Category Archives: Friends

Show Tune Tuesday @dbar

For those not familiar with Boston’s gay scene, every Tuesday there is a bar in Dorchester (a Boston neighborhood) that plays show tunes. It has become something of an unspoken tradition that my friend Paul and I meet there on the Tuesday between Christmas and New Years.
Last night’s Show Tune Tuesday crowd I was surprised that this year was less crowded, but it did not impact the fun we had chatting with everyone, and it allowed all my requests to be played 🙂 When the DJ played Defying Gravity from the musical Wicked it was a sight to behold. Rarely do so many people sing with such reckless abandon in public – its really a something to see. Dbar had a slight technical malfunction last night around 10ish when their system died and everything had to revert to cash. Kudos to Brit and the other bartenders who did their best to keep everyone laughing and having a good time. dbar’s handsome bartenders As you can see from the Cazwell video, not all songs are from showtunes, but mind you songs from Hedwig, Hairspray, Grease, The Little Mermaid, several numbers from this season’s Glee episodes all received air time. Should you live in Boston or visit and want to have fun midweek – this is the bar to check out.

Boxing day celebrations commence

For the past few years, my good friend, Tracey, has hosted a Boxing Day dinner party. Tracey is originally from the U.K. where Boxing Day is an official holiday, and I think celebrating this way makes her feel as if she’s sharing a bit of herself with us.

For me, this annual dinner party hosted by Tracey is an excuse to prolong the Christmas holiday by spending a fun evening with friends that is filled with too much wine, too much food and hilarious conversations.

Although dinner is not typically served until 8pm or 9pm, we will all show by 7ish (although today’s storm, Boston’s first of the season could make hailing cabs dodgey). Wine will be flowing nearly non-stop and games like Twister will start sounding like fun (note: drinking & Twister absolutely do not mix – I say this w/ a voice of authority on such matters). At some point in the evening there is also a Yankee Swap, which can get quite serious, although I never take it so (as my gift each year proves).

2009 Boxing Day dinner party photos



Okay… so I admit the last photograph was not from our party, but if you happen to see this guy, would you please get his number and shoot me an email or leave a comment below? He is most certainly welcome to the party.

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N

My firm closes between the Christmas and New Years holidays, and I am joining most of my colleagues by extending that already lovely break by starting my vacation effective this evening.

For many this is an increasingly chaotic time but not for me. Work slows, allowing me to relax, and in the days leading up to Christmas I will pick up a couple of gifts. On Christmas Eve I will have a few friends over for drinks. The only chaos will be on Christmas morning as my nephews Jack (age 6) and Austin (age 4) rip open presents and run around my parent’s house in ecstasy. On the 26th, I will go to my friend’s house for her annual Boxing Day dinner party. The days after will be spent seeing friends and spending time with family at an equally leisurely pace. I recognize how fortunate I am to have this tradition which prolongs the Christmas celebration and allows me the chance to really disengage.

I’m probably the only person I know who thinks of this as a tranquil time of year. However, I do hope that you too can find some semblance of peace during these next couple of weeks and make the most of the time to connect with family and friends.

Thinking of nothing

Earlier tonight I had dinner with my brother and two friends we bumped into at Geoffrey’s. During the course of dinner one of the ladies asked earnestly, “Is it true that men think about sex every 15 seconds?”

I’m not sure where this statistic comes from (it sounds like something Freud would have coined), but I’m not unfamiliar with it. However, after giving the question thought for a moment I realized I spend as much of my time as possible not thinking. I am a veritable tabula rasa (no religious overtones intended rather I defer to the literal meaning of a blank slate).

At times I obsess about work, often I fixate on food and I do worry about those I care about, but truthfully, thinking of nothing is my preferred and default state of mind. I’m pretty sure I am not the only person who feels this way, although it was clear neither of the two women at dinner seem to have any ‘down time’ with regards to thinking.

What do you spend most of your time thinking about these days?

Dinner at Geoffrey’s w/ Mike and Peter

An unexpected benefit of writing this blog is that I’ve connected with a few people whom I’m not sure I would have ever had the opportunity to meet otherwise. (Take note if you read my blog – don’t be shy, reach out and say hello.) It never occurred to me that I might meet people through my blog, but I’m pleased to say that tonight my partner and I had the chance to meet Mike and Peter. Mike also blogs – you can link to his blog, Mike’s short attention span theater.

It was such a nice evening meeting and having dinner at Geoffrey’s (a local restaurant in the n’hood). Mike and Peter are a handsome couple who have been together for the past 13 years. They were so easy to talk to I completely lost track of time and we may have kept them up past their normal bed times (I think). Over dinner we established we are night owls and Mike and Peter are early birds. Oops… my bad.

An evening at the Four Seasons

Last night’s gala at the Four Seasons was beautiful. I’ve included a few photographs Sergio snapped on his i-phone. Much thanks to Jeff Smith for inviting us to join him at his table and James, his partner, for being an excellent host introducing us to their friends. It was a fantastic evening from start to finish. Thanks to some aggressive bidding from Sergio we’re now the proud owners of a new painting from the Brazilian-born, Boston artist, Fernando de Oliveria.

Jeff’s attention to detail was evident through out the program; even down to the exquisite table settings and dramatic centerpieces.

After dinner and the evenings’ heroes were recognized the program concluded with a surprise appearance from cast members of Wicked, which is currently in Boston. Elphie and Glinda performed three numbers accompanied by only the baby grand piano at their side. After the performance they were gracious enough to pose with me for a quick picture.
After the event, we went down to the Bristol Lounge, and had a nightcap. Steve A. was good enough to come and join us rather than meeting at Club Cafe.

Double date: Black tie event and cocktails at Club Cafe

Tonight Sergio and I are off to the Four Seasons to attend a black tie fundraiser for the Visiting Nurses Association of Boston. Proceeds from this event go to support the VNA’s Maternal Child Health and Charitable Care Programs, which serves almost 2,400 children and their families in Massachusetts.

A good friend who works at the VNA Boston invited us to join him at his table so we’re dusting off our tuxedos to get them ready for tonight. I was pleasantly suprised to find that I still fit into my tuxedo pants (although I think I’ll refrain from eating for the rest of the day so I don’t push my luck).

The event concludes early so I plan to come home and change to meet Steve A. (author of Long Haired Boy blog) who is flying in from the Cayman Islands. Sadly we’ll only be able to connect tonight because he’s off to see a show on Sunday and flies back home the following day. Such is the life of this jet-setting tall drink of water who I met in person for the first time earlier this summer.

An evening at Fenway Park

I’m sad it is a forgone conclusion that the Red Sox season is going to end without any post season play this year. However, that did not stop me from joining my friend Paul who was provided some sweet tickets to Fenway Park (in the State Street Pavilion) this past weekend.

The view from these seats is spectacular and the fact that they have added perks like your own entrance and exit, table service and more than enough space to walk around to enjoy both the game and the park makes these among my favorite seats at Fenway. We sat just left of home base and had a beautiful view of Fenway as well as the Back Bay skyline. I’ve attached a couple of pictures I snapped from my phone that evening.
Refreshments

View of the field

My 9/11 tribute: Remembering my friend Graham

Nine years ago yesterday (September 9, 2001) I said good night to my friend Graham (pictured above). He was leaving for L.A. in two days, and we were to connect the following weekend so he could tell me about the trip which was a mixture of business and pleasure.

For me the morning of September 11th is etched in my memory. It is filled with calls from friends trying to remain calm but their voices betraying their panic urgently inquiring if I knew what United flight Graham was on and asking if my partner (a F.A. for United at the time) was on the flight that left from Boston.

Taken too soon and still missed today, the nation will mourn an attack on the nation that is for most fodder for political debate and indignation. For me the 11th of September is always about giving thanks that my partner was not working that flight and about the days that followed which included the unfortunate task of packing my friend Graham’s belongings and shipping them to his parents in the U.K.

Listed below is a quick video of Boston’s humble but very serene memorial to that tragedy.

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.

Weekend in Boston

The weather this weekend was hot and sunny with temperatures in the low to mid-90s.  Normally I would have gone to Provincetown to escape the heat, but a good friend came to Boston to celebrate his 40th birthday (happy belated birthday Tom).   I think he had a fun time – we started the evening at my place with a champagne toast then walked down the street to Myers and Chang.  After dinner people came back for a nightcap and conversation.
Sunday turned out to be a lazy day with friends dropping by unexpectedly.  It was great to see everyone.  The combination of my air conditioned apartment, some delicious white wine and good conversation made the afternoon and evening pass quickly. I couldn’t believe that it was a just past 10pm when I closed the door and waved good bye to everyone.  Perhaps for some people the random “drop-ins” would not be welcome, but it is something that I love about where I live.  I think it is great to have friends drop by unexpectedly.  I don’t think I could have planned a more relaxing Sunday – even if I tried.

Ptown chronicles

I’ve arrived back in Boston after spending the past four nights in Provincetown for the holiday weekend.  Since leaving, I’ve participated in my first gay wedding, finally developed an enviable tan, and made a few friends.

Fourth of July is one of the busiest weeks to visit Provincetown and having just returned I can understand why — it was so much fun.  My long weekend really started on Thursday, July 1st when Sergio and I showed up to the Tea Dance at The Boatslip.  I was able to introduce Sergio to David and Sean (the couple I wrote about in my entry, Happily ever after).  The happy couple was nervous (but excited) about their pending nuptials which would take place at the Episcopal Church in the East End on Friday.  With their permission, I’ve posted a quick two minute video of some of the highlights of the ceremony. 

Not long after their ceremony concluded Sean and David had to catch the Ptown ferry back to Boston. However, we were able to grab a quick bite then have one last cocktail at the Crown & Anchor. It was sad to say good bye after sharing such an intensely personal moment, but I do hope to stay in touch.  By the time it came to say good-bye, I was referring to them as friends – not a couple I had just met.

The happy newlyweds (and me) post wedding jitters:

While that may have been the climax – the remainder of the weekend was hardly anti-climactic.  Friday through Sunday Sergio and I spent our days on the Boatslip’s deck relaxing in the sun.  One afternoon we were invited to a pre-Tea party by a couple that we met through David and Sean who happen to live down the street from us (small world, huh?)  Shoud you be reading this – thank you Buddy and Patrick for your delicious punch cocktail and your hospitality.

We also checked out Varla Jean Merman’s show, The Loose Chanteuse, which was hilarious and a nice break from the bar scene. In addition to enjoying the show we were seated next to two handsome guys visiting from NYC, Dome and Tarek.  Dome (the one in the red suit) had never been to Provincetown and like a good friend, Tarek convinced him to spend the 4th of July here.  Lucky for us that we met them at the Varla show.  The next morning we ended up sitting together at the Boatslip.

Dome has mentioned that he may be coming to Boston for schooling so we may get a chance to meet and woo him to my hometown.  It would be great to see these guys again they are handsome, friendly and articulate; that’s a hat trick of desireable characteristics.

To capture some of the fun we had and show the fire works which brought nearly everyone from Cape Cod (or so it seemed) to Provincetown on July 4th, I’ve pulled together a roughly edited video.  Sorry its not of better quality, but I am merely a novice and still learning.

Birthday celebration

Last night I celebrated my birthday with friends and family.  I’d like to thank everyone who came it meant a lot, and I had a fantastic time. I’ve included a collection of photos from last night.

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow: Birthday celebration

Weekend in New Orleans

I’m back from my weekend in New Orleans and I had a great time celebrating my friend’s birthday.  Most of the gang remain in the Big Easy, but I made my escape back to Boston on Sunday.  I love visiting New Orleans and look forward to my next trip.  I’ve pulled together some photos of the weekend excursion – I wish I had a better eye and a more steady hand, but these will have to do.  Happy birthday Jeff – I hope you had a great time – thanks for all the fun.

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow: Dalton's 40th

All my love and thanks to the rest of the gang as well… Colleen, Zach, Frances and Kenny.

Laissez les bons temps roulez

On Friday six guys are converging on a house we’ve rented in the French Quarter to celebrate a 40th birthday. I think it sounds like great fun and I am trying to get extra sleep so I’ll be able to keep up.

Fortunately the forecast for New Orleans looks like it will be beautiful.  Since we will be descending from places like Boston, NYC and SF we should feel comfortable with these temperatures, although I wouldn’t mind seeing mid 70s and low 80s.  I’ll just have to keep my fingers crossed.  I’m not sure where we are planning the big birthday dinner on Saturday night, but I’m not concerned in a city like New Orleans where excellent dining can be found on nearly every corner. I do plan on swinging by the Michalopoulos Gallery.  For years George Michalopoulos had a gallery on Newbury Street and when I first lived in Boston in the BackBay, I had a beautiful print that I loved.  I have no idea what to expect this weekend but I’m staying focused and counting down the hours ’til I board my Friday morning Jet Blue flight.