Yearly Archives: 2009

Pam Ann Live in Boston, 10/10/09

Posted on September 26, 2009 | Leave a comment

Last night I purchased tickets to see Pam Ann who opens her new world tour here in Boston at the Colonial Theatre on Saturday, October 10th.  For those unfamiliar, Pam Ann is the alter ego of Australian comedian Caroline Reid who’s fictional character is a pun on the now defunct Pan Am Airlines. Her website claims Pam Ann to be “the funniest and busiest air hostess.”   If you like what you see below and think you would enjoy seeing Pam Ann on her ‘lay over’ in Boston, you can purchase tickets by going to her tour website, Pam Ann Live.

The video clip for “Pam Ann – Global Alliance” showcases many of her fictional characters which all play off of humurous stereotypes.  Many of these characters are woven into her one-woman show. I’ve listed each character below the video in their order of appearance.

Pam Ann Global Alliance

Pam Ann
Unnamed Indian Woman – Air India
Valerie – American Airlines
Mona – British Airways (shown repeatedly)
Heidi – Scandinavian Airlines System
Lilly – Singapore Airlines
Vespa – Alitalia (shown repeatedly)
Donna – EasyJet
Unnamed Arabic Woman – Emirates Airline
Chantal Jemeladonne – Air France
Marcia – Unspecified African airline
Conchita Rosa María González Gómez – Iberia Airlines (shown repeatedly)
Helga – Lufthansa
Gloria – Qantas
Vanity – Virgin Atlantic Airways

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Boston jazz festival concludes today

Posted on September 26, 2009 | Leave a comment


Today is the final day of the Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival, which culminates in a day of free performances outside in the South End. The outdoor stages have been set up along Columbus Avenue in the South End between Burke Street and Mass. Ave. and since the weather today is spectacular, I hope you’ll swing by not only to support the local arts scene, but to enjoy some great music.  Today’s free outdoor festival starts at 12:00pm.

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Posted in Free Stuff

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Sam Tsui strikes again – Michael Jackson medley

Posted on September 25, 2009 | 2 comments

Thanks to Wicked Gay Blog (WGB) for sharing this latest video of Sam Tsui.  I first wrote about Sam earlier this month in my entry, Don’t Stop Believing.  Check out this MJ medley – it is my favorite video on YouTube at the moment.

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Posted in Music, Video

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New hope: Vaccine might prevent HIV

Posted on September 25, 2009 | Leave a comment
When I think of the millions who died from HIV / AIDS in the 1980s because homosexuality and sex in general were considered taboo and discussing ‘safe sex’ and distributing condoms was deemed controversial – my blood absolutely boils. So many people have died, so many families have suffered, and so many children have been orphaned because of a fear to talk about AIDS. I really can not think of another illness or disease that has so isolated people. Sadly the stigma remains and AIDS still kills. An astounding 7,500 people contract AIDS every day (that’s more than 2.65 million annually).

However, a study in Thailand might be able to shed some light on finding a cure for AIDS. This study (published today) was found to cut the risk of infection by 31 percent.  In 9-weeks it will be December 1st, World AIDS Day.  How wonderful would it be to really  believe that a vaccine to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS is in sight?

You can read the report by linking to MSNBC here.
Additionally, you can support a local AIDS Service Organization (ASO) by volunteering or donating.  I’ve included the link to my favorite, ASO, The AIDS Action Committee of MA.

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Cameron Diaz filming in South End

Posted on September 23, 2009 | 1 comment
I feel like a complete idiot! Just yesterday I was commenting to friends about a woman who’s trailer for, Wichita, is directly across from my apartment.  I thought she looked familiar but could not quite place her.  After reading LoadedGun Boston, I realized that woman in the yellow dress is Cameron Diaz. 

Cameron seems to be quite chatty – people are constantly visiting her trailer and she is in and out many times through out the day.  I’m really digging the distraction and want to thank my partner in crime (a.k.a. Sergio) for snapping this video (see below) from his Sony camera earlier this morning.  The 30-second clip shows Tom Cruise grabbing Cameron and shoving her into a car.

According to Loaded Gun Boston, “production is hashing out an elaborate crash scene where a commercial 727 airliner skids into a Cumberland Farms cornfield near Curve Street in Bridgewater. Scheduled to shoot Thursday, Sept. 24 and Friday, Sept. 25, the scene depicts the aftermath of a plane crash in a fictional Indiana locale.” 

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Tom Cruise filming Wichita in Boston

Posted on September 22, 2009 | 6 comments

Over the weekend notices were plastered through out the neighborhood that filming for Tom Cruise’s movie, Wichita, would be taking place. There has been a lot of filming in Massachusetts and Boston in particular since Gov. Patrick signed a bill last year that gave the industry a bunch of tax breaks. I first wrote about this back in my February post, Lights, Camera, Action.

Over the past year, Ben Affleck, Mel Gibson and Kate Hudson have all been filming on the streets surrounding my apartment. However, usually the filming crews are scattered through out the neighborhood or they just have a small crew on site to film a few scenes. However, that all changed today when I opened my curtains this morning and saw ta temporary trailer park outside my window.

Today, everytime I walked by my window it seemed as if Tom Cruise, or his wife, Katie, and daughter, Suri, were walking around the make-shift film site. I am not a very good photographer so I apologize for the blurry images, but I still thought it was pretty cool to play “paparazzi”.  I’ve included a few photographs of the Cruise family in their makeshift home for the week while they film outside my apartment. (If you click on the pictures they will enlarge.)

It has been really interesting watching everything take place today and I’ve enjoyed snapping my camera.  Here are few shots of them at the GasLight.  Apparently they are trying to make it quite bright in the restaurant, while they film there scenes.  I wish I was more of a movie buff so I could remember when this comes out to go see how they transformed GasLight Brasserie. If I get a chance tomorrow, I’ll snap a few more photos.
 

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Open Studios this weekend in the South End

Posted on September 20, 2009 | Leave a comment
This weekend was Open Studios. This event happens twice a year (once in May and September) and draws more than 250 local artists (many of whom live here in the South End).  Thanks in part to the gorgeous weather, it appears as if the artists may have profited handsomely.  The streets in the South End and specifically SoWa had heavy foot traffic all day long on Saturday and Sunday, and I saw many people carring objects d’art with them as they were leaving the neighborhood.

Many of the artists who show during the Open Studios live in the South End and welcome you into their studios (which sometimes double as their homes).  While I have a few personal favorites, I’m always impressed by the number of participating artists who make their living from their craft and the variety of mediums artists use to express their creativity. 

If you did not get a chance to come into town to walk the streets, talk to the artists and enjoy the beautiful weather, I’m sorry for you because it really was a wonderful way to spend time. I wish I’d thought to write about this event earlier in the week and had the forethought to bring my camera when I walked around the neighborhood earlier today. 

View of SoWa Open Market and Antique Market during Open Studios

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Success… BosGuy feed will now update on your blog lists

Posted on September 20, 2009 | Leave a comment
Since I started writing my blog, I’ve developed online relationships with a handful of other bloggers – some local and some from other parts of the country / world.  And just as I follow several blogs (you can check’em out if you scroll down and look in my right margin), several people have listed my entries in their ‘blog roll’. Earlier this month, I wrote about how my feed was no longer updating in my entry, Why is my blog broken?  Well, I’m pleased to share with everyone who has been kind enough to add my blog to their blog roll that the situation has been reconciled and everything appears to be updating just dandy now.  Aside from providing some eye-candy, I thought this photo appropriate because I feel as if I’ve just flexed my proverbial tech-muscle in solving this issue.  If you are having the same problem – shoot me an e-mail and I’ll be happy to share with you what I did to solve the problem.

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The Devil’s Dictionary — Financial Edition

Posted on September 19, 2009 | Leave a comment

One year after the collapse of Lehman Brothers Matthew Rose wrote on WSJ.com an updated version of The Devil’s Dictionary. He correctly points out that as the financial crisis morphed into a 24/7 frenzy for media, new words started to enter into American’s every day conversations.  While the article is too long for me to share in total, here are some of my favorite new words or meanings.

BAILOUT, n. First known use: Noah. Novel regressive taxation scheme whereby vast sums of capital are transferred from those citizens who didn’t participate in the illusory Bacchanalia of the housing bubble to those who did and weren’t clever enough to get out in time.

DEFICIT, n. For the party in power, at worst a minor irritant and at best a precondition for economic growth. For the minority, the gravest threat to the stability of the Republic.

STIMULUS, n. An indeterminate sum of taxpayer money used to generate violent debate. Previously known as “government spending.”

TARP, n. acronym. 1. A synthetic device designed to cover up an unsightly mess, or to protect perishable goods (firewood, banks) from the ravages of the elements, typically costing somewhere between $12.99 and $700 billion. 2. Prime example of how governments use otherwise anodyne acronyms, abbreviations and sports metaphors to disguise matters of controversy. See also TALF, TLGP, TURF, FHFA, BACKSTOP, WRAP, OFHEO and SPECTRE.

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Work, work, work…

Posted on September 19, 2009 | Leave a comment
This past week has been a blur.  I knew that the pace in the office would pick up and I’m proud that I’ve been able to keep up.  Since my co-workers have come back from vacation and returned to the office on Tuesday, September 8th – work has been very busy.

I’m not much for people who constantly talk about how busy they are so I rarely address my work in this blog unless it pertains to something I am doing which I find cool or interesting and want to share.  However, the past two weeks (and this last week in particular) have really kicked my butt. Groceries, laundry, returning calls, checking e-mails and yes, blogging have all fallen by the wayside.

The break-neck pace will not cease for another couple of weeks when a report I’m helping launch, a webcast series I am pulling together and a handful of other very interesting projects I’ve been asked to help lead all get off the ground. I have no regrets about my involvement and like each project. It is the convergence of multiple deadlines that provide me (and my team) little wiggle room and has kept me up late working and wondering, “are there are enough hours in the day?” 

Oddly, last year around this time I was logging some pretty crazy work hours as I scheduled and led meetings across the U.S. for a project called “From Proposals to Policy”.  I’ve only been with my employer for 18 months so perhaps I should just plan for every fall to be a bit chaotic.  Even though the work is gratifying and I like my team, I’m looking forward to returning to a more sane work schedule.

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Sweet seats at Fenway

Posted on September 13, 2009 | Leave a comment

Friday’s Red Sox game against Tampa Bay was cancelled and rescheduled for today because of all the rain.  Through a strange twist of fate, I gave my two tickets away because the friend I was bringing to the game came into even better seats than I had purchased. 

My only regret about going to today’s game was that I did not have the foresight to bring along my camera.  Seated 3 rows back from the Red Sox batting circle we were no more than 10′ from the players as they warmed-up and chatted with each other.  The fact that the weather was gorgeous, Clay Buchholz pitched a fantastic game, and the Red Sox went on to win made it even better.

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Flashback Friday: September 11, 2001

Posted on September 11, 2009 | Leave a comment

Not all flashbacks are pleasant, but I would be remiss not to mention how September 11, 2001 impacted the more than 170 families in Massachusetts who lost loved ones.  I recall that back on September 9, 2001 I had said good night to my good friend Graham (pictured above) who was leaving for L.A. in two days. We were to connect the following weekend. 

Realizing the personal nature of the tragedy on the afternoon of September 11th as friends called me to find out if Graham had made his flight is etched in my memory, and I imagine will stay with me for the rest of my life.  Taken too soon and still missed today, my flashback is in memory of all those people who lost someone they loved on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 but for me mostly about my friend Graham Berkeley.  Listed below is a quick video of Boston’s humble but very serene memorial to that tragedy. 

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Posted in Flashback Friday, Friends

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Don’t stop believing

Posted on September 10, 2009 | Leave a comment

Check out Sam Tsui. Not only does he have a really great voice, but he’s quite creative cloning himself to sing lead and back up in this self-made video. I wonder if he puts a gold star after his name like Rachel Barry from Glee.

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Bye bye banQ — hello Ginger Park

Posted on September 10, 2009 | Leave a comment
photograph by: John Horner
The blog, Boston Restaurant Talk posted a write up from The Boston Globe mentioning that banQ, an upscale Asian-influenced restaurant on Washington Street in the South End, is going to be renamed, Ginger Park.
The Globe’s article mentions that Ginger Park will be a reasonably-priced restaurant featuring Asian food (with an emphasis on Chinese cuisine).  I wonder what “reasonably-priced” means?

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Hitting the gym

Posted on September 8, 2009 | 1 comment

I have not commented on on my gym routine since mid-July when I wrote about how I finally felt back in form after recovering from a bout of meningitis.  Rather than revisit that uncomfortable time, you can read more about my most recent episode of contracting meningitis (yes, I said “most recent”) and my sincere appreciation for percoset in my entry, Thank goodness for percoset.

I’ve relied heavily on my training sessions with Stu at the BSC-South End to keep me focussed. Much to my dismay (if I’m really being honest here) I’ve only gone to the gym when I’ve had an appointment with Stu.  It is for that reason I re-signed for 20 more sessions with Stu just a week ago.  I realized that without him there to push me I would likely fall into my routine of sorry-ass excuses for not going to the gym. 

Tonight I had my second session from the 20-pack and he really pushed me hard.  Today was all about the back and abdominals.  I can’t begin to tell you how envious I am of those who have abdominal definition.  I started working out with Stu so I could gain better tummy definition and to essentially bulk up to avoid potential injury in my back. So despite the fact that he kicked my you know what today – I eagerly crunched, lifted and gasped my way through the entire workout.  

I suppose my gym routines are meant to both mitigate all the french fries which I seem to willingly say yes to at restaurants when the waiter asks, “fries or salad?”  As well as an attempt to show how much I truly do value my health.  I make so many decisions each day, which in hindsight probably are not in the best interest of my personal health so these sessions with Stu are really meant to help me make up for some of my transgressions (like my love for ice cream).

I do hope to get better about going to the gym and made a very serious promise to myself as I gasped my way through today’s workout that I would definitely, certainly, absolutely, positively get myself to the gym for a killer workout at least one more time this week. Please send me your positive thoughts and wish me luck, because I know what my calendar looks like this week and how weak I am when it comes to self-discipline.

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