Welcome back college students

September 1st is move-in day for Boston. With 60+ universities in and around Boston, most apartments have leases that start 1-Sept to accommodate the student population. Walking through the city this evening, evidence of people readying to move was apparent.

Starting 31-Aug, there will not be a spare rental truck available in all of eastern MA. The city streets will be filled with used furniture and other discarded belongings and moving vans/trucks will be double parked along bustling streets making it impossible to get around.

Although the summer officially does not end until the third week of September, the influx of students moving into their apartments will revive Boston and signals that autumn has arrived.

Red Sox Hunk: Ryan Kalish

Ryan Kalish was called up from the Red Sox in late July and since joining the team the lefty has proven to be a valuable asset helping more in the outfield than at bat (although he did hit his first grand slam just weeks after being called up to the big leagues).

However, it was not until this evening while I was watching the game against Tampa Bay, that I really noticed how handsome this left handed Sox player really is. If anyone has any other pictures of this guy, send them my way.

According to Ryan's stats page, he's 6'1" / 205lbs and was born in 1988 -gulp- it hurt to read that.

W Midtown in Atlanta

I was able to take a break from the rain and cool temperatures in Boston because work took me down to Atlanta. I was booked into the W Midtown. The hotel bar last night became better looking (and more gay) as the evening progressed.

I lived in Atlanta in the early and mid-90s and moved back to Boston shortly after the Olympics. This was my first visit back to my former home and I was totally disoriented by all the changes in Midtown. However, one constant I noticed - the guys. This is still the section of town you'd want to stay if you are gay and looking to go out for fun. Just be sure you have plenty of cash and patience. Taxi drivers are nearly impossible to find and none of them seem to take credit cards.

Remembering Teddy Kennedy

Senator Edward Kennedy (1932 - 2009)

One year ago today Ted Kennedy passed away. His passing was not a surprise as he'd been ill for quite some time, but I was still saddened. Born into priviledge he could have easily turned his back on the world and lived a life of leisure pursuing his love of sailing and residing on his family compound in Hyannisport Cape Cod.

Kennedy was the bane of conservatives, the champion of the disenfranchised; in short he was the lion of the Senate, and I miss his leadership and ability to work across the aisle with others. I shudder to think where protections for gays, lesbians and transgendered would be without the legacy and lobbying efforts of Kennedy. I owe him a debt of thanks so I wanted to pause, reflect and remember Senator Kennedy on the one year anniversary of his passing. I hope you will too.

Provincetown 2010 Carnival Photos

More pictures from the Provincetown Carnival celebration this past Thursday. The theme this year was Jungle Fantasy and most of the fun happened leading up to the parade with half the town getting dressed up, walking around and posing. I only have a few photos of the actual parade because the streets were so full I opted to duck into the Boatslip to get a tastey beverage, but you'll get a definite flavor for the celebration.

Carnival in Provincetown

Yesterday, Thursday, was the carnival parade. I will include many more photographs next week after I return home but here are a couple of images to share. For those unfamiliar with Carnival in Provincetown, I would describe it as the town's version of Pride. As with all things that happen in Ptown - it is over the top and incredibly fun.

Grand marshalls, Margaret Cho and Bruce Villanch

Local celebs, the Hat Sisters

The crowd along Commercial Street



More images to follow next week...

Running thru Penn Station half naked & Ptown

My week started with work bringing me to NYC and has ended early (today) with me leaving for Provincetown on the morning ferry. Work kept me busy but I did manage to step out on Tuesday night and grab a drink at Monster Bar. Catching the 5pm Acela back to Boston on Wednesday night proved to be filled with drama. I had to race to catch my train half-undressed. I won't go into details because it would take too long but suffice it to say, running thru Penn Station half undressed is not a great way to end your work day.

This is likely to be my last visit of the summer to the tip of the Cape. This is Carnival Week and today is the Parade so the excitement on the ferry is palpable; people can not get there fast enough. This year's theme is jungle fantasy and Margaret Cho & Bruce Vilanch are the parade's Grand Marshalls.

I'll be offline for the rest of the week. When I return home early next week I'll be sure to post pictures from the parade today. Past visits to Ptown this summer can be viewed / read here.

Hiscock Park

Words matter - if they didn't this sign would not be so funny. I still remember when this small park on West Newton Street was being built and the first time I saw the name of the new neighborhood park. The irony is that the park happens to be in the traditionally gay neighborhood of Boston, the South End.

I'm sure Mr. (or Mrs.) Hiscock was a wonderful person, but unfortunately for them, locally this is not known as Hiscock Park, rather it is referred to as His-Cock.

Free stuff to do in Boston this weekend

Not heading to Cape Cod? Don't have any invitations to the Vineyard or Nantucket? Friends aren't showing any love and inviting you down to Newport, RI? No worries - its actually going to be a bit cool (low 80s / high 70s) so hang out in Boston where there is plenty to see and do.

This weekend the North End will be flooded with tourists checking out the annual Fisherman's Feast. This year happens to be the 100th anniversary of the feast which includes the procession of the Madonna through the streets of the North End. Details about the feast and its origins which trace back to the 16th century in Sicily can be found in the link I included.

If you want something more low-key tonight you can picnic by the Hatch Shell and watch the WBZ Free Friday's Flick which starts at 6:30pm. Tonight's movie is ET. However, if getting down to the Esplanade that early is not going to work or you'd rather skip ET, you can go to the Boston Harbor Hotel at 8:00pm to see their Movies by Moonlight series. Tonight they will be showing, Tootsie.

And although I've already mentioned this, Shakespeare on the Common continues, with performances starting at 8pm near the bandstand on the Boston Common. Performances conclude this Sunday, August 15th.

Avedon exhibit opens at MFA

"Avedon Fashion 1944-2000" opened at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston yesterday and although I've yet to get tickets, The Boston Globe review raves about the artist and the collection.

There is more information about the exhibit and how to purchase tickets online by linking to the MFA website. Avedon Fashion 1944-2000 runs through January 17, 2010 so you have plenty of time to check it out if you have plans that will bring you to Boston later this autumn or early winter. Should you end up going, send me an e-mail to let me know what you thought of the exhibition.

Brazilian funk

Considering the responses I received from my last post, I thought I would stick with the Brazilian theme and include these 6 teenagers. I initially posted this video back in December 2008, in my entry I love the holidays.

Check out this funny 2-minute video entitled "Cueca Funk". I have a bit of a crush on the guy in the royal blue boxers on the left. FYI - Cueca is Portuguese for underwear.

Brazil street art

Earlier today I received an e-mail inquiring why I don't have any pictures of me on my blog. I pointed out that I have several in my blog header, but upon further inspection realized I had not included any pictures in posts in quite awhile. Let's just say I'm a bit camera shy. Here's a shot of me goofing off a couple of years ago the last time I was in Rio de Janeiro.

Rizzoli & Isles: New Boston television drama series

Tonight I watched the new TNT drama, which follows two detectives Jane Rizzoli (played by Angie Harmon) and medical examiner Maura Isles (played by Sasha Alexander). The episode was chalk-full of Boston scenes - fortunately nobody tried to fake a Boston accent. Who can tell if the series will be successful, but I enjoyed watching the show.

Sunday's guilty pleasure: Cazwell

Massachusetts native, Cazwell, is getting a lot of attention with gay bloggers. His video "Meet me at the ice cream truck" received more than 600,000 hits in its first 7-days. And with nearly every gay blogger posting the YouTube clip, the number of views will certainly continue to climb quickly. You can watch or download the video by linking here.

BTW - Should anyone be looking for me, I'll be out by the ice cream truck looking for Cazwell and his crew.

Creative protester

Pictures really can tell a story, and when I stumbled across this photo posted on the Life and Times of a Gay Guy blog, I could not help but post it. According to the blog, the photo orginated here on Facebook.

Generally I don't post pictures with curses, but this kid's response to the homophobic protester next to him seems both reasonable and accurate.

Comments anyone?

The happy shirt

That sucks!

Its been a spectacular summer in Boston and I've taken full advantage of every opportunity that has come my way. Later this weekend I'll post some additional pictures from my trip to Provincetown last week to further illustrate this point.
However, all those great memories came to a crashing halt when I received my American Express bill earlier this week. Talk about a buzz-kill. The invoice which details every transaction was a record 3 pages long filled with purchases of bottles of champagne (mental note I do need to pick up another bottle), stays at lovely B&Bs in Provincetown, and the more than occassional dinner out.

Realizing that I've spent more than I anticipated and have to stop the spending spree makes me want to paraphrase my 6 year old nephew, Jack, when he learnt that sometimes things don't always work out the way you would like, "That sucks." My sister the excellent mother that she is, quickly corrected him to say, "That stinks." But I think I'll stick to Jack's initial reaction as it sums up my feelings exactly.

Why homosexuality should be banned

I've posted this video before but in light of yesterday's ruling by Federal Judge Vaughn Walker to strike down California’s odious Prop 8, I thought I would post this again. Enjoy the 2-minute clip and pass it along.

I'm not very discplined

For 18 months I've been working out with a personal trainer to help keep me focused and disciplined about going to the gym but last month I used up all my training sessions. With the exception of when I had contracted meningitis last spring and when I went to Australia for 3-weeks last November and December, I've been pretty faithful about going to the gym to meet my trainer.

My partner is currently unemployed so I seriously debated not purchasing anymore sessions for the remainder of the summer, but I'm so glad I re-signed. Three weeks ago, my trainer, Stu, took his first vacation since I've met him. He was great to give me work-outs I could do while he was away, but tonight I realized that I've only been to the gym twice in nearly 21-days (and not once did I do one of his suggested workouts). To compound matters, while I was in Provincetown I ate and drank like it was Thanksgiving everyday. I'm not saying that I was in as tough shape as this guy... but I would love to have this guy's shape if you know what I mean. Unfortunately my non-existent diet and inactivity doesn't seem to be working.

Make reservations now for Restaurant Week

Keeping with the dining-theme from my previous post, I thought I would suggest to any foodies out there who may be reading my blog that they should not delay in making their reservations for Boston Restaurant Week, which is actually two weeks and begins Sunday, August 15th.

For first time restaurant week participants, I would suggest choosing establishments that charge in the high $20s or $30s for a main course. Often I hear people go to restaurants where the three course meal only saves them $5-$10 and I wonder why they bothered with the prix-fixe menu. Try someplace that is outside your price range to see what the chef has pulled together. This way if you really enjoy your meal you can go back another time for a special occassion and be confident you will have a wonderful dining experience. I've included logos of a few participating restaurants, but check out the restaurant week website for more information.

Tuesday is $2 Tacos at Tremont 647

Did you know that Tremont 647 and Sister Sorel offer $2 Tacos every Tuesday? Last night, after I returned from my day trip to Philadelphia, Sergio and I were hungry for dinner so we walked down to Sister Sorel for a quick bite. The place was absolutely jammed so we ducked in to see what all the fuss was about. We weren't able to get a seat and I have plans next Tuesday, but I plan on checking this out first hand before the summer ends.

According to the comments on Yelp, it is delicious and worth the visit so if you live in or near the South End and like tacos - this may be a dining excursion worth trying.

Heading to Philadelphia for the day

On Tuesday, August 3rd I'll find myself in the city of brotherly love for an all day meeting; sadly leaving me no time for love.

Provincetown Sunset - Friday, July 30th

Chatting with Steve

Steve writes a blog I read called, long haired boy, and although he lives in the Cayman Islands he was in Boston visiting so we agreed to meet at Club Cafe. It was strange to meet someone who's blog I read but have never met before. To be perfectly candid - I did not know quite what to expect, but I'm so happy we connected. Steve is tall and lean with an endearing smile and a soft island accent, which sounds exotic to my ears. He's also quite charming - he greeted me with a copy of the book, Journey into Power by Baron Baptiste, which I thought was very thoughtful and completely unexpected.

We chatted for about 90 minutes sharing more details about our personal and professional lives. We've lived quite different lives but it was so easy to talk and relate to Steve and at the end of the night I was so pleased to have had the chance to meet him in person. Steve's off to Provincetown for the next couple days -- if you have a favorite restaurant or some suggestions on some of your favorite activities in Ptown please share a comment with him on his blog. I know he'd appreciate the feedback.