HALLELUJAH!! - The Post Season - The Gators - Dinner with Bill - Kathi & John

Monday==>HALLELUJAH!! Yes, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, for the first time in a long long time your favorite Sunshine State blogger has an upcoming week without ... repeat ... without some scheduled medical and/or health event. HALLELUJAH!!

To share with you why this is so important ... how about this ... over the last 17 weeks I had at least one medical and/or health event in 13 of them. Now, folks, that’s a lot and that is why I have begun today’s beginning-of-the-week posting with a major==>HALLELUJAH!!

BTW==>Billi Pod’s week begins on Monday and runs through Sunday.

So ... let’s move on with some sports stuff ...

Well, my Yankees inched their way into the AL wild card home field advantage even though they got swept by the Orioles in their 3-game series in Baltimore. They won home field when the D’backs beat Houston.

Yep, they lost the final game of the regular season by a score of 9-4 on a miserable outing from Michael Pineda and basically ineffective offense.

So ... the regular season is over ... and now it is time for The Bronx Bombers to move forward into the post-season for the first time since 2012.

At 8:00pm on Tuesday, from Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed and Ego Built, will be the 1 game playoff against the Houston Astros.

On the mound for the Yankees (87-75) will be our titular ace Masahiro Tanaka (12-7) vs. Dallas Keuchel (20-8) the ace of the staff, for the Astros (86-76).

The winner of this game will then advance to the ALDS against the Kansas City Royals, in KC on Thursday.

For those of my loyal and faithful readers and followers who are NL followers ...

The NL wild card game will be Cubs/Pirates on Wednesday night.

When both of these wild card games are completed Billi Pod will make his much anticipated post season predictions ... so ... stay tuned.

Now ... on the Gator scene ... 

With our upset win over Ole Miss we are now ranked #11 in the AP Top 25 (ahead of #12 ranked FSU) and #12 in the Coaches Poll (FSU is ranked #8), Wow ... who would have thunk it?

A word of caution to all of my Gator fans==>we still have a long way to go in a season highlighted by a very very tough schedule. Billi Pod still believes that an 8-4 season is the more realistic probability.

A lot will be learned on Saturday when we face the 4-1 Missouri Tigers at 7:30pm, from Columbia, Missouri, carried on SECN.

Moving on ...

Had a great time last night with my son Bill III aka The Bill at our favorite Winter Park restaurant, the Outback Steakhouse, on Aloma Avenue.

Bill had the usual sirloin special and I had the chicken and ribs platter. We stuffed ourselves.

In response to a couple of emails and texts==>we regularly go to Outback because: the food is excellent; the service is good; the ambiance is pleasantly upscale; and, the cost is reasonable. I also get a 15% AARP discount.

As usual, when dinner was over we stopped by the Krispy Kreme to get our usual order of those evil chocolate glazed donuts. We each get a 1/2 dozen.

So ... Bill ... it was great being with you and I’ll seeya Sunday evening.

Moving on some more ...

Right now my plans for this evening are in flux. I am considering seeing a movie, either ... 

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 - “Dracula and his friends try to bring out the monster in his half human, half vampire grandson in order to keep Mavis from leaving the hotel.” 

or, 

STONEWALL - “A young man’s political awakening and coming of age during the days and weeks leading up to the Stonewall Riots.”

Unfortunately, the major weather problems in the Columbia, SC, area has required my daughter Kathi Bendeck and her husband, Dr. John, to cancel their plans to come down to the Central Florida area tomorrow. They plan to reschedule for a later date in October, hopefully.

OK, it is time for your favorite blogger to begin working on his usual Monday errands and chores list ... so ... let’s just ...

KICK CANCER’S ASS!!

GO YANKEES AND GO GATORS!! 

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

Total mileage for the week==>23.15 miles (average 3.31 miles per day)

Total mileage for 2015==>1,113.89 miles (average 4.02 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.” 

It’s Great To Be A Florida Gator - The Yankees

Sunday==>Yes, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, your favorite Sunshine State blogger is still basking in the euphoria created by the stunning upset last night at The Swamp as my Florida Gators kicked the butt of #3 ranked Ole Miss by a score of ... gasp ... 38-10.

In all aspects of the game - offense, defense, special teams, coaching, energy, desire, etc. we were in their face from the opening play to the final “take-a-knee” play to end the rout.

I also believe that the incredible crowd noise was a factor because it took Ole Miss longer to get their plays in and then relay them to the players.

I think the following unedited quote from FanBuzz, an online football site, pretty much sums up the Gator season so far ...

“So Florida went from “they probably won’t be good this year” to “all right, they might be okay” to “holy crap, they are beating Ole Miss by a billion” really quick. Things won’t get much easier for Florida, as they still have LSU and Georgia to play this month, but wow, this was certainly a statement by the Gators.”

In a posting to my Facebook Timeline late last night I wondered what the victory would do for us in the polls. Well, the just released Coach's Poll now has us ranked #12. The AP Poll hasn't been released yet ... so ... stay tuned.

On Saturday at 7:30pm we will play the Missouri Tigers (4-1) at Columbia, Missouri, carried on SECN.

The Tigers are coming off a 24-10 win over the struggling South Carolina Gamecocks.

In case you have forgotten==>Billi Pod hates Tigers.

Moving on ...

As much as the Gator game was a major positive, the Yankees/Orioles doubleheader, in Baltimore, was a total downer as the Orioles won both games, 9-2 and 4-3. In both games we failed to get crucial hits with runners in scoring position, something that has plagued us all season.

The final game of the regular season will be at 3:05pm this afternoon. 

On the mound for the Yankees (87-74) will be Michael Pineda (12-9), coming off his worst start of the season, vs. Chris Tillman (10-11) for the Orioles (80-81) who are obviously enjoying their spoiler role.

We need to win this game in order to have home field advantage in the one-game wild card game on Tuesday, October 6th.

As I am sure most of you loyal and faithful readers and followers expect, Billi Pod will remain in the comfortable confines of his apartment to watch the game, then more baseball then ending with some pro football.

I will, however, take a break to have dinner tonight with my son Bill III aka The Bill at our favorite restaurant, the Outback Steakhouse, on Aloma Avenue.

This has become a regular event for us and that is nice because it allows us to have some needed catching up and facetime.

And, of course, when dinner is over we will swing by Krispy Kreme for our usual supply of those evil chocolate glazed donuts.

In closing==>yesterday was also an excellent walking day. Did my usual early morning walk and wander session and then some major walking during the games on TV, resulting in==>5.42 miles. Not bad, IMHO.

So ... let’s just ... 

KICK CANCER’S ASS!!

GO YANKEES AND GO GATORS!! 

Yesterday’s mileage==>5.42 miles (or, 11,858 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>1,111.50 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.”

The Martian - Dinner with Dottie Harris - The Yankees - The Gators

Saturday==>Well, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, we will begin today’s posting with your favorite blogger’s report card on last night’s entertainment event ... the just opened movie ...

THE MARTIAN - “When astronauts blast off from the planet Mars, they leave behind Mark Watney (Matt Damon), presumed dead after a fierce storm. With only a meager amount of supplies, the stranded visitor must utilize his wits and spirit to find a way to survive on the hostile planet. Meanwhile, back on Earth, members of NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring him home, while his crew mates hatch their own plan for a daring rescue mission.”

Billi Pod’s report card==>A

Folks, this is a totally enjoyable survival-and-rescue adventure movie that concludes with a white-knuckle climax.

The story line is involving and believable and the cinematography is amazing, especially the Mars landscape scenes.

Matt Damon gives an Oscar-worthy performance as Mark, who spends around 75% of the two-hour-plus film alone on screen. He creates a character of determination and grit, mellowed with just the right touch of humor.

The rest of the supporting cast is stellar, headed by Jeff Daniels as the conservative NASA director who must make critical decisions throughout the movie.

My only quibble with the show is that about 10-15 minutes could be cut from the running time of 2:21.

Billi Pod says==>see this movie!!

I saw it at the Regal Cinema in Winter Park Village with my dear friend Dottie Harris. She gave the show a B+ and her main concern was also the running time.

When the show was over we had a great dinner at Brio Tuscan Grille in Winter Park Village. We had about a 10 minute wait and then were seated outside and that was nice because the weather was very pleasant.

I had Pesce Piccata and Dottie had a massive Salmon Salad. The food was great.

We did some much needed/wanted catching up. Dottie had just spent a month in Maine to be with her son Bruce for the birth of his 6th child.

So ... Dottie ... it was great being with you.

When dinner was over we split and I came back to the apartment to watch the remainder of the Yankees/Orioles game, from Baltimore.

WTF, the game had been rained out. Oh well ... it will be made up in a doubleheader on Saturday.

Moving on ...

Today and tonight will be totally devoted to sports as your favorite Sunshine State blogger will remain in the cool and comfortable confines of his apartment to watch ...

12:05pm==>Game 1 of the Yankee/Orioles doubleheader from Baltimore.

On the mound for the Yankees (87-72) will be Ivan Nova (6-10), who has been struggling, vs. Wei-Yin Chin (10-6) for the Birds (78-81).

In between the doubleheader I will watch college football.

The second half of the doubleheader will be at 7:05pm. 

On the mound for the Yankees will be rookie Luis Severino (5-3) vs. Ubaldo Jimeniz (12-10) for the Orioles.

We need to win one of these games to secure home field advantage for the wild card game on Tuesday, October 6th.

Of course, everything on the TV will be secondary to ...

7:00pm==>Ole Miss/Gators from The Swamp.

Today’s papers reported that there is a “possibility” that our starting QB, Will Grier, may be out due to "flu-like" symptoms. If so, then Treon Harris is available, after serving a one-game suspension.

Billi Pod’s prediction==>Ole Miss 31 - Gators 17.

OK, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, it's now time to post this and then get ready for my sports binge ... but ... first ... let’s ...

KICK CANCER’S ASS!!

GO YANKEES AND GO GATORS!! 

Yesterday’s mileage==>2.79 miles (or, 6,112 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>1,106.08 miles (average 4.02 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.”

Thursday Was Excellent - The Yankees - Dottie & The Martian - The Gators

Friday==>Thursday was an excellent day for your favorite blogger here in The Sunshine State. 

It got started with: a good followup appointment with my surgeon, Sebastian De La Fuente; several walk and wander sessions during the day and early evening (5.67 miles); being advised that my daughter Kathi Bendeck and her husband, Dr. John, will be in the Orlando area next week; and, ending with the highlight ...

With the 10,000th regular-season win in franchise history, a nail-biting 4-1 win over the Boston FuckSox at rainy Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed and Ego Built, the Bronx Bombers clinched an AL wild card spot. 

We are post season-bound for the first time since 2012, on a journeyman outing from CC Sabathia and solo HRs from Carlos Beltran and rookies Greg Bird and Rob Refsnyder.

Tonight at 7:05pm, in Baltimore, is the first game of the final 3-game series of the regular season.

On the mound for the Yankees (87-72) will be Luis Severino (5-3) vs. Wei Yin Chen (10-8) for the Orioles (78-81)

This series is important to the Yankees because we need a win to secure home field advantage for the wild card game on Tuesday, October 6th.

Yeah, it was a totally excellent day for Billi Pod.

Moving on ...

Speaking of excellence ... at 4:00pm this afternoon I will meet up with my dear friend Dottie Harris and we will see the just opened Matt Damon movie ...

THE MARTIAN - “When astronauts blast off from the planet Mars, they leave behind Mark Watney (Matt Damon), presumed dead after a fierce storm. With only a meager amount of supplies, the stranded visitor must utilize his wits and spirit to find a way to survive on the hostile planet. Meanwhile, back on Earth, members of NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring him home, while his crew mates hatch their own plan for a daring rescue mission.”

In addition to Damon the stellar cast includes: Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig and Jeff Daniels.

The reviews in advance of today’s official opening have been very favorable.

It has a running time of 2:21 and is shown in standard and 3D. It is playing at the Regal Cinema in Winter Park Village. We have opted not to see it in 3D.

When the show is over we will catch a bite at a restaurant (to be determined) in Winter Park Village.

Moving on ...

I am also in the mental countdown process for the Ole Miss/Gator game at 7:00pm on Saturday, from The Swamp.

Both teams come into the game undefeated. The current line has Ole Miss favored by only 7 points.

Not sure how I feel about that because our offense still leaves a lot to be desired and our run defense is inconsistent.

Oh well ...

KICK CANCER’S ASS!!

GO YANKEES AND GO GATORS!!

Total mileage for September==>105.60 miles (average 3.52 miles per day 

Yesterday’s mileage==>5.67 miles (or, 12,392 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>1,103.29 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.

A MAJOR THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!! - Another Medical Update - The Yankees

Thursday==>Your favorite Sunshine State blogger is totally overwhelmed by the outpouring of supportive emails, texts and posts from his loyal and faithful readers and followers and friends.

THANK YOU to everyone who took the time. It was highly emotional for me to read each and everyone that began to arrive within minutes of yesterday’s posting regarding the positive results from the surgical biopsy that was performed back on Wednesday, September 22nd.

Yes, we have taken a big step toward KICKING CANCER’S ASS. 

Of course, I still have serious medical issues arising from prostate cancer but, together, we will handle these one day at a time.

I also want to express my deep appreciation to Lance Smith for taking me to the doctor’s office and to my son Bill for taking time off from work to be with me at the doctor’s office and then driving me back to the apartment. And, a thank you to Dottie Harris for also offering to take me.

Moving on ... 

This morning at 8:00am I had a followup appointment with the surgeon, Dr. Sebastian De La Fuente, at Florida Hospital in Orlando. I took the bus from the apartment to the hospital and back.

I was taken in promptly at 8:00am. Dr. De La Fuente came in with 5 other doctors. He examined the site of the surgical incision and said he was very pleased with how it looked. He said that the lumps I was concerned about were scar tissue where the two nodes had been excised and that it could take up to 6 months for them to go away.

He told me how pleased he was with the final results.

Now ... remember from a previous posting ... the doctor is an FSU fan ... and, he had told me not to ever wear my Gator T-shirt again. Well, for this appointment I wore the same Gator T-shirt that I had worn at our first appointment.

This time we had the following discussion, as the examination was complete ...

Me: Doc, I like what you did ... but ... I’m gonna have to sue you.

Doc: Oh, why?

Me: Oh, you know why. It’s for having “A ‘Nole” tattooed just above my belly button.

Doc: Oh, you noticed ... (pause) ... well, I have a deal to offer you.

Me: Yeah, what is it?

Doc: You agree to keep the tattoo and not sue me and ... I will let my son, Mario, who is a HS senior, attend the University of Florida. Deal?

Me: Deal!!

And we shake hands ... and then laugh ... and the other 5 doctors have looks on their collective faces that says ... WTF just happened?

They then left the room and I could hear the Doc explaining to them what had happened. There was a very loud roar of laughter and applause.

Nice way to end the appointment.

Moving on ...

I had hoped that yesterday’s magic would extend through the evening to allow the Yankees to clinch a playoff spot by defeating the despicable Boston FuckSox ... but ... alas ... it wasn’t to be.

No, the FuckSox won the 3rd consecutive game of the 4-game series, from Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed and Ego Built, 9-5, in 11 innings. The Yankees squandered numerous opportunities to put the game away.

Tonight at 7:05pm is the final game of the series. A win will clinch a post-season birth for the Yankees.

On the mound for the Yankees (86-72) will be our former ace CC Sabathia (5-10) vs. Rich Hill (2-0) for the FuckSox (78-80).

Billi Pod plans to spend the afternoon and evening in front of his 42” flat screen TV watching baseball.

So ... I will close this posting with another THANK YOU to everyone who has joined with me as, together, we are, in fact, going to ...

KICK CANCER’S ASS!!

GO YANKEES AND GO GATORS!! 

Yesterday’s mileage==>3.15 miles (or, 6,894 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>1,097.92 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.