Tag Archives: Boston Guy

Friday fitness update

Posted on March 4, 2011 | 2 comments

By the end of last year, I was a bit discouraged by how difficult it was for me to run even a couple of miles and I felt as if I was hitting a plateau with some of my work outs. However, in February I started feeling like I was making significant headway again. I was not struggling as much with my running and thanks to Stu’s patience I started lifting heavier weights and felt myself getting stronger.

Although I can’t recall any recent “new highs” with my lifting, I can definitely tell that I’m making progress. Additionally, I am now regularly running and its not nearly the struggle it was just 2-3 months ago. Yesterday, I ran 4 miles in 0:34:35.

Although the weather remains cold in Boston, spring is definitely approaching and I’ll be digging out my shorts in no time. Are you working out? If so, let me know. I enjoy chatting with guys on my blog or offline via email about this and I think its a great way to help keep each other motivated.

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How Heterosexual are you?

Posted on March 4, 2011 | 4 comments
1% HeteroBosGuy is 1% Hetero

Yikes, I had no idea I was so easily pegged. Apparently my tweets, which include mentions of “brunch”, “cocktails” and “SouthEnd” have betrayed me! If you have Twitter you can check out how hetero you are by linking here.

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Posted in People say the funniest things

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Commonwealth Shakespeare Company 2011 season presents, All’s Well That Ends Well

Posted on March 3, 2011 | 2 comments

For years the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company has provided free Shakespeare performances on the Boston Common. Although the 2011 performances which are free and open to the public will not begin until the summer, it warms me just to write about this summer tradition.

According to Wikipedia, the play was initially classified as a comedy but is now considered by some as one of his problem plays, so named because it cannot be neatly classified as tragedy or comedy. Inspired by one of Boccaccio’s tales from the Decameron, the play centers on Helena, the orphan daughter of a famous physician. This globe-trotting adventure shows how far one woman will go to win the heart of her beloved.

I never read this play and look forward to seeing it this summer. If you are a native and have never been – check this out and support the local arts community. If you are planning to visit Boston this summer and will be in town when this is showing spend an evening under the stars enjoying this free performance. I smuggle in a bottle or two and order a pizza (yes pizzerias deliver to the Common).

Mark your calendars:
Boston Common – Parkman Bandstand
July 27 – August 14
Tuesday – Saturday @ 8pm
Sundays @ 7pm

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Posted in Free Stuff

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Addo Novo comes to the South End

Posted on March 2, 2011 | Leave a comment

Addo Novo a Portland, Maine modern furniture and lighting atelier is opening its first store in Boston later this month in retail space previously occupied by Red River Trading Company.

Although I cannot afford a lot of their inventory, I can appreciate the beautiful design and am happy to welcome them to the neighborhood. I have no doubt I’ll be checking out what they have and praying there will be a clearance section.

You can check out some of their beautiful furniture here.

Addo Novo
1313 Washington Street
Wilkes Passage Building
857.284.7071

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Favorite Tweet of the day: Union Guy, Teabagger & CEO

Posted on March 1, 2011 | 1 comment

I thought this tweet from Greg King on Twitter (handle: @jimgreg) was so funny I’d retweet and share on my blog. I hope you enjoy it too.

You can follow me on Twitter if you like at Twitter.com/Bosguy.

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Posted in People say the funniest things, Twitter

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Posted on February 28, 2011 | 3 comments

I love my morning coffee

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Posted in People say the funniest things

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Taste of the South End – March 8, 2011

Posted on February 27, 2011 | 4 comments

In just a few days one of my favorite charity events in Boston will take place, The Taste of the South End. As the name implies this is one of the city’s many charitable fundraisers that revolves around food, but I think this is one of the best organized taste events, and the fact that the proceeds benefit such a wonderful organization, The AIDS Action Committee (AAC) is really a bonus. In addition to the participation of 40+ neighborhood restaurants, local chefs provide cooking tips and demonstrations. If you really enjoy food and dining out this event gives you an opportunity to sample some of the fare offered at some of the city’s best restaurants. While it won’t confirm if a restaurant has great service it does give you a preview of the type and quality food the establishment serves. If you arrive early with a VIP pass like I do each year, you also can chat with the chefs present before the event becomes truly crowded.

Below, I’ve included a two minute video from the 2009 event. It provides a quick preview of what one can expect on March 8th and closes with a shot of your’s truly stuffing his face with a fish taco.

Purchase your tickets here

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Pussy on the House

Posted on February 26, 2011 | 3 comments

Pardon the title, but if it offends then you know you probably would not enjoy Ryan Landry’s campy, in-your-face and outrageous sense of humor. Earlier this month I mentioned that Landry’s latest play would be a twisted version of the William’s classic, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Tonight I’m heading to the “Ramrod Performing Arts Center” as Landry calls it to see his latest show which opened last night. His performances in recent years have all taken place at the gay nightclub “Machine” which is the downstairs section of Ramrod (Boston’s only leather bar). I only share this to provide you with an idea of the setting for his shows. I’m not sure how many shows I’ve seen from Ryan Landry and The Gold Dust Orphans, but I’m sure I’ve seen most. He’s definitely had his hits and misses over the years, but I never grow tired of his shows or leery of attending. Ryan and his troupe of misfit performers are equal parts outrageous and entertaining and bring so much life and color to Boston’s theater scene.

For those who visit Provincetown, this will likely be his summer show so if you don’t live in the area but are intrigued, you can always see it if you come out to Ptown.

If you live in Boston – order tickets and plan a night out. Local theater needs your support and its a great way to spend an evening with friends. You can purchase tickets online here.

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When the unthinkable happens, I start to think what if…

Posted on February 25, 2011 | 5 comments

Like many, when rioting started in Tunisia in January, with Tunisians demanding political reform, I thought little of it. When the government was toppled I still paid little attention. However, when that wave of political frustration crashed into Hosni Mubarek’s government in Egypt and ignited a political tidal wave of unrest and protest in a half dozen other Middle East and North African nations it was hard not to give pause.

These recent events have given me reason to conjecture and wonder aloud, “What would have happened if the US never entered into our “2003 war of choice” a.k.a. invading Iraq and overthrowing Saddam Hussein?” Would this current tsunami of political unrest topple Hussein? Its impossible to say for sure, but I would have preferred that scenario over what actually happened. Hussein was a terrible guy, but so are most of the leaders from this part of the world.

The former leaders of Tunisia and Egypt were American allies so we paid little attention to their attrocities because it was politically expedient. It’s hard to imagine how amazing it would have been to support and encourage the people of Iraq to rise up against their former dictator and overthrow him. If it had happened, I’d like to believe it would bridge and embolden the political unrest in its neighboring state, Iran. Of course this is all conjecture and a lot of hypotheticals are assumed, but considering how the unimaginable has become reality in North Africa and the Middle East lately, it seems a lot less unlikely than it would have just a few months ago.

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Posted on February 23, 2011 | 8 comments

I just got off a conference call where I was tempted to try this line. However, I’m quite grown up and refrained. Can you relate?

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Posted in People say the funniest things

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Wholy Grain: new coffee shop & bakery opens in South End

Posted on February 22, 2011 | 10 comments

This past Friday another cute coffee shop & bakery opened in the South End. The Wholy Grain sign outside claims it’s “a little taste of heaven”. I hope it proves to be just that because this place is nestled a block from The South End Buttery and across from South End Formaggio at 275 Shawmut Avenue. Both the Buttery and Formaggio enjoy a strong, loyal following, but that doesn’t mean Wholy Grain can’t thrive. One thing that might help it in the mornings is that it opens at 7AM (30 minutes before places like the Buttery and Flour).

This tiny little place has limited seating but serves good coffee (I know I just tried my first cup), sandwiches, scones, muffins and tempting treats. You can check out their full menu here. I’ll be stopping by again (and I’m sure again). Check out the coffee shop and let me know what you think.

If you can find a seat (there are a couple of tables) you can bring along your laptop and leverage their free WiFi… Password is: WholySmoke (cute right?)

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Heading to Dallas

Posted on February 22, 2011 | 9 comments

Work is sending me to Dallas later this week for one night. I have only been a handful of times, and I have to say that I’m not a fan (no disrespect intended for those who call it home).

The business reason that is bringing me to Dallas is pretty cool so I’m happy to go (getting away from the chilly weather is also a plus).

I’m also looking forward to connecting with a few people who work in our Dallas office; time permitting.

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Posted in Work

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Men of Twitter

Posted on February 21, 2011 | 6 comments

I’m a fan of Twitter. I love how quick and easy it is to use and connect with people. Another perk is what I’ll refer to as the “men of twitter” since there are so many handsome guys on Twitter. Adding to that attraction is the fact that they only talk in 140 characters 🙂

Initially I wrote about @JLAppelbaum a couple of weeks ago. Tonight I thought I’d provide another shout out to another guy on Twitter who has caught my attention.

@JackBurke has a handsome picture with very full lips and a pensive look about him. I’ve been reading his tweets for a few months now. As it turns out he’s a local guy living across the river in Cambridge, MA.

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Posted in Twitter

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Weekend with the little monsters

Posted on February 20, 2011 | 4 comments

I am an uncle three times over and the little monsters you see above are (from left to right) Jack, Abby and Austin. Periodically, we arrange for a sleep over to spend more time together. My sister and brother-in-law had tickets to take the boys to see Mary Poppins, which is currently at the Boston Opera House. So the entire family drove down last night to have a sleep over to make the most out of coming into Boston.

Last night consisted of a game of Uno (for the record Austin won), and today we spent a few hours at the Museum of Science. The two boys, Mom and Dad went to see Ms. Poppins this afternoon. Abby who is too young to sit through the show stayed at home with us and we watched a few episodes of Seasame Street.

After sitting through the entire show, the boys in particular had some pent up energy so we had an impromptu dance party where all three ran around my apartment shaking their little derrieres and grooving to the music before heading in the minivan for their one hour ride back home.

I’ve edited the dance-a-thon down to a minute of gyrations and claps.
Drat! After publishing this I realized that I meant to type Starring: Jack, Austin & Abby – not “staring”. I hate it when I make mistakes like that!

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Posted in Family, Video

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Friday fitness update

Posted on February 18, 2011 | 7 comments

Its been a few weeks since I last posted an update, but I have been fairly consistent about getting to the gym at least 2 times a week to get my sessions in with my trainer Stu. Actually, the photo to the left is Stu’s picture. A few people have inquired which trainer at the local gym I use so I figured (with his permission) I’d post this photo which he gave me.

I’m pretty proud of myself for getting 3 runs in while I was in Puerto Rico this past week. Although I don’t recall the details, I managed far better than my agonizing runs when I was last at this hotel in early December. Yesterday (Thursday) I hopped on the treadmill and ran 4 miles in 0:36:05 >> I believe this is my best time for 4 miles to date.

Today, Friday Feb. 18th is my first day back in the gym since Wednesday Feb 9th (the day before I left on vacation). Stu had me focus on chest and triceps. My previous work out last week we did the same and I set a new personal record for dumbbell presses. Today I beat my personal best from a week ago by 10lbs lifting 90lb dumbbells. Since prior to working out with Stu I had no idea what a dumbbell press was, I’ve included a photograph below that I found on the web.

I want to continue to build muscle and tone my upper body. To do this, I’ll need to continue lifting heavier weights, but I think I’m going to have to lift lower weights w/ higher reps when I go to the gym on my own to build in that definition. I’m hoping that my continued running will help me shave off some of my belly before the really nice weather arrives. We’ll see. If you are working out or just trying to get into a routine in time for spring / summer give me a shout. I get inspired by talking to other guys who are also struggling to get fit. What’s the saying? “Misery enjoys company“.

Flat Dumbbell Presses

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