Adventures in Gastronomy

There was an article in the Boston Globe yesterday about how parking spaces in the city of Boston are now going for $250,000. Not garages….but a single parking space. In fact, one spot located behind the Ritz-Carlton (soon to be Taj Boston), is not even a garage space…it’s outside!

If it costs $250,000 for a single parking space, how the hell am I to afford an actual inhabitable space with basic amenities such as a roof, walls and running water?

After reading about that, I needed to cheer myself up so I took some close-up photos of my Christmas Tree. Here they are:

First, an overview of the entire tree (and Santa seated on the trunk next to the tree)

Here’s a glass (Christopher Radko) floral heart and a Hello Kitty character

Here’s Frosty and a 1970’s-inspired smiley face

Ah, Paris

I don’t know what the hell this is. Some lady with grapes for a body?

Here’s my pornament (notice where the carrot is)

The pink poodle in a dress is one of my latest aquisitions ($1 in Ptown!)

And finally, the Provincetown Monument

Yep, I feel much better now. I’ve completely forgotten that I can’t even afford to own a parking space (let alone the actual car to put in a parking space).

November 28th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 5 Comments

What a lovely holiday – despite the rain on the actual day itself. I arrived on Cape Cod on Wednesday. Leaving Boston at 6:45PM helped me miss all of the traffic and I was at my parents door within 90 minutes. We had pie, played Rummy and went to bed. Oh, and my parents posed for this photo of them with Dusty:

Thursday was a complete wash-out so my parents and I played lots of cards, ate lots of food and watched lots of movies. On Friday I finally went to see Borat. Not unexpectedly, I was disappointed. It seems that whenever I build up a movie in my head (and read all of the hype) I assume the film is going to be THE film to end all films. I enjoyed parts of Borat (and I loved the idea behind it) but it just wasn’t everything I’d hoped it would be (I still find Sacha Baron Cohen extremely talented).

There were 6 people in the theater besides me. Two women, a husband and wife, and two late teenage girls. There was barely a snicker uttered by any of them for nearly half the movie. Then, when Borat and his manager do their nude wrestling scene, the husband and wife got up to leave. They walked down 10 rows and tapped the shoulders of the teen girls and pointed at the exit door. Within seconds, they got up and left, too. That left just three people in the theatre. I guess Cape Cod isn’t ready for this sort of movie.

I had some fun on Friday night when I got together for dinner with Randy’s ex-boyfriend and his brother (and his brother’s boyfriend). The four of us ate at a Thai Restaurant in Hyannis (overlooking the airport). Actually, we were below the path to the runway (which was literally across the street). It was interesting to feel some shaking and then look out the window to see a plane about 50 feet above us.

After dinner we headed over to the 477/Mallory Dock (the midcape’s only gay bar). I’d not been there in over a decade. It was quite a culture shock after the bars in Europe and Boston (and even Ptown). We walked in (granted, it was early) and there were 6 or 7 men sitting at the bar. Every single one of them turned around as we entered and welcomed us. It was like we were a collective Norm, from Cheers. Anyway, we chatted with some folks seated next to us and had a good time. I headed out a bit early to go home to finish playing cards with my parents.

I returned to Boston on Saturday (giving Randy’s ex, Chris, a ride up from Plymouth). Then I shopped and prepped for Sunday night’s Christmas Tree Decorating gathering (it wasn’t really a party at only 6 people). I picked Randy up from the airport on Sunday and then Randy, Bryan, Jason, Marin, Roger and Sven all decorated the tree with me, listening to holiday music, eating brownies, cookies and gingerbread, and drinking wine, hot apple cider and egg nog.

The one thing I could have done without was the mocking of my decorations. Oh, and the fact they they all assumed I was the lightest guy there and decided to pick me up for the first photo.

Here are some photos of Roger and Sven judging my ornaments

Here’s Marin laughing (probably at one of my ornaments)

Here are some photos of the happy couples

All in all, a great weekend to start off the holiday season.

November 27th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 8 Comments

I think I’m going to go to the currency exchange place in Harvard Square today to get my Yen for the trip to Japan. Foreign money, despite always feeling like play money (Monopoly anyone?) always fascinates me.

Canadian money is practically U.S. money (similar denominations, sizes and coins). Euros are fun to look at and are close in value to the dollar. British pounds suck and are confusing as hell (but they’re easy to convert to U.S. dollars since they’re essentially worth twice as much).

But the Japanese Yen are freaking weird compared to the currencies I’ve dealt with before. For example, converting $1 to British currency would be about 2 pounds (easy math). But the dollar is worth about 115 yen. So if I convert, for example, $500 I will end up with 57,750 yen. YIKES! It’s going to be so odd buying a simple meal and seeing the bill for 1,733 yen. I’ll just need to get used to the high numbers. It’s going to make for some complicated shopping. I may bring a calculator everywhere I go so I can tell if something is costing more than it should.

So, this year for Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for the simply currency I get to deal with on a daily basis.

November 22nd, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 6 Comments

Kramer, oh Kramer…what the hell were you thinking? Is there an intelligence drop that is required of celebrities before getting famous? We’ve had Mel Gibson going off against Jews (and women), Anita Bryant going off on gays, and now we have sweet/crazy Kramer going off on people of color.

Now, let me preface by saying I’ve never understood the heckling stand-up comedians. You don’t see people do that at musicals or plays. I can’t recall hearing people scream “you suck” at concerts, either. However, for some strange reason, audience members seem to feel compelled to randomly hail insults at one type of performer* only: the comedian.

That said, it’s rude to heckle. If you’re not enjoying the show, leave. However, heckling by no means should result in a tirade such as what Michael Richards went into at the Laugh Factory. That’s just damn scary because that means, deep down, these are beliefs he actually has. Where did this anger come from?

I’m sure you’ve all seen his apology..and he did look visibly shaken. But he was shaking more because he realizes his career could (should?) be in the toilet and that he’s going to have some angry people going after him if he shows his face in public in the next few weeks.

And speaking of bigoted jerks, could someboday please tell Massachusetts’ Governor Mitt Romney to stop pretending to care about what goes in the Commonwealth? I mean, for the past year he’s been out of state selling himself as a viable candidate for president (and bad-mouthing his own state in the process). Now all of a sudden he’s back in town making a big fuss over gay marriage…again (this is really getting tired).

His party has lost control of the corner office and NOW he’s finally doing stuff “in” the state? Well, Mitt, we’ve been doing find without your presence for the past year. In fact, the people have spoken and they overwhelmingly can’t wait for you and your cronies to leave. So why not put your tail between your legs and go campaign elsewhere.

Please?

*Well, I suppose mimes get ridiculed, too…but they deserve it. They’re just annoying.

November 21st, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 4 Comments

The holiday season hasn’t officially started yet, but I’ve already been pigging out for the past month or two. In fact, since September, i’ve gained 5 pounds. Seriously! I think I’m going to put my bathroom scale on vacation for the rest of the holiday season. Ignorance is bliss.

But despite (or because of) eating too much, I did have a thoroughly enjoyable weekend. Friday night I got together with Marin, Bryan and Randy for cards. Marin recently moved to a loft in the South End so this was the first time we went there. Interesting space, but dangerous. The sleeping quarters are in an upstairs place up these slippery wooden steps. Last week, Marin apparently fell down in the middle of the night and now he has this vicious, painful bump near his knee cap the looks like it’s going to need some serious medical attention.

On Saturday morning, Randy and I popped by his two friend’s place in Southie to wish them a good trip to Germany for Thanksgiving. We pigged out bagels and cookies.

An hour later we met up with J.P. and Earl (see blog link to the right) since they were visiting Boston or the weekend. They were staying at the Doubltree near Chinatown so we decided to go for Vietnamese food. I got my bubble tea (yum) and some chicken/noodle dish. We all had a great time then walked into the South End where we stumbled upon some wine-tasting and then popped into Aunt Sadie’s…cuz we’re gay and that’s what you’re supposed to do. Outside, we got a few pictures. The sad thing is that we saw this adorable sleigh on the sidewalk so we all decided to pose with it. Of course, we ended up completely blocking the sleigh by standing in front of it so all you can see is the ugly construction behind us. D’oh. Anyway, here goes:

That night, Randy and I attended a dessert-themed party at my friend, David’s. He’s got this beautiful place in the South End and it was packed with trim/fit short gay men (and three women). It was a fun time…I met a lot of people and even got groped by one as he walked by…right in front of Randy! But Randy didn’t mind because the groper was the hottest guy at the party (score!). But the best part of the evening was a brilliant snack idea for future parties. Somebody made Rice Krispie treats and rolled them around 1 inch cut Twizzlers, then wrapped that in green apple fruit roll ups. Others were wrapped with a Swedish Fish candy on top. They looked just like Sushi! How brilliant is that?!?!?!

On Sunday, I went to two more open houses. Unfortunately, this ruled out that condo I saw last week since further inspection revealed much more serious problems that would need addressing. The other place we saw was really nice, but it was a bit of a hike to the subway and the ceilings were REALLY low. The search goes on.

Finally, last night we went to Randy’s ex’s boyfriend’s place (does that make sense) for dinner and conversation. Phew. More food (and what yummy food it was!)

Now it’s Monday and I’m eating again (yogurt this time). Life is good.

November 20th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 4 Comments

I can hear Andy Williams singing it now! Actually, I am quite fond of holiday music. And our local “oldies” station apparently has gone to all holiday music all the time until Christmas. WOO HOO

But I’m already getting into the music and even have ideas for my parents gifts already (which is shocking to me).

It amazes me that we’re already at the weekend before Thanksgiving. Crazy. And what a busy weekend it will be. Tonight Randy and I are playing cards with Marin at Marin’s new loft in the South End. Tomorrow we’re meeting up with J.P and Earl (see blog link on right) for lunch or dim sum or something (it’ll be my first time meeting them). Saturday night we’re heading to a party, and on Sunday I’m checking out that condo again…and also going to an open house for another one.

Good times.

Then it’s a half week of work and the holiday season is officially upon us! I wonder what Macy’s is going to do with Downtown Crossing this year? Normally there’s a big celebration at the old Filene’s department store. But now that they devoured that company and the building is all but abandoned (awaiting construction of a 38 story residential building on top), I at least hope Macy’s did something to spruce up the area for the season. It’s bad enough they got rid of Jordan Marsh. Then they got rid of Jordan Marsh’s enchanted village (the city now displays it on City hall Plaza). But now there’s no more Filene’s and I fear we’ll lose their tree, lights and bells.

I can be so nostalgic and sentimental sometimes.

November 17th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 6 Comments

Ok, I’m a liar. I admit it. I promised weeks ago that I’d cease blogging about my condo search. Well, here I go again:

I saw a few condos yesterday. One was in Cambridgeport – a block from the river and behind Trader Joe’s (and near Whole Foods). It was listed as a “top floor” unit in a former two family house that felt like it’s own house.

What it actually was was a former two-family house illegally subdivided into 4 units (two per floor) with no second means of egress. To enter the unit, one had to walk through an alley to the rear of the house (by weather damaged, flipped over lawn furniture) and then climb steep stairs to the second floor. The kitchen had a 1960’s mustard yellow oven on one side and a 1970’s stove top on the other side. The bedroom was about 7′ x 9′ and there was a mysterious door blocked by a curtain that we realized went to the neighboring apartment (not only was it an illegal subdivision…it was a low quality one).

Not helping matters, the property felt MILES away from the nearest subway (despite it only being a 12-15 minute walk). As we were driving away, I also saw some sort of shady “deal” take place as a woman walked up to a car window and exchanged something with the driver.

NEXT!

Now, of the two units I was planning to see yesterday, that first was the one I had the highest hopes for (the description made it sound lovely).

The second unit I was to see was in Central Square. The price was over $61,000 less for the identical square footage so I had already planned to dismiss it as crap. In addition, the description was brutally honest, stating that it would require a brand new kitchen and bathroom.

Needless to say, the broker and I approached this property with a bit of apprehension and an attitude of “we’ll use this property as a tool to prove why you get what you pay for.” However, we were pleasantly surprised!

The condo felt HUGE (despite being the same size). The ceiling had to be 10 or 11 feet high. It had all of the original 1920’s details areound the door frames, windows and ceiling. The walls were freshly painted, the floors were being buffed. Contractors were on site finishing up a new roof. The windows were brand new and the heating system was being replaced.

That said, the kitchen and bath were frightening. You’d literally have to start from scratch. The kitchen was 12’x8′ (a really decent size) but there were no cupboards or cabinets (or dishwasher). The bathroom was TINY (once again, a product of dividing the building into smaller units). However, the plumbing and electrical was supposedly good in both kitchen and bath. It appeared to simply be a (costly) cosmetic job.

This unit is one block from the subway, on a quiet side street and has lots of windows. There is no wasted space as you go from room to room (no useless corridors). And being the cheapest unit of all that I’ve found, I could actually afford to put some money into a new kitchen.

HHMMMM – the only down sides to this place are that:

• I’d have to pay to have the kitchen and bath re-done and don’t know what to expect (cost over runs?)
• It’s on the first floor (so I’d have a neighbor above me…but nobody on 3 sides, at least)
• There’s only one closet (though I could build in another while contractors do the kitchen

Anyway, here are some photos.

This stairwell is in the lobby (and being remodeled). It’s got great wood detail.

Here’s the bathroom. Yuck. I was thinking I could get rid of the shower stall and put it one of those walk-in tubs that you can also sit in and fill up to your neck.

Here’s the kitchen. No counters! Just those odd wall shelves and misplaced (old) appliances.

This wall is twelve feet long and just has these odd shelves for storage. No counter!

This is the living room. So bright, so open!

Another living room wall.

This is the bedroom. I should have had the broker stand in the shot to show the ceiling height. But, when standing, my chin came to about the middle of the window.

There’s an open house on Sunday. I think I’ll go back and measure/inspect a bit more. The owner is requiring that all bids be submitted by 6PM on Monday (which means there’ll be competition). At least that gives me 4 days to think about it.

Speaking of thinking…what are your thoughts?

November 16th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 7 Comments

I’m snarfing this one from The Persian Guy’s blog (see link on right). I love these things…they’re revealing and (usually) easy to complete on those days when I have nothing to say.

A is for Age: 35

B is for Beer of choice: I have no clue – I’m not a drinker

C is for Career: I’m in academia; Administrative Director for a research program

D is for favorite Drink: Water, preferably carbonated

E is for Essential item I use everyday: Chapstick

F is for Favorite song at the moment: “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” (from the Verve remixed Christmas album – it’s that time of year)

G is for favorite Game: Rummy

H is for Hometown: Osterville. Well, that’s my home-village, does that count?

I is for Instruments I play: Officially? None. I took piano lessons as a kid, though.

J is for favorite Juice: orange juice

K is for Kids: Better seen and not heard. None for me, thanks.

L is for Last kiss: Monday morning

M is for Marriage: not yet…but being from Massachusetts, at least I’m allowed to consider it.

N is for Name of my best friend: Sadly, I’m without one right now.

O is for Overnight Hospital stays: Two

P is for Phobias: I’m not sure. I mean, I fear certain things (pain/suffering) but they don’t necessarily prevent me from doing things. I don’t have any irrational fears toward spiders or heights or anything.

Q is for Quote: “You know, I cried when I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet. And then I laughed….really hard.” Jerri Blank in Strangers with Candy.

R is for biggest Regret: Looking back, I wished I’d acted upon my instincts and realized things weren’t working out in my 10-year relationship with Matt. We probably should have broken up 4 or 5 years earlier. I think staying together so long delayed us from discovering who we really are. We’re both in better places now, I believe.

S is for Self confidence: What’s that? Are we supposed to possess that? I sure as hell don’t.

T is for Time I wake up: 7:15AM on weekdays, 9:00AM on weekends

U is for Underwear: briefs (not tighty-whities) or boxer briefs

V is for Vegetable I love: broccoli, cauliflower or green beans

W is for Worst habit: OOH, I have lots. Self deprecation, impatience, incessant humming, avoiding the phone, TV addiction, reading on the toilet

X is for X-rays I’ve had: Annual dental x-rays, a few CAT scans and a full body MRI.

Y is for Yummy food I make: I don’t make food, I eat it.

Z is for Zodiac: Gemini

Well that was fun. Your turn!

November 15th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 9 Comments

Harvard notified us of the new changes to the subway system starting January 1st. The old style disposable soft plastic swipe card are being eliminated and replaced by firm plastic cards with memory chips in them that you keep using for 5 years. Separate subway and bus passes are now going to be combined into one LinkPass that gives you access to both forms of transit (whether you like it or not). For subway pass or bus pass holders in the past, this is an increase in cost. For people who had combo passes before (giving them access to subway and bus) this is a decrease in cost.

Complicating matters (for me, at least) is that the previous subway pass could be used on the commuter rail to go one zone. That’s how I get to work each morning – avoiding the subway altogether. Going forward, I’m going to have to order a separate pass (which is oddly enough the same price as a new LinkPass) to access the commuter rail. What poor design.

Basically, anybody with a pass to use the subway and bus system will also have paid the amount required to use the first zone of the commuter rail system, too. However, they won’t be able to. For that reason, I don’t understand why everybody just doesn’t boycott the LinkPass and go for the Zone 1A commuter pass. It’s the same price and you get more options.

….unless I’m missing something.

November 14th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 8 Comments

This is such a great time of year since Harvard celebrates so many holidays. Between Labor Day in September, Columbus Day in October, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and the Day-after-Thanksgiving in November, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in December, New Years Day and Martin Luther King Day in January and Presidents Day in February (along with the holiday recess between Christmas and New Years), there’s never a shortage of long weekends.

This past weekend, I headed down to the Cape with Randy. Dave (from Chicago) was supposed to join us but he was unable to make it at the last minute. Since the room was already reserved (and paid for…nonrefundable), Randy and I headed down Friday morning. The weather was flawless both Friday and Saturday. It was in the 60’s, sunny, and the crowds were manageable.

Our guesthouse, the White Wind inn, was quite lovely in design. But with the unseasonably warm temperatures we had to keep the windows open and listen to the people on the street below all night. Still, there was a fireplace and “obstructed” waterview from our charming room on the top floor.

We witnessed a spectacular sunset* before going to dinner at Ross’ Grille overlooking the harbor (they’ve got the best calimari). Heading back to the room for a disco nap before going out to a bar or two was a big mistake. We picked up a DVD from the inn’s lobby, lit the fireplace, laid in bed and attempted to watch “The Producers” – an absolutely dreadful film. Randy was asleep before the opening song had finished. I followed suit twenty minutes later.

Saturday we shopped (off-season sales) and I managed to get a great pair of stylin’ waterproof Keen shoes to wear to Japan. That night, we went to my parents place for dinner and cards.

On Sunday, the weather turned sour and it was a lazy day. We did manage to go to Jordan’s Furniture in Reading.

Wow.

That place is shlocky times ten. I mean, When I go furniture shopping, of course the first thing on my mind is taking trapeze lessons…and fortunately, that’s exactly what you can do there. We had lunch at Fuddruckers (try there vanilla shakes…they’re killer!) then Randy ended up buying a new mattress while I sat by the amazing water fountain and watched the water shows. I think I could do that for hours. This isn’t your normal fountain that you find in city parks. This is like a smaller version of the Bellagio Fountain in Las Vegas. They synchronize the fountain to music and lighting and it’s quite a spectacular show, actually. Hell, I’d go back just for the shake and fountain.

Anyway, it was a great weekend….and here is the photographic evidence:

 *One of the great things about Cape Cod is that it is one of the few places along the east coast where you can watch the sun set over the water (obviously exceptions including the west coast of Florida and any island off the eastern seabord).

November 13th, 2006
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl . Comments: 6 Comments