One month from today Fenway Park turns 100 years old, making it the oldest baseball park in Major League Baseball (Wrigley Field in Chicago was built two years later in 1914). The dreaded New York Yankees will arrive in Boston that day to start a 3-game series in the first meeting between the teams just to add to the drama of the centennial celebration… I can hardly wait.
Call Me By Your Name is a coming of age story that is beautifully written by Andre Aciman. I first read this book a few years ago when the owner of Boston’s LGBT bookstore, Calamus Books, suggested it as a must read.
Talk about “Summer Lovin”… The setting of the story takes place on the Italian Riviera in the 1980s and the main character, Elio, is a curious teenager nearly 18 who falls hard for Oliver, a 24 year old postdoc teacher from Columbia who’s spending the summer at his home as a guest of Elio’s father.
What transpires is a summer romance of sort that is incredibly touching and beautifully written so much so that at times the book reads more like poetry than prose. Perhaps the book’s publisher describes the book best when they write, “André Aciman’s critically acclaimed debut novel is a frank, unsentimental, heartrending elegy to human passion. ”
The hard cover copy of this book is nearly 250 pages so its perfect for a long weekend if you are an avid reader. I’m sure you’ll find this book difficult to put down. The interactions are so touchingly written and the intimacy so profound that you’ll feel as if the pages of the book are turning themselves. Your local LGBT bookstore will have this for certain, or you may buy the book online here.
Last year I was mildly addicted to Spartacus: Blood and Sand and developed a bit of a crush on the Welsh actor who played the lead, Andy Whitfield. Sadly, Whitfield lost his battle with cancer in September, and after he passed, I stopped watching the series. Maybe I should start watching again. The writers have clearly increased the homo eroticism in this season’s Spartacus: Vengeance.
Check out this passionate kiss between Agron and Nasir.
Posted in Gay, Pop Culture, Video
Tagged Art and Film, BosGuy, Boston Guy, Gay, Pop Culture
I’ve been working out with my trainer, Kris, for a few weeks and he suggested I record everything I consume so he could review my diet. I would like to think that I have a fairly healthy diet, but recording everything I ate and drank was eye opening. First, it confirmed that I eat a lot. Second, with the amount of coffee I drink you would think it is its own food group. Third, wine and martinis are my drinks of choice. However, it was not all bad news, it was satisfying to see I had a fair amount of protein (more than I would have anticipated).
My personal fitness goals really do not include a desire to lose weight as much as it is to tighten my stomach and build more strength in my chest, back, shoulders and arms. Who knows what is possible? I’m nearly 42 and do not intend on making significant dietary changes, but with Kris’ guidance and some modest retooling of my diet, I’d like to see what can happen over the next 8-10 weeks.
Are you currently working out or trying to get into a routine?
My dirty post of the day: Henry Cavill
Henry Cavill gets dirty
Last week, I went to a Mexican restaurant called Toloache near Times Square on 50th between 8th Ave and Broadway. Toloache’s menu is divided into the following small plate categories: Guacamole $13; Ceviche $14-$15; Soups and Salads $9-11; Quesadillas $12-$15; and Tacos $10-$17. These plates are meant as appetizers but some like the Guacamole and Ceviche may be ordered as a sampler and this is best if with a group. Toloache’s main plates range from $18 – $32.
I first ordered the red sangria (depicted above). Unfortunately, Toloache does not serve this by the pitcher so beware how quickly the tab will add up. We started with the Guacamole sampler depicted below, and of the three, all of us liked the “Rojo” best. This is the one depicted with the queso fresco on top.
Trio de Guacomoles $24
After the Trio de Guacamoles were cleared we ordered a tasting of three different Ceviches. The chef included a special ceviche for us which was not on the menu and included fish from the special plate of the night. It is depicted below to the right. This turned out to be my favorite because of the inclusion of mango, but all three were tempting.
Tres Ceviches "El Acapulco Tasting" $27
For my main dish, the waiter talked me into the “Tumbada” which is described as Veracruz-style paella. The seasoning was perfect and the rice was delicious but the shrimp and fish in particular were over cooked and bit dry. If I were to go back again (based on the plates I saw being served) I would try the Camarones Tolache ($26) or Carnitas de Lechon ($26).
Tumbada - Veracruz style paella $27
The prices are in line with what one might expect from a NYC restaurant and the service was excellent, but in the US only NYC could pull off such prices for this sort of food. If making dinner reservations, I’d recommend requesting a table on the second floor overlooking the restaurant below or on a warm evening street-side tables for some al fresco dining. You can see the full menu as well as other locations in Manhattan by visiting, toloachenyc.com.
Each Monday I blog about profiles of men on Twitter who catch my eye and whom I think you may enjoy following. As always, suggestions for profiles to feature are welcome. If you’d like to follow me on twitter, you can find me @BosGuy. You can find me talking about these men on Twitter by searching the #MenOfTwitter.
Keeping with a recent trend of featuring couples I’d like to introduce you to the masterminds behind @theboysofraannt.
@theboysofraannt – This twitter handle is managed by a fun couple who live in Indiana and is mostly used to chat with celebrities and to inform followers of new posts on their blog so I thought I’d turn the tables on these guys by writing a bit about them. Alex Paredes (@alxprp) is Venezuelan but has lived most of his life in the US, and Peter Monn (@mrpemo) is born and raised in the Midwest. Together this handsome couple run and manage a popular celebrity website www.raannt.com.
Alex and Peter have been together nearly four years and were married in Las Vegas in August 2011… Aww guys, wish you’d come out to Provincetown to tie the knot! Consider checking out these guys and following them and their blog via Twitter. I’ve included some extra pictures of this entertaining and interesting couple just to show you they make for good eye candy as well.
Alex Paredes @alxprp
Peter Monn @mrpemo
Does your hometown have a LGBT newspaper? If so, do you read it either in print or online? Boston has a couple of publications and more than few blogs, but the grand dame of LGBT newsprint in Boston is Bay Windows.
I’ve listed a few LGBT publications in the US and the communities they service. My list is part of a much longer list which also includes newspapers serving cities around the world as well as life style magazines so if you do not see your home mentioned check out this more complete listing.
Travel Tip: These publications / websites can also serve as a great guide for what’s happening in these communities. They often provide advertisements for shows, nightlife and or restaurants you may want to check out while visiting.
Here are links to several US LGBT newspapers: Boston: Bay Windows Chicago: Grab Magazine Dallas: Dallas Voice Denver: Out Front Houston: Houston Progressive Voice New York City: Gay City News San Diego: San Diego Gay and Lesbian News San Francisco: Bay Area Reporter Seattle: Seattle Gay News Washington DC: Washington Blade
Source: BostonDrunks.com
After a busy St. Patrick’s Day, this hung over leprachaun was photographed heading home. Good to see he still has his pot of gold.
While its possible… it is highly unlikely that will happen today.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Everyone’s Irish today.
The Real Housewives of South Boston are back at it again with a St. Patrick’s Day video. To paraphrase Sharon from The Real Housewives of South Boston, “as per usual” the language and content is not safe for work (NSFW).
Today is Saint Patrick’s Day. A cultural and religious holiday commemorating Saint Patrick – the patron saint of Ireland. While I cannot speak for Ireland, it seems the holiday here in the U.S. shares more in common with Cinqo de Mayo and Fat Tuesday. Random holidays that are now used as excuses to meet up with friends to have a drink.
Unlike those other dates, cities around the world (Boston included) will host parades and festivities celebrating all things “Irish”. For me, St. Patrick’s Day is synonymous with “bar” and in particular “beer”. So get your green on, hang out with some friends and toast St. Patrick today.
This past January I included a post Strolling down the Delta SkyMall aisle. In it I included a few of the more absurd gift items which I thought might make for interesting gag gifts.
While waiting on the tarmac of lovely LaGuardia Airport today I thumbed through the latest issue of the Delta SkyMall and on page 79 I found this gem, which sells for a paltry $695. Perhaps iGrow’s technology works, but the image below looks absolutely ridiculous.
While there will be larger celebrations in other cities tomorrow for St. Patrick’s Day, the mood in Boston will have already changed to one of festivity on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day. Many will leave work early to enjoy a pint with a co-worker or friend. Alas, I cannot as I’m flying home from NYC and will not be back in Boston til later so I thought this sign appropriate and wanted to share it with all of you who are bound for an early toast to St. Patrick.
Each year The Boston Globe encourages readers to write a limerick in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Have you submitted a limerick yet? Get in touch with your inner naughty-poet and submit your own limerick to The Boston Globe here.
Here is a humorous submission from 2011, which was penned by Kari Pedersen from Medford, MA.
There once was a mayor from Boston
Who’d talk like his mouth’s full of cotton
He’d mumble and he’d fumble
And on occasion, take a tumble
But his laughable gaffes not forgotten
BosGuy 