (or, 11,981 steps)

Mileage for week==>39.64 miles (avg. 5.66 miles per day)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>759.15

Mileage remaining until 4/23/13==>319.85

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.”