Billi Pod’s Sunday Update

Sunday - It is a gray and nasty day in the Greatest City in The World and this is supposed to be the beginning of 3 days of on and off rain. Hope the forecasters are wrong.

My plans for today are simple - will stay in during the afternoon and watch the rubber game of the Yankees @ LA Angels series. The Yankees won last night 7-1 behind an awesome performance by veteran left-hander Andy Pettitte. This evening will probably walk the block and a half to one of the two movie theaters and catch a movie.

My selection will probably be the recently opened and mixed-reviewed KICK-ASS, about a nerd who wants to become a super-hero. Sorry, this is just my kind of humor/movie. Speaking of movies, I finally got around to seeing DATE NIGHT with Tina Fey and Steve Carell and I highly recommend it, and no, guys, it is not a “chic-flick” it is a comedic action movie, although it will make a good date movie.

One last birthday item. As most of you loyal and faithful readers know, my most trusted sources for news and information are: (1) The Daily Show with Jon Stewart; (2) Fox News (especially Bill O’Reilly and Glenn Beck); and, (3) The Onion-America’s Finest News Source. With this in mind, I think I should share with you my birthday horoscope, courtesy of The Onion -“Taurus - When life gives you lemons, why not blame them on your troubled upbringing and consequent inability to show affection? It sure beats making lemonade.” Oh Yeah!! Makes sense, doesn’t it?

On another note, let me give you a brief health update. First, the one-time problem in my right forearm is no more. The physical therapy did its job and now I do a series of exercises at home twice a week and things seem fine. Whew!!

Things aren’t quite as good with my liver problems which are keeping me from getting clearance for the cataract surgery on my right eye. As you remember, surgery on the left eye was done on January 19th. The second surgery had to be canceled several times due to the liver problems. The subsequent conflict between the eyes is, frankly, driving me fucking nuts. 10 days ago I had blood work done and was expecting everything to be a go ... well, got the results last Friday and ... while the Hepatitis B is “gone” Dr. Ferran is still concerned that the liver function results are not where she wants them to be. Will have blood work done again on May 5th and, please Dear God, hopefully the results will be good enough for her to give me a thumbs up. I know my eye doctor will schedule the surgery for me as soon as he can after everyone else says its OK.

I feel fine, of course, and am handling it One Day At A Time.

In closing let me comment on the outstanding season start for the Yankees. I have seen 3 home game, all of which they won. They are playing very well and the pitching has been excellent. In my opinion their main opponent in the AL East will be, not the Boston FuckSox, but the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays have a very good team and could go all the way to The World Series, no joke.

Oh, and congratulations to Timmy Tebow for being drafted by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the NFL Draft. Billi Pod’s prediction - give him 2 years and he will make all of the doubters and nay-sayers look like fools. Just remember where you read it first.

Go Yankees!!

Billi Pod

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

Billi Pod’s Awesome 76th Birthday!!

I am so glad to report to you loyal and faithful readers that April 23, 2010, turned out to be the awesome day that I hoped it would. When I woke up at 8:00am I checked the weather and it was 46º and the sky was virtually cloudless. I knew that I could begin my birthday adventure whenever I wanted.

So, after having breakfast and reading all of the emails, texts and postings I was ready to head out at 11:00. It was 52º so I wore a sweater and running pants. I had uploaded “1776 the Musical.” “76 Trombones,” and “I Did It My Way” into my iPhone. In my backpack was a bottle of water.

It was a bit brisk as I headed North up 9th Avenue for 118th Street in the Upper West Side, walking just a bit slower than the usual “I’m-a-NewYorker-get-the-fuck-out-of-my-way” pace. It felt good. Was at Lincoln Center (62nd Street) at 11:30 and at 76th Street at 11:45.

As I had previously posted, my plan was to take a short break at 76th Street, find 76 W. 76th Street, and, hopefully, have my picture taken. Well, that didn’t happen. Why, you are no doubt breathlessly asking? Because there is no 76 W. 76th Street, that is why. The last building number on the block is 60 and the next block begins with 100. Oh well ... it was a good idea.

So, back on 9th Avenue I went (actually 9th Avenue had turned into Columbus Avenue and would ultimately become Morningside Drive). I also began to experience some rather steep up-hills and then significant down-hills. I still felt great

At 110th Street Columbus Avenue turns into Morningside Drive which it adjacent to Morningside Park on the East and Columbia University on the West. The Park was absolutely beautiful. I had only 8 more blocks to go so up the really steep inclined Morningside Drive I went, arriving at 118th Street at 1:00pm. Billi Pod had done it and he felt great!

Took some pictures and then went over to Amsterdam and decided to take a bus back to 42nd Street. The M-11 bus actually goes South on 9th Avenue so that would work fine I told myself. Well, it took almost an hour to travel the approximate 4.5 miles, but ... what the hell ... I played solitaire on my iPhone.

Bottom line, I was back at PHC at 2:25, a bit tired but really feeling great, physically and mentally. After checking the emails, texts, voice-messages and postings I took a nice soaking hot bath and my legs felt great as did Billi Pod.

At 7:00 headed out to my Broadway show SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM - “It's a completely different kind of Sondheim evening: an intimate portrait of the famed composer in his own words...and music. An ensemble cast, led by Tony Award winner Barbara Cook, Vanessa Williams and Tom Wopat, will perform brand-new arrangements of over two dozen Sondheim tunes, ranging from the beloved to the obscure.” My legs felt fine after walking the 12 blocks to the theater.

The show was excellent, especially Barbara Cook but it was a bit long, 2:45, so it was after 11:00 when I got back to PHC.

Watched the rest of the Yankees vs. LA Angels game, which the Yankees lost 4-6. Decided to postpone the steak until tonight, a small salad was all I wanted.

Yes, I did walk at least 100 blocks, or 5 miles, on my 76th birthday, and, yes, Billi Pod was tired when he finally crashed at 2:00am, but it was a very happy tired.

Felt great when I woke up this morning at 8:30. No problem with muscle or joint pain. I have two shows planned for today, both are one-person performance pieces.

The first is “HEBREW SCHOOL DROPOUT Or: How I Converted from Judaism to Catholicism and Back to Judaism AND Lost Those Stubborn Last 10 Pounds!” and then tonight is: “Lynne Koplitz - Functionally Dysfunctional” playing at a theater on my block.

Again, I want to thank everyone for the emails, calls, postings and texts about Billi Pod’s 76th Birthday - they all mean so much to me - THANK YOU family, friends and you loyal and faithful readers!!

Go Yankees!!

Billi Pod

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

PS: A big Happy Birthday shout-out to Ruth Porter Stoll who also turned 76 on April 23rd. Ruth, Burke Allen and I were classmates and we share the same birthday.

Billi Pod is 76 on Friday!!

Good morning my loyal and faithful readers. Well, on Friday Billi Pod turns 76. Wow! 76, that is a BIG NUMBER. What are my plans for tomorrow you are no doubt breathlessly asking? Well, these are my plans, assuming the weather is OK ....

Mid-morning I will leisurely walk up 9th Avenue 76 blocks (3.8 miles) to 118th Street. while listening to “1776 the Musical,” “76 Trombones,” and “I Did It My Way,” on my beloved first generation iPod. Will take a break at 76th Street and have my picture taken, if possible, at 76 W. 76th Street (have no clue what is at that address).

When I reach 118th Street I will take the subway back to PHC and chill. Have a fairly well reviewed Broadway show, SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM, at 8:00. Will walk to and from the theater located on 54th Street. When these 24 blocks are factored in the total for the day will be 100 blocks or 5.0 miles.

WHY? Why am I doing this you are asking? Well, it is very simple. There are two reasons: (1) Because I want to; and, (2) Because I can. If the weather is bad or I change my mind at any time - no big deal.

After the show I will settle in to watch the rest of the Yankees @ LA Angels game. Will grill a steak on my George Forman grill and bake a potato. Desert will be Edys Frozen Yogurt.

So there you are. We will see how everything plays out.

Go Yankees!!

Billi Pod

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

Wednesday - Be Careful What You Ask For

OK, let’s settle something right now -yes, I did take down from this blog the posting: “The Biography of Topher Falletta,” but not, repeat NOT in response to the waves of criticism, threats and demands from the Politically Correct fringe and others. It was taken down to be rewritten in order to be even MORE cutting-edge, revealing and true-to-life. No, KNB and others, you have not seen the last of “TB of TF.” As “they” say, you should be careful what you ask for.

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

Billi Pod

Billi Pod’s March 2010 Entertainment Stats

Good morning my loyal and faithful readers. Yes, I know it has been a while since I have posted on this blog. I have a list of excuses but they really don’t matter, do they? Bottom-line -- Billi Pod is still doing well in The Greatest City in the World. I feel fine and am slowly winning the health issues and totally returning to Billi Pod’s usual frenetic Big Apple lifestyle. Plan to post a detailed health update a bit later.

What I want to share with you today are my stats for the month of March 2010. In checking my daily log (log, not diary - real guys don’t keep diaries) I find that during the month I attended/saw/did the following:

5 Broadway shows (Present Laughter; A Behanding in Spokane; Lend Me A Tenor; A Little Night Music; and Red); 15 Off Broadway shows; 1 rock music concert (A Tribute to The Who); 4 classical music concerts; and, 2 movies (City Island and She’s Out Of My League).

I celebrated my 20th AA birthday and 20 years of sobriety on March 18th.

I was out of the City for 3 nights to be in Bartow, FL, for the 58th Class Reunion of the Summerlin Institute Class of 1952. Was able to spend face-time with student/bartender/manager Scott Reed (who was named General Manager of the Lower East Side hotspot Los Feliz), his father Stan the Man, and Justin Allen Pifer and Benjamin Sears.

On the health issue(s): had 7 physical therapy sessions, 4 doctor appointments, and had to cancel the cataract surgery that was scheduled for March 30, dammit to Hell. Oh well ...

The weather for a good part of the month basically sucked and there was a lot, and I mean a lot, of rainy, ugly, nasty, cold days/nights. Despite the weather, there were only 3 days/nights where Billi Pod stayed in apartment PHC without attending some entertainment event. I think that is pretty awesome in and of itself, don’t you?

Oh, I posted almost daily on my Facebook Wall www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=name&id=100000655659050

Anyway, I now want to share with you the bare bone stats for the first 3 months of 2010. Please take into account all of my health issues and the terrible weather in reviewing the following activities report:

13 Broadway shows; 42 Off Broadway shows; 1 rock music concert; 7 classical music concerts; 6 movies; and 20 years of sobriety. Health issues: Cataract surgery; torn right bicep tendon; Hepatitis B; 15 physical therapy sessions; and, 15 Doctor appointments. Out of town 3 nights and stay in 17 days/nights without some entertainment event.

And, to top all of this off - became a member of the Facebook community and got a new iPhone 3GS.

So there you have it those of you loyal and faithful readers who stayed with me until the end. I don’t want to brag, but all things considered - not bad for a soon-to-be 76 year old guy, is it? But, it is up to you to decide because ...

I only report - you decide

Oh, Thank God the baseball season is about to begin. Sunday the Yankees are opening the season in Boston against The Fucksox.

Go Yankees!!

Billi Pod

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

Monday - BREAKING NEWS FOR THE GOVERNMENT!!

Good morning my loyal and faithful readers on this gray and dismal Monday morning in The Big Apple. I have BREAKING NEWS FOR THE GOVERNMENT --

Need to extract a confession from suspected terrorists? Do the following: seat them in the rear mezzanine, row H seat 5 (the last row), of the Walter Kerr Theater in NYC, between two 6’3” guys, for the 3+ hour long production of Stephen Sondheim’s A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. They cannot leave at intermission. Trust me, the pain in legs and back in the final 15 minutes of the show will force them to confess to anything, and I mean ANYTHING. You are welcum!!

I only report - you decide.

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.”

-

March 21 - A Poem About Billi Pod

Hello my loyal and faithful readers. I want to thank all of you who took the time and made the effort to send me emails, texts, postings and snail mail in response to my 20th AA Birthday on March 18th, they were all so very special to me.

Now, I want to share with you something very special, at least special to me - a poem written by Ginger Flowers of Atlanta, GA, a former High School girlfriend and now Best Friend Forever (make that ... and Forever) entitled: “From Dorm Room to Penthouse in Ten Short Years,” or, “A Special Poem for Bill's 20th AA Anniversary.” The reference to “Dorm Room” is about the 4th floor walkup studio apartment on E. 53rd Street where I was living 10 years ago, before moving to E. 51st Street and then to 420 W. 42nd Street on June 1, 2009.

Anyway, here it is totally unedited and in the exact form as sent to me:

++++++++++++++++

“From Dorm Room to Penthouse in Ten Short Years

or

A Special Poem for Bill's 20th AA Anniversary”

He's at a theater or a concert most of his nights

Days are for museums and only-in-NY sights

Season tickets to this, season tickets to that

- and of course to the Yankees in that ubiquitous hat

He's comfortable on the subway; dislikes taking cabs

He's grateful for his doctors; he's sick of all the labs

Household necessities are within two blocks

(except for the subway station where he buys his socks)

He risks The Norris Travel Curse when he travels by air

But he'll leave The Big Apple for events special and rare

Like, to visit his family or check London theater's latest rave

Currently his dreaded birthdays are in Paris with friend Dave

Walking on water? That's so old hat!

Bill Norris can now walk on ice - how about that?

He compulsively lists what he's seen and done

Before sharing totals though, he omits one under "Fun"

Always leading with his pecker; he lets the chips fall where they may

- and they fell on number 20 this Very Special Day.

+++++++++++

What can I say except Thank You Honey!! I love you lots and lots and lots..

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.”

March 18, 2010 - 20 YEARS OF SOBRIETY!!

Hello my loyal and faithful readers. Today is a very important day for me because it is the anniversary of my 20th year of sobriety. Yes, it is a mind-boggling 20 years without a drop of alcohol entering my body. As I reflect on the events of the past 20 years it is apparent to me that much has changed in me, almost all of it for the better.

I guess the most important change has been my ability to live my life by one of the fundamental teachings of Alcoholics Anonymous, that is, "One Day At A Time." This concept was totally foreign to me prior to March 18, 1990. Now, on reflection, it was the major thing that saved me during that first tumultuous and frightening year when it seemed that my world was crashing down around me. People who I thought were my friends were calling for my resignation, my young grandchildren were being approached by aggressive reporters and my home was being picketed by the KKK.

I think I survived, especially during that first terrible year, because I came to believe that my Higher Power, whom I choose to call God, would not deal me more than I could handle on any one day. I also began to make my way through the AA program by attending meetings and by working the suggested 12 Steps Of Recovery, which are:

+++++++++++++++

“1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable.

2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God, as we understood Him.

4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all of our affairs.”

++++++++++++++

As I have written before, at my retirement party in January 1995 I made reference to the role of Alcoholics Anonymous in my recovery by reading the following from the book called "Twenty-Four Hours A Day" --

+++++++++++

YESTERDAY, TOMORROW, AND TODAY

“There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, two days which should be kept from fear and apprehension. One of these days is yesterday, with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday. We cannot undo a single act we performed. We cannot erase a single word we said. Yesterday is gone beyond recall.

The other day we should not worry about is tomorrow, with its possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise, and perhaps its poor performance. Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control. Tomorrow's sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds, but it will rise. Until it does, we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is as yet unborn.

This leaves only one day - today. Any one can fight the battles of just one day. It is only when you and I add the burden of those two awful eternity's, yesterday and tomorrow that we break down. It is not the experience of today that drives us mad. It is the remorse or bitterness for something which happened yesterday or the dread of what tomorrow may bring. Let us therefore do our best to live but one day at a time.” Twenty-Four Hours a Day, July 29, 30, and 31

+++++++++++

This is how I have attempted to live my life for the past 7,300 days.

I deeply regret that 5 dear friends, David Patterson, Ray Coker, Marvin Mounts, Tom Macdonald, and Randy Bentley, who were with me at the beginning of my first steps toward recovery, are no longer able to share with me the wonderment of these 7,300 days lived One Day At A Time. I miss you guys, I really do. I also must add that none of this time in recovery would have been possible without the continued support of my family, Ginger Flowers of Atlanta, GA, and so many of you loyal and faithful readers. Thank you so very much.

To my NYC AA buddies, and you know who you are, thank you for allowing me to stand beside you during these difficult and trying times. Together we will continue to survive, in sobriety. Seeya at the 12:30 Beginners Meeting

In closing - not to preach but aren’t The 12 Steps and One Day At A Time, in and of themselves, pretty good guidelines for living a meaningful and manageable life?

I report - you decide.

Bill

Saturday - CONGRATULATIONS SCOTT REED!!!!

Hello everyone. Yes, Billi Pod is alive and well in The Big Apple and is in the process of finishing a much-too-long updating posting about things and stuff since I last posted way back on February 17th.

But that comes later - the reason for this posting is to give a major, and I do mean, major SHOUT-OUT to student/bartender/manager Scott Reed for something that has just happened in his life. What is it you loyal and faithful readers are no doubt breathlessly asking? Well, here it is --

After 2 years as a manager at Spitzer's Corner, a new American gastropub

with 40 craft beers on tap located in the trendy Lower East Side, Scott has just been promoted to The General Manager position of the newly opened Los Feliz, a taqueria/taquileria also located in the heart of the Lower East Side. Los Feliz is owned by the owners of Spitzer’s Corner and about a month ago Scott was re-assigned from Spitzer’s to a management position at Los Feliz. And in just a month’s time he was promoted to the head management position there - a huge accomplishment for a 23 year old. Awesome!!

A quick bit about Los Feliz - it is a 3 level dynamic space, “designed to transport people out of the typical New York City restaurant/lounge feel.” It is located at 109 Ludlow St. (between Delancy and Rivington), 212-228-8383. Their website site is: losfeliznyc.com. Check it out.

Scott told me that he will direct all aspects of the operation, working with Chef Julieta Ballesteros (Iron Chef) to continue menu development that complements the 150+ tequilas in stock.

You know, the truly amazing thing is that Scott is also able to maintain an active social life (yes, that is Joan Rivers in the picture) and is still enrolled in Hunter College and pursuing a degree in film-making.

What the future holds for this 23 year old young man only time will tell. I do know this, his parents, Stan the Man and Donna, are proud of him and Billi Pod feels indeed honored to be included in Scott’s circle of friends.

Keep it up Scott!

Billi Pod

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

Wednesday - A Report from Billi Pod

OK everyone - here’s the deal. I had my appointment Tuesday afternoon with my liver doctor, Dr. Elena Ferran, and received her diagnosis - “Hepatitis B (acute) - meaning I have a non-chronic liver inflammation caused by a virus. To quote the material she gave me: ...”Acute is the medical term for sudden onset ... the symptoms of acute hepatitis B usually resolve within three months as the body eliminates the virus or brings it under control. There is no specific treatment ... in 95% of adults the immune system controls the infection.”

What this all means is - we are now in a monitoring mode. The cataract surgery has been postponed. I feel fine, I really do and I have absolutely determined that if the events of 9/11/01, and its aftermath, did not deter Billi Pod, then neither will a fucking virus ... so, let’s move on, OK? I do not want to get into a “how come/what if?” modality, OK?

I do, however, want to thank all of you loyal and faithful readers and lifetime friends for your emails, calls, texts and postings. They meant very much to me - THANK YOU!

Moving on ... this is what Billi Pod’s entertainment schedule has been for the past several days and what it will be for the remainder of the week -

Sunday - February 14 - 7:00 - “Equivocation” - Off Broadway. “Bill Cain's new play, set in 1606 England, begins when William Shakespeare is commissioned to write a new play about the Gunpowder Plot, a recently failed attempt to blow up Parliament and the Monarchy.” (discounted TDF ticket).

Well, for most of the show I didn’t have a clue what in the Hell was going on, but, and a big but, the acting was outstanding and that kept me around for the entire show.

Monday - 8:30am - blood work; 8:00pm - “The Miracle Worker” - Broadway. This is the press blurb for this show in very early previews: “When Annie Sullivan began teaching a young Helen Keller, she found a girl raging against a world she couldn't understand. But Annie knew that inside this wild child was a brilliant mind fighting to be heard. As the two worked together and their friendship blossomed, Helen transformed from a girl no one believed in to a woman who would inspire millions.” (discounted TDF ticket).

This is a wonderful show. The role of Helen is played by Abigail Breslin (“Little Miss Sunshine”) and her father by Matthew Modine, a role I played eons ago for Bartow Performing Arts Council (BPAC).

Tuesday - February 16 - 12:30pm - appointment with liver doctor; 7:00 - “Yank! A WWII Love Story” - Off Broadway. This was the first preview performance of this production by The York Theater Company - “Set during World War II, Yank! chronicles the relationship between two servicemen long before "Don't-ask-don't-tell" was part of the national discussion. With a lively score inspired by the pop sounds of the 1940's, Yank! captures the spirit and exuberance of the era as it explores questions of prejudice, courage and survival.” (discounted TDF ticket).

Man, this is an outstanding show. The sold-out audience was really into it and gave the cast a roaring standing ovation, which was much-deserved.

Wednesday - 8:00 - “Extinction” - Off Broadway. “Gabe McKinley's play portrays what transpires between two college buddies whose annual outing of male-bonding and debauchery veers precipitously off course when unmet expectations spiral into a volatile showdown.” (discounted TDF ticket).

Hummmmm ... why do I think this will be a show with so-called “dark” humor and a lot of anger and shouting? We will see.

Thursday - 8:00 - “Next Fall” - Broadway. “After a critically acclaimed, sold-out run Off Broadway last summer, Geoffrey Nauffts's new play now arrives on Broadway. Taking a witty and provocative look at faith, commitment and unconditional love, the show goes beyond a typical love story. Luke believes in God and his partner Adam believes in everything else. The story portrays the ups and downs of this unlikely couple's five-year relationship with sharp humor and unflinching honesty. And when an accident changes everything, Adam must turn to Luke's family and friends for support and answers.” (discounted TDF ticket). I saw this show during its Off Broadway run and liked it a lot.

Friday - 8:00 - “The Capitol Steps” - Off Broadway. “In December 1981, some staffers in the office of a Senator, thought they would perform a little Nativity skit for the office Christmas party. "But in the whole Congress, we couldn't find three wise men and a virgin," they said, so they put on a satirical revue instead. No trouble finding material for that. Nearly 4,500 performances later, the group now called the Capitol Steps is coming back to The Big Apple.” (discounted TDF ticket).

I have seen this talented group perform several times and they are always gut-busting funny, unless, of course, you happen to be the subject of their material/skits.

Saturday and Sunday are open at the moment but you know they will be filled soon.

OK, my loyal and faithful readers, it is now time to post this and then head out to my physical therapy session, so .....

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.”

Two HELL DAYS in the Big Apple!!

Monday in the Big Apple. Hello my loyal and faithful readers. I am sorry about the lack of information about what has been going on with Billi Pod in The Greatest City in The World. A lot, and I mean a LOT, has been happening since my last posting way back on Thursday, January 28th, unfortunately, not all of it good. I will now take the time to bring you up-to-date in what I am sure will be a much-too-long and detailed posting, this time without any cute pictures and stuff. Please stay with me.

First, the cataract surgery on the left eye went well as did the recovery and surgery was scheduled for the right eye for this Friday, February 19.

Second, the right forearm problem remains. I had an MRI and then another meeting with my Orthopaedic doc, Dr. Tang, and his diagnosis was: “right distal biceps tendon rupture” which can only be 100% “cured” by surgery. Dr. Tang is very pleased with the progress of my physical therapy (I have been going twice a week) and the fact that I am pain-free and he is leaning toward no surgery. I have an appointment with him on March 19 when we will make a final decision. Frankly, I, too, am leaning toward no surgery.

So ... as I wrote, the cataract surgery was scheduled for Friday, February 19. The hospital where the surgery will be performed required that I get another clearance from my cardiologist, Dr. Fred Feuerbach, including an EKG and blood work, even though I had done everything on 12/7/09. So, on Thursday morning the 11th I went to Dr. Fred’s office and had the blood drawn and the EKG done. Results of the EKG - everything OK - so I thought I was a go for the surgery.

Well, my loyal and faithful readers, little did I know that this exam triggered 2 days of Living Hell, which I will call “Hell Day One” and “Hell Day Two” and it all developed like this ...

Around 4:00 on Thursday I got a call from Dr. Feurbach’s office saying that he wanted to see me at 9:00am Friday morning for more blood work, this time fasting. The nurse had no details and Dr. Feuerbach was gone. Strange thought I but I really wasn’t worried (now at this point I have to admit that for the past 2 weeks I have been feeling not quite 100%, maybe somewhere around 75%, which I attributed to the Winter Time Blues).

FRIDAY - HELL DAY ONE

I showed up, had the blood work done and then Dr. Fred came in and he had a very somber look on his face. WTF? He said that the blood work had detected serious liver problems, or in his words: “increased liver function tests consistent with Hepatitis. Inflammation of liver cells. Mild jaundice. Possibly due to Crestor.” Now, Crestor is a cholesterol-lowering medication I have been on since April 2009. He immediately took me off of it. OMFG! I was stunned. I had Hepatitis A back in 1998. Bear in mind, too, that I had blood work done on 12/7/09 and the liver functions were normal.

Dr. Fred said I had to see a liver specialist immediately and also have a CAT scan and sonogram. OMFG!! It was a Friday, the beginning of a holiday weekend. Dr. Fred. called and made an immediate appointment for me to see Dr. Elena Ferran, a specialist in gastroenterology and liver disease, whose office is located on E. 69th Street, about 8 blocks from Fred's office. I walked over there in the freezing cold.

When I got to Dr. Ferran’s office I was still in shock. She did an exam and more blood work. She then made an immediate appointment for me to have the CAT scan and sonogram at Mt. Sinai Hospital located at 98th Street and 5th Avenue. She confirmed Dr. Fred’s concerns and for the first time I heard the words “hospital” and “observation.” OMFG!!! We made a followup appointment for Tuesday, February 16. She also said that the cataract surgery would have to be postponed.

Cabbed up to 98th Street to Mt. Sinai, getting there around 1:00. I won’t bore you with details other than to say that it took forever, mainly because it was a Friday afternoon and I was a “walk-in.”

It was 5:30 when I opened the door to PHC. I was exhausted and still in shock. I knew that I had to call my daughter Kathi (a non-practicing nurse) and when I read her the blood work results she repeated them aloud so her husband, Dr. John, could hear them and I could hear ...”oh my” and “not good” ... in the background. OMFG!!!!

Needless-to-say, I canceled my show for the evening. I curled up on the couch in the fetal position (not joking) and then ... the phone rang .. and it was Dr. Ferran. She had just gotten the results of her blood work and she was extremely concerned. She said that on Saturday morning she wanted me to report to this place on E. 67th Street to have blood drawn and the same thing on Monday morning. She again used the words ... “hospital” and “observation.” Of course I agreed.

I went to bed early, thinking that nothing could be worse than Friday had been. Well, I was wrong, because Saturday was Hell Day Two.

SATURDAY - HELL DAY TWO

Saturday morning was bitterly cold, 23 degrees, wind chill 15 degrees. I took the subway, arriving at the place at 8:30. Guess what? They had no record of me or of Dr. Ferran’s request/directions. OMFG!!!!! How can this be. I called Dr. Ferran on her cell and the calls would not go through for some reason. WTF!!

Came back to the apartment. Called her again and nothing. Around 11:00 the phone rang and it was Dr. Ferran. She said she had been in a "dead zone." When I told her what had happened, she went ballistic. She said I had to head back over there ASAP because they were going to close at noon.

It was still freezing cold. I got a cab and we made great time. When we arrived at 67th and 2nd Ave. I pulled out my iPhone to check the time and it was 11:45. It was really awkward getting out of the cab due to slush and ice and stuff.

When I pressed the intercom button to be admitted to the blood place ... nothing ... no response ... they were already closed. OMFG!!!!!! It was freezing. I found a place out of the wind to call Dr. Ferran. When I reached into my pocket for my iPhone ... IT WASN’T THERE. OMFG!!!!!!! I raced over to where I had gotten out of the cab to see if it was there ... nothing. OMFG!!!!!!!!

I was in total shock, to put it mildly, as I cabbed back to PHC. How can all of this shit be happening to me? I called Dr. Ferran and told her what had happened and this time she went, not ballistic ... but nuclear. She said there was a place down in Chinatown that might be open but at this point Billi Pod had had enough, so I told her that I would have the blood work done on Monday, that I wasn’t going out anymore, case closed, and she reluctantly agreed.

I canceled my show for the evening. Called AT&T and stopped the service. I was still in shock. Then I really began to feel antsy about being without my iPhone. Well, I had been intending to upgrade anyway, so ...

I went uptown to the new Apple Store and got a new iPhone, 3GS. A very helpful and nice young guy went an extra step and did all of the necessary online stuff right there to get me up and running. I have the same number, of course. To add just one more annoyance though ... when I left the store to come back to PHC I discovered that the downtown subway station was closed for repairs. It was freezing again, so I cabbed back. I cabbed more times in these two Hell Days than I normally would in 6 months.

I spent the rest of the evening putting data into the iPhone (no I hadn’t synch’d the old one with my computer). When I finally crashed I was mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted, to put it mildly. I did, however, thank my Higher Power for getting me through these two Hell Days without me jumping out the window.

Thank God Sunday was a much much better day. I actually felt the best I have in a while. Spent the day basically becoming one with my new iPhone. I love it. Went to a show in the evening and it was really nice to sorta be back in my routine.

This morning, Monday, I talked with Dr. Ferran and she had made arrangements for me to have the blood work done at a place here on the Westside, which I did without any problems. I have notified my eye doctor regarding the cancellation. Again, I feel fine. Tonight I have a Broadway show in early previews “The Miracle Worker” about Helen Keller.

Will now post this and spend the rest of the afternoon playing with my new iPhone. Will keep you informed.

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.”