My trainer always tells me how important it is to stretch and how it can help get your blood flowing. Until I started these neck stretches I had no idea how true that really was so stop working for a few minutes and focus.
This past August I stumbled upon this hilarious sign at the Starbucks by the Westin Copley. Click on the image to enlarge so you can read the “Foah” (Four) Fundamentals of Brewing Coffee, that happen to include things like “propoahtion” and “wataah”.
Did you know many Web-filtering services implement what The Associated Press (AP) describes as a “security over-reach” that combines gay-themed advocacy websites with child porn sites so they are blocked from most web surfers?
Symantec announced today that this protocol has changed. In a statement released today they said while customers can still set web searches to block offensive websites, there will no longer be an option to block websites because they relate to sexual orientation. For guys like me who host pg-rated gay themed blogs this is music to my ears because the more we can do to end this odd pairing of “gay” with porn – the better. I have no problem with people looking for explicit content but simply using search terms like “gay” should not set off alarms for web filters to block sites.
Even more heartening is that Symantec’s move has infuriated the conservative American Family Association. They released a statement saying websites advocating gay rights promote dangerous propaganda and should be able to be blocked. To which I say, “Get a life.”
You can read more about this here.
Now in its twelfth year, Harbor to the Bay (H2B), a 120+ mile bike ride initiated to help raise awareness and funding for several local HIV/AIDS organizations, has raised nearly $3.5 million.
This year’s ride is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 20th. The ride starts at the corner of Boylston and Clarendon Street and concludes at the Boat Slip in Provincetown later that day.
I’d like to tip my hat to the organizers, volunteers and of course the many riders who train and fund raise for this event. AIDS/HIV is no longer in vogue and the fund raising, prevention and education work is still as important as ever. Thank you to everyone who helps make this ride a possibility. If you’d like to learn more or possibly donate, visit their website, www.harbortothebay.org.
For the past few years, I’ve been writing posts in the fall to help people prepare for the oncoming winter. Feel free to share these tips; pass them off as your own if you like. Please feel free to share your own personal suggestions and tips in the comment section for this and the forthcoming, related posts.
BosGuy Tip #1: Book a vacation now. Our winter is at its worst in January, February and March so make plans now to get away someplace warm. If you wait until the end of the year or early January not only are flights likely to cost more but you’ll also be saddled with paying off your credit cards during or after the busy holiday season.
You will be amazed at how therapeutic it is to get away – even if only for a long weekend. Flights to Fort Lauderdale and other destinations in Florida tend to be quite affordable. Sergio and I prefer Puerto Rico and have lucked out in the past finding affordable non-stop fares on Jet Blue.
Travel Tip: When you book your flight check out departures / arrivals during the middle of the week; the flights are often more affordable. I like flying on Tuesdays and Wednesdays so I have a short work week leading up to and following a vacation, but if you can’t take that much time off, treat yourself to a long weekend. Trust me – you’ll be glad you did.
Photo credit: Craig Bailey/Perspective Photo
Set in Hartford, CT in the 1950s, this musical from the SpeakEasy Stage Company made me wonder if I was going to be able to relate to the storyline, but any apprehension I may have had was dispelled immediately.
I promise that this musical will resonate and entertain you. Sex, gossip, and keeping up appearances run through this two hour and twenty minute performance with some surprising twists. A personal favorite was the “Wandering Eyes” scene shown below when the seemingly perfect couple is out dancing on vacation in Miami.
Photo credit: Craig Bailey/Perspective Photo
The story is compelling and the cast does a great job. I was drawn in from the moment the lights dimmed until it was time to go. This show would make for either a great date night or evening out with friends. The subject matter addressed remains as relevant as ever but is not heavy-handed or preachy making it great fodder for discussion after leaving the show.
Performances run through October 11 and I would encourage you to get tickets today. More information about the musical and to purchase tickets are available here.
Samsung’s new campaign “It Doesn’t Take a Genius“
I love how Samsung has used the recent iPhone 6 announcement by Apple to taunt them. Both Apple and Samsung are mobile technology innovators, but I have to give it to the marketing team at Samsung for really sticking this one to Apple. However, like all good rivalries, I’m sure Apple will come back swinging. Until then though, enjoy this video from Samsung.
Apparently I’m a bit naive. I just learned EmpireNews.Net is satirical website – to which I say, “Phew”, but I’ll still bundle up just to be safe.
Waking up to this morning’s chill in the air only makes this post all that more painful to post. I’m not sure who this empirenews.net is but the image makes me sick to my stomach as does the accompanying article, Meteorologists Predict Record-Shattering Snowfall Coming Soon.
Starting tomorrow, I have a four part series, How to survive a Boston winter. If the winter is indeed going to be a tough one, you may want to bookmark my upcoming series.
I hate having my picture taken, but I asked Sergio to take this picture of me because I need to remind myself to get to the gym more often. It gets harder to do this as summer fades and it gets colder here.
I want to get stronger but it is hard for me to stay focused so help keep me motivated, and I will do the same for you. While my personal fitness is my responsibility, I do require help from my fantastic trainer, Kris at BSC South End, Sergio who always encourages me and friends.
As summer fades let’s keep each other motivated to stay focused on remaining active and eating healthier.
I’ll miss this semi annual South End tradition, but I wanted to write about the fall South End Open Studios that will take place this weekend on Saturday and Sunday, September 20-21 from 11-6pm.
This marks the 28th anniversary of the South End Open Studios. Over the years this event has grown and now it includes 12 major buildings and the works of more than 200 established and emerging artists who focus on a variety of mediums including multimedia, painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics and more.
If you don’t have plans this weekend, consider coming into the South End to walk through and see some of these working artists in their studios. You can get more information about this free event that is open to the public by linking here.
Yup, it is definitely that time.
There have been 84 domestic violence arrests in the NFL since 2000 Source: USA TodayThis morning MSNBC co-host, Mika Brzezinski, pointed out that when a private discussion between the former owner of the LA Clippers, Donald Sterling, and his girlfriend, V. Stiviano, was made public the entire NBA quickly renounced his racist rhetoric. His own team even played games with their jerseys inside out to protest his words.
Juxtapose that reaction with the recent Ray Rice / Roger Goddall scandal that involves a domestic abuse incident, and I’m left wondering why the NFL (and sports in general) treats domestic abuse like it is less offensive than racism? I’ve heard a few rants from broadcasters but that is about all. Apparently athletes can’t abide the idea of racist words but violent outbursts directed at their wives or girlfriends don’t warrant the same response. At least that is how it appears to me and I think that is part of the problem; in sports Racism > Domestic Abuse.
Source: bigskyline.com
Once again work has me traveling this week, but this time it is for meetings in Dallas, Texas and then some fun in Austin, Texas.
I leave on Tuesday for a two day meeting in Dallas and then will fly down to Austin to visit a friend and his family. I have not been back to Austin for about 3 years so I am looking forward to the visit.
According to The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Trust for America’s Health only residents of Hawaii, Colorado and Washington, D.C. have lower rates of obesity than Massachusetts. With regards to health, Massachusetts consistently ranks one of the healthiest in the US.
You can read more about the findings here.
BosGuy 