Today is Thanksgiving in the United States.
All week long Americans have been traveling so they can spend this day (and if they are fortunate, the remainder of the week) with friends and family.
Blogging will be limited while I spend time with my parents up at their lake house on Lake Winnipesaukee.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Since Thanksgiving is so widely celebrated and significant to Americans it makes me wonder why we don’t have “Thanksgiving Eve”. After all, we have Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and any American will tell you Thanksgiving ranks right up there with those holidays; many actually will tell you they prefer Thanksgiving.
Even though we don’t officially call it Thanksgiving Eve, there is a subdued demeanor with everyone I’ve talked to today. The inevitable lines and chaos at the airports are not apparent from where I sit and the traffic snarls of tomorrow are not a concern. This afternoon has been far more quiet than normal.
Sitting at home, I’m enjoying the peace and solitude which comes on the eve of each Thanksgiving. For all those who celebrate this most uniquely American holiday, I wish you a lovely Thanksgiving Eve.
Last week I met my close friend and fellow blogger, Tracey, for lunch at one of my favorite seafood restaurants in Boston. For years, this restaurant has consistently provided excellent seafood in a pleasant setting with skilled servers. When I lived in the Back Bay (where this establishment is located) I think I went here weekly.
Atlantic Fish Co. has been serving the public since the late 70s and is part of the Back Bay Restaurant Group, which also owns establishments like Abe & Louie’s which happens to be a few doors down on Boylston Street. Despite the fact that I think this place may serve the best New England Clam Chowder in the city, I had not been here in quite awhile. If you are on a budget and are afraid Atlantic might break your budget, consider joining them for lunch. Day menus always seem to be cheaper than their evening counterparts and it is the same food.
Complementary bread / cup of New England clam chowder $5.00
Immediately after ordering lunch, a basket of warm breads arrived and shortly thereafter the chowder which I referenced previously. The bread was soft and warm and the chowder was creamy with large chunks of potatoes and clams. The combination of the two together was so satisfying I wished I had ordered a bowl rather than the cup. However, considering I ordered my standby “Fish and Chips” it was probably best since I can only ingest so many calories without feeling some pinch of guilt. Like Atlantic’s chowder, I think their Fish and Chips is among the best in the city, but I’ll let the picture tell the full story.
Fish and Chips $13.00
We opted to lunch at Atlantic’s beautiful bar rather than requesting a table. Often one sacrifices a bit of attention and service when dining at the bar since bartenders can be harried making drinks for the floor while serving patrons who “belly up to the bar”, but this is one of the few places I’ve dined regularly and feel no slight. The bartenders were friendly, attentive and extremely helpful going the extra distance by calling the kitchen when I had a question about an item not on their lunch menu. If you are looking for some delicious New England seafood on your next visit to Boston – check out Atlantic Fish Co.
Located at 761 Boylston Street in the Back Bay, (617) 267-4000
Reservations are strongly recommended
Posted in Back Bay, Restaurant Review
Tagged Atlantic Fish Co., BosGuy, Boston Guy, Restaurant Review
Tweeted by @aurosan a self-proclaimed loud, opinionated homo (my favorite variety). In light of my previous post about the lecture I attended last night, I figured I’d share this “enlightening” (I know – feel free to groan at my corny choice of wording) tweet. Perhaps you’d like to follow this witty New Yorker.
For those unfamiliar, Elie Wiesel is an holocaust survivor of Hungarian decent who moved to the US after WWII. He is also an author, political activist, Nobel Laureate and professor at Boston University.
Last night we attended the final of a three part lecture series open to the public by Professor Wiesel. The lecture was entitled, Today: Reflections on Good and Evil.
Elie Wiesel’s life and experiences could not be more different than mine. However, one of the reasons I enjoy evenings like this is because I draw a great deal of inspiration and respect listening to a man like Professor Wiesel who is willing to share his thoughts. The lecture started with an introduction from B.U.’s rabbi that included Anne Frank’s famous quote at the end of her diary.
“It’s really a wonder that I haven’t dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart.”
― Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl
As we all know, Anne Frank’s story is not a happy one and she was ultimately taken to the Nazi death camp, Buchenwald, where Elie Wiesel and his family were. With her famous quote still ringing in my ears, Professor Wiesel started his lecture on the difference between good and evil. His lecture on good and evil was partly allegory, partly references to other great thinkers, partly theological, and 100% thought provoking.
The lecture closed with an impressive story, which left no doubt in my mind that whatever your religious convictions or feelings are with regards to good and evil in this world, we are all individually empowered to come to our own conclusions. Despite our incredible differences, despite the incredible atrocities history has recorded as well as ongoing injustice in the world, I share the same conclusion as Elie Wiesel – I believe in the innate “goodness” of all people.
My partner has an obsession with gnocchi. If gnocchi is on a restaurant menu he’s likely to order it. Earlier this year food blogger and friend, Tracey, asked if he would show her how to make gnocchi. The video below was originally created for her blog 40-something life.
The end of the video includes ingredients followed by a quick description of the preparation and cooking process. I hope you enjoy, bon appétit.
Each month I’ve been providing a bit of advice on how to survive a Boston winter, but really the suggestions are applicable to anyone residing in the northern hemisphere coping with shorter days and cold temperatures.
In September, I suggested one way to survive a Boston winter was to plan ahead by scheduling a trip someplace warm. In October, I offered a more economical option by identifying a ‘cuddle buddy’ you can turn to for body heat. My advice in November is not as economical as last month but need not be as extravagant as September’s suggestion.
This month, I’m suggesting that you embrace the fact that you are living in what resembles a frozen tundra and make the best of it by adopting the “if you can’t beat’em then join’em philosophy.” Book a trip to one of the many Gay Ski Weeks that are held around the world. There are many options through out North America and Europe so choose a local option to avoid costly airfare and extra travel / vacation time. In the northeast, the Stowe Gay Ski Week is a great local alternative. If interested you can read more about the Gay Ski theme week many in New England attend, here.
Sadly, I cannot promise that the three friends above will be attending your specific ski week rendez-vous.
Posted in GetMeTheHellOutOfHere Syndrome, Sports
Tagged BosGuy, Boston Guy, Gay, Gay ski week
Each Monday I post #MenOfTwitter profiles of men who catch my eye and whom I think you may enjoy following. As always, suggestions for profiles to feature are welcome. If you’d like to follow me on twitter, you can find me @BosGuy. Below are this week’s #MenOfTwitter.
This week I’ve decided to put a naughty spin on my normally PG-rated profiles by including three Twitter profiles that interact in different aspects of the gay ‘adult’ industry. The profiles below are all work safe, but their Twitter profiles are not necessarily so be forewarned if you are tempted to follow any links.
Manhunt – I’m making an exception to my own rule by featuring an organization rather than an individual, but before we even knew what an app was, Manhunt was helping gay men connect. While Manhunt has taken a backseat to Grindr and Scruff, I wanted to acknowledge this Boston-based (well Cambridge to be specific) organization which is active on Twitter and their blog, manhuntdaily.org. #Blog
JesseJackmanXXX – Relatively new to the industry, Jesse is working exclusively with TitanMen. As a result his Twitter handle is also new, which would normally exclude him from consideration, but since I’ve known Jesse for more than a decade, allowances are made for friends. Plus he’s so devilishly handsome in his profile pic. Check him out at jessejackmanxxx.com. #Newbie
ChrisYosef – This 30-something fetish performer, writer and promoter joins a growing list of very sexy Canadians that I’ve featured in this weekly post. Chris splits his time in the Northwest between Seattle and Vancouver and is married to TonyBuff. For those with a kinky side follow Chris – he’s on Twitter virtually 24/7. #Fetish
BTW if you like this post, retweet it. If you love this post, follow me, @BosGuy. Link here to see past #MenOfTwitter postings.
Posted in Gay
Tagged #MenOfTwitter, BosGuy, Boston Guy, Chris Yosef, Jesse Jackman, ManHunt
I rarely go to the movies, mostly because so few of them hold any interest, and when something does seem to catch my attention, the movie reviews are enough to keep me away. However, every once in awhile a movie is announced that piques my interest and I’m likely to see no matter what the critiques have to say. At the risk of appearing gayer than Christmas (sorry Santa), Mirror Mirror which comes out next year is one of those films.
The movie’s story line is both familiar and interesting, the cast looks fantastic, and the costuming appears stunning. If the movie is half as enticing as the official trailer I may even go opening weekend to see this film which stars, Julia Roberts as the evil queen, Lily Collins as Snow White, and Nathan Lane as Brighton.
Boston radio station 101.7 WFNX will invite many of their past hosts and shows back onto the airwaves to kick off the holiday season. The playlist, production and voices will all take listeners back ten, fifteen, even twenty years into the WFNX archives. The Flashback weekend will kick off this coming Wednesday November 23rd at 7pm and culminates on Sunday, November 27th. 
Listeners will be treated to live, new shows featuring Morning Guy Tai with Henry Santoro, a live X-Night with host Mike Gioscia, Spin Cycle with Liquid Todd, and on-air shifts featuring Storm Zbel, Kurt St. Thomas, Kat Corbett, Neal Robert, Joanne Doody, Bill Abbate, Duane Bruce, and many more. 
Growing up, I listened to WFNX religiously. This radio station is the reason I became obsessed with bands like the Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Eco and the Bunnymen, New Order, etc. I’m so listening to them and thanks to the advent of the internet, if you like that sort of programming you can too online.
It has been awhile since I’ve talked about my fitness and work out regimen and with the holiday season set to go into overdrive next week here in the United States, it seems like an appropriate moment to bring it up (again).
My job and the weather tend to greatly influence my commitment to the gym, which is really dumb when you consider its a combination of vanity and genuine interest in my own personal health that is the reason I work out. However, September through the Thanksgiving holiday is terribly hectic as is the new year and much of spring. Couple that with the fact that it is downright freezing in Boston and suddenly previously considered lame excuses not to go to the gym sound legit. 
The days of when I would barely visit a gym in a month are long gone thanks to the fact that I work out with a trainer whom I do my best to see two times a week, but I need to get my butt in gear so I’m going to the gym on those off-days when Stu (my trainer – depicted at the start of the post) isn’t there pushing me. Anyone else struggling with their gym routine? Any gym rats out there who would like to provide some pearls of wisdom on how you stay so focused despite all the distractions?
Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Check out the Boston Music Awards on Sunday, November 20th at the swanky Liberty Hotel in Beacon Hill. Now in its 24th year, this program is designed to recognize local talent and help encourage the local music industry.
Any musician, producer or industry professional who is a New England native or has lived in the area for a substantial period of time, actively working is eligible for consideration for appropriate BMA’s. Tickets are still available to attend this event and can be purchased online here. You can also follow the chatter on Twitter at Twitter.com/BMAs_Boston.
According to The Harvard Crimson, Harvard University announced it may add language to its admission application which would allow prospective students to identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
The dean of admissions and financial aid William R. Fitzsimmons is quoted in the Crimson as saying the move is intended to be more of a welcoming signal to “students who are grappling with the issue of [sexual orientation] or gender identity.” Students may also be asked to write an optional essay to express their personal stories and experiences. 
A final decision on the inclusion of the category will be made in February, but I think this is a great step in the right direction by a leading university in the United States. Harvard’s potential decision is part of a larger discussion within higher education on the inclusion of such questions in admission applications.
Last January I shared a glowing review of Lucca Back Bay. I returned again for a visit in the spring of 2011 and had a similar experience so I was happy to go again this past weekend to celebrate a friend’s birthday.
Perhaps we had a new waiter, but at nearly every turn she detracted from the dining experience. She did not offer the night’s two specials and actually forgot the second entirely. Throughout the meal errors like not filling empty wine glasses or inquiring if we’d like to order another bottle when we ran empty all happened one after another, making me wonder if I was eating at a quiet discount Italian chain.
Problems with service were exacerbated because one of the friends did not care for the gnocchi they ordered. To make sure he was not being overly critical I sampled his plate, and agree it was (at best) mediocre. Lest you think I’m overly negative, I would like to assure you that we did have a good time (after all its the company that makes the evening) and the four other main dishes were delicious.
For those contemplating a visit, pasta plates range from $23-$36 and main courses or “secondi” range from $28-$36. Dinner for two (appetizers, main dishes and a shared dessert – not including drinks or tip) is ~ $90.00. 
Lucca in the Back Bay is at 116 Huntington Ave Boston, MA
Reservations strongly recommended, Tel: (617) 247 2400
Posted in Back Bay, Restaurant Review
Tagged BosGuy, Boston Guy, Lucca Back Bay, Restaurant Review
