Yesterday Was Fun

I am happy to report to you loyal and faithful readers and followers that yesterday’s entertainment doubleheader was basically a lot of fun.

It started with GYPSY OF THE YEAR 2012, featuring talented singers and dancers from the chorus of shows (known as "gypsies)==>A-

This was 2+ hours filled with talent and energy, in a program emceed by the ever popular, machine-gun speaking Seth Rudetsky. 

The funniest bit was the performance by the cast of MARY POPPINS doing a skit called Misfits. It was gut busting funny.

The company of THE LION KING did a breathtaking dance number called Tossed Around.

There was also a very touching tribute to the award-winning lyricist Fred Ebb who died 8 years ago, leaving a void in the musical theatre world that cannot be replaced.

My only complaint about the afternoon was the miserably uncomfortable seating in the New Amsterdam Theatre. My seat location was fine, second row in the balcony, but the row was so tight that my knees were practically under my chin, and, I’m not exaggerating. Very very unpleasant.

A major plus was finally getting to meet Marty Kosarik’s friend Cathy and thereby confirming that she actually exists and wasn’t a figment of his imagination.

Marty and I had tickets to the evening’s show up in the Upper Westside, so we subwayed up there to get a bite and to have plenty of time to pick up our tickets (which had to be done between 6 and 6:30 for the 7:00 show).

Marty, who is a vegetarian, selected a vegetarian restaurant called Moaz and we had ... actually ... I have no clue what it was I ate ... all I know is that it, thankfully, didn’t result later in projectile diarrhea.

We picked up our tickets on time and then found out that the show didn’t start until 8:00 and that the theater wouldn’t open until around 7:30. Bummer. We thought about skipping out, but decided against it.

We spent the next hour just wandering around the West 72nd Street ‘hood and that was nice.

Now about the event ...

Well, even this morning I am still unsure just why we were there. What do I mean I know you are all asking your inner selves? Listen up selves ...

This is the basic information about the show ... 

FUNNY OR DIE: Billy On The Street - “Fuse TV presents an exclusive look at new episodes of Funny or Die's Billy on the Street with Billy Eichner!” 

Eichner has developed a cult following for his show that features Eichner making in-your-face confrontations with unsuspecting pedestrians on the streets of New York.

When we finally got inside the theater and found our seats, in the loge area, we still had no clue what was going to happen.

 Around 8:00pm Eichner came on and did about a 10-minute “routine,” including getting the audience to scream: “Meryl Fucking Streep.” Why? I have no clue.

There were no signs that the event was being taped or recorded in any manner.

Then, on a screen on stage, was about 45 minutes of excerpts from the upcoming season of Billy On The Street. Some were very funny and some were extremely uncomfortable.

Then it was over and we were thanked for attending.

Still don’t know what the whole purpose of having us there was but ... I am glad I/we had the experience ... I think ... 

Let’s move on to today’s entertainment schedule, which is yet another Wednesday doubleheader, starting with ...  

2:00==>MY NAME IS ASHER LEV - “The powerful story of a boy prodigy in 1950s Brooklyn who must be an artist at any cost - against the will of family, community and tradition.” (Off Broadway - discounted TDF ticket)

This show recently opened to mainly glowing reviews following a long run at the Long Wharf Theatre.

Then for the evening is ...

7:30==>THE WHO @ Madison Square Garden - “Roger Daltry and Pete Townsend, the two surviving band members, with other musicians, perform The Who’s classic rock opera Quadrophenia, which was a smash double album in 1973.” (full price ticket)

I will be seeing this concert with my friend Justin Allen Pifer, who is in his first semester at Pace Law School. He needs a break from his preparation for exam-time.

As those of you loyal and faithful readers and followers who are familiar with Billi Pod’s past know==>he is a huge classic rock fan. The Who are in the top three on his all-time favorite list (the other two being Pink Floyd and The Rolling Stones).

Oh yeah ... I am mega-charged about this concert.

The weather has taken a turn for the better and it is really nice out this morning. It is 52º at 11:00am, so will post this and then do some walking and wandering.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.49 miles (or, 11,996 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>845.50 miles 

Mileage remaining until 4/23/13==>233.50 miles

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 Is An Entertainment Doubleheader

Good morning everyone out there in the morass known as cyberspace. Yes, Billi Pod has a doubleheader scheduled for today even though it is a Tuesday, rather than the usual Wednesday. Details, of course, will follow below but first let’s get to Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s entertainment event ...

BIG NIGHT, the revival of the 1933 play by Dawn Powell that dissects the advertising industry with razor sharp wit==>C

I had hoped to like it more. Everyone gets falling-down-drunk with way too much yelling and screaming. It gets old fast. The excellent cast does its best with the dated script.

About 1/2 of the audience left at intermission. I didn’t but maybe I should have. Oh well ...

Now about Tuesday’s doubleheader ... first is ...

2:00==>GYPSY OF THE YEAR 2012 - “Features the most talented singers and dancers in the chorus of shows (known as "gypsies"). Awards are presented to the top fundraisers and for the best presentation.” (Broadway - discounted TDF ticket)

This performance is the culmination of six weeks of intensive fundraising  by Broadway, Off Broadway and national touring companies for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Last year, Gypsy of the Year raised an all-time high $4,895,253, pushing the competition's 23-year total to $49,031,973.

After the show I hope to meet up with my theater-buddy Marty Kosarik who will be, it is alleged, with his friend Cathy. Time permitting we hope to catch a bite at the Fallopian ... ooooooooooooooops .... sorry Marty ... I meant Ethiopian restaurant Meske on West 47th Street in my Hell’s Kitchen ‘hood.

Then Marty and I have tickets for the second event, which is ...

7:00==>FUNNY OR DIE: Billy On The Street - “Fuse TV presents an exclusive look at new episodes of Funny or Die's Billy on the Street with Billy Eichner!” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

New episodes of this very funny show are premiering on December 7th and this is supposed to be a “sneak preview and much more” at the Beacon Theatre in the Upper Westside.

I am confident this will fall into the “loved-it or hated-it” category.

So, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, I hope you will agree that this sounds like an interesting day/evening, but ... remember ...

I report - you decide.

Speaking of reporting ... I have to share some very disturbing breaking news in The Yankee Universe==>A-Rod will miss about 6 months due to major hip surgery. OMFG!! Just what we need.

This is how the local papers have responded ...

“A-ROD TO RUIN. Second hip op sidelines star till midseason” - front page of Daily News

“A-ROD HIP WRECKED! Needs surgery, could miss half the season” - back page of NY Post

“Surgery for Rodriguez, Resignation for Yankees” - front page of sports section of NY Times.

I also have to comment that the Jets are on a downward spiral as Mark Sanchez continues to stink up the place, leaving the Jets in what has been described as a “Three-Ring QB Circus - Tebow in running with Sanchez, McElroy.”

Oh the drama. Only in New York, folks, only in New York.

I will end this posting with the correction of an error in yesterday’s blog ... my blog site began reporting stats in January 2011 not January 2010, meaning the blog accumulated 40,000+ hits in under 2 years.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.30 miles (or, 11,585 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>840.01 miles 

Mileage remaining until 4/23/13==>238.99 miles

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.”

40,000+ Blog Page Views==>AWESOME!!

 BREAKING NEWS==>Billi Pod Blogs has now recorded over 40,000+ hits since his blog website started keeping stats back in January 2011. As I previously reported, they do not count the number of times the author visits his page. And, as of today my rather bland profile has had 7,940 views. AWESOME!!

On this happy note let’s get this Monday morning blog started with a report card on yesterday’s entertainment event ...

 EXONERATED, a dramatization of the real-life stories of six individuals who were sentenced to death and later found to be innocent==>A

Powerful, intense, emotionally draining and well performed.

The circumstances which lead to the original convictions involved combinations of human error, incompetence, inexperience, racism, red tape and the pressure to secure a conviction superseding the need to discover the truth.

Of course, I found a lot of the story line(s) to be a very troubling reflection on the fault lines within our judicial system.

Moving on ...

Before and after the show I did a good bit of walking in the NoHo area and that was nice.

This is Monday (I hope you all know this) so it will be errands and stuff for Billi Pod and then for tonight it will be..

8:00==>BIG NIGHT - “A revival of the 1933 play by Dawn Powell that dissects the advertising industry with razor sharp wit.” (Off Broadway - $9.00 TDF ticket).

I have some misgivings about this show, including its performance space, the ATA Theatre on West 54th Street, which is one of my least favorite venues.

Well, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, I was half right in my BCS Bowl prediction yesterday. The  #3 ranked Gators will indeed play in the Sugar Bowl but against #21 Louisville rather than Oklahoma or Kansas State. WTF??

And, man, what about the Porridge Bowl down in Miami where #12 HALF ASS U will be playing #16 ranked NORTHERN ILLINOIS (who???). And this is a BCS Bowl? WTF???

When will the powers-that-be take the big step and establish a playoff system? Jus askin??

On that happy note it is time to post this and then get started on my things and stuff ... so ...

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.56 miles (or, 12,156 steps)

Mileage for week==>38.87 miles (avg. 5.55 miles per day)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>834.71 miles 

Mileage remaining until 4/23/13==>244.29 miles

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.”

ORPHEUS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA==>Excellent!!

Good morning to everyone out there in the morass known as cyberspace.

Man, it was extremely foggy this morning in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

The photo was taken at 8:30am. It is now around 11:00am and it has cleared up a bit and is 43º, somewhat warmer than the past several days.

Billi Pod is happy to report to you loyal and faithful readers and followers that last night’s concert, ORPHEUS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA @ Carnegie Hall, was 110% enjoyable, especially the performance by violinist Akiko Meyers of Barber’s Violin Concerto.

The final number was Mozart’s Symphony No. 41, Jupiter, and it was beautiful.

Yesterday I posted that I was pretty certain that my comp. seat would be in the rear of the upper level nosebleed section ... well ... I couldn’t have been more wrong. My seat was in the very front of the orchestra, the first row, as far house left as you can get, A-23.

Actually, this isn’t a good location. The Hall was virtually sold-out. Fortunately, just before the concert was to begin I was able to move back 5 rows and that was just about perfect.

Before and after the concert I was able to do some extra walking in the subway platforms and that was good for the mileage, but ... OMG ... it is soooooooo boring.

Today’s scheduled entertainment event is ...

3:00==>THE EXONERATED - “A dramatization of the real-life stories of six individuals who were sentenced to death and later found to be innocent.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This will be the final performance of this long running show which features a rotating cast, including Pink Floyd singer Roger Waters and multiple award winner Kathleen Chalfant. I had seen its original production back in 2002 and had just delayed seeing this version. Glad I was able to score a ticket for what I am sure will be a very emotional farewell performance.

Big day yesterday in the college football world.

As you know, Alabama beat Georgia, in one of the best games of the year, to win the SEC Championship and advance to the BCS Championship game against Notre Dame.

I know that my son, Bill III aka The Bill, is ecstatic that his team is playing for the National Championship. I will, of course, be pulling for The Crimson Tide when the time comes.

I believe The Gators will move up to #3 in the BCS ratings and will play either Oklahoma or Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. I think the match-ups will be announced tonight.

HAVE A GREAT REST OF THE WEEKEND EVERYONE!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.52 miles (or, 12,069 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>829.15 miles 

Mileage remaining until 4/23/13==>249.85 miles

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.”

Report Card, Schedule and Walking Stats.

Good morning to all of my loyal and faithful readers and followers. Let’s start this weekend posting with Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s entertainment event ...

COLD SNAPS 2012: Winter One-Act Festival - “Seven one-act plays featuring: fascinating parallels, prehistoric silliness, delicate romance, and valiant struggles for survival and sanity!”==>B+

Interesting, diverse, thought-provoking and well acted. A very enjoyable evening in a very very small venue.

Moving on to today ...

Gonna be in front of the tube in the afternoon for lots of college football with the most important game being, of course, ALABAMA/GEORGIA for the SEC Championship @ 4:00pm on CBS.

My son, Bill III aka The Bill, is a huge ‘Bama fan so I will be pulling for them, so ... ROLL TIDE!!

My entertainment event for the evening is a classical music concert at Carnegie Hall ... 

7:00==>ORPHEUS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA, with violinist Akiko Meyers @ Carnegie Hall. The program is:

Prokofiev - Symphony No. 1.

Barber  - Violin Concerto

Mozart - Symphony No. 41, Jupiter

(complimentary ticket)

This world famous group performs without a conductor and is celebrating their 40th anniversary. 

I am really looking forward to this even though I am rather certain that my comp. seat will be in the upper nosebleed section of the Hall, but no matter because the acoustics in Carnegie Hall are great wherever you are seated.

Speaking of classical music and Carnegie Hall==>yesterday I booked an awesome four concert series package by the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, conducted by Daniel Barenboim, performing all nine of Beethoven’s Symphonies. The concerts take place in late January and early February.

As a bonus for booking the entire series I received a 20% discount and a CD box set of the complete Beethoven symphony cycle. Nice!

Moving on some more ...

In the Yankee Universe things are shaping up pretty well in the pitching area. General Manager Brian Cashman has re-signed Hiroki Kuroda, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera. This is good.

What is not good is the fact that Nick Swisher and Russell Martin are gone and Ichiro Suzuki is now talking to other teams because the Yanks have failed to make him an offer.

Oh, the drama!!

Moving on even more ...

As you loyal and faithful readers and followers know, on July 1st I started my  adventure/challenge to walk 1,079 miles by my 79th birthday on April 23, 2013 (avg. 3.65 miles per day). 

I am now 5 months into the adventure/challenge and things have gone very very well. These are the stats thus far:

Total mileage for November==>158.98 miles (avg. of 5.30 miles per day)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>823.63 miles (avg. of 5.38 miles per day)

Total steps since 7/1/12==>1,801,279 steps

Mileage in storage locker==>265.18 miles (mileage accumulated over the required 3.65 miles per day average)

Mileage remaining until 4/23/13==>255.37 miles

To reach my 1,079 mile goal in the 296 days I have to average 3.65 miles per day. When I exceed that average, as I have most of the way thus far, the “excess” mileage goes into storage to be used if and when I lose time because of bad weather, illness, whatever.

Yeah, I know, it’s pretty damned AWESOME isn’t it?

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.64 miles (or, 12,331 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>823.63 miles (avg. of 5.38 miles per day)

Mileage remaining until 4/23/13==>255.37 miles

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.”