Today I read on EdgeBoston that New England-native, Jennifer Coolidge will be appearing at the Wilbur tomorrow night. I’m so bummed I’ll miss her performance. Every time I watch this woman, she has me clutching my sides because I’m laughing so hard. Maybe I’ll be able to see her next time she performs in Boston. 
Friday, February 5th is the first Friday of the month which means the South End’s many artist galleries at 450 Harrison Avenue will be open to the public. Parking is plentiful and you can spend a couple of hours looking through some very unique galleries. If you get thirsty after all that walking there are several lounges and restaurants just steps away (sorry those are not free).
On Saturday and Sunday right next to 450 Harrison Avenue on Thayer Street, sixty designers, artists and artisans are attending the 1st Annual Cabin Fever Indie Gift Show. According to the website, cabinfevershow.com, you can choose from all sorts of gift items. The show is put on by the people who run the South End’s SoWa Open market. I’m thinking of stopping by – they have asked that everyone pay $2 admission – which is nearly free (esp. when you consider parking is free). If you happen to be unfamiliar with the South End check out their website which provides directions.
Late last week, two days after his first State of the Union speech, President Obama met with Republican members of the House of Representatives to talk about their differences. It is quite interesting to watch. I don’t recall a recent administration doing something similar, but perhaps they did and I just missed it. Regardless, I thought this worth sharing for anyone who is also at their heart a political junkie.
http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=9134008&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1
President Obama Takes Questions at GOP House Issues Conference from White House on Vimeo.
Tagged BosGuy, Boston Guy, Politics
Life is what we make it or so the saying goes, but what happens when we give up on our aspirations and chalk them off as ‘unrealistic’? Its human nature to want more and question ourselves, but there is a big difference between happiness and something close to happiness. I’m writing this, because today I was catching up with a friend who no longer lives in Boston but was visting. As long as I’ve known this individual they have never been aware of how truly special they are; perhaps it was that characteristic which initially gave me pause long enough for a friendship to formulate because we met in the most unorthodox of ways.
While catching up, my friend said something to the effect of, “I don’t think you can have it all and I’m okay with that.” By having it “all” I believe they meant being in love with someone who returned that feeling. This friend has been dating someone who sounds very nice and considerate but who was not necesarily more intimate than a close friend. When pressed if my friend missed that initimacy the reaction was something akin to “its been so long since I’ve had that, and I’m content now – I think that would just complicate my life.”
Oy – am I missing something? I’ve questioned myself plenty. I’ve wondered out loud (sometimes wistfully) what my life would be like with someone else, but I’ve never been resigned to my life with my partner. This friend I speak about is incredibly intelligent and equally thoughtful. They have had more than their share of knocks, and I wonder if that is why they believe this is as much as they can hope for in a partner.
What does a good friend do in this situation?
I would sooner cut myself open than hurt this person, and I would never want them to break up and a few months down the road wish they had stayed together because they were alone and lonely. Where are my single and unmarried friends? What would you have said? What would you do?
One month ago I wrote my blog entry, My 2010 resolutions. While I think there is room for improvement, focusing on positive behaviors to incorporate into my daily routine has been easier than those resolutions that focus on eliminating bad behaviors. At the end of December, I indicated that I was going to make a concerted effort to:
Smile at strangers and say “hello” or “good morning”. I’ve been fairly successful with this resolution. I’m a one-man PR machine – debunking the myth that Bostonian are surly and unfriendly. However, when the wind is howling and it is way below zero, I’m far less inclined to smile at anyone let alone say “hello” or “good morning”.
Mind my manners. I give myself thumbs up, and this has been easy to do. I’ve noticed many appreciative smiles; esp. with opening doors. Certainly there have been those who have ignored the gesture or not noticed the “please” and “thank you”, but I’m still going to smile and say please – even if I’m the only one who notices.
Value my personal relationships. This past month work has been very busy, and it is this third resolution that has challenged me the most, but I’m giving this my best effort. I have spent time with friends and chatted with new acquaintences, but I promise to make more of an effort with this resolution moving forward.
Additional personal goals included focussing on my health by working out and being more selective about what and when I eat (I’m a late night snacker). With these goals I have mixed feelings about my success. Even in just the past four weeks since the start of 2010, I’ve had good and bad weeks. I’m not sure if making resolutions is still en vogue, but I’m curious if anyone else has been struggling with their resolutions or if 4-weeks later they are all but forgotten?
Tagged BosGuy, Boston Guy, Fitness, Health
This post is for all the optimists in the world. Take a listen and pass it along.
According to an article in today’s WSJ the gay marriage ban is costing San Francisco $37.2 million a year and the state $490 million over three years. These statistics are based on estimates of lost revenue and taxes the state would have received from same-sex marriages during that time.This seems like a drop in the bucket for a state facing a $20 billion budget gap, but it is yet again another interesting argument against prop 8 and one that has financial implications – probably disproportionately for Northern CA and the SF bay area.
I concur with Dr. Levy of the Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy who says in the article that the greatest potential cost could be to the state’s reputation as a haven for all people. “If we do something that makes them feel unwelcome compared to other places they might live, we’ll lose talent.” To that I’d like to say, “Yes” and “Welcome to MA” where same-sex marriage has been legal for years.
Tagged BosGuy, Boston Guy, Gay, Politics
Time together is precious to me
Because away and apart is hard to be
I do amire and truly love thee
Simply because you are precious to me
Tagged BosGuy, Boston Guy, Poetry
On Christmas day my partner surprised me with news that he had purchased airline tickets to take me to Paris for my birthday this spring. Since then, I’ve been perusing websites and looking into possible hotels to book our stay. Initially, I wanted to return to Le Marais, but I was unsuccessful in finding a property that I wanted to spend my birthday so I started looking into other neighborhoods.
Earlier today a friend suggested the Hotel Prince De Galles. He had stayed there a few years ago and was very complimentary. When I visited the site, I found a special – stay two nights get the third free. Have I mentioned that I love it when I feel like I’m getting a deal? Armed with the knowledge that friends really enjoyed the property and the opportunity to stay in Paris for three nights but only having to pay for two nights proved to be all the incentive I needed.
After I booked the hotel, I stumbled across the blog, The Best Luxury Hotels in the World. Check out the link to the blog for some more photographs of the hotel.
I have a slight problem at home. My Dell PC has been having all sorts of issues, and I’ve reconciled myself to the fact that I need to upgrade my home computer when I get my tax return. While I’m not excited about dropping a wad of cash to buy a new computer, I know I’ll be very happy once everything is in place.
With the exception of my time at college, I’ve always used a Personal Computer (PC). On a few occasions, I’ve had to use a Mac and truthfully, I’ve found them difficult to use – mostly because what comes naturally to me after years of working on a PC does not always translate with Apple computers.
However, I’m now seriously considering switching teams and jumping on the Mac-bandwagon. Frustrations with computer viruses and several other annoyances have really started to tip the scales.As a marketing guy, I can appreciate the dogmatic loyalty that Apple users have for the Mac and I have been impressed by the way the company has consistently brought consumer-savvy products to market that seem to be both easy to use and even easier to integrate into their computers.
However, as enamored as I am with Apple’s product line, I still have worries about PC applications converting easily since I use my home computer as a back-up to help me do editing and other work during the week. I am also unimpressed by the cost of the Mac. However, I’ve decided to remain open minded until I make a visit to the Apple Store on Boylston Street to see what they have to offer (and what it will cost me).
Tagged BosGuy, Boston Guy
For more than a year people have been talking about the constricting economy and mounting job losses. I have sympathy for people who find themselves suddenly out of work, because this happened to me back in August 2001. It is easy to lose your confidence and grow despondent, but adverstiy does not have to equal failure. As with all challenges there are opportunities – maybe they are not apparent and require us to “get creative”, but they are out there.
I recently heard about the movie, Lemonade, and thought this was worth sharing. I’ve included the movie trailer. There is also a blog that I believe is written by the director of the film called Please Feed The Animals, which is worth checking out. Lawson Clarke is the name of the gentleman atop this entry. After he was laid off he started his own copywriting business. He had an interesting quote on the blog mentioned above which I thought I’d share for those who may be looking for work and feeling a bit lost.
Check out Pete Bouchard’s weather forecast. Pete is the meterologist on Boston’s NBC local news program. I love how his eyes dart to the side after he says deviously, “almost as big as me”.
Massachusetts is holding a special election today to fill the two years remaining in Sen Kennedy’s US Senate seat. Anyone who follows my blog or knows me will be able to surmise who I voted for, but rather than dwelling on a candidate of choice, I’d like to suggest that if you are a MA resident to go and vote. Regardless of outcome or impact in D.C., it is the one act of civil service anyone over the age of 18 can exercise.
I voted around 10:30 this morning and inquired from the poll workers if the snow had impacted voter turn out. I was told emphatically that turn out (at least in Ward 7 – Boston) has been quite high. If you have not voted – stop what you are doing and vote today before the polls close.
20-JAN UPDATE
Unless you live under a rock, chances are you have heard that the Republican Scott Brown has won the open seat in the US Senate to fill the remaining two years of Sen. Kennedy’s seat. This represents the first time that a Republican has been a US Senator from my state since 1972. Brown was not my candidate of choice, but I do wish him well and the best of luck. I hope he is as moderate as he portrayed himself when running for office.
Tagged BosGuy, Boston Guy, Politics
Do you happen to use twitter? You can follow me at twitter.com/BosGuy
Tagged BosGuy, Boston Guy
The heated debate over health reform has not ended but some of the “heat” from the debate has subsided. Whether this is because people are exhausted or disgusted is not clear to me, but lately I’ve been thinking about why I favor reforming our system. I’m not a fan of the legislation in Congress right now, but I’m not interested in criticizing it. If you have an opinion on drug re-importation, malpractice, insurance reform, pay-for-performance or anything else hit me up – I have an opinion I’m happy to share.
What I would prefer to talk about is making our system more nimble and innovative. I would like our system to provide incentives for people to check-in regularly depending on their age and health status. Checking-in doesn’t necessarily mean seeing a doctor – it could be meeting with a nutritionist, talking to a trainer or seeing a therapist. I realize that this brings to mind a whole host of practical questions related to co$t but as we grow older and more people are living with chronic diseases (i.e. diabetes, heart disease, etc…) This is the type of care that can actually help people.
I’ve always found it curious that I am encouraged to see my dentist every six months, but my doctor only once a year. Certainly my body is more complex than my teeth. How could a mid-year check-up with a nurse or clinician to review my prescriptions, blood pressure, cholesterol, etc not be beneficial? For the past year the debate about healthcare reform has been shaped by competing interests. Reform has become a dirty word for some and the Holy Grail for others, but for me it is about re-thinking how we provide care, what constitutes “care” and how to make care accessible to everyone.
Tagged BosGuy, Boston Guy, Health, Politics
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