Yes, Billi Pod Made It To 79 years And 7.9 Miles==>AWESOME!!

Wednesday==>Yes, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, your favorite blogger survived yesterday’s 79th birthday celebration/events but was, unfortunately, unable to post here. Sorry ‘bout that.

So ... let’s get started with your update.

I am happy to report that I did successfully complete my planned 7.9 mile birthday walk around the outer perimeter of Central Park and here are the details ...

I left the warm and cozy confines of PHC on West 42nd Street @ 11:15am and walked up 8th Avenue to 59th Street, the Southwest corner of Central Park. It was only 43º and very windy, with a light misting rain.

Walked North along the Park up to 110th Street, then East on 110th to 5th Avenue, then South on 5th back to 59th Street, then West on 59th back to my original starting point. I reached the magical 7.9 miles about 1/2 way along 59th Street. YES!!

I was back at the starting point at 2:45pm and the mileage was 8.30 miles. Yeah ... AWESOME ... but ... I have to admit that I felt a bit tired, so I decided to subway back to the apartment.

When I got back to PHC I immediately took a hot soaking bath and my legs felt fine. Worked on responding to some of the emails, texts, calls and posts, had the usual fruit and cheese plate, and then it was time to walk up to 49th Street for my evening's entertainment event, the smash Broadway musical ...

THE BOOK OF MORMON, the gleefully obscene and subversive satirical musical about two mismatched Mormon missionaries in Uganda==>A+

A totally enjoyable, smile-inducing, gasp-worthy performance by a stellar cast.

As I had earlier posted, I had seen this show in very early previews and loved it back then ... well ... I loved it again and it was a terrific way to end my AWESOME day.

Walked back to PHC and was able to catch the final inning of the YANKEES/RAYS game, which the Bronx Bombers won 4-3. YES!!!

Didn’t feel like grilling a steak, so, instead I had some pizza and wings.

In the name of fair and unbiased reporting, I have to admit that Billi Pod was really physically and emotionally drained when he finally crashed at the usual 2:00am.

So, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, there you have it, now ... lets move on to today, which is another entertainment doubleheader.

First is an Off Broadway show ... 

2:00==>THE MADRID - “A mother cold-bloodily runs away from her family in this hilarious and heartbreaking story about motherhood, freedom, and trying to see the people in your family as they really are.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

Edie Falco stars in this world premiere playing at the Manhattan Theatre Club on West 55th Street. It has received mixed reviews.

Then, for the evening is a classical music concert @ Lincoln Center ...

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

Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 2 (performed by Emanuel Ax); and,

Bruckner - Symphony No. 3

(concert - subscription series)

I am a huge fan of Emanuel Ax so I am totally looking forward to this concert.

The Yankees play game 3 of their series with The Rays @ 7:05pm down in the dung-heap known as Tropicana Field. Andy Pettitte (3-0) will be on the mound for The Bombers vs. Alex Cobb (2-1) for The Rays.

In closing ... yesterday’s total mileage of 11.01 miles was one of the highest since I began recording it back in July 2012 ... AWESOME!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>11.01 miles (or, 24,067 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>1,398.12 miles 

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.”

Troy High School Symphony Strings==>AMAZING!!

Monday==>Good Monday morning to all of my loyal and faithful readers and followers out there in the morass known as cyberspace. I hope that each and everyone had a great weekend because your favorite blogger certainly did. So ... with that positive note ... let’s get started with ...

Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s terrific concert at Avery Fisher Hall ...

While the concert is listed as the NATIONAL FESTIVAL CHORUS, this group only performed for the first half and they were excellent. It was the performances in the second half that literally tore the house down.

First was the DULUTH HIGH SCHOOL CHAMBER  ORCHESTRA, from Duluth, Georgia. They were selected to perform from the participants of the National Band and Orchestra Festival that had taken place earlier.

They played 3 numbers, which were simply beautiful. What a talented ensemble. The audience was very responsive.

Then it was the totally AMAZING TROY HIGH SCHOOL SYMPHONY STRINGS from Troy, Michigan.  

Their program started with the two lead violinists performing Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins, receiving the first of 4 well-deserved standing ovations. The group played 3 other numbers, then 1 encore number in response to the standing ovation from the roaring audience. 

Folks, it was an AMAZING experience, it really was. You all know that I see a lot of classical music concerts (57 in 2012). I can’t remember being so moved and involved in a performance. It is difficult to believe that this group is composed of High School students. Their talent, energy and enthusiasm totally engulfed Avery Fisher Hall.

Yes, the concert was 110% enjoyable, aided by the fact that my comp. seat was in the Orchestra section, row O, on the aisle. I left Avery Fisher Hall with a huge smile on my face.

It was nice to end the day with a smile because earlier I had a scowl on my face as a result of the YANKEE/TORONTO game, which the Yankees lost 8-4 as Ivan Nova again blew a lead and the bullpen imploded. Barf!!

Tonight @ 7:05pm is the first of a 3-game series against The Rays at that wretched disgrace known as Tropicana Field. It will be our ace CC Sabathia (3-1) vs. Matt Moore (3-0).

Tonight’s entertainment event is another classical music concert, this time at Carnegie Hall ...

8:00==>ORATORIO SOCIETY CHORUS AND ORCHESTRA @ Carnegie Hall - “The program is: Britten’s War Requiem.” (concert - complimentary ticket)

According to the press blurb: “Epic, mournful, and complex, Britten's choral masterpiece combines the traditional Latin liturgy with Wilfred Owen's brutally honest war poetry.” Featured will be 3 soloists and the Choristers of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

Moving on ... 

I know you loyal and faithful readers and followers are all breathlessly awaiting more details on Billi Pod’s plans for his 79th Birthday tomorrow here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, so ... here it comes ...

1. 7.9 Miles By Walking The Outer Perimeter of Central Park

Weather permitting, around 11:00am I will leave PHC and walk up 8th Avenue to 59th Street, the Southern border of Central Park. I will then walk North along the outer perimeter of Central Park to 110th Street, the Northern border (2.6 miles); then East on 110th Street to 5th Avenue (.5 miles); then South on 5th Avenue down to 59th Street (2.6 miles); and, then West on 59th to 8th Avenue (.5 miles). I will then walk back to PHC on West 42nd Street.

I have calculated the mileage from the front door of PHC and back to be 7.9 miles, but I will have my WeightWatchers Pedometer to record the exact mileage, which may be a little bit more than my calculations. If less, then I will just wander in my 'hood until I reach the magic 7.9 miles.

2. Entertainment event ...

My birthday present from me to my alter-ego Billi Pod is a full-price orchestra ticket to the smash Broadway musical THE BOOK OF MORMON @ 7:00pm at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre on West 49th Street. 

I saw this show in very early previews and totally loved it.

When the show is over I will come back to PHC and then grill one of the awesome Allen Brothers steaks on my George Forman grill, along with a baked potato and grilled onions. I will celebrate the evening with my favorite libation==>Fresca.

So, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, there you have it in probably more detail(s) than you wanted/needed.

Oh ... if the weather is bad then I will simply do the Central Park thingy later in the week.

OK ... this is Monday, so I have errands and stuff that need to be done so ...

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.00 miles (or, 5,216 steps)

Total mileage for week==>32.36 miles (average 4.62 miles per day)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>1,383.44 miles (average 4.69 miles per day) 

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 Did It Again==>1,379 miles

Sunday==>Yesterday your favorite blogger reached another milestone in his 79th Birthday Walking Challenge(s). As you loyal and faithful readers and followers will remember, the first challenge was set back in July 2012 and that was the goal of walking 1,079 miles (1,000 plus 79) by my 79th birthday on April 23, 2013.

I reached that goal on January 26, 2013, 86 days ahead of schedule. I then set another challenge for myself and that was to reach 1,379 miles (1,300 plus 79) by my birthday.

Well, yesterday, April 20th, I ended the day with 1,380.44 miles. WOW!! AWESOME!!! 

We will just have to wait and see what the total mileage will ultimately be at 11:59pm on Monday, April 22nd.

Billi Pod is working on the details of the next walking challenge, so ... stay tuned. 

It is bright, sunny but ... dammit ... cold here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. It was only ... gasp ... 37º @ 8:30am. At noon it is only 46º. I guess I was a bit too optimistic yesterday when I put away the cold weather stuff. Damn!!

Oh, well ... ain’t nothing Billi Pod can do about it ... so why don’t we move on with his report card on last night’s entertainment event ... 

THIS SIDE OF NEVERLAND, two stories by J.M. Barrie (Peter Pan), each involving incurable romantics who are  given a healthy dose of reality==>B

It was a pleasant evening but both stories were a little stuffy. I guess I was expecting more from J.M. Barrie. The acting was satisfactory. My theater-buddy Dian Crystal aka My Lady liked it even less but she didn’t give it a letter grade.

What about today, I know you are anxiously awaiting? Well ... 

During the afternoon I will stay in the warm and cozy confines of PHC to watch the final game of the 3-game series in Toronto @ 1:05pm against the Blue Jays, as the Yankees go for the sweep

The Yankees won yesterday 5-3 in 11-innings on a 2-run error.

It will be Ivan Nova (1-1) on the mound for the Bronx Bombers vs. Josh Johnson (0-1) for the Blue Jays 

Then for tonight it will be a classical music concert at Lincoln Center ...

8:00==>NATIONAL FESTIVAL CHORUS @ Avery Fisher Hall. “Joining the Chorus will be a selected ensemble from the National Band and Orchestra Festival.” (concert - complimentary ticket)

I am definitely in the mood for some classical music. A great way to end the weekend.

HAVE A GREAT REST OF THE WEEKEND EVERYONE!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>2.38 miles (or, 5,216 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>1,380.44 miles 

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 Says==>THANK YOU VERA!!

Saturday==>What an AWESOME time yesterday at my early 79th birthday luncheon, hosted by my dear friend Vera Olichney. We were joined by our mutual friend Dian Crystal aka My Lady. In the picture it is Vera, moi, and Dian.

I want to share with you loyal and faithful readers and followers how it went down ... I met up with Vera and Dian at the SW corner of 42nd Street and 5th Avenue. It was noon and the adventure began.

As planned we leisurely walked up 5th Avenue, in a semi-touristy mode, stopping along the way for a lot of photo-ops. The weather was great. Mixed sun and a light breeze.

When we got to 79th Street (get the connection - 79th Street==>79th birthday), we then walked East on 79th all the way to York Avenue and then back to 2nd Avenue checking out places to have lunch.

We ultimately settled on a place called Sojourn. It was around 2:00pm. We were the only customers, but no matter, it worked perfectly for us. We had an awesome lunch, ending with deserts to die for. Mine was a blueberry-topped cheese cake that was delivered with a burning birthday candle.

When we finished we then started our leisurely walk South on 3rd Avenue back to Midtown. When we reached 42nd Street we split and I walked back to 420 W. 42nd Street. It was 5:15pm when I opened the door to PHC. I have to admit to being a bit tired because ...

According to my WeightWatchers Pedometer the roundtrip mileage was ... gasp==>8.41 miles.

THANK YOU VERA FOR HOSTING THIS AWESOME ADVENTURE!!

I showered, rested a bit and then it was time to head out to my evening’s entertainment event, an Off Broadway drama at the Abingdon Theatre Complex on West 36th Street (more walking) ...

THE LAST WILL, about a dying William Shakespeare, who is re-writing his will==>C

I found this show to be disappointing. The theme is that Shakespeare comes home to seek forgiveness from his family and to make amends but all he does is come off as a demented asshole.

Plus ... Austin Pendleton, who directs and also plays Shakespeare, is too old looking to play the 50-year-old Shakespeare, whose wife is supposed to be 10 years older. It just didn’t work.

By the end of the 80 minutes all I wanted was for Shakespeare to go ahead and just die.

Legs were really tired when I finally got back to PHC. Fixed a small fruit and cheese plate and then settled in to watch the replay of the YANKEES/TORONTO game, which the Yankees won 9-4 behind another decent outing from Andy Pettitte.

This afternoon is game 2 of the series from Toronto and it will be Hiroki Kuroda (2-1) on the mound vs. Mark Buerhle (1-0) for the Blue Jays.

Will stay in to watch the game and then for the evening is an Off Broadway show ...

8:00==>THIS SIDE OF NEVERLAND - “Two stories by J.M. Barrie (Peter Pan), each involving incurable romantics, who are  given a healthy dose of reality.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show is playing at The Pearl Theatre, 1 1/2 blocks West of PHC.

I am soooooo happy and pleased that law enforcement prevailed in the battle of good vs. evil in Boston.

In closing ... with all of the walking yesterday the mileage was one of the highest since getting my Pedometer in June 2012.

IMHO not bad for a soon-to-be 79yr-old guy.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>10.34 miles (or, 22,594 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>1,378.06 miles 

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.”

An Early Birthday Luncheon Today.

BREAKING NEWS==>Today my theater-buddy Vera Olichney is treating me to an early birthday luncheon and we will be joined by Dian Crystal aka My Lady. (in the picture, from left to right, it is Dian, moi, Vera).

At noon we will meet up at the corner of 42nd Street and 5th Avenue and then walk uptown on the Eastside to 79th Street (get the connection?) where we will find someplace to have lunch. Right now the weather is really nice, bright and sunny - 63º @ 10:00am.

Afterwards I feel pretty sure that we will walk back to Midtown. Really looking forward to this adventure.

So ... let’s get the rest of this posting started with Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s entertainment event, the Off Broadway musical ... 

FOUR MESSAGES - “What would you do if you thought you'd received messages from God? And then they all came true?”==>B

Excellent musical performances but, unfortunately, the story line gets old and predictable. It clocks in at 2:15, with an intermission, and I believe it would work better at 90-minutes, without intermission.

When the show was over I walked the few steps back to PHC and watched the rest of the YANKEES/DIAMONDBACKS game, which the Yankees lost in extra innings 6-2.

Tonight @ 7:05pm the Bronx Bombers start a 3-game series with the Blue Jays in Toronto. Andy Pettitte (2-0) will be on the mound vs. Brandon Morrow (0-1) for the Jays.

Bad news from The Yankee Universe==>Derek Jeter suffered a small crack in his surgically repaired left ankle and will be out until mid-July, at the earliest. BUMMER!!

Oh, well ... moving on some more ...

Tonight’s entertainment event is ...

8:00==>THE LAST WILL - “William Shakespeare, on his death bed, is writing his will while fending off an effort to lure him back to the London stage.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

The esteemed Austin Pendleton directs and stars in this show playing at the Abingdon Theatre Complex on West 36th Street.

OK, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, it is time to post this and then get ready for my luncheon date(s).

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>2.01 miles (or, 4,412 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>1,367.72 miles 

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.”