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Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening
Lake Winnipesaukee – New Hampshire
It has become a tradition that each winter I post this poem by Robert Frost. The poem was written nearly 100 years ago in 1922 and published a year later in his Pulitzer-Prize winning “New Hampshire” volume of poetry.
As with past years, I’m including a photo taken of me while walking back to my parent’s house at Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire during a snow storm. You’ll note the street hadn’t even been plowed and it felt like we were the only ones around. The photo (much like Frost’s poem) remains a favorite.
STOPPING BY WOODS ON A SNOWY EVENING
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Gender, Politics and Imagination with Jennifer Finney Boylan
Thursday, February 16th, the Radcliffe Institute at Harvard will host an interesting lecture with Jennifer Finney Boylan at the Fay House.
Jennifer will talk about privilege, politics, and poetics. The author of 15 books, including She’s Not There, the first bestselling work by a transgender American, she is also the chair of the board of GLAAD and a New York Times op-ed page contributing writer. There is no cost to attend the event but people are asked to register here.
Gender, Politics, and Imagination
Thursday, Feb 16, 2017 – starting at 4:15 pm
Knafel Center – 10 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
What percent of your state identifies as LGBT
Gallup released an interesting poll indicating which states had the highest percentage of adults in 2015 and 2016 who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). No surprise here that Vermont had the highest percentage with 5.3% followed by a three way tie with Massachusetts (4.9%), California (4.9%) and Oregon (4.9%). Nevada (4.8%) rounded out the top five. Gallup research also showed national increases in every region of the US with 4.1% of all adults in 2016 identifying as LGBT (that is up from 3.5% in 2012).
Nationally the number of LGBT increased to 4.1% in 2016
The Pacific Region which includes the West Coast, Alaska and Hawaii, has the highest portion of LGBT-identifying adults with 4.9% of the population identifying as LGBT followed by New England (4.5%). A number of factors explain the increase in the LGBT population including but growing public acceptance and more millennials coming of age and coming out were both cited as probable reasons.
You can read more about this on the Gallup website here.
Vintage gay
Photo: Unknown, via Miss Magnolia Thunderpussy/Ipernity
I dedicate this weekly post, featuring vintage gay photographs, to the men and women who lived in a more critical time where being true to yourself and loving who you want wasn’t always an option and came at a great price. Do you have a photo you would like to share? Email me at bosguymail@gmail.com.
Hotel review: The Gaythering Miami Beach
Two weeks ago Sergio and I spent a few nights in sunny, warm Miami to forget about winter and relax. Below is my review of the hotel, The Gaythering.
Located one block from Biscayne Bay on Lincoln Road, The Gaythering is a boutique hotel that markets itself as Miami’s only gay hotel. I would describe it as part hotel, part bar and part sauna / spa. The entire property seems to give a nod to the Red Light district with its color palette of blood red, grey and black – not what one typically thinks of for South Beach. The property draws a lot of locals because of the bar and saunas which adds a nice dynamic that was missing at the other property we stayed at on this visit. We had the chance to meet and talk to guys who live in the area and get tips that are hard to come by otherwise if you are a gay traveler unfamiliar with South Beach.
A note and sparkling wine was set up in our room to congratulate us on our anniversary
The property unabashedly serves the gay community and from what I saw during my stay it seems that it is paying off. On the weekends tourists mix with locals who come to the hotel bar to socialize en masse. A local explained to me that while Miami is known for their nightclubs, they have very few gay bars you can go to just hang out, relax and chat.
The back room located to the right of the check-in counter (and shown below) is set up with board games and is host to a titillating library, featuring everything from Bruce Weber to Madonna’s Sex Book. The rooms are clean and room 3100 located in the back where we stayed was surprisingly quiet considering how many people were two levels below us in the courtyard drinking and socializing.
The big negative to this property is its lack of water views, pool or access to the beach, but fortunately, South Beach is an easy 15 minute walk or 5 minute bike ride on Lincoln Road. This hotel is going to appeal to men who wants to be close to a party-like atmosphere and are not bothered by the lack of access to the beach or pool. A big plus for the hotel is their “Crate Share Rooms” which are very affordable for those traveling on a tight budget. Should you go, say hello to the Sergio who works the front desk. He is handsome and helpful and was one of several people we met while staying there who really made us feel welcome.
BosGuy rating: 3 out of 5 stars, Good.
The Gaythering South Beach
1409 Lincoln Road, Miami South Beach
gaythering.com
Below are photos of our room at The Gaythering
This week on Instagram: michaeldepaulo
In honor of New York Fashion Week Spring 2017 which I believe starts tomorrow, I wanted to give a shout out to Michael, a Northeastern University graduate and Massachusetts native who now lives in NYC. His is one of my favorite IG accounts to follow. He includes photos of his models wearing his clothes, sketches and even a few of himself. He is incredibly talented and a great account for fashionistas to follow.
Do you like this weekly post? Check out previously featured IG accounts here.
Caption this photo
Each Wednesday morning I post a photograph and ask readers to offer a funny caption. Hopefully the caption below inspires you to share a few of your own.
See you in the locker room
Hotel review: The Standard Miami
Don’t miss the sunset at The Standard Miami Beach. The views are beautiful.
Two weeks ago Sergio and I spent a few nights in sunny, warm Miami to forget about winter and relax. Below is my review of the Standard Miami Beach Hotel.
Originally built as a two-story motor court, the property was sold and rebranded in the early 1960s as the Lido Spa Hotel. It remained as such for the next 40 years until The Standard – a small independent hotel chain with other properties in Manhattan and Los Angeles – purchased the aging property in 2006. The rooms, amenities and grounds have been updated but it is not hard to imagine how it looked some 50 years ago when they first opened as the Lido Spa Hotel. The entire property has a very relaxing tropical vibe with gardens and many rooms outfitted with outdoor soaking tubs on private patios. But it is their amazing pool with views of Miami in the distance that impressed me the most.
The entrance to The Standard Miami spa.
While visiting Sergio and I indulged, spending an afternoon at the spa which is coed and free for hotel guests to use as much as they like. The spa includes a Turkish-style hamam, aroma steam room, hot tub, Finnish sauna, treatment baths, mud lounge and their salt water infinity pool that I referenced previously. I found the experience very relaxing and the perfect way to spend the first few hours in Miami.
Perhaps the biggest selling point for us is that nobody under the age of 18 is allowed to stay at the hotel, making it paradise for adults who want to be able to relax. As a result, the hotel attracts a large number of gay travelers and during our stay I would guess that approximately 25% of the guests were gay couples or friends, which made Sergio and I feel very comfortable staying here.
Be sure to enjoy at least one of the hotel’s signature cocktail, The F’rosé.
Although the hotel has a snack shop and a restaurant, an easy 10-minute walk over the Venetian Way to Purdy Ave and Bay Road gives you many more dining options. But before walking over the bridge for dinner, enjoy the beautiful sunset views during happy hour from 4-7PM where you can sip the hotel’s deliciously refreshing signature cocktail the F’rosé – part vodka and part rosé.
The only drawback with the hotel property situated on Belle Island is that for those who love the beach the hotel is a 20 minute walk or quick ride to the beach. This didn’t bother us because of the views of the water, downtown Miami and their beautiful pool but for beach bums take note of the distance to South Beach.
BosGuy rating: 5 out of 5 stars, Wicked Awesome.
The Standard Miami
40 Island Avenue, Miami South Beach
standardhotels.com/miami
Below are photos of our room at The Standard Miami
BosGuy reviews Cabral Wellness Institute
Cabral Wellness Institute is located at 142 Berkeley St on the South End / Back Bay line
The winter months in Boston can be tough – even for natives like me. In years past I’ve posted tips on How to survive a Boston winter, but this year I thought I’d suggest some ways you can pamper yourself.
Cabral Wellness Institute prices for massage are in line or slightly more affordable than area hotel spas like bliss, which I reviewed last month, but the prices are really very affordable if this is your first visit because if asked for they will take $50.00 off the price of a massage.
Unlike some of the full service hotel spas in Boston, Cabral lacks space, which makes the initial impression not as luxe. At the time of my visit I did not realize they had showers and sauna so I did not wash off . Should I go back, I’ll definitely check them out, because I love taking a warm shower after a massage and not having such facilities is a deal breaker for me.
I was scheduled to receive an 80-minute massage from Daniel who happens to be the Health Spa Manager and a masseur for (I believe he said) seven years. He is the first masseur I’ve had who looked at my posture – perhaps all masseurs do this without a client’s knowledge – and suggested very specific areas of focus, which I really appreciated. The massage started with an aromatherapy journey of sorts where he let me sample three different scents – I opted for Tea Tree – which was a great way to further relax before he started. Daniel focused on the specific muscles we discussed and even the next day I could feel so much more relaxed. He was definitely one of the better masseurs I’ve had and the only reason I didn’t rate this experience five stars (wicked awesome) has to do with the facilities which I wish were larger with locker space and due to the fact that I didn’t check out their showers and sauna.
Massage Rates
Cabral Wellness Institute 50 minute is $99 / 80 minute is $148
First time visitors get $50 off so the price is a very affordable $49 / $99
BosGuy Rating: 4 out of 5 stars, Awesome.
While their rates may seem high, they are in line with hotel spas and other full service spas in Boston. To help defray the cost, look for online coupons. Since this was my first visit, and I booked an 80-minute massage I received a one-time only $50 off, which I’d recommend everyone take advantage of if they go.
Other Spa Reviews
bliss spa Boston 75-minute massage a.k.a. “blissage”
Miniluxe 60-minute pedicure a.k.a. “foot facial”
Tweet of the day: Humpty Trumpty
Lest people think I’m being overly partisan, the son of U.S. Senator and one-time Republican nominee for president of the United States, John McCain (R-AZ) Tweet from Sunday, February 5, 2016 provides interesting insight into how many Republicans feel about President Donald Trump.
I wish all the tough talk I use to hear from Independents, Republicans and clergy about “values” and “morals” wasn’t so easily discarded. In the future when those tired old complaints are leveled against <Insert Democrat Here>, I think I’ll ask for some specifics on what they did to speak out about such character flaws about Humpty Trumpty.
Madonna at the Isabella Stewart Gardner on Feb 16
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is hosting their monthly Third Thursdays at the Gardner next week. For those who are unfamiliar with this monthly party, the museum stays open after hours, brings in a DJ, and sets up a cash bar for people to meet and mingle.
This month the theme is Madonna. DJ DayGlow has created an all vinyl set for the courtyard inspired by divas and femmes, blending mainstream and underground electronic music from the past and future including the likes of: Madonna, Kate Bush, Prince, Lizzy Mercier Descloux, and Grace Jones.
If you use The Welcoming Committee’s link below you can save a few bucks off the general admission price and read more about ISGM 3rd Thursdays.
BosGuy 