Back in the early and mid-90s I called Atlanta home. It was a wonderful time to be there, and I have many fond memories of that time. This photo was actually from one of the many trips we would make to what I fondly refer to as The Redneck Riviera, better known to most as Destin, FL.
Our friend, Stephen Syta, has published his first book called Lesbians In The Attic. The book is an outrageous autobiography about his mad life, crazy family, and perpetually insane friends. Strung around a holiday gathering, featuring several key players, this laugh-out-loud tale paints character vignettes that are wicked, fond and unforgettable.
Lesbians in the attic is currently available to Amazon Kindle readers, here.
Work will bring me to Texas next week so I decided to use the opportunity to fly out later this week to visit a good friend who lives in Austin before I have to go to Dallas. Unfortunately, Sergio won’t be able to join me while I am visiting Laura and Brian, but I will be joining a former college roommate and friend who will also be in Austin visiting at the same time.
October 2009 – Austin, Texas
I’ve visited Austin, TX a handful of times since that first visit in October 2009 and always have fun. The tiny city has grown significantly in the seven years since I first visited but it retains a quirky charm that distinguishes itself from the rest of the state. The city’s obsession with large cows which are the University of Texas mascot is puzzling but they can make for fun pieces of public art. 
Whenever I visit Austin, I stay with my friends in a leafy neighborhood of Austin called Westlake that is really just a well situated suburb. I’m sure we will get out for a night or two but most of our time will be spent relaxing at my friend’s beautiful home; maybe poolside if it is warm enough.
Thank you to all of you who read my blog, comment and share the posts. This hobby has turned into a bit of an obsession over the past few years and I greatly appreciate the support you provide by leaving comments and sharing my posts via your social media sites.
This photo was taken about 10 years ago in Cabo Frio, Brazil. We will be celebrating the New Year once again with our friend “Junior” shown above with us, but this year we will be celebrating together in São Paulo. I hope you enjoy your New Year’s Eve no matter where you are or how you decide to celebrate.
Feliz Ano Novo
Justin is one badass unicorn
On Christmas Eve my buddy Justin posted this photo. It is unclear to me if he was feeling inspired by my Bear-Naked Chef post from earlier in the week and what – if anything – he is wearing under the apron. Regardless of what he has on (or doesn’t), I can assure you he is one badass unicorn.
Frenchie – BosGuy – Yankee in March 2016 – Charlotte, NC
One half of an amazing couple has arrived back in Boston today with the other flying back on Friday night. When our friends moved away from Boston a couple of years ago Sergio and I practically wept. Not only are they dear friends who we love, but they are a culinary super couple who hosted dinner parties that foodies only dare to dream about.
I have a special blind tasting prepared for their return on Saturday morning and I’m also looking forward to bringing Frenchie and The Yankee to Boston’s new Public Market which they’ve yet to visit. If you love stunning photography and food check out the blog in my blogroll or by selecting the link in this post.
Bon Appétit
Olivia is both a friend and an avid reader of this blog. Among her favorite posts are the weekly Furry Fridays that I share so I wanted to thank her for her friendship and take a moment to wish her a very happy birthday. The photo below I had been saving for a future Furry Friday, but I’m posting today in her honor.
Last week I wrote about a campaign started by two straight guys called #KissesForKim to show their support for marriage equality and to show Kim Davis (the rather notorious Kentucky clerk) that love is greater than hate. To show their support for this affirming message my friends Dirk Caber and Jesse Jackman shared a rather romantic kiss poolside.
While I still maintain that Kim is a homophobic imbecile , I do like the message of #KissesForKim, because of its love and life affirming statement; live and let live. So I was happy to see my friends (also notorious in their own right) The Maverick Men send me a picture to show their support #KissesForKim.
Let me know your thoughts and feel free to share photos of you kissing the one you love with the same hashtag. While I don’t know that it will change Mrs. Kim Davis’ mind, I do think it sends a wonderful statement that another person’s spite will not triumph and that in itself is rather sweet to savor. Thanks again Cole & Hunter.
At 9:03 in the morning on September 11, 2001 hijackers crash United Airlines Flight 175 into floors 75-85 of the WTC’s South Tower, killing everyone on board, including my friend Graham Berkelely. While I still think of him during happier times of the year, I can’t help but remember him on this day.
The weekend is nearly here. San Francisco, Chicago, Toronto and NYC will all be celebrating Pride (apologies to cities I may have overlooked). Happy Pride to all on this last weekend of June.
As this post goes live, I’m flying back from NYC to spend time with Sergio and to relax with friends. What will you be doing this weekend?
Friend, fellow blogger and twitter buddy, justgngr leaves Boston to continue his medical training in NOLA tomorrow. Tonight we’re going to celebrate his time here and the friendships that he made. Sergio and I want to wish you much luck in the Big Easy and we look forward to visiting you.
This weekend Sergio and I are visiting friends in Albany, NY. This is a photo of me visiting last summer and provided the weather cooperates this is how I plan to spend today as well so pardon me if I’m slow to respond to emails, questions and comments. We are busy contemplating our next cocktail, getting ready to grill outside and get caught up with our friends in Albany, NY.
Below is the home that I jokingly refer to as “Tara” which our friends purchased, gut and restored with painstaking care and effort. The end result is a beautiful home with a gorgeous yard. We try to come out and visit once in the summer and again in the early autumn. Marco and Michael are the perfect hosts.
Sipping cocktails from the roofdeck bar and restaurant, Fahrenheit in Charlotte, NC
Last weekend I flew down to visit my good friends David and Mark (a.k.a. Frenchie and the Yankee) who moved to Charlotte approximately 2 years ago from Boston. The trip was fantastic from start to finish. It didn’t hurt that the weather in Charlotte last weekend was sunny and in the low 70s and every tree seemed to be blossoming, filling the streets with the heady fragrance of spring.
Charlotte’s hip South End
For those who don’t know David and Mark, they are spectacular hosts. In the span of just one weekend we attended a Saturday morning mimosa party that raised funds for Time Out Youth; strolled through the incredibly picturesque Fourth Ward; visited The Duke Mansion in the posh Myers Park neighborhood; rode Charlotte’s light rail system to the 7th Street Public Market where we purchased a bottle of wine and cheese from local shops then sat down – enjoying an urban picnic of sorts in the cute little marketplace; and we even squeezed in a bit of retail therapy, going to their friend’s men’s fashion shop, SILVERFLY. David and Mark hosted a lovely cocktail / dessert party at their home so I could meet their friends before we headed out to the gay bar Cathode Azure Club for some dancing.
While I enjoyed all that I did, my favorite time was spent together walking through their neighborhood – the South End, chatting over numerous bottles of wine and meeting their friends who are a charming and handsome bunch.
Charlotte, North Carolina’s Fourth Ward neighborhood
Out with the boys at Cathode Azure Club
A couple years ago our friends “Frenchie and the Yankee” moved from Boston to Charlotte, NC for a new job opportunity. While neither Frenchie or The Yankee are from Boston, they certainly succeeded in making it their home and long lasting friendships. I know Sergio and I are not the only ones to miss this fun couple.
I’ve been remiss in visiting them in Charlotte and am rectifying that by flying down to visit them for the weekend. Frenchie (shown above with me) and I have talked a few times and it sounds like the weekend will be spent, eating, drinking wine of course, and getting caught up. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but “I’m really excited to go to Charlotte.“
Regular readers will recall that in the fall I encouraged you to book a trip to a warm destination (if you could) in late January or February to break up the winter. Maybe it will make you feel good to know that I follow my own advice; two weeks from today, we fly to The Cayman Islands to visit my friend, Steve.
Steve is near and dear to my heart because if it weren’t for my blog, we may have never met. Back in the day Steve also wrote a blog and that is how we met. A chance visit to Boston to see a concert gave us the chance to meet in person and we hit it off. Steve’s the kind of guy who melts your heart the minute you meet because he is handsome and thoughtful. Although I’ve known him for a few years, until now I’ve not had a chance to visit him so I’m really looking forward to seeing where he lives, meeting his friends and visiting someplace new.
Have you ever been to the Cayman Islands? Tell me all about your experiences.
BosGuy 