Lives of the Saints - Rocket to the Moon - Spring Training - Walking Stats

Thursday==>It is very cold all over the Northeast, even down to the Sunshine State, so ... no need to bore you loyal and faithful readers and followers with a detailed weather report from The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World ... it is just cold like every place else ...

So ... we will simply move on to Billi Pod’s report card on ...

Last night's Off Broadway show ...

LIVES OF THE SAINTS, a collection of six delightfully funny and unforgettable short plays by David Ives==>A.

This was a totally enjoyable evening of 6 divergent short plays that were funny, entertaining, often very profane but also thought-provoking.

For me the best was called “Soap Opera” and it was about the “relationship” between a repairman and a washing machine from his childhood.

The five person cast, Arnie Burton, Carson Elrod, Rick Holmes, Kelly Hutchinson and Liv Rooth is stellar as they move from one character to another between plays.

The almost full-house was very much into the performance and we gave the cast a roaring round of applause at curtain call.

Before the show I ran into my friend Kim and we were able to do some much needed catching up. He had an extra ticket so we were able to sit together for the show, on the first row, and that was nice.

Billi Pod says==>see this show, you won’t be disappointed.

It is playing at The Duke Theatre on West 42nd Street, has a running time of 2:00, with intermission, and runs through March 27th.

Now ... moving on to tonight’s entertainment event ...

The Off Broadway show ...

8:00==>ROCKET TO THE MOON - “Clifford Odet’s classic drama is set in the oppressive heat of a stifling New York summer, where the waiting room of Ben Stark's dental practice serves as the backdrop to his mid-life crisis as he attempts to escape the confines of his life by having an affair with his secretary, Cleo, a decision that will  transform both their lives, endangering Ben's comfortable existence while opening him up to unimagined possibilities.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show has generated very positive early buzz so I am looking forward to seeing it.

Luckily, the theater is only 4 short North/South blocks from my apartment building so I won’t be exposed to the frigid elements for very long.

This drama is playing at The Theatre at Saint Clements on West 46th Street, has a running time of 2:20, with intermission, and runs through March 28th.

Moving on to the sports scene ...

Spring training officially gets underway for The Yankees tomorrow as pitchers and catchers report to Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL.

A-Rod will show up in the next couple of days and then the show will begin in earnest.

The first game is at 1:00pm on Tuesday, March 3rd, against the Phillies in Clearwater.

Billi Pod is definitely in the need for some baseball ... that is for sure.

In closing ... yesterday was an excellent walking day even though it was cold. I was out and about doing things and stuff, including a decent walk to and from my show ... so ... when midnight arrived I had recorded 5.28 miles on my WeightWatchers Pedometer ... not bad.

I will also share another pretty AWESOME walking stat==>despite the nasty and cold weather, as of February 18, 2015, you favorite blogger has recorded 203.10 miles. On this same date last year it was only 146.89 miles ... meaning ... I have walked 56.21 more miles in frigid 2015. AWESOME!!

OK ... I can hear the grumbling out there ... so ... here’s your weather update ... at 11:30am it is overcast with temperature of 20º, wind chill down to 5º.

STAY WARM EVERYONE IN THE TRI-STATE AREA

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.28 miles (or, 11,537 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>203.10 miles (average 4.15 miles per day)

Billi Pod

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

Pop Quiz - A-Rod - Abundance - Lives of the Saints - Upcoming Schedule

Wednesday==>OK, my loyal and faithful readers and followers ... it is pop-quiz time ... so ... answer the following question in 30 seconds or less ...

Question: In The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, which is more important to the news media: 

(1) The unrest in the Mideast/ISIS; or,

(2) Alex Rodriguez aka A-Rod?

Ready??

The correct answer is ... tada==>#2 Alex Rodriguez aka A-Rod.

Here's how things developed ... 

Yesterday, the disgraced Rodriguez released a handwritten apology note to fans, his New York Yankees teammates and the league for his doping and other mistakes. A-Rod said he was sorry he took performance-enhancing substances and also apologized for his often combative actions in fighting the process that led to his season-long suspension.

This action brought about a firestorm of media coverage and generated the following front and back page headlines in this morning’s papers ...

MY BAD! A-Rod’s handwritten letter of apology to fans.

front page of The New York Post

Dear Alex, WE DON’T ACCEPT - Sincerely, Yankees fans.

back page of The New York Post

Fans rip A-Rod apology letter. Cheat’s ‘handwritten’ sorry strikes out.

front page of The Daily News

DEAR ALEX, Disgusted Yankee fan pens letter back to A-Rod.

back page of The Daily News

and, even in The Gray Lady ...

To the Readers: Rodriguez Is Not Going Away. Sorry - A slugger’s actions may have rendered his words meaningless. Trying to move on, the Yankees may no longer want him, but they might need him.

front page of the Sports Section of The New York Times.

Only in New York, folks, only in New York!

So ... let’s move on to Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s Off Broadway show ...

ABUNDANCE, about two mail-order brides who are lured to the plains of Wyoming by the promise of a new beginning. Their adventure and friendship spans 25 years, unearthing along the way the dark underside of American mythology and the unbreakable bonds of female friendship==>B+

This show grew on me as the story line developed. At first I was totally put-off by the unlikeability of each of the 4 main characters but the emotionally involving story line overcomes this by the end of the show.

I won’t give more details on the story line out of fear of injecting spoilers. Trust me, there are a lot of plot twists and turns.

The acting is stellar as is the staging and sets.

This was the opening performance and the audience was filled with family and theater-related folks.

Billi Pod says==>worth seeing if you will be patient and let things on stage develop.

It is playing at The Theatre Row Complex on my 42nd Street block, has a running time of 2:00, including intermission, and runs through March 28th.

Now ... moving on to tonight’s entertainment event, the Off Broadway show ...

7:00==>LIVES OF THE SAINTS - “A collection of six delightfully funny and unforgettable short plays by David Ives.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

I have been unable to dredge up more details on the individual plays ... but ... no matter because I have enjoyed Ives’ work in the past, which can best be described as “brainy and loopy.” Yeah, just the kind of humor that Billi Pod loves.

This show is playing at The Duke Theatre on West 42nd Street, has a running time of 2:00, with intermission, and runs through March 27th.

Moving on some more ...

Your favorite blogger has a very AWESOME and diverse entertainment schedule for the remainder of the month ...

Wednesday - 7:00==>LIVES OF THE SAINTS (Off Broadway)

Thursday - 8:00==>ROCKET TO THE MOON (Off Broadway)

Friday - open at the moment

Saturday - 8:00==>THE BIG CONCERT @ Carnegie Hall (classical music concert)

Sunday - 3:00==>ROTTERDAM PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA @ Avery Fisher Hall (classical music concert); and,

7:00==>ACADEMY AWARDS, carried on ABC

Monday - 8:00==>THE HEIDI CHRONICLES (Broadway)

Tuesday - 7:30==>NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC: Chinese New Year Celebration @ Avery Fisher Hall (concert)

Wednesday - open at the moment

Thursday - 7:30==>NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA @ Avery Fisher Hall (classical music concert)

Friday - open at the moment

Saturday - February 28 - 7:30==>Demetri Martin @ Town Hall  (comedy show)

Yeah ... pretty AWESOME isn’t it? But ... remember ...

I report - you decide.

In closing==>at 11:00am it is sunny, blue skies, puffy clouds and 27º, wind chill down to 20º. Manageable ... but ... snow is the forecast for tonight. Oh well ...

STAY WARM EVERYONE IN THE TRI-STATE AREA

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.35 miles (or, 7,329 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>197.82 miles (average 4.12 miles per day)

Billi Pod

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

Lunch with Marty and Jackie - City Of - Abundance

Tuesday==>It snowed overnight and the sidewalks and crosswalks are a mess.

At 10:30am it is lightly snowing with a temperature of 18º, wind chill down to 7º.

Rest assured ... your favorite blogger will remain in the warm and cozy confines of his apartment ... ain’t no way he is gonna voluntarily go out in this mess. Fortunately, his scheduled entertainment event for tonight (details below) is in The Theater Row Complex, which is only steps away from his apartment building.

So ... let’s move on ...

Had a great late lunch with Marty Kosarik aka Whatever and his cousin Jackie, who lives in West Virginia, at our favorite Ethiopian restaurant, Meske, on West 45th Street in my Hell’s Kitchen ‘hood.

Unfortunately, Dian Crystal aka My Lady wasn’t able to join us.

Marty and Jackie had to cancel their upcoming trip to Iceland due to unforeseen circumstances. Jackie will be in the Big Apple until Saturday and, hopefully, we will be able to meet up again so she can see the views of Manhattan from my 41st floor apartment.

Billi Pod says==>Marty and Jackie ... it was great being with you guys.

Now ...let’s move on to Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s Off Broadway show ...

CITY OF, a drama about four disparate Americans, lost and lonely, who journey to Paris in search of love. A mysterious symphony of speech and dreams unfold as their lives entangle in a web of paintings, opera, ghosts and absinthe==>C.

The convoluted story line of intertwining dreams and fantasies just didn’t work for me. 

Among the myriad of phantasmal characters are: a green fairy, a tenured professor disguised as a sewer rat, a talking gargoyle who is in a relationship with a pigeon, an array of ghosts ... you get the picture.

Now ... the cast does an exceptional job with the material given to them as they often narrate their own actions and sometimes speak in unison as a group with the other actors (that is pretty amazing).

The staging and lighting is excellent.

Billi Pod says==>if you are in the mood for something totally different, then see this show ... if not ... stay far far away.

This show has received mixed reviews, is playing at the Playwrights Horizons on West 42nd Street, immediately adjacent to my apartment building, has a running time of 1:35, without intermission, and runs through February 21st.

Billi Pod’s entertainment event for tonight is an Off Broadway show ...

7:30==>ABUNDANCE - “Two mail-order brides are lured to the plains of Wyoming by the promise of a new beginning and their adventure and friendship spans 25 years, unearthing along the way the dark underside of American mythology and the unbreakable bonds of female friendship.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show officially opens tonight, is playing at The Theatre Row Complex on my 42nd Street block, has a running time of 2:10, including intermission, and runs through March 28th.

Man ... do I feel antsy. It has stopped snowing so I think I will bundle up and head over to The Port Authority Bus Terminal for at least an hours worth of walking and wandering. Yeah ... I know I said I wouldn't go out ... but ... whatever ... so ... 

STAY WARM EVERYONE IN THE TRI-STATE AREA

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.25 miles (or, 7,103 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>194.47 miles (average 4.14 miles per day)

Billi Pod

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

Freezing Cold - Carnegie Hall Concert - Lunch at Meske - City Of

Monday==>Yes, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, it is freezing this morning here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

At 8:30am it is 4º and as a result of gusting winds the wind chill is down to -13. This is brutal.

And ... it doesn’t get any better as the week progresses. Snow is forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday. Oh well ...

Let’s move on to a positive note and that will be ... tada ...

Billi Pod’s report on yesterday’s concert at Carnegie Hall ...

MIDAMERICA PRODUCTIONS: Ensemble Spotlight Series @ Carnegie Hall. 

Choral groups from China, California, Arizona, Georgia, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, and Oregon, with Orchestral groups from St. Charles, Illinois, performed a diverse program of modern compositions and works by Mendelssohn and Beethoven.

This was a totally enjoyable program, that was done in four segments, two orchestras, one mixed chorus and one children’s chorus.

My comp. seat was super-excellent, in the first tier, house right. 

I was seated next to a very nice 40s couple from Tulsa, Oklahoma, who had two daughters (a senior and a sophomore) performing in one of the combined choral groups. Their pride and excitement made the afternoon even more enjoyable for me.

The audience was really into the performance by the children’s chorus of over 200 elementary school-aged children from Taiwan, Arizona, and California.

They performed 7 numbers and each one was rewarded with a roaring round of applause and then a standing ovation when their program was completed to end the concert.

Yeah ... I left Carnegie Hall with a big smile on my face.

It was still very cold when the concert was over. I had just a touch of cabin fever so on the way back to the apartment I spent about an hour walking the subway platforms and then The Port Authority Bus Terminal.

This allowed me to end of the day with some decent mileage==>4.18 miles.

I spent the evening in the warm and cozy confines of my apartment watching the 3 1/2 hour SNL 40th Anniversary Show, that featured an awesome array of some of the legends of comedy. It was enjoyable and fun.

Now ... moving on ...

At 1:00pm today I will brave the elements to join Marty Kosarik aka Whatever, his cousin Jackie, and, hopefully, Dian Crystal aka My Lady, for lunch at our favorite Ethiopian restaurant, Meske, at West 47th Street in my Hell’s Kitchen ‘hood.

I am really looking forward to this because it has been a while since we have been together.

Then ... for the evening is an Off Broadway show in my immediate Hell's Kitchen 'hood ...

7:30==>DAY OF - “Four disparate Americans, lost and lonely, journey to Paris in search of love. A mysterious symphony of speech and dreams unfold as their lives entangle in a web of paintings, opera, ghosts and absinthe.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show has received mixed reviews, is playing at the Playwrights Horizons on West 42nd Street, immediately adjacent to my apartment building, has a running time of 1:35, without intermission, and runs through February 21st.

At the moment my next scheduled entertainment event isn’t until Saturday night. Yeah ... I know ... hopefully things in my immediate ‘hood will show up on my ticket services so I won’t be trapped in my apartment avoiding the cold.

OK ... time to post this and then get ready to head out for lunch.

Oh ... despite the freezing cold during the entire week I was able to maintain my walking program by walking in the apartment and in The Port Authority Bus Terminal. Boring but necessary. The mileage for the week was 28.43 miles. Not bad, all things considered.

STAY WARM EVERYONE IN THE TRI-STATE AREA

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>4.18 miles (or, 9,143 steps)

Total mileage for the week==>28.43 miles (average 4.06 miles per day)

Total mileage for 2015==>191.22 miles (average 4.16 miles per day)

Billi Pod

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