Never underestimate the appeal of guys wearing speedos. That is the lesson I learned this week when I saw my Santa Speedo Run video get picked up by a number of national blogs. I’d like to say thank you to everyone else who was nice enough to share the video, which now has more than 35,000 views.
The casual reader may wonder if I ever write about events that include wearing appropriate dress attire – which I can assure you I do. However, in just a couple of weeks Boston will join cities from around the world for the annual No Pants Subway Ride on Sunday, January 12, 2014.
While making plans for 2014 may seem premature, The No Pants Subway Ride is now just a bit more than 3 weeks away and this fun event is worth partaking so note the date on your calendar. You can learn more about the event and the Boston Society of Shenanigans who organize the Boston event, by linking here and don’t forget to RSVP for the post-party.
Here is a quick video I pulled together from last year.
Today is Boston’s 14th annual Santa Speedo Run. C’mon down to Boyslton Street and check out this spectacle. If you cannot make it, no worries. I’ll be there snapping pictures and posting everything later this week.
Do you love this annual tradition that has now spread to other cities around the US? Check out how the Santa Speedo Run started here in Boston by 5 guys back in 2000 – Santa Speedo Run: How it all started.
Have you heard of Instacart? I hadn’t until today’s article in the Boston Globe, Instacart introduces neighbor-to-neighbor grocery delivery to Boston. Similar to new transportation companies like Lyft, Instacart works with personal shoppers to help fill orders since the service is not owned by any grocer the way Peapod.com is owned by Stop & Shop.
According to the article, Instacart currently only offers groceries from Shaw’s. However, it plans to eventually expand in Boston to offer items from Whole Foods and Costco and other stores. Instacart claims the food prices on its site can be the same or higher than the prices you’d pay in the store, but let’s face it this is all about convenience and with temperatures in Boston hovering in the low 30s, it is a premium I’m willing to contemplate. Although I’ve yet to use the service, I did sign up and the site indicates that delivery charges are waived if your order is more than $35.
Earlier this week both local papers reported that Chinese carrier Hainan Airlines has received federal approval to offer nonstop service from Boston to Beijing starting in June 2014. According to The Boston Globe, Hainan Airlines still needs to sign an agreement with MassPort before it could begin service from the airport.
Hainan Airlines would join Copa Airlines (from Panama), Japan Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Emirates Airlines as new airlines to start offering non-stop service from Boston’s Logan Airport.
As you start to think about travel plans for 2014, consider some of these new destinations that will become a whole lot more convenient.
You can read The Boston Globe article, here.
Mark your calendars and make sure you come down to Boylston Street to watch the annual Santa Speedo Run now in it’s 14th year. Seven hundred runners will participate in the fun fundraiser that supports the Play Ball Foundation.
Santa Speedo Run – Sat 14-Dec.
If you cannot join, never fear as I’m planning to be there to snap photos and write all about it. Until then enjoy this video I made after the 2012 Santa Speedo Run.
I’m still in sunny, warm Brazil, but I wanted to get this post up for those of you contemplating what to do tomorrow night.
Open to doing something different? The first Friday of each month Boston Guerrilla Queer Bar (GQB) overtake traditionally straight bars. Since the Boston bar scene can be restricting, GQB gives you the opportunity to break out of your routine. Curious which bar will be overtaken on Friday? Check the group’s Facebook page or its website, www.BostonGuerrilla.com.
Is the bar scene not really your thing? Looking for something to do that won’t break the bank? Come over to my neighborhood in Boston’s South End to participate in First Friday. This event which runs from 5:00pm – 9:00pm at 450 Harrison Avenue allows you to walk through the many working art studios, view art and artisan crafts and chat with the artists. Its a great way to mingle and meet people and after you are done, there are literally a half dozen restaurant options within 2-3 blocks to either grab dinner or enjoy some apps and cocktails.
Hey night owls, starting in March or April 2014, the MBTA will start running all subway trains and the 15 most popular bus routes until 3 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday only as part of a one year test to see if there is sufficient demand.
The news comes on the heels of the MBTA releasing its average daily ridership numbers for the month of October which was up 4.3% over October 2012 – totaling 1.38 million passenger trips per weekday.
If the one-year pilot program is successful, it will be extended. More information here.
Are you struggling to get into the holiday spirit? Looking for something a bit different to do? If you live in the Boston area, check out the Boston classic The Slutcracker, a burlesque, satirical version of The Nutcracker that opens tonight at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square and runs nearly every night through the month of December.
The production is the brainchild of Babes in Boinkland troupe director Vanessa White. While it is not quite what you will see if you attend the Boston Ballet’s Nutcracker, what it lacks in technique you will find it more than makes up for in laughs. It may be the best holiday entertainment for the money.
Tickets ($25) are currently on sale. More information about performances and how to purchase tickets can be found here.
Heads up – the video may not be appropriate to play at your office.
The Boston Ballet presents The Nutcracker 11/29 – 12/29
Tomorrow is opening night for the Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Tickets remain for shows to this year’s performance that will run through December 29th. Come out and support The Boston Ballet which is celebrating its 50th season. You just may be surprised by how much you really enjoy both this classic story and the athleticism and grace of The Boston Ballet.
Late last week new renderings of Lovejoy wharf where shared. Lovejoy wharf is located between the North End and Charlestown and it is a highly visible building for anyone coming into Boston on I-93 north of the city so when plans were announced to renovate this eyesore everyone cheered.
Included above is a photograph of Lovejoy wharf before construction started and a rendition of what the wharf will look like when construction is finished in the spring of 2015. The project will transform the decrepit building into a 187,000 square foot headquarters for Converse, residential units, ground floor shops and a new restaurant. Next to the building a new floating dock and public access to a new visitor’s center will be included.
Boston Spirit Magazine appears to have redesigned their website if you’ve not visited them recently, check out bostonspiritmagazine.com.
They have now added a blog feed featuring articles from national LGBT blogs, photos from recent events around New England and an updated events section. If you get a chance shoot Boston Spirit Magazine and congratulate them on their newly designed website.
Starting in late September 75 pianos were placed around Boston to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Celebrity Series of Boston. Today The Boston Globe posted this time-lapsed video that shows some of those pianos. Makes me miss having those pianos around.
Have you heard about Cupid’s Underwear Run? It is a 1-mile charitable run hosted in 28 cities – including Boston for the first time – to raise money for The Children’s Tumor Foundation.
Saturday, February 15th / Race Time: 12:00 PM
Hosted in the heart of winter, organizers are hoping 1,000 Bostonians are crazy enough to run through the streets of Boston in February. I think organizers will find there is no shortage of people only too eager to run around the city in their underwear no matter the temperature.
Registration for Cupid’s Underwear Run is $30, but if you’re not much of a fund raiser, no worries because this need be your only expense. However, if you fund raise more than $250, you will receive a VIP pass to a post-run party w/ open bar. There are additional goodies provided to those who fund raise even more. Sound like fun but don’t live in Boston? Visit www.cupidsundierun.com to see if your city is hosting a Cupid’s Underwear Run.
Check it out. Boston is back on the cover of Sports Illustrated with a tribute to the marathon tragedy and the 2013 World Series champion Red Sox. David Ortiz poses with the three Boston police officers captured in that iconic photo of the BPD running down Boylston Street with smoke billowing after the second explosion. Kudos to the out and proud Boston Police Officer, Javier Pagan, shown in the far left above and far right below for his heroism and service.
BosGuy 