Sunday Was A Great Day

Monday==>I am happy to report to all of my loyal and faithful readers and followers that yesterday’s entertainment doubleheader was totally enjoyable for your favorite blogger here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

First of all, the weather was AWESOME, at long last, in the upper 70s with blue skies and a nice breeze. This in and of itself majorly contributed to what was a terrific walk and wander day, details below.

My first event was an Off Broadway show in a theatre in the Upper Westside (UWS). 

I left early so I could have a leisurely walk and wander session in the UWS mid-70s area. The major reasons I like walk and wander sessions in the UWS are the wonderful array of classic brownstone buildings, high rise modern buildings, and lots of trees, meaning most of the time I can be out of the sun.

The entertainment event was an Off Broadway show ...

AMERICAN HERO, about three down-on-their-luck misfits who take jobs at a sandwich shop run by a recent immigrant from some unidentified homeland who turns out to be a no-show on the grand-opening day==>A-

The reviews for this show basically criticized the story line as being too contrived to be believable and I sorta agree.

But ... despite this, Billi Pod gives the show a high grade because of the performances from the stellar 4-person cast:

Jerry O’Connell as Ted, an MBA who lost his job at Bank of America.

Ari Graynor as Jamie, a horny single-mom mired in a custody battle.

Erin Wilhelmi as Sheri, a teenager working two jobs to take care of her ill father.

Daoud Heidami as Bob, the mysterious franchise owner. He plays other roles, too.

There are a lot of jokes and funny scenes but also much anger, frustration and angst over the basic theme that in today’s corporate world uniformity and profit are valued over creativity and inspiration.

My friend Will Macadam was ushering at this performance and afterwards he told me he totally loved it.

Billi Pod says==>this is definitely worth seeing.

It is playing at the McGinn/Cazale Theatre @ Broadway and West 76th Street, has a running time of 1:30, without intermission, and runs through June 15th.

When the show was over I began a rather leisurely walk and wander session heading down to Lincoln Center for my second entertainment event at Avery Fisher Hall.

Along the way I stopped at a Pizza place and had a nice slice and a diet coke.

The weather was even better because it had cooled down a bit. It just felt great to be out and about. Lots and lots of people agreed with me because the sidewalks were pretty crowded, even on the cross streets.

My second event was a classical music concert ...

DISTINGUISHED CONCERTS INTERNATIONAL @ Avery Fisher Hall - “Celebration & Reflection, Part I:

The program was:

Mozart - Coronation Mass; and,

Ellingboe - Star Song (World Premiere)

(complimentary ticket)

The concert featured performances by the Distinguished Concerts International Orchestra & Singers and 4 excellent soloists and it was totally enjoyable.

My comp. seat was in the 4th row, house left, which is a bit too close for Billi Pod. Just before the concert was to begin, I was able to get a nice seat a bit further back.

When the concert was over the weather was great, with a nice breeze, so I opted to walk back to the apartment, adding mileage to what turned out to be a great walking day.

Moving on ...

Today’s entertainment event is yet another classical music concert ... 

7:00==>DISTINGUISHED CONCERTS INTERNATIONAL @ Alice Tully Hall - “Celebration & Reflection, Part 2”

The program is:

Chilcott - Requiem

Clausen - Festival Te Deum (World Premiere)

Clausen - Sure on This Shining Night

Effinger - An American Hymn

(complimentary ticket)

This will be my third DCINY concert in four nights, each at different venues: Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, and Alice Tully Hall

We will close this posting with the usual sports stuff ...

Yesterday afternoon, in Chicago, The Yankees (26-23) beat the White Sox (25-27) 7-1 behind another stellar outing from our ace Masahiro Tanaka, to even the series at 2-2. Soon-to-be 40 Derek Jeter had a great day, going 4-5, driving in 2-runs and racing to a standup triple.

This afternoon at 4:10pm, in St. Louis, will be the first game of a 3-game series against The Cardinals, the defending NL Champs. On the mound for The Yankees will be Chase Whitley (0-0) who?? vs. Michael Wacha (3-2) for The Cards (28-22).

In closing ... with yesterday’s great walking mileage the week added up to some pretty good stats ...

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>6.60 miles (or, 14,438 steps)

Total mileage for the week==>37.07 miles (average 5.30 miles per day)

Total mileage for 2014==>533.20 miles (average 3.68 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.”

WE MUST NEVER EVER FORGET!!

MEMORIAL DAY 2014==>WE MUST NEVER EVER FORGET the sacrifices made by brave men and women to protect and preserve this great Country of ours!!

I am extremely proud that my father, William Sr., served in the Navy during World War II, that I, William Jr., served in the Army as a member of the Counter-Intelligence Corps, and that, as many of you know, my oldest grandson, Alex Falletta aka Army Guy, an Apache helicopter pilot, returned home safely after a tour of duty in Iraq and then Kuwait. He continues to fly with the National Guard.

WE MUST NEVER EVER FORGET!!

Bill

Just Jim Dale==>JUST RIGHT!!

Sunday==>Your favorite blogger here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In the World, has an entertainment doubleheader scheduled for today, plus an anticipated walk and wander session, all in the Upper Westside, so we need to get this posting underway ... so ...

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

JUST JIM DALE, this solo show recounts a lifetime of irresistible showbiz tales, told through incredible stories and beloved songs==>A

It is extremely well performed by the 78-year old singer/dancer/composer/lyricist/actor/comedian.

Dale (his birth name was Smith) had the audience in the palm of his hand from the moment he walked on stage until his final bow to a roaring standing ovation.

He is a Tony Award winner, two-time Grammy Award winner and two-time Academy Award nominee. He also was the voice in all seven of the “Harry Potter” audiobooks, winning multiple awards for this body of work.

The show is educational, very funny, poignant and emotionally involving as Dale shares his life-story with us through songs and stories.

I totally enjoyed it and am so glad that I got a chance to see it ... so ...

Billi Pod says==>See this show!!

It is still in previews, opens on June 12th, is playing at the Laura Pels Theatre on West 46th Street, has a running time of 1:40, without intermission, and runs through August 10th.

I left early for the show so I could get in a walk and wander session, even though it was very lightly raining. This, plus my usual walking and the walk to and from the theatre resulted in another good mileage day (details below).

Moving on to today ...

The first part of my entertainment doubleheader is in Off Broadway show in the Upper Westside ...

3:00==>AMERICAN HERO - “Three down-on-their-luck misfits take a job at a sandwich shop run by a recent immigrant from some unidentified homeland who turns out to be a no-show on the grand-opening day. A dark comedy about life, liberty and the pursuit of sandwiches.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This show just opened to mostly so-so reviews that basically panned the story line but praised the stellar cast, headed by Ari Graynor and Jerry O’Connell.

It is playing at the McGinn/Cazale Theatre @ Broadway and West 76th Street, has a running time of 1:30, without intermission, and runs through June 15th.

When the show is over I will leisurely walk down to Lincoln Center for the second half of my entertainment doubleheader, stopping along the way for some fruit and, hopefully, a Fresca.

My second entertainment event is a classical music concert ...

7:00==>DISTINGUISHED CONCERTS INTERNATIONAL @ Avery Fisher Hall - “Celebration & Reflection, Part I:

The program is:

Mozart - Coronation Mass; and,

Ellingboe - Star Song (World Premiere)

(complimentary ticket)

The concert will feature the Distinguished Concerts International Orchestra & Singers.

When the concert is over I will probably walk back to PHC, weather permitting, of course.

Speaking of the weather ... 

Right now ... at 10:20am ... the weather is pretty awesome. It is 66º, sunny with azure blue skies and a projected high of 78º.

Yeah, maybe Billi Pod's plea to The Weather Gods worked.

Now ... moving on to some sports for Marty ...

Yesterday afternoon in Chicago The Yankees overcame a 3-run deficit in the top of the 9th inning to tie the game and then won it 4-3 in the 10th inning on a homer from Jacoby Ellsbury. David Robertson closed things out, making up for Friday’s blown save. 

Today @ 2:10pm is the final game of the 4-game series. On the mound for The Yankees (25-23) will be our ace Masahiro Tanaka (6-1) vs. Andre Rienzo (4-0) for The Sox (25-26)

OK, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, it is time to post this and get ready to head out for my doubleheader.

So==>HAVE A GREAT REST OF THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, EVERYONE!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.05 miles (or, 11,034 steps)

Total mileage for 2014==>526.60 miles (average 3.66 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.”

The Weather/Last Night’s Concert/Today’s Off Broadway Show/Yankees

Saturday==>Weather Gods, what is it with the f**king weather? I mean, seriously, at 8:00am this morning here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World, it was a rather blustery 56º. 56º??? 

It is the 24th of May, Weather Gods, not September!! It is time for me to put away my sweaters and jackets and break out the Tees and shorts ... come on ... enuff is enuff already!!

Anyway ... moving on to ...

Billi Pod’s report on last night’s classical music concert ... 

DISTINGUISHED CONCERTS INTERNATIONAL @ Carnegie Hall - “A Breath of Fresh Air” 

The program included performances by: 

Alice High School Honors Band; Del Mar Master Chorus; Corpus Christi Chorale; and, KHORIKOS.

The evening was enjoyable but not mind-blowing.

My comp. seat was excellent, in the main orchestra area, row K, house left.

I would estimate that Carnegie Hall was only about 40% full and that felt a bit awkward to me.

I got to the Carnegie Hall area early so I could have a nice walk and wander session before the concert. Had planned to walk back to the apartment when the concert was over, but it was raining, so I just subwayed back.

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

7:30==>JUST JIM DALE - “This solo show recounts a lifetime of irresistible showbiz tales, told through incredible stories and beloved songs from a legend who shares his passion for the stage, for storytelling and for making people laugh.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

The show is in early previews, opens on June 12th, is playing at The Laura Pels Theatre on West 46th Street, has a running time of 1:40, without intermission (I think), and runs through August 10th.

My theater-buddies who have seen this show have all liked it, so I am looking forward to tonight’s performance.

Moving on to some sports ... 

Was back in PHC last night in time to catch the last 4-innings of the YANKEES/WHITE SOX game in Chicago and what a total BUMMER.

The Yankees lost 6-5 in the bottom of the 9th when our closer, David Robertson, gave up a 2-run walk-off homer. Barf!!

This afternoon at 2:10pm is game 3 of the 4-game series. On the mound for the Yankees (24-23) will be Vidal Nuno (1-1) vs. John Danks (3-4) for The Sox (25-25).

Folks, we are now 1/3 of the way through the season and the term that appears most often in the local powers about The Wankies is==>MEDIOCRE<==and I totally agree.

Yes, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, unless something dramatic happens soon it is going to be a long and disappointing season.

Oh, well ... 

Closing on a happy note ... yesterday was an excellent walking day.

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>5.03 miles (or, 10,995 steps)

Total mileage for 2014==>521.55 miles (average 3.65 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.”

SIMON GREEN: SO, THIS THEN IS LIFE==>A-

Friday==>It is a gray and overcast day here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World - not the best beginning for the Memorial Day weekend.

Just a reminder to my Worker Bee friends out there in your cubicles, wait-stations, broom closets and whatevers ... even though you might have Monday off ... that does not, repeat, does not give you permission to leave work until at least 5:05pm.

Remember ... your favorite blogger has previously warned you that most of you are under constant surveillance with state-of-the-art security devices recently installed by your bosses.

Otherwise ... at the appropriate time==>HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!

Now ... let’s move on to Billi Pod’s report card on last night’s Off Broadway show, my first theater event in 10 nights (gasp)  ... yeah ... that's correct ... no theater in 10 nights (gasp)

SIMON GREEN: SO, THIS THEN IS LIFE, the exploration of paths untrod, mistakes repeated and ridiculous responses to an ever changing world, that asks the question: “If you could sit down with your 21 year old self and share the surprises that life will bring ... what would you say?”==>A-

Simon Green is a very talented performer and he is teamed with his musical collaborator David Shrubsole to answer the question via ...

Spoken words from: Walt Whitman; Christopher Hitchens; Stephen Colbert; P.G. Wodehouse; and, others.

Poems from: A. E. Housman; Tennessee Williams; Walt Whitman; and, others.

Songs by: Noel Coward; Tom Lehrer; Duncan Sheik; Arlen & Mercer; Simon & Garfunkel; Stephen Sondheim; and, others.

They also discuss the question through letters written by audience members of past shows addressed to: "Dear Me."

The whole concept is difficult to describe but I found the evening to be highly entertaining and thought-provoking.

My only quibble is the 1:20 running time. I think a good 10-minutes could be trimmed to tighten things a bit.

Billi Pod says==>If you want something just a bit different, with British humor, then see this show.

This show just opened at the 59E59 Theatre Complex, one of my favorite venues, has a running time of 1:20, without intermission, and only runs through June 1.

Tonight’s entertainment event is another classical music concert ...

8:00==>DISTINGUISHED CONCERTS @ Carnegie Hall - “A Breath of Fresh Air” 

The program will include performances by: 

Alice High School Honors Band; Del Mar Master Chorus; Corpus Christi Chorale; and, KHORIKOS.

(complimentary ticket)

This looks very interesting.

Your favorite blogger now has classical music concerts scheduled for tonight, Sunday and Monday.

Now ... on the sports scene ...

Last night in Chicago, The Yankees (24-22) lost the first game of their 4-game series with The White Sox (24-25) by a score of 3-2. The game was not nearly as close as the final score indicates as The Sox pitching staff basically overpowered The Wankies, recording 13 Ks.

Yeah ... almost half of the outs were strike-outs ... not good.

Tonight @ 8:10pm it will be Hiroki Kuroda (3-3) on the mound for The Yankees vs. Hector Noesi (0-4) for The Sox.

In closing==>I really appreciate all of the positive feedback from my loyal and faithful readers and followers regarding yesterday’s 9/11 Memorial Museum posting ... and ... in response to several inquiries ... yes, I will go back at a later date.

HAVE A GREAT MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND EVERYONE!!

Yesterday’s Pedometer mileage==>4.04 miles (or, 8,845 steps)

Total mileage for 2014==>516.52 miles (average 3.64 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.”