New England summah: Ptown and Ogunquit

Posted on May 8, 2014 | 3 comments
Provincetown

SOURCE: Photo of Officer Jeff by Dan McKeon, Provinceown, MA

Spring came to New England late this year and will be over in just a couple of weeks when we celebrate Memorial Day Weekend.  In the span of the next two weeks nearly every commencement ceremony in Boston will have taken place; Harvard isn’t til May 29.

Aside from the college students skipping town, Bostonians will head for the coast each weekend. While guys go everywhere, most of the LGBT community looks to Provincetown, MA and or Ogunquit, ME.

Sergio and I have plans to visit both this summer and I’m looking forward to what other spur of the moment trips to the coast manifest.

Provincetown

MacMillan Wharf Provincetown

Be sure to let me know about any parties or large events happening in Provincetown and Ogunquit.  I’ll be happy to do my best to help spread the word.  Additionally if you are coming to the region and have questions on places to stay, where to go, etc… feel free to reach out to me and I’ll be happy to be your “gay” concierge.  Look for more posts about Provincetown and Ogunquit in the coming weeks.

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Ptown Fast Ferry Groupon from BHC

Posted on May 8, 2014 | Leave a comment

Ptown Fast Ferry GrouponPlanning a trip to Provincetown this summer, or perhaps you live in Boston and know you will be making multiple trips to Ptown? Regardless, The Boston Harbor Cruise Co. (one of the two high speed ferry companies here in Boston) has their annual GroupOn running at the moment.  Grab them while they last – this deal sells out every year.

Get Yer Tickets Here

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Do you see what I see

Posted on May 8, 2014 | 2 comments

Playground SlideThis image was floating around the web last month so I snagged it.  Am I the only one who is twisted?  I find it hard to believe that this was accidental.

Perhaps this should be a follow up post from my post, Gay Test.

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Boston Ballet presents Pricked

Posted on May 7, 2014 | Leave a comment

Boston Ballet PrickedTomorrow night the Boston Ballet opens with their latest production,  Pricked, a contemporary repertory program consisting of three works, that will introduce you to two brilliant choreographers.  

If you’ve not been to the Boston Ballet in a few years or if you’ve never been, I’d strongly encourage you to pick up a pair of tickets to this performance to experience this modern ballet.  

Boston is so lucky to have the Boston Ballet and like Joyce Kulhawik use to say on WBZ “You Gotta Have Arts!” so go out and support them. You may be surprised by how much you enjoy yourself.

Get Your Tickets to Pricked Here

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BosGuy visit Laguna Beach, CA

Posted on May 7, 2014 | 3 comments

Laguna Beach, CAIn my opinion, Laguna Beach stands out from a pretty but otherwise indistinguishable Southern California coastline because of its charm and sense of community that is apparent when you walk around the bustling downtown.  Laguna seems to have it all with a gorgeous coastline and beaches that you can appreciate from near or up above in the hills that ring and separate it from its neighbors.

In full disclosure, Sergio called Laguna Beach home for seven years prior to moving to Boston so part of our connection is due to his many fond memories and the friends we have there like Fernando & Arden who live in their home which was originally built in 1939. They lovingly call this sprawling home with breathtaking views of Laguna Beach “Casa Laguna”. Laguna BeachAside from having a delicious dinner at Casa Laguna made with much TLC by Fernando, Sergio and I enjoyed walking the many parks and spending time at West Street Beach which happens to be the “gay beach” in Laguna or “Gayguna” as Instagram called this beach when I tagged this photo of Sergio goofing around and enjoying the warm weather.

West Beach - Laguna Beach, CA

West Beach – Laguna Beach, CA

If you do have an opportunity to visit Laguna Beach, I would also recommend driving up to the park “Top of the World”, which has the best views of Laguna and includes a park with hiking paths. Laguna also has a series of small parks along the coast worth visiting. Some of my favorites included the tiny Crescent Bay Point Park, Heisler Park and Main Beach Park (for the people watching) .  If all that walking makes you thirsty grab a cocktail at the Mexican restaurant, Las Brisas. It abuts Heisler Park  and has an outdoor patio overlooking the park and water.

Heisler Park - Laguna Beach, CA

Heisler Park – Laguna Beach, CA

 

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The Queen’s Voice auditions tonight

Posted on May 7, 2014 | Leave a comment

Boston PrideDo you sing in the shower? Club Café and Harbor to the Bay want you to audition for “The Queen’s Voice” tonight.  The Queen’s Voice is a talent competition that seeks to discover the best vocal performers in Boston.

Top scoring performers will be narrowed down to 20 semi-finalist who will compete against each other on Wednesday, 5/28 with 10 finalists moving on to the live event held during Boston Pride Week on June 11th. The first prize is $1500! Second prize is $500! 

For more information check out Queen’s Voice Facebook Page

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Not much progress at South End Peet’s Coffee

Posted on May 7, 2014 | Leave a comment

Francescas Cafe South EndBack in February BostonInno was the first to report that the national coffee chain, Peet’s Coffee, would open in the space previously occupied by Francesca’s Cafe at 564 Tremont Street.

Since Francesca’s closed last August, the large windows overlooking Tremont Street have been papered leaving onlookers to speculate what is happening with this prime commercial space in the heart of the South End.  Yesterday I happened to walk by the space and was surprised to see all the paper removed, the door slightly ajar and the windows overlooking Union Park open.

564 Tremont Street, Francesca's CafeSadly, there isn’t much to report as you can see from the photos, but hopefully that will all change soon.  The space is ideally suited for a cafe and while I would’ve preferred a local chain or independent coffee shop, it serves nobody to have this space empty and unused.

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Kenneth Walsh: Wasn’t Tomorrow Wonderful? a memoir

Posted on May 6, 2014 | 1 comment

Kenneth WalshKenneth Walsh, the man behind the uber popular gay blog, Kenneth in the 212, recently released his book Wasn’t Tomorrow Wonderful? a memoir. Gay men who grew up before the dawn of the Internet will likely find themselves relating to this memoir that is told through the lens of a young man who came of age in the 1980s and 1990s.   

Here is an excerpt of text I pulled from the book’s Amazon.com page. 

In the summer of ’77, while other boys in the Midwest were busy playing Little League and flocking to see Star Wars, young Kenny Walsh was obsessed with Chris Evert and Woody Allen movies — and daydreamed about moving to New York City. But when his family headed west from the suburbs of Detroit to Phoenix, it was the first in a series of events that set his Big Apple ambitions on the wrong course.

With Memorial Day Weekend now just weeks away, this maybe the must read book to add to your summer reading list.

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Restaurant review: The Compass

Posted on May 6, 2014 | Leave a comment

The Compass is a craft beer bar and restaurant in Carlsbad, California. The friendly bartender explained to me that they want to cater to the local hipster community; I refrained from rolling my eyes when he said this so seriously and reminded myself I was in Southern California.

The Compass Carlsbad CAThe Compass is really quite nice inside and the menu is very reasonably priced; divided into snacks and shared plates ranging from $5-$12; salads, sandwiches and main dishes $10-$16 and desserts $9-$12.  The menu included some interesting items like the portabella fries which we tried and very much liked.  It was my favorite thing I ordered. The mushroom was crispy and salty on the outside and warm and meaty on the inside, making it a perfect pairing with my Scrimshaw Pilsner.Portabello friesFor dinner I ordered The Compass Burger ($11) – I figured an item named after the restaurant should probably be a good choice.   The presentation is impressive with the burger cut and half placed on its side so it can sandwich a pickle wrapped in bacon.  However, the presentation was probably the best part of the over cooked burger.

The Compass BurgerSergio is a sucker for mac and cheese and I feel like he fared better with his dinner. Served in a  cast iron pan with braised beef short rib ($16) the presentation was equally enticing and while I think the both of us would have enjoyed more cheese the crispy breadcrumbs atop the pasta and soft, flavorful braised short ribs provided ample flavor and texture.Macaroni and CheeseOverall, the dinner was very nice and the wait staff was knowledgeable about their extensive menu of beers and food.  It wasn’t until later in the night that the fun started to sour and we left after a couple of patrons continued to feel the need to repeatedly (and rather randomly) shout obscenities so loud it would make everyone in the bar stop and stare. After we requested the bar staff to speak to the intoxicated patrons and nothing was done we decided to leave.

The Compass in Carlsbad, CA is located at 300 Carlsbad Village Drive and is open daily.  For more information visit thecompasscarlsbad.com.

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Community Servings’ LifeSavor this Thursday

Posted on May 6, 2014 | Leave a comment

Life Savor Community ServingsNo plans this Thursday? Perhaps you would like to check out Community Servings 22nd annual LifeSavor benefit on Thursday, May 8, 2014, that starts at 5:30 p.m. at The Langham Hotel in downtown Boston.

More About LifeSavor Here

While the dinner tickets are now sold out, you can still purchase tickets to the cocktail reception.  The cocktail reception tickets are $200 each but the money goes to support a great local charity, Community Servings, and it includes delicious hors d’oeuvres from Executive Chef Mark Sapienza, mixology demonstrations by renowned bartender Domingo Barreres of Bogie’s Place, as well as an exciting silent auction.

If you see me there, please say, “Hello” and smile for the camera as I’ll be doing my best (without my ace cameraman – Sergio) to snap photos of all the fun at the Langham Hotel.

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Temptation Tuesday

Posted on May 6, 2014 | 2 comments

handsomePast Temptation Tuesday Posts

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BosGuy visits Carlsbad California

Posted on May 5, 2014 | 4 comments

carlsbad california sunsetAn excuse to visit my brother, sister-in-law and my youngest niece brought me to Carlsbad, CA last month.  For those unfamiliar, wikipedia describes the Southern California town as, “an affluent seaside resort city occupying a 7-mile stretch of Pacific coastline 87 miles south of Los Angeles and 35 miles north of downtown San Diego.” 

If you have the cash and like suburban life this may be the perfect place. While I look forward to returning to visit my family and enjoy the temperate climate, I think I’m too much of a city kid to ever feel comfortable in such a setting for more than a few days. However, the accommodations, family and the allure of a new place made the trip one I’ll remember for quite some time.

Cafe Elysa Carlsbad CaliforniaDuring my stay I did find a few places I enjoyed. Perhaps the best find was Cafe Elysa, which has a large assortment of pastries replenished each morning from its sister cafe called French Pastries Cafe.  Cafe Elysa is one block from the beach and has a large covered patio that also includes fire pits to help keep you warm when there is a chill in the air. I enjoyed the coffee, pastries and breakfast foods through out the day, proximity to the beach and people watching. Another cafe just a few blocks away in what looks like an over sized strip mall called Vinaka Cafe was also good and although I didn’t try it, the local chain coffee house, It’s a Grind looked like it was worth trying.  If you like chocolate, check out the Carlsbad Chocolate Bar, a lovely shop that sells chocolate and wine (I wish Boston had such a shop).  Since we didn’t eat out much for dinner I only had the opportunity to try The Compass, which I’ll review in another post.

Something I didn’t expect and enjoyed was the murals painted on the sides of shops, in parking lots and around the town like this image from the wall of a parking lot in Carlsbad.

Carlsbad MuralIf you are planning a trip to Carlsbad, CA and you have any questions leave me a note in the comments section of this post or feel free to email me. I have more information about some of the places mentioned above.

 

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Posted in Family, Travel

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Realm health and fitness tips from Kyle

Posted on May 5, 2014 | 1 comment
working outNo man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.  Through athletics and sexy advertising we marvel at the physiques of others when we too, are at the helm of a beautiful and intricate machine. I’ve compiled 3 necessities that are vital to our health and happiness. By keeping these in mind and adhering to them you get a happier and longer life, your significant other gets a better lover, and everyone benefits by having you get a little closer to your potential optimum health.

CONSUME: 5 Whole foods a day (anything that grows out of the ground). Try to EAT 1-2 cups of veggies with each meal or as a snack. This will help maintain satiety and take up space in your gut that could potentially be occupied by a donut.

SLEEP: 6-8 hours a night at least. By adhering to this you vastly DECREASE your chances of getting sick and feeling like crap, while increasing your production of your body’s natural HGH that help you lose weight and gain muscle.

MOVE: 30-90 minutes a day. Stretch, foam-roll, run, dance naked, exercise (also naked?), ride a bike, take a walk, DO SOMETHING. A purely sedentary lifestyle leads to a flabby gut, and makes you more susceptible to premature erectile dysfunction.

Try incorporating these three easy steps a part of your daily routine and see what your body is capable of.

Kyle at Realm FitnessKyle is a nationally certified personal trainer, certified nutritionist, and lifestyle motivator out of Los Angeles, CA. He has been training for 5 years and has experience working with top-tier celebrity and executive clientele. When he’s not in the gym, Kyle is reading philosophy or writing poetry.

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Live on stage at Admirals Inn Resort in Ogunquit

Posted on May 5, 2014 | Leave a comment

Admirals Landing OgunquitDo you have summer plans that include spending time in Ogunquit, Maine? Last month the Admiral’s Inn Resort shared their summer / fall 2014 line up.  Personal favorites include Varla Jean Merman who will perform May 22 – 25 and Dame Edna who will be there August 28 – 31.

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Posted in Gay, Theater

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Monday blues

Posted on May 5, 2014 | 1 comment

Monday MorningStop complaining about the traffic.  Look at what this lady has to deal with on her morning commute. For her sake, let’s hope this guy didn’t have a bean breakfast burrito.  Something tells me this guy will never be featured on Hotties on the T blog.

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Posted in Humor

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