Today is my father’s birthday. Here is a photo from this past summer up on Lake Winnipesaukee. Happy Birthday Dad.
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Happy birthday Dad
Boxing Day dinner party
A good friend of mine and fellow blogger, 40-Something Life, is originally from the United Kingdom where December 26th is an official holiday called Boxing Day.
A few years ago she hosted a dinner party on Boxing Day and it was so much fun that with few exceptions, we’ve turned her annual dinner party on Boxing Day into our own tradition here in Boston.
The dinner party always seems to have a theme; years past have included a proper English themed-menu, a delicious Spanish menu, and one that included berets (although I don’t recall there being a French menu). Details are fuzzy because of the copious amounts of wine poured.
The dinner party always starts with drinks followed by dinner and an always hysterical Yankee Swap after the table has been cleared. Inappropriate gifts mingle with more creative gifts. After the swap, some sort of foolishness usually ensues. In years past this has included terrible impromptu dance performances, drunken Twister, and well you get the picture.
Later this evening Sergio and I will trek over to Southie to keep this tradition alive. Much thanks to our gracious host, Tracey.
BosGuy predictions for 2013
With the Christmas holiday now over, many start thinking about New Year’s Eve and making predictions for the coming year – so here are a few of mine.
The number of overused “buzz words” that make me roll my eyes will continue to grow. Buzz words from 2012 like “Artisanal” and “Fiscal Cliff” will join others from years past such as “Foodie” and “Organic”. With regards to the aforementioned buzz word with political connotations, I predict the political shenanigans in DC will only serve to further disappoint and frustrate. While I don’t expect the economy to collapse, I also don’t expect the politicians to make any meaningful fixes.
However, not all my predictions for 2013 are negative. I predict the NHL will learn its lesson and reconcile for sake of hockey fans. I also predict a much less painful baseball season for Red Sox Nation and lastly, I predict we will hear increasingly less from the “Tea Party”. All of which makes me quite optimistic for all of us. So should I forget to say it later this week – Happy New Year.
Hola Puerto Rico
On Christmas Eve my partner surprised me with airline tickets to Puerto Rico at the end of January. Neither Sergio, nor I enjoy the cold weather and getting away to the Caribbean for a few nights sounds fantastic.
We have not been to Puerto Rico since December 2010 when we flew to my cousin’s wedding. The photo above was the view from our room at The Conquistador where we stayed. I love visiting this island and look forward to returning.
Why Massachusetts drives Conservatives crazy
Year in rewind: BosGuy’s favorite posts from 2012
I wrote this post after watching many of the Republican Presidential Primary candidates lambaste Massachusetts. After one such debate I got fed up and wrote the following early in January 2012.
*****
Massachusetts has long been viewed (and probably rightfully so) as one of the most liberal states in the nation. Social activists, academia, and politicians from Massachusetts have been a strong and consistent voice for the Left in a nation that is increasingly leaning Right.
“We’re thinking of having a Massachusetts rally at some point in New Hampshire, sort of a please don’t turn America into Massachusetts” – Newt Gingrich
Conservatives nash their teeth and say “Massachusetts” as a pejorative, and the current Republican Presidential candidates are no exception. But all kidding aside, what is it that bothers Conservatives? Here’s a quick look at some of the things that I think makes my state one to be emulated rather than ridiculed.
Massachusetts unemployment rate (while still too high) has consistently remained well below the national average. If you only consider states with a sizable population (5 million or more) only Maryland, Minnesota and Virginia have lower unemployment rates. (Source)
No matter how you measure it, MA has one of the healthiest populations with one of the lowest rates of obesity and fewest smokers. In 2006, we became the first (and only) state to mandate universal healthcare so all residents have access to health insurance. (Source)
Despite claims MA is destroying American families (MA – the 1st state to legalize same sex marriage in 2004), we have the lowest divorce rate in the US (1.8% per 1,000 people). (Source)
Massachusetts is one of the wealthiest states in the country (by the way that means we have less people as a percentage of our population relying on welfare and other social programs Conservatives seem to hate so much). (Source) It also happens to be one of the few states to see childhood poverty rates drop. (Source)
One reason Massachusetts may be so wealthy is because as a percentage of the population, more people in our state hold a college degree than any other (not including Washington D.C.), making our state’s population one of the most highly educated in the US. (Source)
Massachusetts has its share of problems, but we are learning from past mistakes and leading the nation by many measures. So the next time you hear a Conservative bashing my state, pause and ask them what exactly about the quality of life we have here bothers them so much.
Post holiday clean up
Sadly, we’ve already cleaned up. I would have happily hired this trio to come over and tidy up for me.
Merry Christmas
Whether you celebrate the holiday or not, I want to wish all a Merry Christmas. For those celebrating Christmas, I hope you can spend the day with those you love most.
All I want for Christmas…
I know it’s late to be posting my Christmas list for Santa Claus, but I have heard that good things come to those who wait, and I’ve been waiting quite patiently (swear to God).
I’m hoping Saint Nicholas is paying attention and will bring me this Andrew Christian model for Christmas. Pretty Please.
Twas the night before Christmas
Well its not quite night in Boston just yet, but it will be before I realize it. Today will be spent running errands and getting our home ready for friends who will stop by this evening. This is a tradition we started a few years back when we realized we had several friends who would not be going home for Christmas. We dubbed it an orphans Christmas Eve and each year since we’ve hosted what is a very relaxing and pleasant evening in my opinion.
Tomorrow, Sergio and I will drive one hour north of Boston to a tiny town in Southern New Hampshire where my parent’s live so I’d like to use this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas. For those who don’t celebrate the holiday, I’d still like to say “good tidings we bring” as the song’s lyrics say. I’m not 100% certain what “tidings” are but it sounds nice, doesn’t it?
Merry Merry
Tom Daley + Mistletoe = A very merry Christmas
Today’s gratuitous Christmas photo comes from the very handsome Olympic Diver Tom Daley. My friend Sean over at Just A Jeep Guy has a few more holiday-themed photos of Tom that you may check out here.
Obama and Spiderman
Source: Pete Souza/The White House, Oct. 26, 2012
I know it is nearly Christmas but I love this photograph Time Magazine posted, showing President Obama playing with the son of a White House staffer – otherwise known as Spiderman.
I love this image.
ICA Boston: This will have been
It is that time of year when I curtail my time spent outside and look for indoor entertainment, because it’s just too cold in Boston. One distraction I’m very much looking forward to is the Institute of Contemporary Art exhibit, This will have been: Art, Love, and Politics in the 1980s,which runs through March 3, 2013.
According to Boston Globe writer, Sebastian Smee, the exhibit is “An ambitious historical overview of the main currents of art-making in the 1980s.” Sounds cool to me Sebastian. According to the ICA website, the exhibition is divided into four sections: The End is Near, Democracy, Gender Trouble and Desire and Longing. It is this fourth section that addresses the emergence of queer visibility brought on by the AIDS crisis that interests me the most.
No plans this weekend or will you have extra time during this last week in December? Check out a local museum / art exhibit. You may be surprised how much you enjoy yourself. If my post has piqued your interest, read more about the ICA’s exhibit here.
Wrap your package
I’m enjoying these daily Christmas (man)Candy posts. Today’s post is meant to remind you that packaging counts. How else could you explain the appeal of this beautiful package so nicely wrapped in red?
Christmas around the world
Readers of this blog know that I have a love for travel. Here are some Christmas photos of a few of my favorite cities. Send me pictures from your home city at bosguymail@gmail.com.
Its a cliche, but I love Paris. Not surprisingly the city of lights lives up to it’s name with this gorgeous photograph of the Champs-Elysee. Off in the distance is a giant lit ferris wheel in what looks to be the Place de la Concorde or perhaps Jardin de Tuileries.
Without a picturesque beach or the view of Sugarloaf in the background, you probably don’t recognize this photo of the tree lighting ceremony in Rio de Janeiro’s Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas.
While I’ve never been to Prague in December, this view of the Christmas market in the city’s Old Town Square is beautiful. When I last visited Prague it was still under communist rule. It is time for me to plan a return trip to this beautiful city.
While Melbourne may feel as if it plays second fiddle Sydney, I’ll always love this city which oozes culture. Melbourne’s beautiful Victorian malls must look absolutely gorgeous right about now.
Merry Christmas
I’m So Excited
Los amantes pasajeros otherwise known as I’m So Excited is Pedro Almodóvar’s next movie.
According to IMDB, I’m So Excited is set to open in Spain in March 2013 and stars Penélope Cruz and Antonio Banderas.
While I’m no movie buff, this film looks like something I’d enjoy watching. Check out the promo trailer I’ve included below.
BosGuy 