It is a bone-chilling 28 degrees in Boston today with a steady breeze that makes you want to cry within minutes of stepping outside. I know the past few months have been unseasonably mild, but I miss the weather already.
Since September I have been adding a monthly post entitled “How to survive a Boston Winter”. I figure these posts can share some wisdom for people both new to Boston and new to colder climates (no matter where you may call home).
This past week I included my November post on the subject after a string of days with weather in the low 60s had concluded. I assumed that was the last of the mild weather (yes, that qualifies as mild in Boston at this time of the year). However, Thanksgiving weekend has continued the trend of what has been a fairly mild and absolutely delightful autumn. Yesterday Boston temps were in the low 60s and when I went out at night the temperature had hardly budged. Today and through the next few days forecasters are predicting equally pleasant weather. I know this will quickly become a distant memory so I feel the need to get out and enjoy the weather as much as possible.
Each month I’ve been providing a bit of advice on how to survive a Boston winter, but really the suggestions are applicable to anyone residing in the northern hemisphere coping with shorter days and cold temperatures.
In September, I suggested one way to survive a Boston winter was to plan ahead by scheduling a trip someplace warm. In October, I offered a more economical option by identifying a ‘cuddle buddy’ you can turn to for body heat. My advice in November is not as economical as last month but need not be as extravagant as September’s suggestion.
This month, I’m suggesting that you embrace the fact that you are living in what resembles a frozen tundra and make the best of it by adopting the “if you can’t beat’em then join’em philosophy.” Book a trip to one of the many Gay Ski Weeks that are held around the world. There are many options through out North America and Europe so choose a local option to avoid costly airfare and extra travel / vacation time. In the northeast, the Stowe Gay Ski Week is a great local alternative. If interested you can read more about the Gay Ski theme week many in New England attend, here.
Sadly, I cannot promise that the three friends above will be attending your specific ski week rendez-vous.
Posted in GetMeTheHellOutOfHere Syndrome, Sports
Tagged BosGuy, Boston Guy, Gay, Gay ski week
I’d snuggle with him
Last month I included my first “How to survive a Boston winter“ posting. This series (despite my focus on my hometown) is really dedicated to all those guys who live in colder climates where summer is a memory and sweaters and jackets are now necessities rather than fashion choices.
This posting is more economical than my first which you can read here. It’s pretty straight forward, find someone to snuggle with to keep you warm through the colder months. For those currently without a snuggle-buddy, use this time wisely and shop around before you commit. It can be a long winter in Boston.
Okay I didn’t complain when the weather in Boston this weekend more closely resembled early April, but I’m starting to bristle with all these clouds and cold weather. Would someone with any pull please let Mother Nature know her cruel streak after a bitter winter and cold & raw spring has left me with little patience and a bit of a chip on my shoulder. I want temps in the 80s (or higher) and sun.
I don’t think I’ve ever said this before, but I can’t wait for Monday!
I’m making a mad dash to the Carribean to escape this bitter cold. I want to remember what it feels like to have the sun on my face and be warm.
Since I bore easily I will most likely be tweeting photos and witty comments poolside / beachside. See below for some examples of my “Tweet Pics” from my trip to Puerto Rico this past December.
My alter ego, “Vacation BosGuy” is about to emerge, so check back and follow me on Twitter. I’ve included some Tweet pics from my last stay at La Concha Hotel in San Juan from this past December.
My handle is @BosGuy.
Tweet Pic #1 “Random Handsome Guy”
Tweet Pic #2 Hotel Bar (dispenser of all things rum)
Tweet Pic #3 “Random Handsome Guy”
Tweet Pic #4 Hotel pool & patio
Boston is about to get slammed with another snow storm, but that’s not even the worst part, the extended forecast shows it will remain in single digits thru much of next week. For those who don’t know Farenheit, trust me when I say that’s FREEZING even by Boston standards.
To stop scowling I’ve posted this picture. I think its safe to say I’m suffering from GetMeTheHellOutOfHereSyndrome.
I recently booked another trip to Puerto Rico so I can escape the winter cold. I leave in about 4 weeks and will spend 5 nights back at La Concha in mid-February. I had intended to book a trip to a new destination to see more of the Caribbean but Puerto Rico was easily the most affordable non-stop airfare from Boston.
I would not have anticipated that I would make a second visit to Puerto Rico so soon after my previous trip, but I’m getting excited now that it is just weeks away. Because I’ve been to this property a few times already, I feel like I know the area fairly well. If past visits are any indication of what to expect on this trip, the weather should be beautiful (hope I haven’t jinxed myself by saying that) and I will spend my days poolside or on the beach, my afternoons (hopefully squeezing in a run), my evenings eating, and my nights sipping cocktails outside by the beach. I’ve included some additional photographs I found online of where I’ll be staying to help sustain me until I board my flight and head back down to Puerto Rico.
Boston is in the midst of its largest snow storm of the season, but I’m quite comfy in my 4th floor apartment looking out at the blizzard (pronounced here as blizzaahhd). In my previous post, I was a victim of a random act of kindness I alluded to some good fortune. Yesterday, we were offered a spot in a parking garage for our car; thus avoiding the need to dig out our car from the storm. Looking outside – I can’t tell you how happy I am knowing the silver bullet (my nickname for our 2001 Golf) is safey tucked away in our building’s parking garage.
I started taking pictures at 9:00am of Harrison Avenue (near Gaslight Brasserie) and will continue to add to this post through the day. I live in a downtown neighborhood which is normally quite busy with pedestrians and traffic, but not today. A snow emergency was in effect as of 9:00pm Tuesday to ensure the streets would be clear for the snow plows. School was cancelled and most employers asked employees to work from home to avoid any potential accidents.
Harrison Avenue @ 9:00am
Harrison Avenue @ 12:00pm
Harrison Avenue @ 4:00pm
Don’t mind the background chatter; I was on my 3rd consecutive hour of calls and needed a brief distraction. This is the view from my Harrison Avenue condo in Boston’s South End on Tuesday, Feb 16 at 4:00pm.
I miss summer.
Right now the weather in Boston is pretty grim. We have not received the blizzard everyone was forecasting, but the day has been chilly and grey. In lieu of thinking about the weather, I’ve decided to focus on my pending trip to Paris. Thinking of Paris does not dispell my latest bout of GetMeTheHellOutOfHere Syndrome, but it does prove to distract me from how ugly it is in Boston right now.
What are you doing to forget about the awful weather… or are you fortunate enough to be somewhere warm and sunny?
The weather forecast today closely resembles what one would expect to see in April in Boston. That month is fairly schizophrenic – filled with days that see the mercury rise and fall. Snow gives way in March for a fair amount of rain and mist in April. However, late June and July in Boston are more known for hot, hazy and humid weather… none of which happened in June and I’m sorry to say on the first day of July seems unlikely if I’m to believe the extended forecast for the city which calls for precipitation every day. I think this could possibly go down as the worst summer I can recall.
Summer in Boston this year (so far) has really been a bust. At last count there have only been 3-days that did not rain in the city in the month of June and temperatures have hovered 10+ degrees below normal making the month absolutely horrible. Sadly summer seems to be the briefest of the four seasons and with the month of June literally a wash, I can only hope for a long, long dry and warm spell in the weeks that follow.
With June nearly over and tomorrow the only day in the forecast showing sunny skies all I can say is buh-bye to this dreary month. Fortunately, I’ve been absorbed with work so the weather has not proven to be much of a distraction, but here is to hoping all that changes in July.
I never thought I would be suffering from GetMeTheHellOutOfHere Syndrome in the month of June.
Signs of spring started to appear in Boston about two weeks ago, and last Friday, April 17th, when Boston cracked 70 degrees for the first time many of the magnolia trees lining Commonwealth Avenue went into full bloom.
However, starting this past Friday, April 24th, when Boston hit 80 degrees the city erupted. Everyone (myself included) has been dining al fresco, joining friends on their roof decks and patios for cocktails and walking around the city just to be outside enjoying the warmth.
Spring has sprung, the non-stop chirping of birds and the trees now covered in leaves have done more to fend off any possible relapse of GetMeTheHellOutOfHere Syndrome until next winter.
Current weather conditions in Boston: 83 degrees and sunny
Tuesday’s weather predictions in Boston: highs nearing 90 degrees!
And I am happy.
BosGuy 