Gay fiction

Posted on March 13, 2010 | Leave a comment

I just finished reading two gay-themed stories which I really enjoyed, and for those few of us out there who like reading gay literature sometimes the options can be quite slim so I wanted to give an online ‘shout-out’.   The first is a touching story about two men who grow up in Melbourne, Australia in the mid-70s and their life together.  It is well written and very touching; normally I shy away from stories that take place during the AIDS epidemic – I just find it too sad, but this really touched my heart.  Title: Holding the Man by Timothy Conigrave, 286 pages, Published by Penguin Books, ISBN: 978-0-14-320282.

The second book takes place a decade later (1983 to be exact) in New Jersey and is about a high school senior’s plans to attend Julliard to become a famous actor.  The story is entertaining to say the least and the author’s wit and humor had me unexpectedly laughing out loud at times.  Title: How I Paid for College: A tale of sex, theft, friendship and musical theatre by Marc Acito, 276 pages, ISBN: 978-1-4088-0221-2.

I’ve read many gay-themed books (fiction and non-fiction), but if you would like to comment on a book of particular interest or a favorite please share with me as I’m always looking for another book and appreciate personal recommendations.

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Posted in What'cha Reading

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Leaving on a jet plane

Posted on March 13, 2010 | 1 comment

Sergio is heading home to Brazil for a couple of weeks to be with his family (his Dad turns 80), and his departure will definitely make our apartment feel empty.  Since Sergio was laid off in August, I’ve become accustomed to having him here during the day while I work, and I enjoy being able to spend time (not just quality time – whatever that means) together.

I know that the next two weeks will pass quickly and he will be home before I realize it.  I hope with his arrival home more temperate weather will be here.  Last weekend and the first half of this week was in the low and mid 50s in Boston, but that is all a distant memory with colder temperatures and rainy weather dominatinng this weekend’s forecast. By contrast the weather in Brazil looks to be in the low 80s by day and low 70s by night for the next week.  Am I jealous? Perhaps a bit.

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Need some ideas for your next date?

Posted on March 12, 2010 | Leave a comment
The Boston Globe has interviewed local celebrities asking how they would spend an evening in Boston. Some of the ideas are pretty interesting and I might check out.  After living in Boston for a number of years you start to take for granted the options available on any given night.  While Boston might not have as much to offer as some larger cities, there is still plenty to do.

Running out of ideas for your Friday night or are you stumped by an upcoming date and you want to make it special?  Check out these suggestions by local celebrities.

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Nomar to retire as a Red Sox player today

Posted on March 10, 2010 | Leave a comment

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Posted on March 10, 2010 | Leave a comment
Photos from last night’s Taste of the South End.
Take a peek – there is no weight gain if you only look.

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow:

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Saudade Brazil

Posted on March 9, 2010 | 1 comment
I would love to be on Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro today.
If you could be anywhere, where would you spend your day?

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Taste of the South End – buy your tickets

Posted on March 8, 2010 | Leave a comment
The Taste of the South End is TUESDAY! Get your tickets online so you too can enjoy the more than 40+ restaurants who will be participating this year.  The thing I love about this tasting is that it is so social and because it is not massive you can sample all sorts of great foods without wading 8-10 people deep at each food station. Be sure to purchase your tickets online – HERE.

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Has Spring Sprung in Boston?

Posted on March 8, 2010 | Leave a comment

Spring in Boston (if it ever arrives) is fleeting at best each year and generally long overdue so it is with a bit of trepidation that I write that Spring has arrived.  However, this past weekend which had temperatures in the mid-50s and was filled with sun really put Spring front and center in my mind.  I spent Saturday afternoon sipping bloody mary’s with a few friends at the Tremont 647 bar looking out on to Tremont Street, and could not help but notice all the people out enjoying the weather. 

More over, this was not the first weekend in Boston which saw the mercury rise above the 50 degree mark.  Boston still does not have any trees in bloom (the photo is wishful thinking on my part) and we are likely to encounter more winter weather before long, but as the length of days continues to progress it seems like we might be able to say goodbye to Winter and greet Spring with open arms.

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Can you relate?

Posted on March 5, 2010 | 3 comments
Its sort of ironic that my “paperless office” is filled with dozens of sticky notes that are filled with hand written tasks that need immediate attention; reminders I can’t afford to forget; and countless activities that have imminent deliverables.  I work hard so I often have to remind myself that this is just a job.  Unlike a neurosurgeon or a manager of a nuclear power plant – if I have a bad day nobody dies and life continues.  
I’ve found it is easy to get sucked into this job, working late into the evenings and through most of my weekends.  However, I only have myself to blame when that becomes a lifestyle vs. a once in awhile occurance meant to get me through a tight deadline. Do you know how to disengage?  When you look at this picture do you see a stock image photograph or is it your face you see? 

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Posted in Work

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Urban limericks

Posted on March 5, 2010 | Leave a comment

In a nod to St. Patrick’s day which is fast approaching, The Boston Globe is soliciting new poems for their annual “urban limerick” contest.  Interested? Submit your poem here.

I’ve included one of my favorites from last year.

A drink for every occasion
A young colleen from West Roxbury,
On ale was loving and merry,
She dallied with sin,
On vodka and gin,
But was rigid and frigid on sherry.

By: saigon (Laurie Swope)
 
You can read other popular limerick submissions from 2009 by visiting here.

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Boston’s Paramount Theatre opens Saturday

Posted on March 3, 2010 | 1 comment
The Paramount Theatre which first opened in 1932 as a movie house will re-open this Saturday according to an article in today’s Boston Globe “Paramount Theatre regains its grandeur”. 
According to the article, the renovation which has been years in the making, has a 7,000-bulb marquee that will light up Washington Street, and a new LED wall next door is being programmed as a video art installation.
The Boston Globe includes a pretty cool 1:00 minute video showcasing the LED Wall which is worth watching.
http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/16977198001?isVid=1&publisherID=245991542
It is hard to imagine that this nearly 600-seat theater and just two doors down the beautiful Opera House have been so meticulously restored in what was once Boston’s red-light district known to locals as The Combat Zone.

Photo by Josh Reynolds for The Boston Globe

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Posted in Video

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OUT at work

Posted on March 3, 2010 | 5 comments
Last Thursday I had an all-day meeting in our Boston office. I assumed I would end up walking out with a long list of action items. What I did not anticipate was that I would end up joining my firm’s GLBT affinity group.
Although I’m 100% out at work I never contemplated joining the firm’s affinity group.  I was a bit surprised by the request when it was made mostly because of the source and felt compelled to say yes, but now that I’ve given it some thought I think it might be both interesting and help me meet more co-workers here in Boston. 
Does your employer have a GLBT affinity group and if so do you belong to it?  If so,do you like it, or are the members reminiscent of those kids who would file off to band camp each summer? 

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Twitteleh (Twitter for your Jewish mother)

Posted on February 28, 2010 | 3 comments

Continuing with my ethnic humor, I’ve included the video above thanks to my friend “Twitch” for tweeting about this and bringing it to my attention.  Twitteleh is Twitter for your Jewish mother.  However, I think this could apply for nearly everyone’s mother.  No offense Mom – I love talking to you and you never seem to obsess about whether I’m wearing a sweater (or not).

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Posted in People say the funniest things, Video

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pHarmony: Mike & Afrouz

Posted on February 26, 2010 | 2 comments


While I don’t know Mike & Afrouz personally, I do have a friend attending their wedding.  Check out this very funny wedding save the date for their big day later this year.  I love the way they poke fun at Persian stereotypes as well as those annoying dating commercials which seem to be everywhere these days. Enjoy and please share with your friends.

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Posted in People say the funniest things, Video

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Human Statue of Liberty

Posted on February 24, 2010 | 2 comments

This photo was taken in 1918 and included more than 18,000 soldiers from Camp Dodge.  The photograph is entitled “The Human Statue of Liberty”.  Thanks to my Mom for passing the photograph along. It is really pretty amazing to think about all the work that went into creating such a photograph.

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