Take That Boston F**kSox!!!

Monday==>Well, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, I hope that everyone had a great weekend because your favorite Big Apple blogger certainly did.

Yesterday was a combination of some walking and wandering and then watching sports, The Masters and baseball, on my new 42” TV. The highlight was, of course, the major ... and I mean MAJOR ass-whipping the Yankees gave to the loathsome and despicable Boston FuckSox.

Oh, yes ... last night out at Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed And Ego Built, the Yankees won 14-4, as, finally, our bats became alive and we got a decent outing from Masahiro Tanaka. 

The win generated the following headlines in today’s papers ...

BATS MORE LIKE IT! Yankees finally erupt, blow away Bosox

back page of the New York Post

A-GAME. Never fear! After horrid weekend, Alex, Yanks come up big in 14-4 rout of Red Sox

back page of the Daily News

Of course, The Gray Lady was much more subdued ...

Yanks’ Bats Take Focus Off Velocity of Tanaka

inside sports section of the New York Times.

As I mentioned in yesterday’s posting, the Yankees will begin a major road trip tonight, starting with ...

7:05pm==>YANKEES vs. BALTIMORE @ Camden Yards.

On the mound for the Yankees will be Michael Pineda (0-0) vs. Wei-Yin Chen (0-0) for the Orioles.

Unless something major shows up on my ticket services my plans for the evening will be to stay in and watch the game.

In that regard ... in response to several texts and emails ... yes ... your favorite blogger is indeed cutting back on his entertainment scheduling just a bit because ... well ... I think you know the reason(s) why ... but thank you for asking. 

Moving on ...

Today is going to be the usual errands and chores then at 4:00pm a representative from Atlas Movers will come to PHC for a “walk-thru” so that they can give me a firm estimate of the moving costs. Stayed tuned.

In closing==>the weekly walking stats are the lowest thus far for 2015, reflecting Billi Pod’s bout with a cold. Hopefully, the upcoming week will be back to “normal.”

GO YANKEES!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>2.57 miles (or, 5,615 steps)

Total mileage for the week==>19.77 miles (average 2.82 miles per day)

Total mileage for 2015==>401.82 miles (average 3.94 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.”

Green-Wood Trolley Tour - Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Symphonic Band - The Wankies

Sunday==>It is a bright and sunny morning here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, with azure blue skies, a few puffy clouds and a pleasant temperature of 57º @ 11:30am. The forecast is for a high in the upper 60s.

This means that this afternoon will be a major walk and wander session for your favorite blogger, something he hasn’t done in way-too-long ... so ... let’s just get started with ...

Billi Pod’s report on yesterday’s entertainment doubleheader ... beginning with ...

BASEBALL GREATS IN GREEN-WOOD TROLLEY TOUR, which was==>excellent.

As planned, I met up with my friends Lenny Gordon and his wife Marie Taylor at the Times Square subway station and then we subwayed out to that foreign country known as Brooklyn.

The tour started at 1:00pm and it was sold-out. The weather was excellent although just a bit windy.

The trolley had two cars and we sat in the rear of the first one. We were joined by Lenny and Marie’s friends Wendy & Richard.

The tour was co-narrated by Green-Wood Historian Jeff Richman and baseball historian and author Tom Gilbert. We visited many grave sites of baseball legends from the mid 1800s to the mid 1900s. We got on and off the trolley numerous times. The historical aspects of the beginning of baseball was simply fascinating to me.

The tour ended a little after 4:00pm and, trust me, it was well worth the time, effort and money.

We subwayed back to Times Square where we split and I came back to the apartment, a bit tired but very happy for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Another good thing about the experience ... I didn’t have to watch the Yankees/FuckSox game which the Yankees lost 8-4, bringing their early record to a dismal 1-4. More about the Bronx Bummers later ...

Then, for the evening I subwayed up to The Upper Westside for my second entertainment event ... a concert at Symphony Space on West 96th Street ...

THE LESBIAN & GAY BIG APPLE SYMPHONIC BAND - “New York State of Mind.”

Billi Pod's report card==>A

The concert featured music that was composed by New Yorkers or inspired by the City, including: Rodgers & Hammerstein - “The Golden Age of Broadway;” Willson - “76 Trombones;” Bernstein - Overture to “Candide;” and, Gershwin - “An American in Paris.”

For me there were two highlights to the stellar evening. The first was Weber’s Concertino for Clarinet, performed by 16-year old Vladimir Gessen, the winner of the LGBAC High School Musician Competition. He received a well-earned roaring ovation for his performance.

Then, the second highlight was Broadway star Randy Graff’s performance of “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables. She created the role of Fantine in the original Broadway production of Les Miz.

Yeah ... I left the concert with a big smile on my face ... made even bigger by running into my friends Michael Pederson and Dennis Dohman, who were also at the concert. We subwayed together back to midtown, where we split.

Yeah ... it had been a terrific day.

Now ... about today ... 

My plans are to spend the afternoon walking and wandering, probably in the Upper Westside.

Then, for the evening I will be in the warm and cozy confines of PHC to watch the final game of the Yankees/FuckSox series at 8:00pm at Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed And Ego Built.

The game will be carried on ESPN. On the mound for The Yankees will be Masahiro Tanaka (0-1) vs. Clay Buchholz (1-0) for Boston.

Tanaka had a very rough Opening Day, getting knocked around by the Blue Jays, giving up 5 runs in 5 innings.

In all honesty, I am trying to establish some identification with this 2015 team, but ... and a huge BUT ... I just don’t like what I am seeing thus far. Yes ... I know the season has just started but ... the starting pitching has been mediocre, what was supposed to be our strong point, defense, has sucked (8 errors already) and no offense. Remember, the lack of offense is what killed us last season.

When the FuckSox series is over the schedule takes even a worse turn because 25 of the upcoming 35 games will be on the road. IMHO the next 35 games will make-or-break the season ... so ... stay tuned.

Well, on this happy note ... time to post this and then get out and about ...

HAVE A GREAT REST OF THE WEEKEND EVERYONE.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.97 miles (or, 13,051 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>399.25 miles (average 3.95 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.”

I Am Alive - Saturday’s Plans - Baseball

Friday==>Well, my loyal and faithful readers and followers ... your favorite blogger here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, is alive but not yet completely well.

I woke up this morning feeling somewhat better but I am still in the final throes of a really nasty cold and that is why I didn’t post anything yesterday ... I just didn’t feel like it ... and ... I basically had nothing of any interest to share.

In the last posting, on Wednesday, I reported that my entertainment event was to be a classical music concert by the NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC at Avery Fisher Hall.

Well, about 90 minutes before the 7:30pm start time I was still coughing and sneezing and basically feeling like shit ... so I skipped the event ... meaning I also missed the opportunity to do some needed catching up with my seat mates Lenny Gordon and his wife Marie Taylor. More on them below.

So ... on both Wednesday night and Thursday night I stayed in the warm and cozy confines of PHC and watched baseball on my new (to me) 42” TV.

The Yankees split the two games with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Will have more about my early impressions of the Yankees in a latter posting.

So ... what about tonight?

Well, unless something shows up for one of the theater venues on my West 42nd Street block, I will remain in front of my TV to watch ...

Game 1 of the Yankees/Boston Red Sox series at 7:05pm out at Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed And Ego Built.

On the mound for the Yankees will be Nathan Eovaldi (who????) (6-14) vs. Wade Miley (8-12) for the FuckSox.

There is a 40% chance of rain at game time. Oh well ...

Now ... I want to report on my entertainment plans for Saturday since I have a doubleheader scheduled that will begin in the morning ... so ... 

First,  in the morning will be meeting up with my friends Lenny Gordon and Marie Taylor and then heading out, via subway, to the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn for ...

1:00pm==>BASEBALL GREATS IN GREEN-WOOD TROLLEY TOUR - “Tom Gilbert, member of the Society for Baseball Research (the folks who brought you “Moneyball”) takes us on a tour of the fascinating ball-playing pioneers interred at Green-Wood, including: Henry Chadwick, the Father of Baseball, who invented the game’s scoring system; James Creighton, baseball’s first national star; Charles Ebbets, owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers; the great hitter Charlie Smith; and others.” (discounted membership ticket)

Sounds interesting doesn’t it?

Then for the evening I have a concert at Symphony Space in the Upper Westside ...

8:00==>THE LESBIAN & GAY BIG APPLE SYMPHONIC BAND - “New York State of Mind.”

(complimentary ticket)

The concert will feature music that was composed by New Yorkers or inspired by the City and will be “headlined” by Tony-award winner Randy Graff. 

Moving on ... 

On Monday a representative from Atlas Movers will come to the apartment for a “walk-thru” so that they can then give me a firm estimate of the moving cost(s). This will bring us one step closer to setting a firm moving date. It very well may move up because I just learned that rates dramatically increase after May 21st. Stay tuned.

So ... you are now up-to-date ...

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>2.09 miles (or, 4,567 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>391.18 miles (average 3.95 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.”

Blah Tuesday - Mover Call Made - New York Philharmonic - Something To Be Thankful For

Wednesday==>Yesterday was really a blah day for your favorite blogger here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, as he spent most of the day and evening coughing, sneezing, blowing his nose and basically feeling sorry for himself and pissed off at The World in general. No fever, however.

Billi Pod left his apartment only once and that was to make a brief trip to the Food Emporium to do some restocking.

This morning I do feel somewhat better and the coughing, sneezing and runny nose have yet to reappear.

All of this means that you loyal and faithful readers and followers will be treated to a much shorter posting ... and ... hold on ... stop the applause out there ... remember ... I know who you are and where you live/work ... so ... don’t make be come over there and bitch-slap you again ...

So ... where was I? Oh yes ... about today’s posting ...

Well ... I am happy to report that ... 

There was one major positive about yesterday ... Billi Pod lived up to his promise to his inner self and made the dreaded call to his prospective mover, Atlas Van Lines. They are featured in various Gator publications and offer “Preferential Gator Treatment.”

I won’t bore you with any more details at this point other than I am awaiting a call to arrange a “walk-thru” of the apartment so they can give me a firm estimate of the cost(s).

Moving on ...

Assuming I feel OK ... tonight’s entertainment event will be a classical music concert at Lincoln Center ...

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

Bach - Concerto for Violin and Oboe; 

Escaich - Concerto for Violin and Oboe;

(both performed by: Lisa Batiashvili - violin and Francois Leleux - oboe)

Shostakovich - Symphony No. 10

(season subscription series)

At this concert I will be seated next to my friends Lenny Gordon and his wife Marie Taylor and I am looking forward to seeing them.

Will close this posting out with something positive ... that is ... something we all should be thankful for ...

You are so very welcome!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>1.55 miles (or, 3,392 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>387.91 miles (average 4.00 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.”

Why, Gods On High? Why? - Something Rotten - Sports

Tuesday==>Are the Gods On High playing games with your favorite blogger here in The Big Apple? 

I mean ... seriously, on Sunday we had the issue of the missing lens and then last night ... well ... it went down like this ...

As you loyal and faithful readers and followers know, Billi Pod’s entertainment schedule for Monday night was a Broadway show in previews, SOMETHING ROTTEN.

I timely picked up my discounted TDF ticket and was standing in line to get inside the theater. The weather was OK, no problem whatsoever ...

Just as the line began to move I began coughing and sneezing and snot was running nonstop out of my nose. WTF is this? When I got into the theatre I made a quick pit-stop while trying to suppress the flow of snot. Then, the sneezing and coughing stopped. WTF?

Found my seat, which was in the rear mezzanine. My nose stopped running, but ...  as soon as the opening number began, so did the stream of snot. Not good.

Well, I was able to mostly suppress the coughing and sneezing but the nose kept running for the remainder of the performance. Not nice. I apologized to my seat mates but they said I hadn’t been a problem.

It was an excellent show and my report card is below.

At curtain call the runny nose stopped completely and everything was fine as I walked back to the apartment.

Then, as soon as I opened the door to PHC the coughing and sneezing and runny nose began and it has basically continued through the night and up to this very moment, noon, on Tuesday.

Yeah, I feel like shit on the day when I had made a promise to self that I would make contact with a mover and schedule a moving date ...

So==>please ... Gods On High ... just leave me alone ... please ...

Anyway ... 

Let’s move on with Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s Broadway show ...

SOMETHING ROTTEN, this brand new Broadway musical comedy is about the musical comedy that started it all. Set in the 1590s, it follows Brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom who are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as “The Bard.” When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical==>A

I totally loved everything about this show. It is very funny and very well-performed with a bright score and outstanding choreography.

The entire cast is excellent, headed by Brian d’Arcy James as Nick Bottom, John Cariani as the younger brother Nigel Bottom and Christian Borle as Will Shakespeare. All 3 give Tony-worthy performances.

The story line is laced with many insider theatre references/jokes.

The audience was really into the show. There were at least two show-stopping ovations. Lots of younger people in the audience.

I think the critics will like this show and we will have a hit.

Billi Pod says==>you better grab a ticket to this show while it is still in previews.

It opens on April 22nd, is playing at the St. James Theatre on West 44th Street, has a running time of 2:30, with intermission, and is an open run.

Moving on ... quickly ...

Yesterday afternoon out at Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed and Ego Built, the Yankees lost their Home Opener to the Blue Jays 6-1, due to ineffective starting pitching, limp bats and stupid base running.

Folks, trust me on this ... it is going to be a long and frustrating season out in The Bronx.

CONGRATULATIONS to the Duke Blue Devils for winning the NCAA Tournament. Remember, your favorite blogger predicted that they would win it all.

OK ... time to post this and get to work on what needs to be done.

Oh ... I really feel blah ... actually I really feel like shit ... oh well ...

I will stay in the apartment for the rest of the afternoon and evening ... nope ... ain’t gonna go out ...

Now ... time to pick up the phone and make that call ... so ...

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>4.31 miles (or, 9,418 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>386.36 miles (average 4.03 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.”