Adventures in Gastronomy

This past weekend was Boston Pride.  Every year I attend I (and everybody else I know) pisses and moans that the entire parade consists of church groups and politicians. Gone are the flamboyant, in-your-face floats sponsored by bars and clubs. Some still exist, but they’re all the same (a handful of men and/or drag queens on a flat bed truck…half obscured by railings… dancing to music that is turned up too load on a poor sound systems, resulting in an unpleasant static mess).

I used to love the floats in the 90’s that were so elaborate. I believe it was Avalon that created a “Priscilla: Queen of the Desert” floats with elaborately dressed queens on a flatbed (with no railings, I might add) with an enormous high-heeled shoe with people on it. Or the year of the flatbed truck (again, with no railings) with two lesbians simulating sex. This year, I didn’t see a single woman with tiny pieces of electrical tape covering her ninnies. None a single one! In years past, you’d see groups of them.

Anyway, I suppose it’s a cool thing that churches and nearly all Massachusetts politicans are so welcoming. Hell, even our mayor and governor participate nowadays to support the gays (and lesbians, bisexual, and transgender).

And speaking of all of that diversity, the one thing I always forget throughout the year but am reminded of at every parade, is how diverse this group is. On a typical New England day, I’ll see white gay men and the occasional lesbian. But on Pride day, there are people of so many other racial backgrounds it’s just wonderful. Asian people, middle-eastern people, latino people, African American people….and LBGT of all different types (femme, butch, bear, leather, twink, activist, teen, elderly, slave, master, drag, coupled, singled, flaming, conservative, jock).

And best of all, they’re all getting along.

So, yeah, the parade itself is boring as hell. And City Hall Plaza can’t compare to the Boston Common (I hope it returns someday). But the inclusiveness you feel on that day, just one day, is something you never see in Boston on a daily basis. And I’m not talking for gay people, I mean all people.

Where do all of these people go the rest of the year? Are they just spread throughout the region? Are they closeted?

June 15th, 2009
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 1 Comment

It’s being reported on the news that a parking space in the Back Bay just sold for $300,000.

THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND!

I remember a few years ago when a garage spot sold for just over $200,000 and it made headlines. At least that spot was in a garage. This is an outside parking space, accessed by an alley. That means for $300,000 the person (or his help) will have to shovel snow and scrape off the car. It’s not garaged so it’ll be freezing to enter in the winter and miserably hot to enter in the summer.

Now, I don’t know this person’s circumstances, but he might have opted to spend $400/month to rent in a garage until something better came along. Just my two cents.

It’s just been so long since I’ve read insane real estate news. But just think we have this parking space story and the story of our governor selling his $1.9 million home in Milton (which he purchased in 1989 for under $600,000, yet his mortgage is double that…go figure).

Also in the news after not being talked about for a while is news that the Swine Flu is being classified as Level 6 (pandemic) by the World Health Organization. Apparently, despite it dropped from the front pages nearly a month ago, the flu has been spreading and spreading to pandemic levels.

I guess the media picks and chooses what’s sexy to print,and the swine flu got tired. Fortunately, there are people willing to spend $300,000 on parking space to change the topic.

June 11th, 2009
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 1 Comment

Randy and I had our fourth (or is it fifth) date this past weekend. It’s pretty sad how we jumped right into things and never really courted in the traditional sense. I’ve blogged about this before, but instead of wooing each other with fancy meals, movies and theater, we just ate in and watched movies on the TV screen.

Well, after a wonderfully lazy Saturday, I suggested we head into the city for dinner. So, off to the North End we went (oh how I miss living there). After walking around a bit we settled on a tiny place at the quieter end of Hanover Street (I forget the name, but I’ve been there once before with my friend, Jen).

The food was quite good (I had leftovers for lunch yesterday) and then we walked around a bit more, taking pictures along the Greenway and of the Customs House Tower before deciding to pop into the Alley (a bar in an alley…how appropriate).

All in all, it was a great night and a great weekend. Though, why we decided on Italian food for dinner after having just spent 6 days in Italy is beyond me.

June 9th, 2009
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 1 Comment

We’ve now been home for 5 days and, surprisingly, the jetlag hasn’t been so bad this time. In the past, It could take upwards of two weeks for me to get back into the routine of things. But I’ve been able to fall asleep at about the normal time every night. I am waking up about an hourly earlier than normal but that hasn’t been too big of a deal since it helps with our morning bathroom schedule.

And, FINALLY, I’ve finished sorting through the photos of our trip. Randy ended up taking well over a thousand photos. We narrowed it down to about half of that, and I’ve posted only 80 or so of the best pictures in my photo gallery (see the link on the right for “Karl’s International Travel Photos” if you’re interested).

And now it looks like we’ll have some spectacular weather this weekend. I think Crane Beach is calling me.

June 5th, 2009
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So after our time in Italy was over, we hopped on a plane to Paris. I want to (proudly) mention that I didn’t have to take any pills to relax myself for this flight! I think that’s the first time in ages.

Anyway, we arrived in Paris and were lucky enough to catch a waiting RER train. Then the train took an hour to get to St-Michel/Notre Dame. Ugh. After reuniting briefly with Mark, we ventured into the Marais to visit the photography museum (it’s free on Wednesdays). The rest of the trip is a blur of sight-seeing, wine, and way too much cheese.

With this being my 5th time in Paris in just the past 4 years, I didn’t really feel any urgency to see anything or to abide by any set schedule. Fortunately, neither did Randy.

We did a bit of shopping in the Marais and along Rivoli, we went to the Eiffel Tour area (but didn’t go up it) and the Trocadero before stumbling upon a farmer’s market where I got the yummiest Lebonese ham and cheese thing made with fresh dough on a dome shaped heating surface. From there, we went to the Modern Art Museum of the City of Paris (which is different than the Centre Pompidou).

We read about a next art space called “104” that showcased local artists. It opened just last fall and is housed in an old city morgue. The space is quite cool with loads of exhibit space, unfortunately, there wasn’t much going on while we were there. We also returned to a park I went to with Ben and Brad on my first trip to Paris (Parc des Buttes Chaumont) created around an all quarry with cliffs and waterfalls.

Let’s see, on Friday night Mark made a delicious Mexican meal for us and two other friends and we capped the night off with a game of Hands and Feet (actually, we played that game every night we were there). I love Paris nights because it doesnt’ get dark until after 10PM this time of year.

And then we flew home on Sunday…

Stupidly, I had scheduled my physical exam to take place today…so I ended up going in 16 pounds heavier than my last physical, and after 11 days of pasta, beef, cheese, and wine. NOT SMART! I’m dreading the results of my blood work.

But it was all worth it in the end.

Where to next?

June 2nd, 2009
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 1 Comment

The trip to Europe was great. I had very little internet access (unlike in previous trips) so I really only updated my status on Facebook instead of my blog (where I’m supposed to be more creative). Though, with jetlag, there’s no guarantee creativity will be in evidence today.

Without dragging this post on forever, I will say that Rome was much better than I’d expected. I kept hearing how crowded it was and how dirty. Yeah, that was the case, but overall it was a fascinating city. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it pretty because, let’s be honest, everything is either old or ruined (hence the “ruins”).

However, the dirt and crowds add life to the place. We ended up tackling just about all of the major attractions while we were there:

Piazza Navona – we went there our first night after a lovely meal on a tiny side street (I should mention that nearly ALL Roman streets look like alleys because they’re so narrow). Throw in cafe seating, parked Smart cars, speeding scooters, and masses of pedestrians and it’s quite an exciting mix. Anyway, Piazza Navona was fun and we also walked to the nearby Pantheon.

Spanish Steps – this all seemed a bit over-rated to me. At the bottom of the hill are exclusive shops….the likes of which you can see in any major city. Boring.

Trevi Fountain – wow. It’s such a beautiful fountain, but it’s so damn crowded! I think half of Europe was there the night we visited.

Collosseum – fascinating. It’s amazing that you find this enormous thing in the middle of the city. We visited it at night when it’s spectacularly illuminated, then toured the inside of the place the following day. Nearly 2,000 years old!!!!!!

Forum – this cluster of ruins took up a large chunk of the middle of the city and was filled with ruins in various states of disrepair and repair. I must admit, with 90 degree temperatures and no trees for shade, I don’t think I appreciated the Forum as much as I should have.

Vatican Museum – stupidly, Randy and I tackled the Forum, the Collosseum, and the Vatican Museum in one day. This was our last stop of the day. Truth be told, I didn’t like it. Even if this was the first stop of the day, I don’t think I’d have liked it. The place is mobbed…the most crowded museum I’ve ever seen. It’s laid-out in a way that ALL people have to follow the same route. Many rooms are roped off so you can only look from afar. The rooms you can enter are so packed you can’t get close enough to anything to enjoy it. There is no air-conditioning (which surprised me in terms of visitor comfort, but more for the protection of the art), and the Sistine Chapel is such a let down. You’re squeezed into the chapel along with probably thousands of other tourists and the security just keeps yelling at everybody to not speak and not take photos. It doesn’t even feel like a “chapel”…it’s just a room in the museum. All in all, at 14 euros (nearly $20) I would have to say that it wasn’t an enjoyable experience at all. We felt like cattle being herded through it. Besides, I hate the idea that, collectively, Randy and I gave the Catholic Church $40.

St. Peter’s Church – enormous! I thought Notre Dame (in Paris) was big. You could fit at least 4 of those in here. We toured the lower level (free), then paid 7 euros (nearly $10) to climb the rotunda and onto the roof. This was worth it for some up-close views of some amazing mosaics and great views of the plaza and city.

We did other things in Rome, like visit the neighborhood of Trastavere where we celebrated my birthday with a dinner at a cute restaurant, and go to the Museum of Modern Art (situated in an enormous and lovely park shaded by big trees…a welcome relief).

The last two days in Italy were spent in Lido di Ostia. I supposed the equivalent would be the Boston area’s Revere Beach. It was a rowdy little beach town (techincally an area of Rome) that was pleasant during the day, but became fairly ghetto at night with rowdy drunk British tourists screaming, singing, and drinking all night. We did have a lovely Mediterranean view from our window, though. On the last day, I laid out on the beach for many restful hours while Randy explored the Ostia Antica ruins (which he said were the best Italian ruins he’d seen).

And that’s it for Rome. Tomorrow? Paris!

June 1st, 2009
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: Comments Off on When in Rome…

I began the packing process a few days ago and finished last night. What a relief to finally be ready to go!

Then the UPS man arrived with a package. Randy ran to the door to get it since it was the second part of my birthday gift. He let me open it (since we won’t be home on the actual day of my birthday) and it was a new suitcase. It’s 2 inches bigger than my older one, but is still considered small enough to carry-on and stow above the seat. And it’s got all those nice compartments and detachable elements (for suits, toiletries, etc….)

So, I took everything out of my old second-hand suitcase and repacked it into the new one. Odd, despite the additional two inches, it all seemed to fit just about the same. I think it’s because I was less focused on cramming everything, hopefully resulting in wrinkle free attire when we arrive.

And arrive we shall…within 24 hours we should be in Rome, either taking a quick jetlag nap or walking about the city playing tourist. Either way, it’s time to join Audrey Hepburn on a Roman Holiday!

Oh, and we’re not bringing laptops so we’ll have no internet access until we reach Paris…and that means no blog updates or comments from me. Though, if you show me some love (in the comments section), perhaps I’ll do something extra special when I get online again on May 27!

May 21st, 2009
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 5 Comments

I’ve begun packing for our trip to Rome and Paris. The weather in Rome is supposed to be sunny and HOT (mid 80’s) every single day. So that means shorts and tshirts. But the guidebooks all have said that most churches (and some museums) don’t allow shorts or collar-less shirts. Ugh.

And Paris looks like it’s going to be 20 degrees cooler with the possibility of rain (though, 10 days out it’s difficult to trust any forecast). Still, that’s an entirely different climate which means an entirely different wardrobe.

Fortunately, we will have washing machines in both the condo we’re renting in Rome and in my friend’s flat in Paris.

Randy laughs at me because I begin the packing process days in advance (we leave Thursday). But in my mind it’s one less thing to worry about. And it provides me the luxury of altering things (or better, remembering things I’d forgotten).

For example, just last night I dreamt that we flew to London and I’d forgotten to bring shoes. I’m not talking about a spare pair, I’d actually left the house, gone to the airport, and had flown across the Atlantic in nothing but socks.

I need therapy.

May 19th, 2009
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: Comments Off on Rat Pack(ing)

At the last minute on Friday, Randy decided to try and coordinate a birthday party/backyard BBQ for Saturday afternoon (since we won’t be around next weeken…Memorial Day…to do it). We were surprised to find that 19 people ended up being there. Not a bad turn-out for last minute planning. Thanks, everybody, for coming!

But that’s not all folks! On Friday night we went to the Ramrod Centre for the Performing Arts to see “Willie Wanker and the Hershey Highway/” It was freaking hilarious – I recommend you all see it.. And we even had Fred Schneider (of the B-52’s) in the audience that evening.

Before the BBQ on Saturday Randy and I ran errands and, gasp, played tennis. Truth be told, we just went to a tennis court with Jeff and Zach and attempted to hit balls around (more often than not, we were missing). We left as some 10 year olds arrived in fear that they’s show us up.

And Sunday was fabulous. I did nothing. Well, I showered and did some sketching. But that was it. I loved it.

May 18th, 2009
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 2 Comments

Randy and I checked out a house last night in Arlington. It was actually a single-family house with a huge yard surrounded by woods. The photos online made it look decent but we both suspected that it would be too good to be true. I mean, how can you have a three bedroom, 1.5 bath house with central air and surrounded by woods on two sides for only $399,000?”

I swear, strange things happen in that place. We got in and my first response was “it smells like old people.” Randy and Ed (the broker) agreed. The space was peculiar, to say the least. Most lights were on sensors so fixtures randomly turned on and off. The upstairs rooms were tiny, with low ceilings. Most scary was that the place was minimally furnished, yet somebody was living there as evidenced by food in the fridge and a few jars/cans on the counter. Yet upstairs there was an ancient Apple II computer all alone in a room.

But the basement was the creepiest. It was chock full of computers and computer components. I’m talking dozens and dozens stacked and placed everywhere. More strange were about 24 (or more) 2-liter Coke bottles filled with a clear substance (water?) sitting next to the computer equipment. Then there was book shelf upon book shelf filled with cryptic VCR tapes. Not DVD’s…but blank VCR tapes that had been recorded upon. Meanwhile, there wasn’t a VCR to be found.

We left quickly.

Tonight we’re going to see the most recent Ryan Landry play. He always takes famous movies (such as Silence of the Lambs) and makes a drag/comedy version of them (for example, Silent Night of the Lambs was a holiday show). I’ve also seen Pussy on the Roof (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof), Septic Wives (Stepford Wives), The Postman Always Comes Twice (The Postman Always Rings Twice), Carrie (which I don’t think he changed the name of), and a bunch of others I can’t recall.

His latest show is a spoof of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory…and I think he picked his best name yet: Willy Wanker and the Hershey Highway. It’s also apparently his most elaborate and expensive (to produce) show to date. Should be fun!

May 15th, 2009
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 1 Comment