MIKE, JOY AND KATE==>Great Being With You!!

Sunday==>Had a great time last night with my longtime friend attorney/author Mike Martin of Lakeland, Fl, his wife, Joy, and their recently U. of Fla. graduated daughter, Kate. They are in the Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, because on Tuesday Kate is beginning an 8-week fashion-industry internship. She will be staying at one of the NYU properties in the Union Square area.

We first met up at one of my favorite restaurants, Joe Allen, on Restaurant Row on West 46th Street, where we had great food, lots of catching up and, of course, plenty of reminiscing.

Mike and I have known each other for over 40 years. He is a very successful trial attorney who primarily litigates Environmental and Agricultural cases.

And, as I mentioned in yesterday’s posting, he is also a writer. His most recent novel is a totally enjoyable and well-reviewed legal thriller called “The Crestfallen Rose” which can be purchased through Amazon at:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=the+crestfallen+rose

It is definitely worth reading, trust your favorite blogger on this ... it is.

When we finished dinner we then walked over to 420 W. 42nd Street so I could show them the outstanding views of Hell's Kitchen from my apartment, PHC, on the 41st floor.

So ... Mike, Joy and Kate ... it was great being with you ... and ... Kate==>good luck with your internship and getting to know the inner workings of this great city. You have my contact info ... so ...

Now ... moving on to Billi Pod’s report card on yesterday’s Broadway show, the matinee performance of ...

ANN, the one-woman tribute to Ann Richards the former Governor of Texas, written and performed by Holland Taylor==B+

Holland Taylor gives an amazing performance as the freethinking, sarcastic, divorced, formerly alcoholic, female politician, set in characteristically conservative Texas.

The sets and staging are pretty amazing, too.

My gut feeling is that the show would be even better done without intermission but that might be a problem since the audience for my matinee performance was 85% silver-haired ladies in their 70s and 80s.

Anyway ... I am glad that I finally got to see it. It runs through September lst.

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

7:15==>BULL - “An allegorical deathmatch between business colleagues, rumple-faced sad sack Thomas, sharky Tony and snarky Isobel. The three characters must compete for two jobs that will remain after the downsizing of their company. The office becomes a corporate wrestling ring, complete with water cooler, with the audience sitting or standing around the four sides.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This mostly well-reviewed show is playing at the 59th Street Theater Complex, one of Billi Pod’s favorite venues, and runs through June 1st.

Now, my loyal and faithful readers and followers it is time to give my FB friend Marty aka Numnutz his sports fix ... so ... 

Last night the Yankees won a nail biter from the Rays, 4-3, in 11 innings at that disgrace known as Tropicana Field. We tied the score in the top of the 9th and then won it in the 11th on a home run from Lyle Overbay.

This afternoon we will go for the sweep. It will be our ace CC Sabathia (4-3) vs. Alex Cobb (5-2) for the Rays. CC hasn’t been CC in his last 4 starts, failing to make it through 7-innings in any of them.

Spoiler Alert==>To my loyal and faithful readers and followers ... I think it is only fair for your favorite blogger to reveal to you, in advance, that most of the upcoming evenings are probably going to be spent in front of the TV watching baseball.

Now ... calm down and hear me out ... this is the Yankees upcoming schedule ...

Monday - 7:10pm==>Mets @ Citifield - I have a 7:00pm concert @ Avery Fisher Hall.

Tuesday - 7:10pm==>Mets @ Citifield

Wednesday - 7:05pm==>Mets @ Yankee Stadium - will be there with my season ticket package

Thursday - 7:05pm==>Mets @ Yankee Stadium

Then ...

Friday - 7:05pm==>Boston FuckSox @ Yankee Stadium

Saturday - 7:05pm==>Boston FuckSox @ Yankee Stadium

Sunday - 8:00pm==>Boston FuckSox @ Yankee Stadium

I mean ... come on folks ... I’m a Yankee fan ... a subway series against the Mets and then the FuckSox? How can I not stay in to watch those games? How?

So ... in the name of fair and unbiased reporting ... you are hereby alerted.

On that happy note ... will post this and get ready to watch the Yankee game.

HAVE A GREAT REST OF THE WEEKEND EVERYONE.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>4.05 miles (or, 8,865 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>1,535.60 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.”

GORILLA==>B-

Saturday==>Yesterday was basically a nasty weather-day and the forecast for today isn’t any better and, man, where did summer go? I mean ... it was 46º at 8:30am here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. Oh well ... ain’t ‘nuttin Billi Pod can do about it ... except bitch and moan ...

So ... my loyal and faithful readers and followers, let’s move on to Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s Off Broadway show ...

GORILLA, about five businessmen at a team building program lead by the female head of Human Resources==>B-

There is decent acting but a rather predictable story line, with mostly stereotypical characters: the recovering alcoholic; the closeted gay; the guy whose marriage is crumbling; the passive-aggressive nerd; the guy in a clandestine affair; and, the overbearing female executive with a secret.

The running time is 90 minutes, without intermission. It is playing at the Theatre Row Complex and runs through June 16th.

Today’s entertainment event is a Broadway show ...

2:00==>ANN - “A one-woman tribute to Ann Richards the former Governor of Texas, written and performed by Holland Taylor.” (Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show is playing at the Vivian Beaumont Theater @ Lincoln Center and has a running time of 2-hours, with one intermission.

The show has received basically favorable reviews, based largely on Taylor’s performance. I am glad I was finally able to score a comp. ticket.

Then for the evening ...

At 8:00pm I will meet up with attorney/author Michael Martin of Lakeland, FL, his wife, Joy, and daughter, Kate, for dinner at Joe Allen on Restaurant Row on West 46th Street.

They are in town because Kate, a recent University of Florida graduate, is beginning an 8-week fashion-industry internship.

Mike wrote the well-reviewed “The Crestfallen Rose” that is now available on Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=the+crestfallen+rose

This is a page-turning legal thriller and it is also very very educational. Check it out.

OK ... moving on for some sports ... for you Marty ...

Well, last night the Bronx Bombers beat Tampa 9-4 down at that disgrace known as Tropicana Field, but it was a mixed blessing because the recently returned Curtis Granderson had to leave the game when he was hit by a pitch that fractured a knuckle on his left hand.

As many of you loyal and faithful readers and followers know, Grandy missed all of Spring Training and the beginning of the season due to a fractured right forearm. He had been back for only 7-games. Damn!!

Granderson will be placed on the DL today.

And another scare ... in the bottom of the 8th inning starting pitcher David Phelps was hit on the right forearm by a screaming line drive off the bat of Ben Zobrist. Phelps had to leave the game but, thankfully, he should be OK for his next start.

This afternoon @ 4:10pm it will be Vidal Nuno (1-1) on the mound for The Bronx Bombers vs. Matt Moore (8-0) for The Rays.

In closing ... due to the barfy weather yesterday Billi Pod’s mileage was one of the lowest for the past 10+ months.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>1.11 miles (or, 2,442 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>1,531.55 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.”

Yesterday’s Workshop Doubleheader==>Totally Enjoyable!

Friday==>It is gray and overcast this Friday in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In the World. Rain is forecast for later in the afternoon and then for most of tomorrow. Not a good beginning for the weekend.

Anyway ... let’s get started with some positive stuff ... like Billi Pod’s comments/observations on yesterday’s entertainment doubleheader, two plays that were part of The Active Theater’s Developmental Workshop, performed at The Shetler Studios on West 54th Street.

Remember, your favorite blogger does not usually assign letter-grades to either staged readings or workshop performances ... so ...

First ... @ 5:30pm was TIMEPIECE, about three brothers  who return home to face their father's ailing health==>interesting.

 Afterward it caused me to ask my inner self ... self ... was every playwright in the World raised in a dysfunctional family where the father was a raging alcoholic asshole? Answer: apparently yes.

The two-hour, with intermission, running time needs at least 15-minutes worth of trimming.

The show was over at 7:30pm, meaning I had about an hour to kill before my second show @ 8:30pm at the same venue. I found a coffee shop and had some coffee and something sweet.

The second show, also with a 2-hour running time, was ... IN THE MIDDLE, about how, in the future, the government assigns each citizen to an area of the country that reflects their specific beliefs==>very funny but also thought-provoking. 

The central plot line involves the upcoming trial of an environmental terrorist who had attacked the factory of Southern business owner and the interaction between the male prosecuting attorney and the female defense attorney.

Even though this was a workshop production the cast was simply outstanding and, considering the limited rehearsal time, the acting was incredible. The show could, of course, use a little trimming.

I hope it finds a life in a larger venue.

So ... bottom line ... it was an enjoyable doubleheader for Billi Pod.

Tonight’s entertainment event is ...

8:00==>GORILLA - “Five businessmen must navigate through the final weekend of a team building program under the guidance of the female head of Human Resources. Under the shadow of the economic collapse, greed, ambition, sex, power, gender, and sexuality all bubble to the surface as their true colors begin to emerge towards their company, families and each other.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show is playing at The Theatre Row Complex on my block.

Moving on ...

Tonight @ 7:05pm the Yankees play the first game of a 3-game series against The Tampa Bay Rays at that disgrace known as Tropicana Field.

David Phelps (2-2) will be on the mound for The Bronx Bombers vs. Alex Cobb (5-2) for The Rays.

GM Brian Cashman says that Hiroki Kuroda is expected to make his next start on Tuesday against The Mets despite leaving Wednesday’s game with a bruised calf. This is really good news for The Yankee Universe.

Moving on ... 

As some of you loyal and faithful readers and followers know, former congressman Anthony Weiner has now officially joined the race for Mayor of The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

As you will recall, two years ago Weiner resigned his office in disgrace after texting photos of himself in his underwear to a female student.

Yesterday Governor Cuomo took a very public shot at Weiner and it generated some really funny headlines ... 

“CUOMO BEATS WEINER ... then goes limp.” - front page of The New York Post

“GOV TAKES STIFF POKE AT WEINER. But then old softie insists it was jest.” - headline inside The New York Post

“CUOMO SPANKS WEINER. Gov says ‘shame on us’ if he wins.” - front page of The Daily News

“BONE TO PICK WITH WEINER.” - headline inside the Daily News

“Cheers and Taunts in Candidate’s Circuslike Return to Political Stage” - headline inside The New York Times

Interestingly, in the recent polls Weiner is in second place, trailing Christine Quinn by only 6-10%.

Only in New York, folks, only in New York ... so ... stay tuned ... it’s gonna be fun.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.29 miles (or, 7,203 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>1,530.44 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.”

BEYOND WORDS by Bill Bowers==>A

Thursday==>Good morning to all of my loyal and faithful readers and followers out there in the hinterlands, wilderness and boondocks. It is another nice day here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

Let’s get today’s posting started with Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s entertainment event down in The Village ...

BEYOND WORDS, Bill Bowers takes us on a journey from boyhood to manhood, set against the backdrop of small town America==>A

Bowers gives a combination of Mime and spoken word that is both totally entertaining and also totally involving. The multiple vignettes are both laugh-out-loud funny and tear-inducingly sad.

Seated next to me was a nice looking mid-20s guy who had taken acting lessons from Bowers. He grew up in Miami. He is juggling a mixed career of real estate and acting. We had a nice conversation up to the point where he revealed that he was an FSU graduate ... oh well ...

Anyway ... back to the show ... it is playing at the Barrow Street Theatre and has one more performance @ 2:00pm on Saturday, May 25th.

It is definitely worth seeing.

Moving on to today ...

Billi Pod's entertainment schedule for this Thursday is a double header that is part of The Active Theater’s Developmental Workshop, performed at The Shetler Studios on West 54th Street ... the first show is ..

5:30==>TIMEPIECE - “Timepiece is about legacy and is a story about the passing of time and the aging of family. The story focuses around three brothers (20s - early 30s) who return home to face their father's ailing health, and takes a close look at how families can grow together and can grow apart. Filled with humor and inspiration from Shakespeare's sonnets, this family drama explores life, death, love, lust, and remembrance. After all, are we just copies of those who came before us?” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

Then for the evening is ...

8:30==>IN THE MIDDLE - “Set in the possibly not-so-distant future, In the Middle explores what America might look like if its ruling powers gave over to the extremism that often dictates our public discourse. In this new system, the government of the United Territories of America is strictly neutral, but assigns each of its citizens a home within the city and state that perfectly aligns with their specific beliefs and practices.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

Sounds like a pretty interesting entertainment doubleheader, doesn’t it?

Now ... for a bit of sports, only for you Marty, only for you ...

Last night not only did the Yankees lose  to Baltimore, 6-2, but our starter, Hiroki Kuroda, left the game in the 3rd inning due to a bruised right calf. He was hit by a grounder off the bat of Manny Machado. His physical condition is unclear as of this morning.

Man, will the f**king injuries ever stop?

Luckily the Bronx Bombers have the day off. Tomorrow they start a 3-game series against Tampa down at that joke known as Tropicana Field.

In closing ... yesterday was another good walking day for your favorite blogger. 

In response to several inquires ... I am trying to reach 1,700 miles by July 1, 2013. To accomplish this I will have to average at least 4.64 miles per day. Hopefully the weather will be good between now and then.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>7.01 miles (or, 15,319 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/12==>1,527.15 miles

Miles to reach 1,700==>172.85 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.”