Tag Archives: BosGuy

Lieberman refutes Cheyney’s accusations

Posted on May 12, 2009 | 1 comment

I will be the first to admit that I’m not a fan of Sen. Lieberman, but he is a Senator who marches to the beat of his own drum much like his friends, McCain (AZ) and Specter (PA). My dislike really stems from his support of President Bush’s “war on terrorism” and very critical tone to anyone who questioned those policy decisions.

For that reason, I found it suprising to hear Senator Lieberman criticizing Dick Cheyney. Over the weekend the former VP had gone on CBS’s program “Face the Nation” and accused Obama of making the nation less safe. Politico has a nice (brief) write-up but I thought I would include a part of Lieberman’s quote since he is so well regarded as someone who is ‘tough’ on terror and clearly not an Obama supporter.

You can watch the interview by linking to the Politico article here.

Lieberman said on Monday, “Our guard is up. In fact, I’d say that when it came to Afghanistan, obviously, this Obama administration has put more resources into the fight against terrorism than had previously been the case,” Lieberman added in an interview on MSNBC. “On balance, we remain as safe as we can possibly be in a world in which there is Islamist extremists who want to attack us.”

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Hitting the gym

Posted on May 9, 2009 | Leave a comment

I’ve not stepped on a scale since my last weigh-in for the medical research project, which concluded in January. However, I was not pleased with the weight gain from participating in the study so starting the second week of February I started working out with Stu, my trainer at the BSC South End. After today’s work out I weighed in at 195 lbs with 19% body fat. After a quick check on Active.com where I had to enter my weight as well as several body measurments it calcluated the same body fat percentage as the trainers scale so even though I’m skeptical of both readings, I’m still pleased with the results.

I have to tip my hand to my trainer because after feeling like I had hit a plateau in my work outs, recently I’ve noticed new gains. This week I set a new personal best benching 215 lbs and doing overhand pull-ups with out any help. These are not milestones that really have any meaning for other people but it does make me feel good because when I started I was benching approximately 150 – 160 lbs, and I needed assistance with machines to subtract some of my body weight to do the overhand pull-ups. We’ll see where the next few months get me as I continue to work out with Stu.

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Rollins Square

Posted on May 9, 2009 | Leave a comment

Rollins Square is located between Washington Street and Harrison Ave in the heart of SoWa (South of Washington). This area of the South End more than any other has flourished in recent years as previously vacant buildings and empty parking lots have been transformed by developers in partnership with the city of Boston.

Rollins Square was the first apartment complex in the neighborhood built with public access to green space. The open courtyard is meticulously maintained and since opening in 2003 the trees have flourished. In a few more weeks flowers will also be added to the courtyard adding more color and fragarance. I thought I would share these pictures to show off how beautiful this space is right now.

Facing 2 Rollins building



Facing 519 Harrison building



Facing Town Houses



Facing Washington Street



Facing Harrison Avenue

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The Company of Men returns to South End

Posted on May 8, 2009 | Leave a comment


The Loaded Gun is reporting that shooting for Ben Affleck’s movie, “The Company of Men” has returned to the South End for more filming that will last through May 15th. The film stars Ben Affleck, Kevin Costner, Tommy Lee Jones among others.

Back in April much of Union Park was closed off for filming at 5 Union Park. If you are into star gazing it might be fun to spend some time sipping a latte or two from The SouthEnd Buttery on Shawmut Avenue.

Thanks for the tip from Loaded Gun. Fortunately, I no longer have to fight to find street parking so I won’t be cursing at all the trailers taking up valuable street parking real estate.

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Flashback Friday: Kiss 108

Posted on May 8, 2009 | 2 comments

This week’s flashback is a nod to a Boston radio powerhouse that shaped my musical tastes and fed my obsession for Pop and Dance Music. If you grew up in the Boston area during the 1980s chances are you too listened to WXKS FM better known as Kiss 108 and you are familiar with names like, Lady D, Dale Dorman, J.J. Wright and of course the late “Sunny” Joe White.

I loved everything about Kiss 108 in the 1980s. I loved that they played “Wishing on a Star” by Rose Royce every Saturday at 12:00pm. I can still recall the first time I heard the song when I lived in Atlanta in the early 90s and the DJ played it on my evening commute home. I was totally caught off guard and had to laugh at myself when I realized why.

Those names I mentioned along with a handful of other DJs have been off the air for a more than a few years now and Kiss 108 has not played “Wishing on a Star” at noon on Saturday’s for a while. So today at lunchtime I’ll hum a few bars from the Rose Royce classic and think of “Sunny” Joe White and his cast of characters who played such a big part of my teen age years.

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Hitting the gym

Posted on May 7, 2009 | Leave a comment

It has been about three weeks since my last entry about my work outs. I’m proud to admit that with few exceptions I’ve been mostly faithful about going to the gym. My torso could never be confused with the image above, which I’ve added as both inspiration and incentive, but on the whole I feel better about how I look. I still have no idea how much I weigh (nor do I care), but I would really like to drop one more waist size. However, I simply can’t bring myself to give up all the cheese, ice cream and french fries I consume.

I re-signed with my trainer, Stu, last week and bought a 20-pack of personal training sessions at the BSC South End, which was nearly equivelant to the cost of my airfare to Brasil last autumn. I briefly flirted with the idea of letting my sessions with Stu expire, but I realized last week as I was slogging through a workout on my own that I never seem to match the intensity nor the variety of work outs he throws at me. A good example was our nearly 90-minute session last night. He had me gasping for breathe within 5 minutes and although I never feel the pain following our workouts like I described in one of my earlier entries, My aching muscles, I can definitely notice a difference the next day. For now, I’ll try to be more disciplined and maximize my time with Stu. I’ve come to the conclusion that vanity is expensive.

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Thank you Maine

Posted on May 6, 2009 | Leave a comment

The Boston Globe is reporting that earlier today Governor John Baldacci signed a bill making Maine the fifth state to allow gay marriage. Similar to Vermont, the state of Maine has legalized same sex marriage through legislation rather than litigation. This bodes well for LBGT couple’s around the nation.

Now NH and RI remain as the only two New England states yet to legalize same sex marriage.

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Parking can be tough in Boston…

Posted on May 3, 2009 | Leave a comment

When I was walking to the BSC South End gym today, I noticed that someone left this driver a note on their windshield.

I feel compelled to make a few comments. First, I’ve seen far worse parking in the city so this seems a bit harsh. Second, I doubt this helps Boston’s image as an unfriendly city. Third, that is damn funny… In case you can not read the fine print, the person has checked off “two spots for one car” as the reason why the person parks like an asshole. Other options on the flyer include, “ummm…a little too close”; “over the painted lines”; “that’s a compact?” among others.

You can go to YouParkLikeanAsshole if you would like to ticket someone in the near future.

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Texts from last night

Posted on May 3, 2009 | Leave a comment

My brother forward me a link to this site, TFLN (for short). If you have a few minutes and want a good laugh, check it out textsfromlastnight.

Here is a sampling of what you will find:

(563): i puked out the bus window last night on the way home. i remember it, but i don’t remember everyone else screaming to put their windows up.

(732): So…we accidentally left a bag of puke in your sister’s room. Heads up.

(301): She got kicked off the plane and spent the last four hours in a holding cell with the feds.
(301): but she’s really nice

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Posted on May 1, 2009 | Leave a comment

Aunt Sadie’s is downsizing a bit. On a stroll down Union Park this afternoon I noticed a sign indicating that retail / commercial space was available so I popped my head in to inquire if the South End’s favorite Aunt was considering a move. At times, I can be very nosey like that inquisitive.

I was told that Aunt Sadie was going to occupy their original space rather than both store fronts on Union Park so the store will downsize – no doubt in part due to the economic battering all retailers have felt lately. Fortunately though – the store will remain which is good news because I would be broken hearted if the store were to leave the neighborhood or close all together.

Feel free to wish Aunt Sadie well by buying something (preferably not from their ever growing baby selection)… The Souh End store is at 18 Union Park (between Shawmut and Washington) and can be found online at http://www.auntsadiesinc.com.

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Movie coming this August: Julie & Julia

Posted on May 1, 2009 | Leave a comment

Thanks to WGB for sharing this video clip. Meryl Streep does a ‘wicked good job’ playing Julia Child.

Although Julia Child was born in CA and lived in Europe for years, she really became quite famous when she started her cooking show here in Boston on PBS affiliate, WGBH. The Smith College grad settled in Cambridge and through her cooking show became a local and international icon for decades. Check out the movie trailer – it is worth the two minutes of your time.

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Flashback Friday: The Rat

Posted on May 1, 2009 | 4 comments


The Rathskeller (known as The Rat for short) was a live music venue for more than two decades in Boston’s Kenmore Square. The Rat was Boston’s version of CBGBs – a dingy place best known for hosting up and coming punk and rock bands. During their years of operation bands like The Cars, Pixies, Police, Ramones, and Talking Heads played here.

However, both the music scene and Kenmore Square changed by the late 90s and so the Rat finally closed its doors for good in 1997 (the year I moved back to Boston).

Now occupying 528 Commonwealth Avenue is the Hotel Commonwealth’s restaurant, Eastern Standard. According to wikipedia, in recognition of the Rat’s place in Boston’s punk rock history, the restaurant’s bar offers a cocktail named after the concert venue, which consists of fernet branca and coke.

For those feeling nostalgic you can check out The Rat’s myspace page at www.myspace.com/rathskeller

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Then there were 59…

Posted on April 28, 2009 | Leave a comment

Today’s surprise announcement from Senate Republican, Arlen Specter, that he is changing his party affiliation brings the number of Democrats in the U.S. Senate to 59. Specter will likely remain a conservative Democrat not necessarily aiding many of Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid’s, pet projects, but it remains both a surprise and a blow to the Republican Party.

Today, Sen. Specter said that he did not leave the Republican Party – rather the party had left him. These are sentiments that have been voiced for the past few years by many moderate Republicans and most recently by Sen. John McCain’s daughter, Meghan McCain. Perhaps this will serve as a wake-up call for the Republican Party – but I doubt it. Obama’s appeal to moderates and the Republican Party’s continued embrace of the far right mimics a trend that saw the same thing happen to the Democrats in the 1980s when Specter first came to the U.S. Senate. Then, several high profile (mostly Southern) Democrats switched their party affiliation.

6pm Update:
I am posting an update to my initial entry which is above, because of comments I’ve since read on the Huffington Post which validate my thoughts.

Sen. Snowe from Maine issued a public statement saying that the news of Specter’s departure was devastating. You can read more by linking here.

By contrast Repubican Party Chairman Steele derided Sen. Specter’s decision saying he only did this because he would not win the Republican Party Primary in his re-election bid in two years; essentially calling him a RINO – a derogatory term that means, “Republican In Name Only”.

Not to be out done, and because all ego maniacs crave the spotlight, Rush Limbaugh made it a point to say good riddance, and then he suggested that Sen. John McCain and his daughter Meghan McCain (see her mentioned above in my initial posting) should also join the Democratic Party. So much for the Republican Party’s leadership taking this seriously.

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South End rumor, new owners have bought space formerly known as The Dish

Posted on April 28, 2009 | Leave a comment

There is a rumor that the restaurant space occupied by The Dish until it closed in January of this year, has recently been sold. The Dish was a popular neighborhood restaurant on the corner of Shawmut and Milford Street but it’s tiny size probably worked against it during the colder months when their street patio was not available for patrons. I’m hopeful that another eatery will open in its place. Perhaps a delicious sandwich shop or bakery to compliment Formaggio’s across the street.

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Buh bye cold… hello spring

Posted on April 26, 2009 | Leave a comment

Signs of spring started to appear in Boston about two weeks ago, and last Friday, April 17th, when Boston cracked 70 degrees for the first time many of the magnolia trees lining Commonwealth Avenue went into full bloom.

However, starting this past Friday, April 24th, when Boston hit 80 degrees the city erupted. Everyone (myself included) has been dining al fresco, joining friends on their roof decks and patios for cocktails and walking around the city just to be outside enjoying the warmth.

Spring has sprung, the non-stop chirping of birds and the trees now covered in leaves have done more to fend off any possible relapse of GetMeTheHellOutOfHere Syndrome until next winter.

Current weather conditions in Boston: 83 degrees and sunny
Tuesday’s weather predictions in Boston: highs nearing 90 degrees!

And I am happy.

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