Great Weather - The Unexpected Guest - True Story - The Yankees & A-Rod - Moving Frustration

Saturday==>Weather-wise the weekend here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, is off to a spectacular  start.

Yes ... I am soooooooooo happy to report that at 11:30am we have sunny blue skies, with a few puffy clouds, and a nice breeze coming off the Hudson River. The temperature is ... gasp ... 73º with the projected high to be 79º ... YES!!

This means we need to get today’s posting started so your favorite Big Apple blogger can head out for some major walking and wandering ... so ... 

Lets get started with Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s Off Broadway show ...

AGATHA CHRISTIE’S THE UNEXPECTED GUEST, on a dark and foggy evening a lost stranger seeks refuge in a nearby country estate only to discover that he has stumbled onto the scene of a murder. When the dead man’s wife confesses to the crime, the sympathetic stranger agrees to provide her with an alibi, but who is this unexpected guest really protecting==>B+

I found this cleverly written classic to be totally involving and enjoyable as the story line twists and turns with often unexpected results, some of them even gasp-inducing. By the end of the show everyone on stage, with the exception of the police, is at one time or another perceived as being the murderer.

It is set in South Wales but I had no problem with the accents.

This a production of Theater Breaking Through Barriers whose mission is  dedicated to “advancing actors and writers with disabilities and changing the image of people with disabilities from dependence to independence.”

They have assembled an outstanding cast headed by: Nicholas Viselli as The Unexpected Guest, Pamela Sabaugh as The Wife, and Christopher Imbrosciano as the emotionally challenged Younger Brother.

Billi Pod says==>definitely worth seeing.

It is playing at The Theatre Row Complex on my West 42nd Street block, has a running time of 2:15, with intermission, and runs through May 10th.

Moving on to today ...

Unless something really exciting shows up on my ticket services my entertainment plan is to catch the just opened Jonah Hill/James Franco movie ...

TRUE STORY - “Based on actual events ... when disgraced New York Times reporter Michael Finkel (Jonah Hill) meets accused killer Christian Longo (James Franco) - who has taken on Finkel’s identity - his investigation morphs into a game of cat-and-mouse.”

This show opened on Friday to very mixed reviews but no matter because there is no way I would/could pass up a chance to Hill and Franco together ... no way.

Trust me ... I will see this movie ... the only question is when.

Now ... moving on to the sports scene ... for you Marty ... 

Last night in St. Petersburg, in that disgrace known as Tropicana Field, the Yankees beat the Rays 5-4 behind an incredible performance from A-Rod, who drove in 4 runs, including the winning one.

Yeah ... you can imagine what the local newspapers did with this ... these are the headlines in this morning’s papers ...

“ROD RAGE - Alex blasts 2 homers, singles in game-winner - Two HRs shy of Mays 660 and $6M bonus battle.”

back page of the New York Post

“FOUNTAIN OF JUICE - A-Rod turns back clock with two blasts, including 471-footer, and winning RBI as Yankees edge Rays.”

back page of the Daily News

And, in The Gray Lady ... 

“Maligned Source Of Power Lifts Anemic Yankees.”

front page of the sports section of the New York Times

Ahhhhhh ... the drama ... 

I do have to give A-Rod credit ... he is outperforming all of the early mostly negative predictions.

Tonight at 7:10pm is game two of the 3-game series.

On the mound for the Yankees (4-6) will be Masahiro Tanaka (1-1) vs, Jake Odorizzi (2-0) for the Rays. 

In closing==>in response to several emails, posts and texts ... yes, I am highly frustrated at the moment with the difficulty in finalizing a mover. Playing phone-tag and having to stay in front of this ‘puter waiting for info etc etc is highly annoying and, frankly, emotionally draining.

And ... yes ... the thought has occurred to me more than once to just say “fuck-it” and renew my lease for another year (I’m sure they would do that in a heartbeat) but ... and a HUGE but ... I know in my heart-of-hearts that I made the correct decision to return to The Sunshine State by the end of May ... so ... my loyal and faithful readers and followers ...  please cross your fingers for your favorite blogger and/or even say a prayer or two if you are so inclined. Thanks!!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE & GO YANKEES!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.03 miles (or, 6,631 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>417.26 miles (average 3.90 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.”

Mea Culpa - A Correction - Early Birthday Dinner - The Unexpected Guest - Baseball - Moving Quote

Friday==>MEA CULPA. MEA CULPA. MEA CULPA!!!

For the enlightenment of many of you out there in the boondocks, wastelands and hinterlands  ... “mea culpa is a latin phrase that means ‘through my fault’ and is an acknowledgment of having done wrong." 

What did your favorite Big Apple blogger do that causes him to begin today’s posting with MEA CULPA. MEA CULPA. MEA CULPA, I know you are nervously asking your inner selves?

Well, inner selves ... in yesterday’s Happy Birthday posting the included picture WAS NOT of the birthday girl, Finley, but it was a vintage photo of her older sister Saylor. My bad!

MEA CULPA. MEA CULPA. MEA CULPA!!!

So ... this is a current picture of Finley ...

Moving on ...

Had a great time last night with my AA buddies (you know who you are) as they hosted a early birthday dinner for me at a posh Upper Westside apartment.

Got there around 6:00pm and left at 10:30pm and it was a wonderful time of food, friendship and fellowship. As a group, they are also highly supportive of my decision to move back to The Sunshine State in late May.

So ... guys ... Thank You!!

Moving on some more ...

Tonight’s entertainment event is an Off Broadway show ...

8:00==>AGATHA CHRISTIE’S THE UNEXPECTED GUEST - “On a dark and foggy evening a lost stranger seeks refuge in a nearby country estate only to discover that he has stumbled onto the scene of a murder. When the dead man’s wife confesses to the crime, the sympathetic stranger agrees to provide her with an alibi. But who is this Unexpected Guest really protecting? Agatha Christie’s delicious tour-de-force features a dizzying array of twists and turns. You are truly kept guessing until the very end.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show is playing at The Theatre Row Complex on my West 42nd Street block, has a running time of 2:15, with intermission, and runs through May 10th.

On the sports scene ...

Tonight the Yankees begin a 3-game series against the Rays down in St. Petersburg, FL, in that pitiful disgrace known as Tropicana Field.

On the mound for the Yankees will be Adam Warren (0-1) vs. Nathan Karns (1-1) for the Rays.

The Yankees (3-6) are currently in last place in the AL East.

In closing==>the highly anticipated “firm-quote” from Atlas Movers turned out to be twice what I had expected and 2.5 times more than the other online estimates I had received. I was totally shocked. And, this was after receiving the 55% Gator Alumni Discount. No way Jose.

So ... I now have appointments with two other movers for next week ... so ... stay tuned.

I do have to add that this is becoming very stressful, and that is putting it mildly.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE & GO YANKEES!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>2.35 miles (or, 5,135 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>414.23 miles (average 3.91 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.”

Happy First Birthday Finley Falletta - Pardon My English - The Yankees - Early Birthday Dinner.

Thursday==>HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my youngest great-granddaughter FINLEY CAROLINE FALLETTA who is one year old today.  As many of you loyal and faithful readers and followers know, she lives with her older sister, Saylor, and her parents, Alex and Gina, in Elgin, SC, which is just outside Columbia.

It’s hard to believe that one year has passed already. They seem to grow up so quickly.

So==>love and hugs ... really miss you guys ... hopefully will be seeing you in the not-too-distant future.

Now ... moving on to Billi Pod’s report card on yesterday’s entertainment event ...

The Musicals Tonight production of the 1933 George and Ira Gershwin musical ...

PARDON MY ENGLISH, in order to promote the sale of beer and wine, the German government bans the sale of all non-alcoholic beverages. In retaliation, a speak-easy, Klub 21, is opened where patrons can imbibe forbidden drinks - cream soda and ginger ale. The Klub is run by Golo, who has a split personality that is only revealed when he gets hit on the head, which happens often==>totally enjoyable.

As usual, Mel Miller has brought together a stellar cast, headed by Tyler Milliron, in the dual roles of Golo and his alter-ego Michael, and Colin Ryan as Bauer, the Police Commissioner.

This staged reading concert has music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin including “Isn't It a Pity?”, “My Cousin in Milwaukee,” ”Where You Go, I Go,” and “In Three Quarter Time.”

Billi Pod says==>catch this if you can.

It is playing at the Theatre Row Complex on my West 42nd Street block, has a running time of 2:00, with intermission, and runs through April 19th.

As anticipated, for the evening I remained in my apartment to watch the final game of the YANKEES/ORIOLES series.

The Yankees lost the rubber-game 7-5 as the bullpen imploded, negating an excellent outing from Nathan Eovaldi and a towering HR from A-Rod.

This is the third consecutive series loss for the Yankees and could well be a true harbinger of a long and frustrating season.

Luckily they have tonight off as they travel to Tampa to begin a 3-game series with the Rays.

OK ... now let’s move on ...

Tonight is going to be something a bit different for your favorite blogger ... an early 81st Birthday (actual birthday is April 23rd) dinner with some of his AA buddies (you know who you are) at a posh West 70s apartment. Details are in the process of being finalized.

Really looking forward to seeing you guys.

In closing ... had two telephone conversations with the movers rep and expect to have a final estimate later on today ... so ... stay tuned.

GO YANKEES!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.08 miles (or, 8,749 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>411.88 miles (average 3.92 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.”

The Yankees Lose Again - Pardon My English

Wednesday==>It is a beautiful morning here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. At 10:30am it is a balmy 61º, sunny, with azure blue skies. 

The projected high is in the high 60s. Oh yes ... just what we need/want.

Yesterday I had planned a major walk and wander session but, unfortunately, several of the final things on my to-do list took much longer than I had anticipated, including rescheduling my upcoming "routine" appointments with my heart doctor and my urologist.

Nothing of any major interest showed up on my ticket services ... so I stayed in once again to watch baseball ...

Game two of the YANKEES/ORIOLES series, which the Yankees lost 4-3 on another less-than-stellar outing from our former ace CC Sabathia, who is now 0-2 for the season.

We also suffered from a failure to get hits with runners in scoring position and shoddy fielding. Yeah, they committed 2 more errors, for a league-leading total of 11. 

Tonight @ 7:05pm is the final game of the series.

On the mound for the Yankees will be Nathan Eovaldi (0-0) vs. Bud Norris (0-1) for the Orioles.

Moving on ...

Your favorite blogger has a matinee scheduled for today ...

The Musicals Tonight production of ...

2:00==>PARDON MY ENGLISH - “In The Gershwin's Pardon My English (1933), to promote the sale of beer and wine, the German government bans the sale of all non-alcoholic beverages. In retaliation, a speak-easy is opened where patrons can imbibe forbidden drinks - cream soda and ginger ale.” (Off Broadway - $9.00 TDF ticket)

This staged reading/concert has music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin including “Isn't It a Pity?”, “My Cousin in Milwaukee,” ”Where You Go, I Go,” and “In Three Quarter Time.”

It is playing at the Theatre Row Complex on my West 42nd Street block, has a running time of 2:30, with intermission, and runs through April 19th.

Right now my plans for the evening are in flux ... so ... stay tuned.

Haven't heard anything from my movers.

GO YANKEES!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>2.39 miles (or, 5,222 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>408.80 miles (average 3.93 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.”

A Grand Slam Win - More Baseball

Tuesday==>It is a gray and overcast day here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. At 11:30am it is 57º with the projected high to reach the upper 60s. No rain is forecast.

And ... tomorrow it is supposed to reach the low 70s, again without rain. Maybe Winter is indeed over here in Gotham City.

Yesterday was a good day in that I got a lot of things done on my errands and chores list and the 4:00pm meeting with the mover rep. went well. He made a inventory of my “stuff” and will forward it down to the Florida office. They will then give me a quote which will, hopefully, lead to a firm moving date. So ... stay tuned.

Nothing of any interest showed up on my ticket services so your favorite blogger stayed in to watch game one of the Yankees/Baltimore series.

And, what an exciting game it was. The Bronx Bombers won 7-6 on a pinch-hit grand slam in the top of the 7th inning from Stephen Drew, who was batting for the injured Brett Gardner.

Michael Pineda earned his first win even though his outing was less than stellar. He allowed 5 runs on 9 hits over 6.1 innings. He did, however, strike out 9 and didn’t issue a walk.

I am certainly glad I decided to stay in and watch the game.

So ... what about today?

Well, I still have a few things and stuff left on my to-do list and also feel the definite need for a walk and wander session later in the afternoon.

Thus far nothing of interest has appeared on my ticket services so there is a distinct possibility that I may stay in to watch ...

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

On the mound for the Yankees will be our former ace CC Sabathia (0-1) vs. Miguel Gonzalez (0-1 ) for the Orioles.

Yeah ... I know ... I know ... staying in 3 nights in a row ... but ... remember my loyal and faithful readers and followers ... your favorite Big Apple blogger is a MAJOR baseball fan ... so ... just calm down and live with it ... OK?

On that happy note ... will post this and when get to work on things and stuff.

GO YANKEES!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>4.59 miles (or, 10,044 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>406.41 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.”