Here I am blatantly pandering to entice visitors. However, even as I’m posting this, I realize I’m piss poor by comparison to others, but now that I have your attention, feel free to browse my other posts.
Tagged BosGuy, Boston Guy, Gay
Erbaluce is located in the building that formerly was home to Dedo in Boston’s Bay Village neighborhood. Dinner for two with appetizers, main dishes and dessert not including drinks or tip will run approximately $100.
The restaurant’s menu cannot be found online because it changes daily, but its unmistakably Italian, including several pastas and main course dinner plates each night. The kitchen takes traditional Italian fare and turns it on its head by including ingredients not often pared but are delicious all the same.
Food and service at this restaurant was flawless. The wait staff was very knowledgeable and helpful with food and wine selection, plates were only taken once everyone was finished and requests were all managed with ease. However, despite the interesting menu, delicious food, and good service, I’m not certain I will rush back to this restaurant. Detracting from the dining experience was the poor condition and layout of the dining room. The building is in a serious need of a facelift; the carpeting is worn and stained, the room was chilled every time the front door opened and we were provided a point-blank view of the hectic and unattractive kitchen which is essentially open to view in the main dining area. These physical detractions in the end ultimately impact one’s dining experience because they serve both to disappoint and distract.
There are an abundance of Italian restaurants in Boston that provide interesting menus and solid service in the same price range. I’d love to come back to Erbaluce if the building is remodeled and cleaned up a bit because menu options are certainly intriguing and absolutely worth trying.
First Plate: Speck with native apples, seasame and mint $14
Fettucini with roasted beats, sage and smoked prosciutto $22
Erbaluce 69 Church Street Boston, MA (617)426 6969
Reservations are strongly recommended
Tagged BosGuy, Boston, Boston Guy, Dining, Restaurant Review
Despite my best intentions to start running again on Saturday 12/11, I deferred for some fun in BackBay to watch and mingle with all the runners in the annual Boston Santa Speedo Run. If you missed it and are curious, you can watch my video here.
The week started very promising with three separate gym visits by Wednesday, but that’s where my focus and discipline left me. My plans are to compensate by getting myself to the gym over the weekend.
Wednesday – December 15th I really did not want to go to the gym today. Boston is absolutely freezing with temps hovering in the high teens. However, if I did not go, I’d have to explain why to my trainer, Stu, so I packed my gym bag and went to the gym grumbling. Today’s workout was all about shoulders and triceps (two muscles I normally loathe to exercise because they tire so quickly). However, today’s workout was killer – Stu had his “A” game getting me to do heavier weights and shortening breaks between reps. I was still a bit tender in the biceps and lower back from Monday’s routine so God only knows what I should expect tomorrow. One thing is for certain – I’ll sleep like a baby tonight.
Monday – December 13th Today I had my “date” with my trainer and we focused on back and biceps. We spent about 2/3rds of the workout on back and the final bit on my arms. He had me doing all sorts of whack routines so it’s hard to document the routines but I did do 80lb single arm rows. The bicep portion of the workout was a bit more frustrating – granted I was tired by the time we went to do preacher curls (as Stu calls ’em) but I was not pleased with how I struggled curling 30 and 35lb weights. I guess it gives me something to work on next time. 
Sunday – December 12th With the exception of my abbreviated workout with my trainer on Friday, I had not lifted a finger since my run on Monday, December 6th. I started with abdominal exercises but after about 15 minutes, my lower abs were screaming so I opted to start my cardio. I’m noting the issue here so I continue to do more abdominal work – I’ve a fairly strong core and I don’t want to lose that. Today’s run was no less ugly than the previous two in P.R., but despite gasping for air with my heart pounding 180+ beats per minute (according to the treadmill), I finished my 3 mile run in 0:31:00 – slightly faster than my previous run. I’m closing in on my goal.
Tagged BosGuy, Boston Guy, Fitness
In just a few days I’ll be taking an extended break from work. I plan on visiting my local library or possibly Calamus Bookstore in Boston’s Leather District to nab a few gay themed novels, and I’m curious if you have any to suggest.
To be fair, I’ll list a few novels that I’ve enjoyed to both give you an idea of what I like and to share in case you too are looking for something to read.
Heyday by Michael Butler – takes place during prohibition in NYC and is fraught with funny scenerios
Call me by your name by Andre Aciman – is about a teenager’s first love and is beautifully written
How I paid for college by Marc Acito – an hilarious story that tracks the adventures of a NJ H.S. senior
Where the boys are by William Mann – Actually I’ve enjoyed all his books
My blue heaven by Joe Keenan – I’ve enjoyed this funny series as well
The books listed above are not the only gay fiction I’ve read, but it is meant to serve as a sort of guide or insight into the books I’ve enjoyed. I also like and have read a number of books from local authors including Johnny Diaz, Michael Thomas Ford, and J.G. Hayes to mention a few. I should say that my interest in authors extends beyond my hometown’s city limits so please share your suggestions. I’m quite open and looking forward to hearing from you.
Massachusetts is a very progressive (in my opinion the most progressive) state in the country. There are many examples of this (gay marriage anyone?) However, when The Boston Globe reported earlier this week that Mass. has the fewest uninsured children in the nation, I felt the need to brag.
How a society treats and cares for the most vulnerable in their community says a great deal about them. In recent months / years there has been a lot of discussion about what “we” as a nation can afford as it pertains to healthcare. My opinion is outside of mainstream – I view access to affordable and quality healthcare as an “unalienable right” inextricably tied to the Declaration of Independence promise of the “Pursuit of Happiness.”
Nearly 10% of children in the US are uninsured. By contrast 1.7% of children in Mass. are uninsured. Many who are critical of universal care will point to failings in my state’s program, but I say kudos to Mass. for recognizing this as an important issue and trying their best. All residents, but especially our children, the elderly and sick – deserve to have access to quality care.
Tagged BosGuy, Boston Guy, Health, Politics
Okay, I stumbled upon another very funny picture that I wanted to share. I first heard about this on the Philip DeFranco Show on YouTube yesterday evening. After a quick search online I found this image courtesy of BoingBoing.
I can imagine all sorts of prudish tourists in Paris lining up in the blistering cold to get atop the Eiffel Tower only to have the view of this massive penis.
Earlier tonight I had dinner with my brother and two friends we bumped into at Geoffrey’s. During the course of dinner one of the ladies asked earnestly, “Is it true that men think about sex every 15 seconds?”
I’m not sure where this statistic comes from (it sounds like something Freud would have coined), but I’m not unfamiliar with it. However, after giving the question thought for a moment I realized I spend as much of my time as possible not thinking. I am a veritable tabula rasa (no religious overtones intended rather I defer to the literal meaning of a blank slate).
At times I obsess about work, often I fixate on food and I do worry about those I care about, but truthfully, thinking of nothing is my preferred and default state of mind. I’m pretty sure I am not the only person who feels this way, although it was clear neither of the two women at dinner seem to have any ‘down time’ with regards to thinking.
What do you spend most of your time thinking about these days?
Hello All – I’m taking a moment to brag about my Santa Speedo Run video which has been picked up by a number of different blogs lately. Dave over at WGB really got the ball rolling for me by posting my video and linking back to my little corner of the internet – thanks Dave.
Earlier today, I found out that Instinct Magazine picked up WGBs pictures and my video, which you can see here.
DanNation also picked up my clip and added a witty headline, which you can see here.
And this evening I came home from the gym to read that the Towleroad has posted my video.
I’m so happy everyone enjoyed it as much as I did and thanks to the handsome guy in his plaid underwear and all the others who offered to pose.
The second annual Toys for Joys (T4J) party was tonight in Southie at the Artist for Humanity building. The party was every bit as fun as last year and a bit better run with more bartenders serving very strong drinks and plenty of food although much of it was overlooked as the men (the crowd is 90% gay) fixated on cocktails.
I was listening to Pandora today and Ain’t Nobody started to play. I’m not sure I’ve heard this song in a long time, but there are few women who’s voices I love as much as Chaka Khan. What singers / bands from the past still evoke strong emotion when you hear them?
In addition to the pictures I’ve included below, here is my debut as movie editor, piecing together video clips from all the fun earlier today.
Watch the 2-minute 2010 Santa Speedo Run VideoThe Boston Santa Speedo Run started in Boston in 2000 and quickly became a Christmas tradition that is now copied in a handful of cities through out North America to raise money for charity.
Each year I go down to Boston’s BackBay neighborhood to watch, laugh and mingle with the crowd of spectators which rivals (if not dwarfs those running). The celebration commences and concludes at Lir on Boylston Street – located across from the Hynes and near the Prudential Mall entrance. 
Runners line up outside the bar and run a brisk 1 mile up parts of Boylston and Newbury Street much to the delight and surprise of visitors doing holiday shopping. Below I’ve included some pictures from this year’s race. Click on any of the photos to enlarge.
Its been awhile since I’ve posted something from YouTube sensation, Sam Tsui, and a quick visit to YT shows a whole batch of new covers he’s taped. As usual, he adds his own flair, interpreting pop songs in his own unique way. Enjoy Sam’s take on Sara Bareilles song, King of Anything.
Other videos from Sam that I’ve posted in the past include:
Michael Jackson Medley
Don’t Stop Believing
Lady Gaga Medley
I lost all my momentum and gym mojo from the previous week, but while away in Puerto Rico I did manage to get to the hotel gym for two runs. Coming back to the deep chill that greeted me here in Boston this week (combined with an onslaught of work) provided two excuses rock-solid enough to prevent me from getting to the gym with the exception of my date today with my trainer.
How are you doing with your personal fitness? Are you making time for yourself by going to the gym?
Sunday – December 5th I ran today for the first time since last Tuesday. The past few days have been spent travelling and overindulging to say the least so today’s run was not pretty. In fits and gasps I was able to run 3 miles in 0:32:30 *yuck*
Monday – December 6th Today (my 2nd consecutive day of running on vacation) I managed a slightly faster time despite the run remaining equally ugly. I finished the 3 mile run in 0:31:15. I’m still dripping with sweat while I write this and am anxious to get off to return to my poolside chaise and start sipping another of those frozen rum drinks which seem to go down oh so easily.
Friday – December 10th Today I had a somewhat abbreviated workout with my trainer, Stu. Abbreviated because I had to get back to work and was training during the day. However, we focussed on my chest and was able to squeeze in a few reps for my triceps as well. I’m fairly certain I’ll feel sore tomorrow as I benched a new personal high of 215 pounds.
Tagged BosGuy, Boston Guy, Fitness
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