AND AWAY WE GO==>A-

Saturday==>Good morning to all of my loyal and faithful readers and followers out there in the boondocks, hinterlands and wastelands. 

Your favorite blogger here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In the World, needs to get this posting started because he has the first of three consecutive entertainment doubleheaders beginning this afternoon.

Yep ... that’s right ... entertainment doubleheaders for Saturday, Sunday AND Monday ... so ... let’s get started with ...

Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s Off Broadway show ...

AND AWAY WE GO, a time-jumping piece that celebrates classic theater and repertory acting companies==>A-

This world premiere of Terrence McNally’s new work is very well acted with a stellar ensemble cast playing multiple roles.

The action takes place “backstage” in many different venues and the set is totally amazing.

This is definitely a show for theater-lovers. 

My only quibble is that sometimes the story line is hard to follow as scenes shift back and forth in different times and places, with different characters.

The full house audience was very much into the show and gave the actors a well-earned roaring standing ovation at curtain call.

Billi Pod says==>see this show.

It is playing at The Pearl Theatre on West 42nd Street, a block and a half from my apartment, has a running time of 1:40, without intermission, and runs through December 15th.

Moving on to today’s entertainment doubleheader ...

First is an Off Broadway show ...

2:30==>THE (CURIOUS CASE OF THE) WATSON INTELLIGENCE - “Four constant companions named Watson: trusty sidekick to Sherlock Holmes; loyal engineer who built Bell’s first telephone; unstoppable super-computer that became reigning Jeopardy! champ; and, amiable techno-dweeb who is just looking for love, become one in this brilliantly witty, time-jumping, loving tribute (and cautionary tale) dedicated to the people—and machines—upon which we all depend.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This world premiere production is playing at Playwrights Horizons, directly underneath my apartment building, has a running time of 1:30, without intermission, and runs through December 29.

Then ... for the evening is a classical music concert up at Lincoln Center ...

8:00==>AMERICAN CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA @ Alice Tully Hall - The program is works by: Bach, Buxtehude, Caldara, and Handel. (concert - complimentary ticket)

This is an outstanding orchestra. I have seen them perform numerous times.

Moving on ...

On the sports scene ...

Thank God the GATORS/GEORGIA SOUTHERN game @ 2:00pm from The Swamp is not being carried locally. 

The 4-6 Taters are 27.5 point favorites over the 6-4 Eagles, who will receive $550,000 for making the trip to Gainesville.

Anyhow ... time to post this and then get ready for my doubleheader.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>2.22  miles (or, 4,860 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/13==>496.12 miles (average 3.42 miles per day)

GO GATORS==>FIRE COACH MUSKRAT!!!!! 

Billi Pod

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

I Remember Friday, November 22, 1963.

Friday==>Your favorite blogger wants to begin today’s blog with a recognition of the world-changing events that occurred 50 years ago today in Dallas, Texas ... here are my recollections of that date ...

On Friday, November 22, 1963, at the age of 29, I was in my final semester of law school at the University of Florida, in Gainesville. I was also working for attorney Selig Golden, part-time, of course. I had just married Donna West.

On this infamous day I was in Selig’s law library doing some research when he came in and told me what had happened in Dallas. He said he was closing the office and I could go home.

I was really upset because I was an avid JFK supporter and fan.

Donna and I had planned a small dinner party that evening in our small apartment and I had been assigned the task to drive down to the liquor store at the county line to pick up some booze. Alachua County was a “dry” county at that time.

I drove down while listening to the radio about the breaking news from Dallas. Picked up the booze and headed back to Gainesville. 

When the news of JFK’s death was announced I pulled the car over to the grassy roadside. I noticed that a number of cars ahead of me did the same thing.

I cried and I am not ashamed to admit it.

I know Donna and I had our dinner party that night with friends but, frankly, I have no recollection of who was there with us and/or any details.

I know that it was 50 years ago but in many ways it feels as if it was yesterday. We must never forget!!

But ... we must also move on ... so ... here comes Billi Pod’s report cards on yesterday's entertainment doubleheader ... first ... 

THE RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR, with Santa, the Nutcracker, the wondrous Rockettes, and the unforgettable Living Nativity scene==>TOTALLY ENJOYABLE. 

Yes, I have to admit to having serious misgiving about attending this Christmas event before we have celebrated Thanksgiving, but ... it was so well produced and performed that the negative feelings quickly went away.

The highlights for me were the production numbers featuring The Rockettes. Folks ... they were totally AWESOME, especially their performance of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

There are also two 3-D presentations that are breathtaking.

My comp. seat was excellent, in the middle of the orchestra about halfway back from the stage. The house appeared to be about 3/4 full.

No doubt about it, I left Radio City Music Hall with a big smile on my face.

The weather was acceptable, so I walked back to the warm and cozy confines of PHC, had the usual pre-theater snack, a fruit and cheese plate, and then it was time to head out to the second half of my entertainment doubleheader, the Off Broadway show ...

TOWARDS THE MOON, a musical tale that follows Bobby, who wants to leave the small town of Greenock, Scotland, and become a great writer==>B

There is a very talented cast, especially Liam Nelligan as the troubled and conflicted Bobby. 

Even though the show originates in Scotland, only one character, Bobby’s mum, has a Scottish accent. The rest of the cast have totally American accents.

The story line is, frankly, pretty predictable and there is a lot, and I mean, a lot of yelling and screaming, especially from Bobby.

Another quibble .. even though the show is performed in the very small Theater C space, seating about 50, all of the characters are miked and that makes no sense at all. It was a major distraction for me since we were seated so close to the performers.

A major plus is the music and lyrics.

Billi Pod says==>it is worth seeing.

This show is playing at Theatre C at the 59E59 Theatre Complex (one of my favorite venues), has a running time of 1:30, without intermission, and runs through December 1. 

Moving on ...

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

8:00==>AND AWAY WE GO - “In this Terrence McNally world premiere, the characters time travel from backstage in ancient Athens to a rehearsal at London's Globe Theatre. Then they travel from Versailles's Royal Theater to the first reading of a new play by Chekhov--with an unlikely stop in Coral Gables and the American premiere of 'Waiting for Godot' along the way.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show is playing at The Pearl Theatre on West 42nd Street, a block and a half from my apartment, has a running time of 1:40, without intermission, and runs through December 15th.

I will close this posting with a major shout out to the University of Central Florida (my son Bill III aka The Bill is a UCF alum) for delivering a major ass-whipping to Rutgers last night, winning 41-17 for a 9-1 record, 6-0 in the AAC.

UCF is on the road to scoring an invite to a BCS bowl game.

Oh ... and ... thankfully ... the A-Rod arbitration hearing ended yesterday and a decision is expected before Christmas.

Yesterday was also an excellent walking day ...

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.38  miles (or, 11,761 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/13==>493.90 miles (average 3.43 miles per day)

GO GATORS==>FIRE COACH MUSKRAT!!!!! 

Billi Pod

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

A Thursday Doubleheader

Thursday==>We need to get this blog posting underway since your favorite blogger here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, has an entertainment doubleheader for today, something rather usual for a Thursday ... so ... let’s begin with ...

Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s entertainment event, the Broadway show ...

THE SNOW GEESE about a family learning about and then attempting to deal with their recently deceased father’s lies==>C+

Really wanted to like this show but it was a disappointment on many levels, beginning with a less than  stellar performance from Tony and Emmy winner Mary-Louise Parker in the role of the widowed mother. Frankly, she was incomprehensible and unbelievable. At times I couldn’t hear and/or understand what she was saying and I was in the 7th row in the orchestra, with my hearing aid thingys in.

There was way too much yelling and screaming and, frankly, the story line isn’t believable. Now I understand why it received mostly negative reviews.

On a plus side==>there are stellar performances from Victoria Clark, as the sister, and Evan Jonigkeit and Brian Cross as the battling brothers. And, the sets are excellent.

Billi Pod says==>you are warned.

It is playing at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on West 47th Street, has a running time of 2:10, with intermission, and runs through December 15th.

Now ... about today’s doubleheader ... first is a holiday chestnut ...

2:00==>THE RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR - “A celebration for family, friends, and loved ones to be shared with Santa, the Nutcracker, the wondrous Rockettes, and the unforgettable Living Nativity.” (event - complimentary ticket)

Yeah ... I know, I know ... we haven’t had Thanksgiving yet ... but ... it showed up on one of my services and it has been a long time since I last saw this event ... so ... I thought I would give it a shot.

It is playing at, obviously, Radio City Music Hall on 6th Avenue, has a running time of 1:30, without intermission, and runs through December 30th.

Then ... for the evening is an Off Broadway show ...

7:30==>TOWARDS THE MOON - “A musical tale of angst filled creativity and lost and found friendships that follows Bobby, who wants to leave the small town of Greenock, Scotland, and become a great writer.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show is playing in Theatre C at the 59E59 Theatre Complex (one of my favorite venues), has a running time of 1:30, without intermission and runs through December 1. 

So ... there you have it my loyal and faithful readers and followers, Billi Pod's Thursday entertainment doubleheader.

In closing ... folks ... could the A-Rod “drama” be more unbelievable? When he stormed out of the arbitration hearing yesterday and then blasted MLB on TV he basically kissed his major league career goodbye.

To which Billi Pod says==>good riddance to bad rubbish.

Now gotta post this and get ready for my doubleheader.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.67  miles (or, 8,027 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/13==>488.52 miles (average 3.42 miles per day)

GO GATORS==>FIRE COACH MUSKRAT!!!!! 

Billi Pod

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

Another Excellent New York Philharmonic Concert

Wednesday==>It is bright and cold here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World. At noon it is only 39º, with wind chill it feels like 32º. Yes, once again the wind, steady @ 15 mph, is a huge factor in being out and about. Oh well ...

Let’s get started with your favorite blogger’s report card on last night’s entertainment event ...

NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA @ Avery Fisher Hall, featuring works by Strauss and Rouse==>EXCELLENT, as usual.

The highlight of the evening for me was the final number, Strauss - Also sprach Zarathustra, which featured Concertmaster Glenn Dicterow on violin. Dicterow has been the Concertmaster since 1980 and will be retiring at the end of this season to join the faculty of the USC Thornton School of Music in Los Angeles

Yep, this concert was just what I needed for my classical music fix.

When the concert was over it was way-too-cold to even consider walking back to the apartment. Again, it was the wind.

Moving on ...

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

7:00==>THE SNOW GEESE - “With World War I raging abroad, newly widowed Elizabeth Gaesling  gathers her family for their annual shooting party to mark the opening of hunting season in rural, upstate New York. But Elizabeth is forced to confront a new reality as her carefree eldest son comes to terms with his impending deployment overseas and her younger son discovers that the father they all revered left them deeply in debt. Together, the family must let go of the life they've always known.” (Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show stars Tony and Emmy winner Mary-Louise Parker. It has received mixed reviews, is playing at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on West 47th Street, has a running time of 2:10, with intermission, and runs through December 15th.

In closing ...

I don’t know how the rest of you loyal and faithful readers and followers feel, but I am more than tired with all of the so-called jokes spewing out of the TV about Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and his use of crack cocaine.

 Sorry ... but having lost two close friends to crack addiction I just don’t find anything funny about it. Jus sayin’.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.28  miles (or, 7,183 steps)

Total mileage since 7/1/13==>484.85 miles (average 3.41 miles per day)

GO GATORS==>FIRE COACH MUSKRAT!!!!! 

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 Takes A Day Off

Tuesday==>Good morning to all of my loyal and faithful readers and followers out there in the morass known as cyberspace. 

Yes, your favorite blogger here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, didn’t post yesterday but he has a sorta legitimate excuse, the details of which he will now share with you ...

At 9:15am on Monday Billi Pod had a "routine" appointment with his Urologist, Dr. Erik Goluboff, who is now associated with Beth Israel Medical Center at Union Square. The appointment included the usual Digital Rectal Examination (DRE). Yepper, it was time again for the old “finger-up-the-butt” exam. The picture pretty much sums it up.

I am happy and, as usual, relieved to report that everything is “fine” up there - the PSA test result was normal and the DRE - “everything OK.” Whew!!

I have been seeing Dr. Goluboff every six months since 2006. Based on the results of this appointment he told me that the next one could be in nine months so my next appointment is July 14, 2014.

I also needed to see my Cardiologist, Dr. Fred Feuerbach, for the every two month “routine” finger-prick to monitor my coumadin (blood thinner) level, so ... I subwayed up to his office located on East 61st Street. His office is just about as far East as you can go in Manhattan.

The results were normal, as usual. I also needed to get my annual flu shot, which I did. Hey, everyone 50 and over==>GET YOUR FLU SHOT NOW!!

When I got back to the warm and cozy confines of my apartment, PHC, on West 42nd Street, it was noon and I had already clocked in 3.35 miles on my WeightWatchers Pedometer. I have to admit feeling just a bit tired and also kinda blah.

I went online to check email and to check the shows on my various ticket services.

WTF? There was an email from one of my services informing me that my membership had been canceled because I had failed to pick up my ticket for a show on Saturday afternoon. You will, of course, remember that I had previously posted about the screw up. WTF???

I won’t bore you with the details other than to say I had an exchange of emails with the service and I am happy to report that my membership has been reinstated. Whew!!

Well, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, the cumulative effects of all of the above was that I just didn’t feel like doing anything for the remainder of the day/evening ... so ... I took a nap and then basically just chilled for the rest of the day/evening. Yeah, I felt kinda blah and I just didn’t feel like sitting down in front of this ‘puter and writing ... so ... I’m sorry ... please forgive me ... because ...

I report - you decide!

I am very happy to report that this morning I feel fine and am back in my groove, so ... let’s move on ... 

I haven’t reported on Sunday’s entertainment event ...

THE LAST OF THE KNOTTS, about Doug who endures a childhood of severe abuse by his alcoholic father, a Florida Circuit Judge obsessed with his own legacy, so to spite his father he declares he will be the Last Of The Knotts==>F

The only good thing about this show is that its running time is only 60 minutes. It is playing at the Huron Club in the basement of the SoHo Playhouse, on Vandam Street. I would estimate that there were 15 people in the audience, 4 of which got up and walked out in the middle of the show. I should have, too.

This was another one of those ... “the fact that I am a fucking loser piece of dog shit is totally the fault of my father” ... shift the blame tirades.

Doug is a 67 year old wrinkly douche bag, former hippie. The story line is lame and the “acting” is amateurish. I can’t understand how this mind-fuck received the reported awards in California.

After I had booked this show I sent the press blurb to my dear friend Polly Mounts of West Palm Beach, where Doug lived, and she responded with this about his father, Judge James Knott ...

“I can't believe anything like that about Judge Knott.  He was highly respected. He wrote a special section of the paper every Sunday detailing local history. I think Marvin was greatly inspired by him.  Local joke was: "Judge knott that ye be knott judged"...”

I think we are all fortunate that this douche hasn’t spread his defective genes any further. Thank God he is The Last Knott.

Billi Pod says==>you are hereby warned.

The show has two more performance dates, November 24th and December 8th.

Moving on ...

Tonight’s entertainment event is ...

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

Strauss - Also spaach Zarathustra:

Strauss - Don Juan; and,

Rouse (who??) - Oboe Concerto

(subscription series)

I am definitely in need of a classical music fix.

Since I gave myself yesterday off I have tons and tons of things that need to be done today, include the weekly trip to the grocery store to take advantage of the additional 5% senior discount ... so ...

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>3.70  miles (or, 8,093 steps)

Total mileage for the week==>23.95 miles (average 3.42 miles per day)

Total mileage since 7/1/13==>474.43 miles (average 3.41 miles per day)

GO GATORS==>FIRE COACH MUSKRAT!!!!!

Billi Pod

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