Author Archives: BosGuy Blog

How to survive a Boston winter

For the past few years, I’ve been writing posts in the fall to help people prepare for the oncoming winter.  Earlier this week I shared two tips: BosGuy Tip #1: Book a vacation now and BosGuy Tip #2: Find a cuddle buddy.

Hot cocoaBosGuy Tip #3: Chocolate.  For those who don’t know me, I think chocolate is the cure for everything, and when the winter blues come – nothing fends them off better than a deliciously rich mug of steaming hot chocolate.  Boston has a number of truly delicious purveyors of hot chocolate. Turn it into an afternoon activity with a good friend if you are still on the hunt for securing a cuddle buddy (Unsure what I’m talking about? Read Tip #2.)

I know who makes my favorite cup of hot chocolate in Boston, and I visit them regularly in the winter.  Do you have a favorite selected? Do your research – don’t waste your money and calories on inferior hot chocolate.

Restaurant review: Prospect in San Francisco

Prospect Restaurant San FranciscoProspect is a casual dining restaurant that first opened in the summer of 2010.  It is located on the corner of Folsom and Spear Street approximately one block from the waterfront.  I opted to try this sleek looking neighborhood restaurant because it won San Francisco Magazine’s 2013 Best Destination Burger.

The bar menu is comprised mostly of easy bites like cheese plate, hot wings and fried shishito peppers.  The full menu includes salads, seafood and meats ranging in price from $14-$45 with most items ranging from $21-$32.

Prospect Restaurant San Francisco I started my meal with the bar menu’s, spicy ceviche ($10).  Prospect’s ceviche includes chunks fresh fish, avocado and tomato as well as a bit of heat from peppers that nicely mingle with the citrus and fresh corn tortilla chips.  I devoured this with my beer while people watching from the bar.

Prospect Restaurant San FranciscoFollowing the ceviche, I had high hopes for the burger and was not disappointed. The Prospect Burger ($16.50 with fries) comes on a delicious buttered and lightly toasted bun with a thick green tomato and lettuce.  The burger is accompanied by thick cut and salted french fries that were crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

Service at the bar, despite a busy crowd, was flawless. The entire staff referred to me by my name despite only introducing myself once to the bartender who took my beer order and they made me feel welcome without pestering me.

Prospect on Urbanspoon

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Oh look what time it is

Coffee

Sky Mall presents the Sippy Wine Cup

Sky Mall CatalogWith all my recent traveling I couldn’t help but peruse the summer issue of the Sky Mall catalog that they cram into each airline seat.  The item that caught my eye most recently is the “Top Selling” Sippy Wine Cup that retails for $19.95.

The catalog writes, “When standing and noshing, juggling a glass of wine can be challenging. Enter this acrylic wine glass with a no-spill sippy lid. Ingenious!” Apparently readers agree because the Sippy Wine Cup has received four stars.

Call me old fashioned, but I’d prefer to leave the sippy cups to small children learning to drink.

How to survive a Boston winter

For the past few years, I’ve been writing posts in the fall to help people prepare for the oncoming winter and yesterday I shared my first tip, BosGuy Tip #1: Book a vacation now.

snuggle buddy

Cuddle Buddy Material

BosGuy Tip #2: Find a cuddle buddy. Since we can’t all afford to fly away every week, one needs a more practical if not economical option as well.  For this reason I strongly recommend identifying a cuddle buddy.

Not only can this help keep you warm during those colder months, but it has a number of other benefits that I don’t care to get into detail on this blog but probably are evident to my readers.  Summer is now over and hibernation is far more fun (not to mention warmer) with another.

 

Do your neck stretches

gay humorMy trainer always tells me how important it is to stretch and how it can help get your blood flowing. Until I started these neck stretches I had no idea how true that really was so stop working for a few minutes and focus.

The foah fundamentals of brewing coffee

caffeineThis past August I stumbled upon this hilarious sign at the Starbucks by the Westin Copley. Click on the image to enlarge so you can read the “Foah” (Four) Fundamentals of Brewing Coffee, that happen to include things like “propoahtion” and “wataah”.

Symantec removes “safe” filter from some gay websites

gay filtering sitesDid you know many Web-filtering services implement what The Associated Press (AP) describes as a “security over-reach” that combines gay-themed advocacy websites with child porn sites so they are blocked from most web surfers?

Symantec announced today that this protocol has changed. In a statement released today they said while customers can still set web searches to block offensive websites, there will no longer be an option to block websites because they relate to sexual orientation.  For guys like me who host pg-rated gay themed blogs this is music to my ears because the more we can do to end this odd pairing of “gay” with porn – the better. I have no problem with people looking for explicit content but simply using search terms like “gay” should not set off alarms for web filters to block sites.

Even more heartening is that Symantec’s move has infuriated the conservative American Family Association. They released a statement saying websites advocating gay rights promote dangerous propaganda and should be able to be blocked. To which I say, “Get a life.”

You can read more about this here.

Harbor to the Bay this weekend

Harbor to the Bay, Boston, ProvincetownNow in its twelfth year, Harbor to the Bay (H2B), a 120+ mile bike ride initiated to help raise awareness and funding for several local HIV/AIDS organizations, has raised nearly $3.5 million.

This year’s ride is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 20th. The ride starts at the corner of Boylston and Clarendon Street and concludes at the Boat Slip in Provincetown later that day.

I’d like to tip my hat to the organizers, volunteers and of course the many riders who train and fund raise for this event.  AIDS/HIV is no longer in vogue and the fund raising, prevention and education work is still as important as ever. Thank you  to everyone who helps make this ride a possibility.  If you’d like to learn more or possibly donate, visit their website, www.harbortothebay.org.

 

How to survive a Boston winter

For the past few years, I’ve been writing posts in the fall to help people prepare for the oncoming winter.  Feel free to share these tips; pass them off as your own if you like.  Please feel free to share your own personal suggestions and tips in the comment section for this and the forthcoming, related posts.

W Hotel ViequesBosGuy Tip #1: Book a vacation now.  Our winter is at its worst in January, February and March so make plans now to get away someplace warm.  If you wait until the end of the year or early January not only are flights likely to cost more but you’ll also be saddled with paying off your credit cards during or after the busy holiday season.

You will be amazed at how therapeutic it is to get away – even if only for a long weekend.  Flights to Fort Lauderdale and other destinations in Florida tend to be quite affordable.  Sergio and I prefer Puerto Rico and have lucked out in the past finding affordable non-stop fares on Jet Blue.

Travel Tip:  When you book your flight check out departures / arrivals during the middle of the week; the flights are often more affordable.  I like flying on Tuesdays and Wednesdays so I have a short work week leading up to and following a vacation, but if you can’t take that much time off, treat yourself to a long weekend. Trust me – you’ll be glad you did.

SpeakEasy Stage Co. presents Far from Heaven

Photo credit: Craig Bailey/Perspective Photo

Photo credit: Craig Bailey/Perspective Photo

Set in Hartford, CT in the 1950s, this musical from the SpeakEasy Stage Company made me wonder if I was going to be able to relate to the storyline, but any apprehension I may have had was dispelled immediately.

I promise that this musical will resonate and entertain you.  Sex, gossip, and keeping up appearances run through this two hour and twenty minute performance with some surprising twists. A personal favorite was the “Wandering Eyes” scene shown below when the seemingly perfect couple is out dancing on vacation in Miami.

BCA ResCo - SpeakEasy Stage Company - Far From Heaven

Photo credit: Craig Bailey/Perspective Photo

The story is compelling and the cast does a great job.  I was drawn in from the moment the lights dimmed until it was time to go. This show would make for either a great date night or evening out with friends. The subject matter addressed remains as relevant as ever but is not heavy-handed or preachy making it great fodder for discussion after leaving the show.

Performances run through October 11 and I would encourage you to get tickets today.  More information about the musical and to purchase tickets are available here.

Temptation Tuesday

handsome, hunk, gayMuch thanks to Julian for sharing this picture.

Past Temptation Tuesday Posts

Samsung mocks Apple’s iPhone 6

Samsung mocks AppleSamsung’s new campaign “It Doesn’t Take a Genius

I love how Samsung has used the recent iPhone 6 announcement by Apple to taunt them.  Both Apple and Samsung are mobile technology innovators, but I have to give it to the marketing team at Samsung for really sticking this one to Apple.  However, like all good rivalries, I’m sure Apple will come back swinging.  Until then though, enjoy this video from Samsung.

Chilling winter forecast for New England

snowfallApparently I’m a bit naive. I just learned EmpireNews.Net is satirical website – to which I say, “Phew”, but I’ll still bundle up just to be safe.

Waking up to this morning’s chill in the air only makes this post all that more painful to post.  I’m not sure who this empirenews.net is but the image makes me sick to my stomach as does the accompanying article, Meteorologists Predict Record-Shattering Snowfall Coming Soon

Starting tomorrow, I have a four part series, How to survive a Boston winter. If the winter is indeed going to be a tough one, you may want to bookmark my upcoming series.

A 40-something fitness selfie

BosGuy no shirt I hate having my picture taken, but I asked Sergio to take this picture of me because I need to remind myself to get to the gym more often. It gets harder to do this as summer fades and it gets colder here.

I want to get stronger but it is hard for me to stay focused so help keep me motivated, and I will do the same for you.  While my personal fitness is my responsibility, I do require help from my fantastic trainer, Kris at BSC South End, Sergio who always encourages me and friends.

As summer fades let’s keep each other motivated to stay focused on remaining active and eating healthier.