Paris to host 2018 Gay Games

Paris Gay GamesEarlier this month it was announced that Paris had beat out a handful of other cities to host the 2018 Gay Games.  I’ve never attended the Gay Games, but I love Paris and will use any excuse to write about this city.

No slight intended but this seems like a much cooler host city than the upcoming Gay Games to be hosted in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio the summer of 2014.

2013 American League Champions: Red Sox

Red SoxI’ve been quiet for much of the baseball season not wanting to jinx what has turned out to be a surprisingly strong and balanced Red Sox team.

The headline from today’s Boston Globe says it all.  This team has continued to surprise and inspire throughout the season. Victorino’s stunning 7th inning grand slam that put the Red Sox back on top and deflated the Detroit Tigers is the perfect example.  Now it is on to the World Series where all of Red Sox nation waits with baited breath.

Halloween night in Salem, MA

Hawthorne HotelAre you planning to head to Salem, MA to celebrate Halloween? Go Out Loud is hosting a party at the Hawthorne Hotel.  RuPaul’s Drag Race winner SHARON NEEDLES will be there and KISS 108’s DJ Gay Jim will be playing great music. More information is available on their Facebook page, Go Out Loud.

Scruffy Sunday

Scruffy Sunday RedPerhaps these guys are lacking sufficient scruff, but I thought it was true to the theme of the lazy day posts I’ve come to post each Sunday morning.  Have a great Sunday.

Previous Scruffy Sunday Posts

Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi LauperCyndi Lauper is in town performing at the Wang Theatre later tonight, celebrating the 30th anniversary of her debut album, She’s So Unusual.  I finally saw Cyndi Lauper when she came to Boston a few years ago on the first True Colors tour in 2007 and she was fantastic.  If you didn’t get tickets to see Ms. Lauper, you’ll have to settle for this video of one of my favorite songs from that album.

Fan Pier in Boston’s Seaport District

Fan Pier Seaport District BostonOnce the dust from the “Big Dig” settled construction in Boston turned to a section adjacent to Downtown and the Waterfront that had been largely left vacant.  The New York Times wrote an article about this new neighborhood called The Seaport and in particular the development on Fan Pier in their 2007 article, From Empty Lots to Bustling Waterfront.  The recession in 2008 slowed development for a couple years, but construction is in full swing and buildings are being built and approved at a rapid rate not normally seen in Boston.

Fan Pier represents 21 acres mostly of waterfront property with views of Boston Harbor and Downtown.  Restaurants, retail stores, condominiums and office space seem to be opening every month.  If you haven’t been down to this part of Boston in a while you may want to check it out.

Today, Boston’s Fan Pier resembles neither photo from above. The picture on the left shows what the pier looked like September  2012.  The photo to the right shows what the pier will look like after the construction finishes in the next couple years.

John Singer Sargent Watercolors at MFA

John Singer SargentOctober 13, 2013 – January 20, 2014 at MFA Boston

Fresh and full of light, the MFA’s latest exhibition traces the footsteps of this iconic American painter in his travels across Europe and the Middle East, exploring their landscapes and observing their people.  For a taste of Sargent’s genius, check out the murals he painted at the Boston Public Library before you visit the MFA. You may purchase tickets to the MFA exhibit here.

Adult admission $25
Seniors (65+) and Students (18+) $23

Youths 17 and under FREE

 

Free stuff to do this weekend

Boston MapTake advantage of the fact that there are several free events happening in Boston this weekend and use it as an excuse to get up off your couch and get outside for a bit.

The Boston Book Festival, which started yesterday and runs through Saturday in Back Bay’s Copley Square is a great event to check out.  The Boston Book Festival runs from October 17th-19th.

The world’s largest regatta – The Head of The Charles – is a two day event that draws more than 300,000 spectators and 9,000+ athletes over two days.  Hop the Red Line to come down to Harvard Square or walk / ride over to The Charles and pick a spot to spread out, watch and cheer on these athletes.  The regatta runs from October 19th – 20th.

Each Sunday the SoWa Open market draws thousands who come to peruse the artisan stalls, purchase fresh food from the farmer’s market and eat from the many food trucks that park just down the street.  The 2013 season for the market concludes at the end of this month so come down for one last visit before the season ends. SoWa Open market is open Sunday 10-4pm.

Furry Friday

Jeffery Robersonclick on pictures to enlarge

Some of you may recognize Jeffery as one of Ptown’s premiere entertainers. I want to thank him for sharing such sexy photos. Ginger lovers are sure to swoon for this week’s Furry Friday.

Want to be featured as an upcoming Furry Friday? Let me know.

Past Furry Friday Posts

BosGuy brain teaser

brain teaserEach Friday morning I post a riddle to get you to think outside the box and exercise your brain.

If you are stumped, share it with a friend or colleague to see if you can figure it out together.

I’ll confirm answers later in the day so don’t worry if you don’t see your comment posted right away. I want to give everyone a chance.

This weeks riddle: 

Consistent conduct and seen in a game
Steady, unchanging, remaining the same.
Police, armed forces, prisoners as well
It takes just one look, you’re able to tell.

What am I?

Like riddles? Check out past week’s brain teasers.

Back Bay Harry’s opens Friday at 5PM

Back Bay Harry'sLast week I mentioned that Back Bay Harry’s would open later this week in this post.  Starting Friday at 5pm you can check out this place first hand but tonight I stopped in at the restaurant as Back Bay Harry’s welcomed a lot of industry types and media to check out this new restaurant on the corner of the Back Bay and South End. Below are some photos from tonight’s celebration.  Let me know if you end up visiting Back Bay Harry’s and tell me what you think about the new space and Chef Santos’ food.

Back Bay Harry'sChef Jason Santos was in good spirits while he directed the capable crew who were busy feeding a lot of hungry guests who had come out to see the new restaurant on the eve of its opening.

Back Bay Harry's barThe friendly crowd was in good spirits and seemed to enjoy the opening party, while they drank from Back Bay Harry’s spacious bar.  The photo below gives you an idea of what to expect from the newly designed dining room which has lots of booths that look very comfortable.Back Bay Harry'sBack Bay Harry’s 142 Berkeley Street – Boston, MA

Living for the weekend

AnimalHang in there.  The weekend is in sight.

Hotel review: Mandarin Oriental DC

The Mandarin Oriental DC (AAA 5-star luxury property) was ranked by the Institutional Investor magazine as one of the top 100 hotels in the world, and I’ve been lucky enough to stay at this property a few times because of work.

Below are photographs of my room – 944. The muted colors are calming and the sound-proofed rooms meant that I never heard anyone once I closed my door. The furnishings and set up speak for themselves in the photographs below. It is tough to find any fault with the Mandarin Oriental DC.  My only issue with the hotel is that I prefer staying (for personal reasons) closer to Dupont Circle.  

Washington DC travelWashington DC Travel

Boston Book Festival Oct 17-19th

Boston Book FestivalToday starts the fifth annual Boston Book Festival that will run through Saturday, October 19th.  The program is a celebration of the written word and has programs aimed to encourage reading and promote Boston’s cultural heritage as a place that has fostered some of America’s finest authors past and present.

This year renowned author and essayist Salman Rushdie is the keynote speaker.  He is joined by numerous others including, Mike Barnicle, Alan Dershowitz, and Joe Klein to name just a few of the presenters.  For a full list of scheduled events link here.

Try again

handsome guySomething tells me he might not be the brightest bulb on a Christmas tree but he sure is easy to look at.  Perhaps one of you might be willing to explain to him how one sits on a bench.