The Apartment List has generated a large (and funny) infographic, teasing Boston area residents by playing up stereotypes that seem strikingly on point.
Link here to see the full infographic that includes similar caricatures for: Allston, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Brighton, Brookline, Cambridge, Charlestown, East Boston, Fenway, Financial District, JP, North End, Somerville, South End, Southie, and West End.
This week’s Temptation Tuesday has a ‘double trouble’ theme.
Click on the photograph to enlarge.
Have you ever been in love; romantic love? This topic came up recently, and I was surprised by the reticence expressed by friends who worried about being the first to say “I love you.”
So I’m curious and asking why someone might hold back and wait to express their feelings? I realize there is a lot to be said for waiting to make sure your feelings are true and you are not confusing ‘love’ with its more ephemeral cousin – lust. I also recognize that one may want to use this word sparingly either because of the weight they feel this carries or concerns that the person hearing such a sentence may be caught off guard and not say (or mean it if they say) “I love you too.”
These are all good reasons for caution, but I’ve never been upset to hear “I love you”. Actually that expression – esp. when it has been backed up by actions – has made me feel like a million bucks. If I will have any regrets at the end of my life it might be that I’ve said those three words too infrequently to Sergio, my family and my friends; maybe I’ll work on that starting today.
FULL DISCLOSURE: I’ve been in a relationship for 14+years, and I know there is nothing more annoying to someone who is single or dating than a person in a LTR talking about dating; I’m mindful and hopefully I’ve tread lightly.
Every city has their own traditions and events that are distinctly their own. Boston is lucky enough to have several of these traditions and one that I look forward to each year is the Head of the Charles Regatta. This autumn event occurs while foliage is at or near peak each year and makes for a beautiful backdrop for the 9,000+ athletes who come to compete.
Head of Charles Regatta October 19-20
First hosted in 1965, the event has grown into the world’s largest rowing competition and now spans two days, drawing 300,000+ spectators. Join in the fun and mark the event on your calendar. Plan to come down to the Charles River to watch and cheer on these athletes and take in all the fun.
More details (including an event map) can be found here.
Columbus Day is one of those pseudo holidays here in the US celebrated mostly by schools, banks and non-profits. Having said that, in Boston it can feel like you are the only one working.
Are you working today?
Select Image To Enlarge
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is often characterized as an intellectual giant, but as you may expect, I disagree. Justice Scalia has made a career out of saying the outrageous and then hiding behind his claims that his faith as a practicing Roman Catholic shapes his views. So when New York Magazine’s interview of Justice Scalia from this past September was printed last week nobody made a big deal about his cuckoo comments suggesting that the Devil is getting “wilier” (his words) at hiding from us and why he’s not seen as often.
This ‘intellectual giant’ of the Conservative movement sounds terribly similar to Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmann, Ted Cruz and others.
You may read the full interview from NY Magazine, here.
The map above makes me angry. I feel like it smacks of racism. Not the in-your-face brand of racism that we may see in movies or from the Civil Rights era, but a more insidious type of racism.
How else would one explain how those states with some of the highest minority rates and most in need for access to healthcare – being blocked at every turn by their predominantly white, Republican Governors? While I have no doubt there are many who oppose the expansion of Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act on principle, I also think that many more don’t see supporting the poorest among us (many of whom belong to minority communities of color) as a priority and are intentionally doing their best to block access to this sort of care.
The NYT articulates my assertions far better in their article from earlier this month Millions of Poor are Left Uncovered by Health Law.
Time to wake up.
Blind Tiger made news earlier this month when food blogs around the city shared renderings of the space currently being remodeled and announced an early December opening. Conventional wisdom suggests if Boston Nightlife Ventures (BNV) is targeting an early December opening, one might realistically expect this to open in early 2014.
Blind Tiger is a self-described “craft cocktail speakeasy”. The design shows a lot of dark wood, leather, red accents, and chandeliers. The look has more in common with the long-standing tenant, Icarus, that closed in this space in 2009, than the previous restaurant, Noche, that BNV first opened here.
The images above of Noche Boston were a marked departure from the old Boston feel of the earlier tenant and one of the reasons I feel the bar scene was so vibrant initially. Perhaps the change back with this redesign will have the same effect, but I prefer the sleek look of Noche to the speakeasy vibe, that was trendy 5-10 years ago but now seems a bit overdone in Boston.
I’m curious to see how this redesign turns out and wish BNV much luck. What are your thoughts on the redesign?
Attention all you John Berendt fans or for those of you who saw the movie – fans of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
Earlier this week JetBlue announced that starting in February the airline will fly non-stop from Boston to Savannah, GA.
If you’ve never been, I’d encourage you to add this quaint town to your list of places to visit. Savannah is Georgia’s oldest town and it is filled with beautiful 19th century architecture and delicious restaurants. With average temperatures in February and March in the low 7os it isn’t exactly hot but as compared to Boston, it might be a nice, affordable option for a long weekend if you want to get away.
What is the point of even getting out of bed?
Tables and chairs are in place at the newly remodeled restaurant, Back Bay Harry’s, located on the Back Bay / South End line, and rumors suggest an opening later next week. For those unfamiliar with the new restaurant opening in the space formerly home to Geoffrey’s, Back Bay Harry’s is a hip, casual restaurant and bar. Harry Collings (Back Bay Harry) has teamed up with local celebrity chef, Jason Santos, the man behind Gargoyles (closed in 2011), Abby Lane and Blue Inc. Together they have worked hard to keep their menu affordable with main plates ranging $18-$22 and offering less expensive options with salads, sandwiches and pizzas; perfect bar fare.
The newly redesigned bar which was moved to the opposite side of the restaurant and runs along Stanhope Street seats approximately 60 both at the bar and in surrounding high tops; all with great views of televisions if you want to watch a game. Look for fun weekend bar food specials, featuring some of Santos’ favorite items as well as a vibrant cocktail menu to sate your thirst while you nibble on snacks and appetizers, that range from $4-$12. 
You can like Back Bay Harry’s page on Facebook or check back at their website backbayharrys.com to see when they finally open, but as I mentioned previously look for an opening later next week. Back Bay Harry’s is located at 142 Berkeley Street on the South End / Back Bay line.
Facebook photo that banned Jesse Jackman
My friend Jesse whom I posted on my blog here was recently banned from Facebook for sharing a photograph of him kissing his partner. Not familiar with the story? Check out the HuffingtonPost write up here.
The publicity that ensued was able to get Facebook’s attention and they quickly rectified the situation telling HuffingtonPost “In this case, we [Facebook] mistakenly removed content and worked to rectify the mistake as soon as we were notified. We apologize for the inconvenience caused due to the removal of this content.”
One wonders if my buddy Jesse didn’t have such an extensive social network what sort of recourse he would have? Would he need to stop posting photos of him kissing his partner? Would cuddling or hugging be too risque and result in continued suspensions? The problem has been rectified and in a way (despite the unfortunate threats made by a few to Jesse & Dirk) the resulting press has hopefully helped to foster conversations about this policy and will make Facebook more sensitive to this in the future.
I’m curious – have you ever experienced this sort of censorship from Facebook?
Short shorts aren’t for everyone, but this guy seems to make them work.
BosGuy 