Marketing triumph

Posted on June 18, 2009 | Leave a comment

Recently I wrote about how busy work has been and while it looks as if it will be a very busy summer, sometimes the work I do can be very gratifying. A good example of that is this morning’s release of my firm’s annual report.  This usually gets quite a bit of attention, but the timing of this report really could not have been better planned considering all the attention on this subject in Washington, D.C. Last week saw Senator Kennedy’s “Affordable Health Choices Act”, issued to members of Congress and this week President Obama indicated that it was precisely because of increasing costs that meaningful reform must happen now.

All day long one of the top news story on MSNBC has been our report. For a marketing guy like myself, this is pretty cool to see.  I know…I’m a markting-nerd; refrain from commenting.

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Boston Pride 2009

Posted on June 17, 2009 | 1 comment


Earlier in the week I posted some photographs from one of my favorite Boston Pride events, Pridelights. This past week has not been the best weather and so Pridelights was held in doors for the first time in my memory. However, it was still great fun.

On Friday, Rocca (the South End Italian restaurant on Harrison Ave.) had a party and opened their patio and bar to celebrate Pride. I’m not sure if it was an ‘official’ event, but I would guess that the 400 – 500 guys who showed up to enjoy cocktails, music and conversation on Rocca’s spectacular patio did not care. I left at nearly 2:00am and the place remained packed (sorry no photos to share).

But it was the block party that was really the place to be. I know some would say that Roxy on Saturday was better (and I am partial to the guest DJ The Roxy had) but I’d still take the block party over everything else. The photograph atop this entry is one of many I snapped that afternoon. I have no idea how many people came, but as you can see from the photograph, it draws a significant crowd.

Later that evening, the city was still thumping to a gay disco beat and every bar was packed to the point of overflowing, which led me and many others to wonder – why can’t this happen more often? I would love to suggest to the Boston Pride Committee to host a monthly block party similar to what they do for Pride in June, July and August. It would be wonderful to have that sense of community more than one week every year.

Below is a picture of Club Cafe around the midnight hour. The crowd was friendly and definitely enjoying themselves. I blame my time at Club Cafe for contributing to my groggy nature on Sunday.

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Coppa – new South End restaurant

Posted on June 15, 2009 | Leave a comment

Back in April I mentioned buzz about the fate of the space occupied by a restaurant that had recently closed in my entry, South End rumor new owners have bought space formerly known as Dish.

On Friday, June 12 – Boston Restaurant Talk – wrote that Chef Ken Oringer, probably best known for his signature BackBay restaurant, Clio, will open his 6th restaurant in the city and his 2nd in the South End in the space once occupied by The Dish. According to the Boston Restaurant Blog, the restaurant will be called Coppa and is expected to open in August. The restaurant will feature a wine bar and serve small dishes that feature locally grown ingredients.

The Dish was a casual and friendly restaurant with a patio that seated more than the restaurant could hold inside. I hope Ken can take this tiny footprint of a restaurant and turn it into a viable business that stays connected to the neighborhood. He’s shown he knows how to do this. After all his first restaurant in the South End, Toro, is only a bit larger than Coppa.

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Busy, busy, busy…

Posted on June 12, 2009 | 2 comments

Although I enjoy both my job and my co-workers, I’ve been buried with work since recovering from my bout of meningitis. This is partly due to the fact that I had to play a bit of catch-up after missing a week of work, but this is also driven by several projects I am managing, which require my constant attention.
Later this month we are coordinating a fascinating one-day event in Washington, D.C. that will bring together healthcare leaders from around the country to discuss how the industry can better leverage healthcare data to improve quality and patient care. Earlier this year, the Obama Administration made a significant investment to drive greater adoption of Electronic Health Records (EHRs). Many organizations already have adopted an electronic platform to capture and analyze their data but this initiative will (hopefully) significantly move those that have yet to implement such IT projects. This program in D.C. is truly visionary and one of the reasons I really like my work. Leveraging secondary health data is not likely to make anyone money anytime soon, but by thinking about this strategically today – steps can be taken for leading institutions to position themselves in the market.

I’m also fixated on two web-based projects that will dominate most of my summer. No doubt I’ll be obsessing about hitting deadlines and answering a multitude of questions from all the stakeholders this project will impact. I think I was asked to lead these web-based projects because of my previous experience spearheading similar (albeit smaller) projects, and because the rest of my team had little desire. These are both fairly high-profile so I’ll keep my fingers crossed. If everything goes according to plan both of these web projects will be completed in September.

I’ve never worked at a company that has so many large-scale projects occuring at the same time. It really can leave my head spinning at times, but for the most part it is something I genuinely enjoy. I’ve been more challenged in the past 18months (since joining the firm) than I have been in the previous seven or eight years of my career.

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Flashback Friday: Industry leaders

Posted on June 12, 2009 | Leave a comment

Considering all the news about firms entering bankruptcy, has given me pause to think of Boston based employers that once upon a time dominated this area, much the way firms like Fidelity Investments, Raytheon, Staples, and EMC do today. Growing up in the Boston area in the 1980s, everyone knew someone who worked at Polaroid, Digital or Wang.

Polaroid, although still technically around, is merely a shadow of itself and no longer associated with Boston the way it once was. Both Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) and Wang Laboratories have been gone for decades – and the collapses of both these giants was traumatic, leaving tens of thousands of people in the area unemployed.

The graveyard of Boston businesses of past is both long and filled with recognizable names. Bank of Boston and BayBank as well as Lotus all come to mind for me. Which firms that once were considered the darlings of Wall Street, employed tens of thousands and called Boston home do you recall?

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Posted on June 10, 2009 | 2 comments

Each year on the Tuesday before the Boston Pride Parade an event called Pridelights occurs. It has always been a personal favorite, but this year due to bad weather it had to move in doors to Club Cafe. I had low expectations going into the program, but now that I’ve returned with a bit of a buzz from my two gin and tonics all I can say that the AIDS Action Committee’s event was a total success and more fun than I had bargained for.

It is hard to say how many people came to the program but Club Cafe was overrun. Here are a few photos from the evening’s celebration.



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Lock’em up

Posted on June 6, 2009 | Leave a comment


Slate.com has an interesting article by Dahlia Lithwick that addresses the current US prison problem. In February 2008, I wrote about the fact that for the first time in U.S. history, more than 1 in every 100 American adults is in jail or prison in my entry, Tarnishing the American dream. The Slate.com article,”Cage Match: Guantanamo is the least of America’s prison problems”, points out that with 5% of the world’s population, the U.S. houses nearly 25% of the world’s prisoners.

Sen. James Webb, D-Va is currently trying to address meaningful prison reform, and I give this new Senator credit because while there are plenty of reasons this should be done it is unlikely he will earn the support of the American electorate. Probably the only time most people give any thought to our prison system is if / when the subject of housing them in or near their communities is discussed. However, with an incarceration rate nearly 5 times the world average, and local, state, and federal spending on corrections reaching nearly $70 billion per year, something clearly has to be done.

I’ll end with a quote from Senator Webb in the Slate.com article because I think its brevity and point is difficult to dispute,””Either we’re the most evil people on earth, or we’re doing something wrong.” For the record, I don’t think the U.S. is even remotely evil so clearly we must be doing something wrong. We have both moral and financial incentives to think this through more carefully. I hope Sen. Webb can pursuade the U.S. Congress to consider the National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009.

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Flashback Friday: Boston’s Gay Nightlife

Posted on June 5, 2009 | 6 comments

Boston’s gay nightlife has certainly had its share of changes and with the advent of sites like Manhunt you will often hear older gay men bemoan the loss of many gay bars in the city. I concur that Boston’s nightlife can often leave a lot to be desired, but a new chapter is being written here in Boston and most likely in other cities around the country as being gay becomes less a stigma and accepted by the mainstream.

Every other Friday night, ROCCA (a popular South End restaurant with one of the nicest patios in the neighborhood) hosts gay parties. For those who like to get their dance on – the bar Roxy goes gay every Saturday. Additionally, it is hard to step into most bars in the South End and BackBay without seeing several other gay and lesbian groups enjoying cocktails. It is true that the subterfuge is gone and certainly many bars have closed their doors, but the GLBT nightlife in Boston is not dead – far from it. It has just changed to keep up with the times.

The photograph to the left is an old adverstisement that I believe dates back to the 1950s or 1960s 1980s. I’m not sure if Herbie’s Ramrod is somehow related to the present day, Ramrod (in the photo on the right). However, the Tom of Finland-like images seem eerily familiar to Boston’s current bar’s image.

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Boston’s AIDS Walk this Sunday

Posted on June 4, 2009 | Leave a comment

Take a moment and watch this kitschy clip from the AIDS Action Committee Development team. The AIDS Walk is this Sunday, June 7th. Won’t you consider to be a part of this day? Participating increases the number of walkers which in turn raises awareness.

The Walk is the AAC’s largest single fundraiser and in addition to providing headlines it also serves to remind us that there still is no cure for HIV. The money raised from the AIDS walk is considered ‘unrestricted’ which is exceptionally important to social service organization like the AAC, because often they have to do work that is not easy to get funding for and can only be funded through unrestricted dollars.


If you don’t have plans this Sunday, come down to the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade. Join me and 15,000 others – just by showing up you are making a statement and more importantly you are helping to make a difference. Write a check to the AIDS Action Committee (any amount is welcome), put on your sneakers and come down. It is an easy and fun walk that starts at 10:00am.

I’ll be walking with Sergio. You can also send him a donation by linking here.

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Granite State says "I do" to Gay Marriage

Posted on June 3, 2009 | Leave a comment

New Hampshire has become the sixth state to legalize same sex marriage and now leaves lonely Rhode Island as the only state in New England where same sex marriage is not legal. Earlier this afternoon the modified bill passed both the State Senate and House and is expected to be signed by Governor Lynch later today. You can read more in today’s Boston Globe, online at Boston.com.

Sorry for the cheesy graphic but I’m completely inept at graphic design.

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Diamond and Ferguson to join the Pops on the 4th

Posted on June 1, 2009 | Leave a comment

The Boston Globe has posted on Boston.com that Neil Diamond will be accompanying Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pop’s at this year’s free 4th of July concert on the Esplanade.

According to The Boston Globe, the Liberty Mutual press release also said,”The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, which draws approximately 500,000 concert goers annually, will be hosted again by Craig Ferguson of CBS’s ‘The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.”

I can already hear the crowd singing along to Diamond’s hit, “Sweet Caroline” and everyone laughing to Ferguson’s off-beat and witty remarks.

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Sunday, May 31st

Posted on June 1, 2009 | Leave a comment

Although I was still convalescing and did not step outside yesterday, I could see that the weather was absolutely beautiful. However, early in the evening there was a brief shower and after the rain subsided the sun broke through the clouds again. Looking out my window, I could clearly see a large rainbow just off the horizon. I wish this picture could do the rainbow justice but it seems to lack the ethereal glow and brilliance of color that was present. The rainbow lasted for nearly a half hour and was a beautiful cap to what appeared to be a gorgeous day.

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Thank goodness for Percoset

Posted on May 31, 2009 | 5 comments

I’ve been away from my blog for a little more than a week, because over the Memorial Day Weekend I was diagnosed with viral meningitis.

I was fortunate to be able to recognize my symptoms and get to the hospital fairly quickly, because approximately nine years ago I contracted viral meningitis and at the time, I just assumed that I had a migraine. I’m one of the lucky few who do not get headaches so I had no ability to differentiate between a migraine and meningitis. Because it took me a few days before seeking medical attention, my body was significantly weaker and my recovery was far slower.

What is Meningitis?
Meningitis is a relatively rare infection that affects the delicate membranes called meninges (men-in’-jeez). These membranes cover the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis used to occur most commonly in infants, but because a vaccine is now given to infants, this infection now occurs mainly in adults. Many forms of meningitis can be contagious among people in close contact.

Viral meningitis is more common than the bacterial form and generally but not always less serious. It can be triggered by a number of viruses, including several that can cause diarrhea. However, people with viral meningitis are much less likely to have permanent brain damage after the infection resolves.

Outbreaks of meningitis, particularly the bacterial form, are rare in the U.S. However, since the early 1990s outbreaks have been increasing for reasons not yet understood. Viral meningitis tends to be less severe, and most people recover completely. Fungal meningitis is the most rare form and generally occurs only in people with weak immune systems, such as people with AIDS.

Fortunately, I am finally on the mend – although I still tire very quickly and need to remain quiet. Today’s blog entry was sort of a test to see if looking at a computer monitor and ‘exercising’ my brain by engaging in writing would lead to a headache or nausea. I’m glad to write that I still feel good (perhaps that is due to the Percoset, but I’d like to think this proves I’m definitely on the mend).

Acknowledgements:
Much of the above information (and medical image) was found on Health Plan of NY. Thanks also to Seres Vivos website for the dog photo.

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Bonjour Roland Garros

Posted on May 23, 2009 | Leave a comment

Sunday, May 24th, the 2009 French Open begins. Four time champion, Rafael Nadal, is the obvious favorite, but in men’s tennis there are no guarantees. Feisty Muscovite, Dinara Safina, is the top ranked female, but a revolving list of top ranked women players makes it tough to predict who will be victorious when the tournament concludes.

Early round tennis play will be broadcast on ESPN 2. A complete list of the 2009 French Open broadcast schedule can be found on the website, OnTheBaseLine.com by linking here.

The men’s singles draw can be viewed here.
The women’s singles draw can be viewed here.

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Off to the Ramrod Performing Arts Centre

Posted on May 23, 2009 | Leave a comment

I am off to see Ryan Landry’s latest spoof Willie Wanker and the Hershey Highway. I expect a lot of bawdy humor, plenty of camp and witty social commentary.

Boston Globe’s writer, Louise Kennedy said of the Gold Dust Orphans’ latest musical, “…wraps unprintable naughtiness around a surprisingly sweet center.” Sounds perfect to me.

UPDATE
Just returned from seeing Willie Wanker and the Hershey Highway and found it thoroughly enjoyable. The show is a musical and one with some talented vocalists. All told it was worth the time and money and I would suggest catching the show which now heads off to Provincetown for the summer.

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