JANUARY 2023
The Story of a town that feels like a distant memory….
Every Story has a beginning. Mine starts south of Boston, in the heart of suburban middle class America…
BRIDGEWATER
The green space in the center of the town I grew up in feels like it will never change…It has looked the same for as long as I can remember.
November 29th, 1981. The day I was born was, apparently, a fairly uneventful day in Massachusetts. That being said, my birthday is a huge deal to me. I love to celebrate it and always make a big deal out of it. Without forcing it, I try to instill in others the joy of celebrating being alive. The important of being another year older…
Most of the 80’s are a blur to me. I remember up until age 5 living in West Bridgewater in a small house. At that point my sister - my one and only sibling - was 2. My parents wanted more space so they decided to move to Bridgewater.
I remember that the schools in my town were smaller than they are today. In fact where I went to elementary school has now been repurposed as an apartment building! The apartment building is a total of three floors. Imagine how much the area has grown…a building that used to house grades 1 - 3 for the entire town is now instead a living space…
The bullding on the right is Town Hall. The building on the left is just another of the mixed-use properties in the town center that has never undergone a renovation. My sister used to take dance classes on the second floor as a kid…
I cannot say growing up in Bridgwater was incredibly memorable. The street I lived on was quiet and there were neighborhood kids around. I didn’t have much in common with them and I wasn’t into sports. I do remember having a decent collection of action figures and I loved riding my bicycle around the neighborhood.
There were no iPhones or iPads back then. Looking back I realize how incredibly tragic that was. There were definitely Macs…but those were huge in elementary schools! It was around the late 80’s/early 90’s I realized I loved video games. I was really into Nintendo and back then there was very limited competition in the console market.
The NES was my jam! I got so frustrated when the games froze…do you remember blowing on the cartridges? But the boxy design of the system and the rectangular controller…It was iconic.
From the 4th grade through Junior High I started to realize I wasn’t like the other people in the town I grew up in. I had a few neighborhood friends I would hang out with now and then but it always felt like something was missing. I was never really that close with them.
Then came High School…
As the sunsets golden glow shines over my face…I feel a calming presence. I accept the fact I will most likely never move back to this town…and I’m ok with that…
The 90’s. Where do I start? How about with radio stations that chose the music for you. Lots of them. Casey Kasem. Who remembers him? The dedication and request segment of his radio show… People would write letters to him often about taboo subjects and difficulties in their life and dedicate a song. If he still existed today I bet the radio show would instead be a website or a podcast. The amount of time we had to dedicate to the radio back then was…incredible.
There was a change in the message that music delivered that took off in the mid 90’s. It started with Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette and then it spiraled from there. Music Cable networks had a major impact on this as much as the radio did. If you wanted to watch a music video you’d sit in front of VH1 or MTV, not Youtube. Then it was less and less about music. It was instead more and more about reality TV and shows that would promote advertising, with music mixed in. Music TV became less about actual music and more about “this music is in this tv show and it’s the soundtrack of it’s life.”
It wasn’t all bad though…we got Daria on MTV. Man did that show hit different! It was early into high school when the show debuted and the show taught me the importance of intelligence…and sarcasm. Daria forever!
The Tory House. Back in the 1800’s this house was used as a station of the Underground Railroad network for runaway slaves. The slaves were on their way north to Canada. I think about how far they must have already traveled…and how much further they had to go to freedom.
I always knew I was gay. From a very young age. The best part of who I am is my identity. Easily, my self acceptance and confidence in being gay help me shine in life. But I did not get that confidence from Bridgewater. In fact I don’t really feel I started on the path of becoming my true self until I was in my mid 20’s.
I remember the Gay-Straight Alliance and how small it was in my school. Do they still even have those in public schools? Back in the late 90’s it was certainly a start. It would honestly be many more years before LGBTQ rights and protections became mainstream. I think TV actually played a role in this, believe it or not. You started seeing all these tv show characters coming out of the closet, or the gay cousin, the gay uncle. You name it. There was always one. In 2004 (on my sisters birthday actually) Massachusetts was the first state in the country to legalize same-sex marriage.
But it would be many years before I was married. In fact, I hadn’t even started my first long term relationship yet. And that is part of next months’ story…
Until next month…
You Are The Storyteller Of Your Own Life.
SHARE THE STORY.
The Gay Bostonian
You’ve Come So Far. Take That In…
All photos for the month of January were taken by my husband Steve
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The Story of a Boston Suburb I did everything in my power to avoid after I broke up with my ex-boyfriend roughly 20 years ago…
FEBRUARY 2023
Also the Story of the only person I believe had the ability to restore my faith in this city…and succeeded
This is a tale of tragedy and triumph…
MALDEN
Downtown Malden Center has changed from what I remember nearly 20 years ago. Due to renovation a few years back, new residences and businesses have emerged to invite people to the center of town…
One of the most diverse cities in Massachusetts lies just north of Boston. Malden is one of a kind. Within this city I had my very first serious long term relationship. It taught me a very important lesson…
THE TRAGEDY OF MALDEN:
For roughly 3 and a half years I dated a guy who resided in Malden while I was between my late teens and (very) early twenties. As we were ending our relationship, he was preparing to enter a job in public service . After working years in IT, I never really understood what this change in career meant to him…and I don’t think I ever will. To protect his identity my ex boyfriend will be referred to as “Cassius” throughout this story.
I met Cassius on an online gay chat room…I am quite certain it was America Online. Dial up. Do you remember when that was a thing? haha! Cassius introduced me to the now (nearly) extinct world of Internet Relay Chat (IRC for short). We would chat a lot…I was a fast typer and suprisingly so was he. It was nice to see someone who could keep up with me when having an online conversation.
We eventually met and started to hang out a lot. Looking back, I can see we both had our own issues early on. I was young and immature, he was extremely insecure and would anger easily. It was never violent though…just a lot of shouting time to time. We lived separately the entire time we were together. There were a few times he brought me to the house he grew up in…
I met Cassius’ parents. I’ll never forget the way they behaved - especially towards me. It wasn’t warm. I saw how they interacted with one another. I could tell Cassius and his family strugged with communication. I had this very uncomfortable feeling with this sort of family dynamic…I wasn’t really used to it. I never once got close to anyone else in Cassius’ family. I realized this was directly tied to their judgemental nature and disinterest in genuinely getting to know me…
Looking at this photo I think “How many weekends did Cassius pick me up from this sidewalk in front of the Malden Center T-stop?” I honestly only remember bits and pieces of this part of my past…
I enjoyed hanging out on weekends with Cassius but as I inched closer and closer to turning 21…something within me changed. I began to realize I had a different view of who I was and what I wanted out of life. I started to create my own definition of love and realized it was different from the version of love I was experiencing in this relationship. It was clear I was falling out of love with someone who didn’t really understand me and didn’t strive to.
From early on we would go to gay clubs…even though I loved to dance…it wasn’t my scene. It was all about lust for Cassius. We went on short trips time to time…one of them was to New Orleans for a weekend and it was a disaster. At some point after the New Orleans trip he invited an individual we both knew to move in and be his roomate. This was exhausting for me as this individual was insecure and didn’t really understand me either. This person wasn’t a bad person, it was just that there was nothing complex about him. Cassius loved this. As they grew closer to each other I grew closer to realizing I wanted more out of my life. I was bored with Cassius.
Looking back…there were a few key factors to our separation: Cassius made it clear it was very unlikely I’d ever be close with his family; He viewed his disconnect and lack of support from his family as normal versus unhealthy. I’ve always been flamboyant and he never understood my need to be myself. He wanted me to be someone that I wasn’t. His family did not discuss his sexuality and I don’t know if to do this day they ever supported him being gay.
It was a blessing in disguise when Cassius’ decided he wanted to be single. It was never really a joint discussion…it was just his decision. I talked to him about it a little and in that short conversation he taught me a huge life lesson…one that has carried me to this day. He told me he “loved me enough to let me go” and that was his decision. I remembered this because I immediately realized at that moment I had just spent 3 years with the most insecure person I had ever met…and Cassius did not understand what the true definition of love is. Unconditional Love - the kind of love that doesn’t give up on anyone.
Since that day I have never looked back. That day changed me…even though I personally had more growing to do. I love who I’ve become today…never regretting what happened 20 years ago to help me understand exactly who I am and exactly where I’m supposed to be. I never really got any closure from this relationship…so this portion of this months story is my closure. Sharing this story, accepting the memories, and realizing not every connection you make with another human being is a lasting one. I wish Cassius well…without him I wouldn’t have some of the answers I have today about which direction my future was headed. I wouldn’t have the knowledge I’m exactly where I need to be…
I sometimes wonder if Cassius often made life choices based on his insecurities. I sometimes wonder if he ever learned how to love and accept himself. I sometimes wonder if he ever still goes to gay clubs for the eye candy… standing in the corner with some shitty drink in his hand, barely dancing, while the night goes on. I sometimes wonder if he has ever felt closure in the same way that I do now about our past relationship. Most of all, I wonder if he ever found out how to be happy.
I wonder…
And now the story of the person who restored my faith in Malden…
Andrew…I’M SO HAPPY WE MET!!!
THE TRIUMPH OF MALDEN
Meet my friend Andrew. I consider him The Triumph of Malden. Believing I would never have a good reason to ever return to Malden…Andy has changed that. This picture above describes us perfectly. As I’m an extrovert…Andy wasn’t quite sure what to think of me at first. However, the more we’ve gotten to know one another, the more our friendship has grown. Andy and I both share the same values of what we look for in our friends. He has restored my faith in the kind of friendship that only grow and will not die.
I reached out to Andy last July about doing photography work for me after finding his website. I didn’t realize at the time he was extremely busy with a dance community/group focused on shuffle dancing: BOSBPM. This meant it would be a while before we would be able to meet up to do photography. As we continued to chat I realized I was less interested in hiring him to be my photographer and far more interested in becoming friends with him. I am always up for making friends with creatives anyways!
The best thing Malden ever gave me…is my incredibly rewarding friendship with my incredibly chill friend Andrew Fang
I am friendly with many, many people. But when it comes to having close heterosexual friends…I admit that number is small for me. I have learned so much about girls from Andy! haha! Having a friendship like this is only possible because of our personalities. Andy is emotionally intelligent and has opened up to me almost as many times as I have to him. The really good conversations you have about life that truly matter…what I call the “no bullshit” conversations: The people who have hurt you. The people you thought would work out in your life but don’t. How much it hurts to fall out of love. The people who making dating complicated and the ones who make it easy - regardless of whether or not you work out. The friends you actually used to like but you haven’t talked to them in months (or possibly years). The people who come and go in your life. Andy told me once he could go months not talking with friends and then pick the friendship right back up. I told him this sounded like hell to me! haha!
We’ve always got each others backs. I’m glad after all the conversations we’ve had that we’ve hit if off so well as friends. I can’t wait to see what ridiculous, life changing adventure we end up embarking on next! haha!!
Check out this mural that is part of the Malden Gaming District! It was so warm during the day that I took off my hoodie to pose for this photo!
Malden has created a “Gaming District” throughout the city center. It is very cool! There is Rock Climbing, an E Sports Cafe, Karaoke, and Mini Golf! After grabbing coffee, we walked around Malden Center and did photography. It was awesome weather! Andy, being awesome, told me about this indoor mini golf spot - Project Putt. I hadn’t heard of it before…but a quick look at the website showed that it was like a rave mixed with putt putt. It was very cool!
All in all it was a really special day for me! Taking the photos for this story, as well as spending the day with my husband Steve and Andy. I can’t wait for more memories like this in the city I never thought I’d visit again. Except I actually returned, and I’m so happy that I did!
Until Next Month…
You Are The Storyteller Of Your Own Life.
SHARE THE STORY.
The Gay Bostonian
I Highly recommend checking out Project Putt Mini Golf in Malden’s Gaming District! The lighting effects are awesome and the photo opportunities are endless. It was rad!
On a side note, the night before we met up I texted Andy a photo of the “Retro” Hello Kitty T-shirt to match the theme of Project Putt. He texted me back “I think you have a t-shirt for every possible occasion!”. He is correct :)
All photos for the month of February were taken by my husband Steve except for the two smaller rectangular photos inside the final photo of this months story at Project Putt…those photos were taken by Andrew Fang.
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The Boston and Cambridge city lines are separated by the mighty Charles River. Connecting them together are a series of bridges that offer stunning views of the skyline.
MARCH 2023
Join me for a story, through these photos, as I take a walk on a sunny winter day. Along for the adventure was the outstanding analog photographer Olivia Treuber of Boomslang Photography. Starting at the Boston Esplanade, we head across the Longfellow Bridge towards Memorial Drive in Cambridge.
And the River has a story too…
THE RIVER CHARLES
It was early March. Spring was so close that you could taste it in the air. The air was cold, but it was beginning to feel less and less like winter. There were no kayaks or boats in sight…but the Fiedler Dock just off the Esplanade had plenty of visitors on this day. The Boston Esplanade is a man made park that runs along the river, created in the early 1900’s.
It is not often that I come down by the river so I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to revisit the area. My main memories of this area are the few times I’ve watched the 4th of July fireworks amongst some of the largest crowds the Esplanade sees annually. Also, walking along the river on a warm summer day with the breeze from the water is incredibly charming…
Dressed in an outfit that beckons the coming of Spring, I visited the Fiedler Dock on the River Charles to take in the view while a chilly breeze reminded me it was still winter…
There is reassurance that the Charles River is safe to swim in with a permit. I’ve never swam in the Charles River and each time I stare at the murky water…I reassure myself I won’t be jumping in anytime soon.
The Charles River has a long history of pollution issues. Every time I look down at the water, I see a deep murky sight and have not a clue how deep it goes. Plagued by sewage overflow that creates unhealthy bacteria, this body of water has never truly been 100% safe to swim in. However, the quality of the water in the Charles River Basin has improved in recent years.
The cleanup of the river did not begin until around the time I was 14 years old. In 1995 the US Environmental Protection Agency created the Charles River Initiative to rid the water of it’s pollutants. Today, the water in the river is less contaminated. That being said, the only way you are able to swim in the water is with a permit. There is always room for improvement…but it’s nice to see science and technology working together to create a safer body of water. that is used heavily for recreation!
“It's a sliver of glass, it is life, it's the sun
It is night, it is death, it's a trap, it's a gun”
“A stick, a stone, it's the end of the road
It's the rest of a stump, it's a little alone”
“The oak when it blooms, a fox in the brush
A knot in the wood, the song of a thrush”
The tulips lead the way to the Waters of March…
Olivia and I left Fiedler Dock and started to head north towards the Longfellow Bridge. It was perfect walking weather and I noticed it was a day that everyone wanted to be in the park. As we walked towards the Hatch Shell (An outdoor concert venue), we came across my husband Steve. He decided to hang out on the Esplanade with his digital camera to take photos of his own…
Introducing: my husband Steve. I love this photo of us! I didn’t include a photo of him in stories from January and February and I admit a photo of the two of us was overdue. I will be writing about him a lot more in the future!
We walked up the footbridge so we could cross over Storrow Drive to reach the Longfellow Bridge. Storrow Drive reminds me a lot of the FDR drive in NYC…but on a much smaller scale. On a warm day, I love taking Storrow Drive to exit the city. I roll down my window and let the breeze hit me. I am one of the few crazy people who loves the experience of driving through Boston.
“A fish, a flash, a silvery glow
A fight, a bet, the flange of a bow”
“The foot, the ground, the flesh and the bone
The beat of the road, a slingshot's stone”
“The bed of the well, the end of the line
The dismay in the face, it's a loss, it's a find”
We reached the middle of the Longfellow Bridge and stopped for a moment to appreciate the view. Right below you is the Charles River and it complements the excellent view. The MBTA red line also runs through the middle “street level” portion of this bridge as well.
There is nothing quite like the view from a cities bridge…
Olivia told me about “The Trophy Room” - an art installation where people from all over place random trophies under the bridge. It was created in 2015 by an anonymous local attorney. He wanted to create something unexpected that provokes thought as to why it is there in the first place. It took us a little bit of time but we found it and took a few photos there with the tulips!
What I took away from this art installation is that no matter whether you come to place a trophy under the bridge or you just come to pass by and look…both have accomplished something meaningful!!!
“The plan of the house, the body in bed
And the car that got stuck, it's the mud, it's the mud”
“A mile, a must, a thrust, a bump,
It's a girl, it's a rhyme, it's a cold, it's the mumps”
“A float, a drift, a flight, a wing
A hank, a quail, the promise of spring”
We had made it to the other side of the River and stopped to take the last few photos, looking back towards the Esplanade. The lyrics in quotations (next to the smaller photos in this story) are from the song Waters of March. It’s been covered by many singers but was originally written by a Brazilian artist. The song talks about saying goodbye to Winter and saying hello to Spring. How that process brings joy in your heart. I think it is an extremely fitting theme to this months story!
“And The Riverbank talks of the Waters of March
“It’s the end of all strain...
It’s the Joy In your Heart
Until Next Month…
You Are The Storyteller Of Your Own Life.
SHARE THE STORY.
The Gay Bostonian
All photos for the month of March were taken by my Olivia Treuber of Boomslang Photography. Shot on Portra 400 35mm Film.
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At the center of East Boston’s pulsing heart is Logan International Airport. Easily the busiest airport in New England…four terminals connect Boston with the rest of the world.
APRIL 2023
This months story is a brief introduction to my passion of aviation. It is also a story about my friend: photographer and artist Mild Laohapoonrungsee. After graduating from Boston University last year…Mild has made the difficult decision to leave Boston and return home to Thailand.
We return to one of the first places she experienced when she arrived in Massachusetts to take a few photos and celebrate the power of global friendships.
BOSTON LOGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Up, Up, and Away!!!
Photo Credit: Steve Calitri
I love aviation. Being thousands of feet in the sky on a flight is special. I love looking out the window at the tiny world below. The older I get the easier it is for me to pinpoint some of the the towns and cities in Boston as the plane begins to land. Seeing the tip of Cape Cod (Provincetown) out of your window is amazing.
Known back in the 1920’s as Jeffrey’s Field (an airfield for the MA Air National Guard and US Army Air Corps) the airport has gone through many changes and upgrades since then. These changes include expanding into East Boston neighborhoods during the mid 1960’s. That’s a story for another day - but one I plan on sharing in the future!
The thrill of being airborne…
Photo Credit: Steve Calitri
Photo Credit: Steve Calitri
I first met Mild by the Zakim Bridge to have her take some photos of me. I found her through her photography website, which features her photography and photo journalism projects. The bridge was the perfect backdrop for my photos and I knew she would be great to work with - and she was!
At the end of our session that afternoon Mild mentioned she was creating a website. It was a school project. It includes stories from people in the LGBTQ+ community based in Boston. She named it Against Us Within Us.
She asked me (as well as my husband) if we wanted to be a part of the project. I am so fucking happy we both said yes! It was an opportunity to publish a brief story/viewpoints of being gay and growing up near Boston.
The website is awesome and when both my husband and I’s story was published…I gained a new respect for Mild. We have been great about keeping in touch since then and have worked on other photography projects too!
Mild had told me she had really only seen Terminal E (as it’s the International Gate) but not much of the other public areas of any other gate. I said to her “let’s take a quick walk in the general public area from Terminal B to Terminal C and you’ll get a good idea of what the rest of this place looks like”
Up and down the hallway people movers, the escalators, and yes even a quick stop (in what is considered) the world’s first airport chapel in the United States is what our walk would entail.
We captured it in a couple of photographs too!
Photo Credit: Steve Calitri
This has to be one of the most unique portrait locations ever…
Let’s take a minute to talk about the windows that connect these terminals. They are incredible. Ever see a sunset walking between the terminals at Logan on the people mover? It’s extremely memorable. I’m being serious.
Down the hallway between B & C terminals you’ll come across “Deconstructing Stigma: Changing Attitudes about Mental Health”. This wall display has been here since 2016…it challenges misconceptions of what mental illness looks like. I love that this is on display in a terminal hallway. As if you’re minding your own business and all of a sudden you come across stories that attempt to give you a new perspective on Mental Health. Definitely check out the website surrounding this important project!
Just as you reach Terminal C, down a set of stairs, is the Airport Chapel: “Our Lady of the Airways”. Man what a trip back in time. This chapel was created in 1951…and I don’t think it’s ever changed. It is considered the first airport chapel in the United States Even though I am an atheist and not religious…I thought it was worth showing to Mild for the hell of it. Not big on God, but big on the architecture of the ceiling!
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Airlines)? Actually I’ll take United Polaris First Class! OK? Thanks!
The look of an atheist amused by the fact he doesn’t fit in, even though he finds the architecture of the space aesthetically pleasing…
There is a row of movie posters along the wall in the hallway that leads to the “check in” area of Terminal C. I like how proud Boston is that large movie production companies will film here. In New England, Bostonian’s often take pride in the fact that we are not Hollywood. East Coast life and culture is a big deal in Boston. But using our towns and cities as movie sets? It’s rare we say no!
All the movies about Southie you could ever ask for. And “Ted”. Let’s not forget about “Ted”
I had Mild take a photo of me in front of this sign. I love it and totally agree! Definitely visit East Boston! It is easily one of the most unique areas of the city! I highly recommend Piers Park for great views! I can’t wait to write about East Boston in one of my future stories!
Long Live Eastie…Long Live East Boston!
I knew that the remaining amount of time that Mild would live in Boston was limited. I had something important to share with her. I decided that afternoon was a good a time as any in the future… and now I’m sharing it with you, the reader, too.
I told Mild how the website “Against Us Within Us” heavily impacted my perspective on the importance of storytelling. The feeling of joy I had being a part of her project and telling my story was one I did not want to let go of. I told Mild I have so many stories to tell and I do not want to stop. This, in turn, created a change within myself.
That is the reason “Stories From A Gay Bostonian” exists.
It is so powerful that a journalism student from another country came to Boston, and through our friendship, inspired me to tell more stories. I will forever be grateful!
Goodbye and best of luck Mild! You will always have a friend waiting for you in Boston…waiting to begin our next creative adventure!!!
Goodbye Mild Laohapoonrungsee. Thank you for your kindness and your creativity. Thank you for showing me a side of myself I didn’t know existed until just recently… a storyteller.
Photo Credit: Steve Calitri
Until Next Month…
You Are The Storyteller Of Your Own Life.
SHARE THE STORY.
The Gay Bostonian
All photos for the month of April were taken by Photographer Mild Laohapoonrungsee except for a few photos taken by my husband, credited as Steve Calitri.
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Whether it be the middle of Spring or the middle of Summer, the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck arrives at Assembly Row (In Assembly Square) for it’s annual appearance.
MAY 2023
One of only a couple of “Kawaii Japanese Culture” events in Boston, people travel from all over the state for an opportunity to purchase exclusive “Hello kitty” related Sanrio merchandise. A theme of a “traveling cafe” allows the opportunity to purchase themed food items as well.
It’s a Saturday and steady rain is in the forecast. My husband Steve & I are joined in the line by our friends Amy, Bobbie-Jo, and Patrick. Luckily, we all made our purchases from the truck minutes before the rain started! This months story is about our time hanging out as we made our way to the front of the line...
THE HELLO KITTY CAFE TRUCK
AT ASSEMBLY ROW
Did you know? Hello Kitty has no mouth because she speaks from the heart!!!
Photo Credit: Steve Calitri
It’s just before 10 a.m. on a Saturday . Eager to beat the rain scheduled for later that morning we show up earlier than later. Steve and I arrive at the back of the line for the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck. As we make our way there, we pass multiple people dressed in all sorts of Kawaii themed (Hello Kitty and similar) outfits. It’s such a cool crowd! The line is shorter than I remember in previous years too.
In a few short moments, our friends Amy, Patrick, and Bobbie-Jo would show up to hang out with us in line. In my never ending love for kawaii culture, as well as opportunities to socialize, I typically will not shut up about this event and invite multiple people to join us. It was wonderful to catch up with our friends!
Dear Husband, no one else I’d rather drag to the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck than you!!! ❤️
My friend Patrick arrived and in his hand is a “Star Wars” themed umbrella. The handle is fashioned as a lightsaber hilt and I admire how creative it looks. This is his first time checking out the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck but I’ve been talking to him about it for well over a month. Roughly halfway through the line, I stopped to take a couple photos of us. In my opinion these are the best two…
Patrick moved here from South Carolina roughly 8 years ago. A Bostonian always up for an adventure…Patrick isn’t good company, he’s excellent company.
We got talking about Wes Anderson movies and thought it would be humorous to give our best “Wes Anderson Pose” in a photo. For a first attempt, I think we did alright!
#WesAndersonPose Vibes…
Photo Credit: Steve Calitri
We were approaching the front of the line at a fairly fast pace. I stopped for a minute to take a selfie with our friend Amy. Amy has been coming with me to the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck for years! She used to work with Steve, but left for a job closer to her home in Central MA. She is a wonderful human being…a thoughtful friend who has always taken an interest in my love of Kawaii culture!
Amy and I at the front of the line! eagerly prepared to spend all our money on Hello Kitty Loot!
We had reached the front of the line and stopped to take a group selfie just before making our purchases….
GROUP SELFIE!!!! To the far right is our wonderful friend Bobbie-Jo, one of my husband Steve’s coworkers
It was so much fun to catch up with friends AND get to the front of the line before the rain started! To end this months story, I will share what I purchased from the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck.
I got a couple of very cool items, including a recently released “Hello Kitty Cafe” hoodie which is so soft and comfortable!!!
Quite the “Haul”: A Hello Kitty 18 OZ Water Bottle, Macarons, Mini Cake Set (fashioned as Petit Fours…these are incredibly delicious), and Hoodie (it is incredibly soft and comfortable!!!)
Until Next Month…
You Are The Storyteller Of Your Own Life.
SHARE THE STORY.
The Gay Bostonian
All photos for the month of May were taken by John McCann & Steve Calitri.
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It’s been three years since the last Boston Pride Parade in 2019. First came the pandemic, then the dissolution of the original Boston Pride committee that organized the parade.
JUNE 2023
This year, a newly formed organization, “Boston Pride For The People” has formed to re-introduce the Pride Parade to Boston
My film camera would be loaded with three different film stocks, each with a unique effect, to document a majority of this day alongside my husband Steve and my niece Sarah. Details of each film stock are noted in the captions below.
This was Sarah’s first Boston Pride Parade ever…and it was incredibly special spending the day with her!
BOSTON PRIDE PARADE
“BOSTON PRIDE FOR THE PEOPLE”
BOSTON COMMON
Brooklyn Instant Film Initiatives 35mm Pride Hearts Film is a great filter for Pride Month Photos!
Photo Opportunity of Sarah in Post Office Square! The rainbow on the cropped T-shirt is classic!
Photo Credit: Steve Calitri
I love that my husband Steve chose to represent his love of space AND pride in this outfit!
At around 10:30 A.M.-ish My husband Steve, our niece Sarah, and I arrived at Post Office Square’s parking garage. We were headed towards the Boston Commons…an area where the end of the parade route would be. We stopped in the square to take an individual photo of each of us (pictured above). I wanted Sarah to have something to remember from her first Boston Pride!
On our walk we passed through the Financial District. Certainly not equivalent to the hustle and bustle of Times Square…yet still alive with a decent amount of people! My niece Sarah and I snapped some photos along the way.
Pictured below is what we captured:
A walk through the Financial District is always includes of charming…it has it’s moments.
See the Cafe Nero on the left there? They make AMAZING Iced Vanilla Oat Milk Lattes! We stopped to order one when we got to this point of Downtown Crossing!
On the steps near Downtown Crossing!
Photo Credit: My Niece Sarah
We made our way through the Boston Commons Park towards Arlington Street, arriving at the sidewalk along the parade route. We found a great spot to watch the parade! I took out my film camera and started taking photos. I used three different film stocks, each with a unique filter, to add to the overall celebration of the Pride Parade.
Here is what was captured:
The parade was packed with people, the turnout was awesome!
The classic cars were on point in this parade!
Possibly one of the only cars during the parade that wasn’t overflowing with rainbows :)
Who doesn’t love a pride float full of flamboyant characters?
Rainbow flags in movement!
Sarah blowing bubbles at the parade…they were giving them out for free in Downtown Crossing and we couldn’t say no!
The Rainbow Pride Socks my husband Steve wore were given to us by our friend Rob! 🌈
Color guard waving Pride Flags!
Color guard tossing Pride Flags!
Steve & I smile for a photo taken by our niece Sarah. Brooklyn Instant Film Initiatives 35mm Rainbow Filter adds a lightly faded rainbow filter over whatever is captured in the photo.
Photo Credit: Our Niece Sarah
Comics are for everyone 🌈
The two girls in front of the truck were having the time of their life dancing! 🌈
Pride for the people!!! 🌈
This was quite the parade. It was longer than previous Boston Pride Parades I’ve remembered in the past. As I was watching the parade, I started to think about how much of an effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the city of Boston. I don’t always attend the pride parade in Boston but when I realized it had been 3 years since one was held…it felt really important to attend this year! I think about how lucky I am to be a Bostonian and live in a state that helped pave the way for gay rights, including gay marriage. In Massachusetts I have always felt like I am able to be exactly who I am. I think about other states (and even countries) where this would be more difficult. Boston is an amazing city for the lgbtq+ community and I hope the theme of “Pride For the People” is here to stay!
Towards the end of the parade it began to downpour. Hungry and disinterested in getting any more wet than we already were…we decided to leave the city and head south of Boston to grab food. As we arrived to the restaurant the rain finally stopped. After having dinner at one our favorite spots we drove a short way down the street to a park in North Weymouth that offers a view of the Boston skyline.
Captured below are the final photos we took that day:
Webb Memorial Park has a small, charming walking path. It also has a great, yet distant, view of the Boston skyline!. Photodom Fiesta 35mm film creates a unique party/celebration themed filter on the photo!
Best. Gay. Ever. 🌈 (Just kidding)
Sarah sells seashells by the seashore while holding a Kodak i60 Reusable Film Camera!!! 🌈
Sarah & Steve pose for a photo by the water! I absolutely love this photo! :D
For the first time in ages I went to see Boston’s Pride Parade. It really did feel overdue. This was an excellent parade!
Pride is strong in Massachusetts. It is more than just a parade. The Gay Bostonian lives on! I seriously hope I make it again next year!
Until Next Month…
You Are The Storyteller Of Your Own Life.
SHARE THE STORY.
The Gay Bostonian
All photos for the month of June were taken by John McCann, Steve Calitri, and Sarah Detoma. Credit for photos taken by Steve & Sarah mentioned on each relevant caption.
All photos shown in this month’s story were shot on 35mm film!
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During the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic, The Prudential Center Tower’s Observation Deck was temporarily closed. Also during this time, the restaurant “Top of the Hub” closed permanently.
JULY 2023
Construction began on a renovated observation deck. Three years later, the new space includes a floor with an indoor viewing space, a floor with an outdoor “cloud terrace”, and a third level with videos detailing the city (and of course, a gift shop).
On an extremely sunny day I bring with me my iPhone 14 Pro, A gimbal for the iPhone, and my film camera (loaded with a roll of Kodak Ektar 100 35mm Film). I set out on the cloud terrace to capture the views. What I witnessed from the observation deck was outstanding and is shared in this months story…
“THE VIEW”
PRUDENTIAL CENTER
BACK BAY BOSTON
View towards East Boston
Video Credit: Steve Calitri
View towards Fenway Park
View towards The South End
View towards The Back Bay/Charles River
The remaining images shared below for this months story are all captured on Ektar 100 35mm Film. A film that, when used in bright sunlight during the day, rewards you with beautiful photographs.
The Photo Below captures the view east from of the cloud terrace’s observation deck. Logan Airport’s runways are off in the distance…showcasing how a small body of water is all that separates East Boston from the Financial District. Also in this photo is the John Hancock building and a small portion of Interstate 90 (The Massachusetts Turnpike).
In the Photo Below:
Looking towards the West you’ll notice Fenway Park and the famous CITGO Sign. The streets just below the CITGO sign make up Kenmore Square! Noticeable beyond that on the left (further out) is Brookline. To the immediate right the body of water is the Charles River!
In The Photo Below:
Looking Northeast, to the left, you’ll notice the Esplanade - including The Charles River, The Hatchshell, and (partially hidden) The Fiedler Dock. The bridge atop the Charles River is the Longfellow Bridge. Beyond that you to the north you are able to see some of the Zakim Bridge’s arches. Also north of the bridge in the distance is the back portion of the Museum of Science building. The city line that separate Boston from Cambridge is just beyond the Museum of Science building to the left.
In The Photo Below:
Looking South you’ll see a majority of the south end. Many of it’s wonderful parks are hidden underneath all the trees you see. Part of the magic of exploring the neighborhood is finding all the tiny parks tucked in between the brownstones! Further south on the left is South Bay Center and a small portion of Interstate 93. On the right, you can see buildings belonging to Boston Medical Center and also a portion of Massachusetts Avenue.
I checked out the Stratus Bar on the Cloud Terrace level. The bartender was friendly and it was perfect weather for an alcoholic beverage! The seating on the deck includes comfortable outdoor couches. We found one to hang out at after taking photos and videos. My husband Steve captured this photo of me with cocktail in hand! :)
Photo Credit: Steve Calitri
The renovation and reintroduction of the Prudential Center’s Observation Deck (now “View Boston”) reminds me how, during the COVID-19 pandemic, some things change and some things have stayed the same. This is a sign of a unique change. In my opinion it has changed for the better and I look forward to visiting again.
From the top of the Prudential tower, as I look down at a city I truly love and I am deeply connected with…I start to think about all the people just going about their day. The highway one moment free and open, then another moment congested and unmoving (there is no question Boston is a commuter city). People out for a walk or jog along the river. Sailboats making their way through the Charles River. The sound of an extremely loud ambulance siren as it rushes through traffic to it’s destination (yes, you can hear ambulance sirens 51 floors up!).
Every person a contribution to a story. The story of Boston. The everyday happenings of its people. Up here time does not stand still - Time just looks a lot more spread out….
Until Next Month…
You Are The Storyteller Of Your Own Life.
SHARE THE STORY.
The Gay Bostonian
All videos and photos for the month of July were taken by John McCann, except for Steve Calitri where noted in the captions
Videos shot for this months story were recorded on my iPhone 14 Pro and still photos in this month’s story were shot on Kodak Ektar 100 35mm film!
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The week of our ninth wedding anniversary my husband Steve and I went out to dinner and then made our way to Webb Memorial State Park in North Weymouth, Massachusetts.
AUGUST 2023
Previously, the land was a military site back in the 1950’s. In the late 1970’s the Commonwealth of Massachusetts took ownership and began the process of converting it to a park (which opened to the public in 1980). The park is a peninsula with a simple path that leads towards the water and offers views of the Boston skyline in the far off distance.
This months story is the about the joy you feel taking a walk towards the water to watch the sunset and what I encountered along the way.
It is also a story about my husband and our unconditional love for one another as we celebrate nine years of marriage…
WEBB MEMORIAL STATE PARK
NORTH WEYMOUTH
I walk across the parking lot from where my car is parked to admire the view. The weather was perfect with very few clouds in the sky...
I was looking forward to the walk and stopped for a moment in the parking lot to admire the view. My husband Steve had his digital camera with him to take photos along the walk. I realized as I was looking out into the distance at the sun glistening on the water what a wonderful, peaceful place this park is to catch the sunset!
Off in the distance from the center grassy mound of the parking lot, looking back towards the street, are residential buildings. A reminder that this area is heavily populated…
Sling bag equipped with my iPhone charger…gay powers restored. I’m ready for our walk!
There are two paths to the water….and we decided to take the most direct routine. There is plenty to see along the way. The photos below were taken before we reached a clearing, which is located jsut before a fork in the path…
Beginning of the path…
Sun peeking through the trees…I love the glow of the sun on the grass at this clearing!
The path behind me is a fork and does not lead to the water. We skipped this route and continued along to the water…
After skipping the fork in the path, we continued on to the final stretch towards the water. The path is not very long but it is definitely scenic! The photos below offer a preview of what we saw on the final stretch of the path prior to reaching the water…
Further down the path towards the water…
The water peeks out through the trees…
Off in the faded distance beyond the trees is the Boston skyline…
The greenery is vibing in this park!
One of the paths to the water. We walked down a little further towards another, larger path that opens to the water…
There are multipe well-constructed benches along the path. By this bench, I stopped for a photo nearby at this charming tree.
We reached the final dirt pathway that leads to the water. It wasn’t quite sunset yet but the sky was beautiful with gorgeous daytime light dancing on the water. The light glistening on the water was a preview of the sunset to come. Below are photos taken before the sunset started to show.
The waterfront beckons…
The way that water reflects on water is such a vibe… day or night!
Walking along the water I turn towards it and something begins to catch my eye in the sky…
I yell “Steve, LOOK!!!”
Steve looks up and takes the phote: one plane moving away from Boston on the left and noticeable (although tiny) in the distance on the right is a plane heading in the opposite direction. I thought this photo was so cool! :)
The sunset begins. Steve took a few shots to capture the sun as it began to set.
I also posed for a photo and I like how the sun’s glow off the water is hitting my back.
Sunsets golden glow…
The glow of the sunset on the water was incredible…
As this months story nears it’s end…I’d like to recognize my husband as we celebrate nine years of marriage this August. Each and every month I share pieces of me and my life through these stories. The truth, however, is that nearly every story I write draws inspiration from my relationship with my husband and the unconditional love we have for one another. Every location I write about is often also a memory of time spent with him and he is often the one behind the camera. Even when he is not the person taking photos of me…his love for me and his support of my creativity is always present and obvious. I am the Gay Bostonian - but I would not be that person without my husband!
As time passes in our marriage, there is nothing I love more than quiet nights like these where the two of us go out to catch the sunset…
I asked Steve to set up his tripod so we could take a couple of photos together. I knew the sunset would be the perfect backdrop. Shared below are the photos of us.
Watching the sunset with my favorite person….
I tell my husband I love him every single day. I will never stop saying it…
Admiring the sunset looking out towards the Boston skyline…
This beautiful view of the sunset against the Boston skyline includes the Prudential Tower towards the left. The Boston Skyline looks excellent from the waterfront of the park!!!
To my husband Steve: Thank you for every sunset you’ve shared with me and every memory that comes with it. Happy Ninth Anniversary. Thank you for being an amazing husband.
I love you.
Until Next Month…
You Are The Storyteller Of Your Own Life.
SHARE THE STORY.
The Gay Bostonian
All photos for the month of July were taken by my husband Steve Calitri on his Sony A7IV Digital Camera!
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Somerville was originally a part of Charlestown. Then, in the 1600’s, it branched off to become it’s own city. It is hard to even imagine Somerville with dirt roads and horses as the main mode of transportation…can you picture it!?
SEPTEMBER 2023
Just north of Boston, Somerville is full of diversity and many artists call it home. The city offers multiple squares to enjoy (I visit Davis Square as part of this months story, which is one of the more popular squares) It also happens to be the city where one of my favorite confectionary treats, Marshmallow Fluff, was created!
Join me as I share in the vibe of Somerville at three different places I visit on a beautiful afternoon in early September. To give different perspectives of some of the locations, I had my husband take photos on his digital camera as I shot photos on my film camera (Film stock is Kodak Portra 400 35mm). Both variations - digital and film - are part of this months story!
A CASUAL AFTERNOON IN
SOMERVILLE
Our story starts mid afternoon as I visit Lumentation Film Lab/Shop to drop off some film to get developed…
The weather was perfect for photography. I start my afternoon visiting my favorite Film Lab (and Film Shop) Lumentation on HIghland Ave. I use them all the time to develop and scan my 35mm film photography because they are outstanding. I am often tempted to purchase more film as I drop off existing rolls to be processed :)
The t-shirt in the photo above is indeed the message. I’m so happy we met. Many of the photos I post on my website and social media are photos developed by Lumentation and I so grateful for their support!
Digital Photo Credit: Steve Calitri
Digital Photo Credit: Steve Calitri
After finishing up at Lumentation, I realized we were just down the street from one of Somerville’s best cafes: Forge Baking Company. It was actually recommended to me…by an artist I met in Somerville (quite approrpriate). The first time I visited I vibed with how open the space was! They have an ice cream bar open for a few hours on the weekend and I had a good feeling whatever flavors they had on offer would not disappoint…
A short car ride later, we arrived in the parking lot at Forge…
Forge Baking Company has great coffee and food. I love how this signage has a brick wall for the backdrop.
Digital Photo Credit:
Steve Calitri
Digital Photo Credit: Steve Calitri
Lets go inside!
I stop to take a photo in front of the impressive signage against a brick wall backdrop and then make my way inside the cafe...
Beneath this sign is a see-through window where you can often see bakery items being prepared!
Admiring all the art on the walls. The cafe is a great place for conversation & meeting up with friends.
Digital Photo Credit: Steve Calitri
Inside Forge, I realize that the ice cream bar they have is not open yet and I’m a few minutes early. I walk to the back of the space which is an open area with smaller tables around a huge large square table that resembles something of a picnic table. I love the design because I’ve never seen anything like it.
I check my backpack and realize I’ve left my film camera in the car. At this point in the afternoon the cafe is quiet space and a perfect opportunity to take some photos. My husband Steve has his digital camera on him still so we pass the time with him taking some exceptional portrait photos of me…
Stare into the eyes of a gay eagerly anticipating eating ice cream…
Digital Photo Credit: Steve Calitri
This table looks like a one-of-a-kind oversized indoor picnic table and I’m here for it!!!
Digital Photo Credit: Steve Calitri
The ice cream bar opens and I see they have vanilla malted as a flavor. I’m down! Never wanting my ice cream plain, I decide on a topping and go with jimmies (you might also know them as sprinkles). My husband snaps a photo up close of the ice cream and then I devour my ice cream as I enjoy the open atmosphere of the space, which includes barstool seating…
Is it Jimmies or Sprinkles? You decide! This ice cream was phenomenal!!
Check out the vintage register behind me! Digital Photo Credit: Steve Calitri
Fried Clams! I find this sign both cool and amusing :)
Digital Photo Credit: Steve Calitri
Steve & I discuss where our Somerville adventure will take us next next. We both agree it’s been quite a while since we’ve visited Davis Square and wouldn’t be against hanging out there until we were hungry enough to find dinner. We hop back in the car for a short car ride.
We arrive in Davis Square and are lucky enough to find a metered spot right in the square. Extremely lucky in fact because available metered parking in popular squares of Somerville are often rare. I ensure I have my film camera on me and Steve grabs his digital. We set off to capture the vibe of Davis Square in the heart of the afternoon…
The Rosebud Diner of Davis Square captured on 35mm film!
A digital photo of The Rosebud Diner, captured at a wider angle! Photo Credit: Steve Calitri
I look up and stop to think…how often do you see anyone changing signage in Davis Square? Photo Credit: Steve Calitri
I bet this theatre is a total vibe! I decided to capture The Rockwell in 35mm film. Steve took the photo on the right.
A digital photo of the entrance to Diesel Cafe. Photo Credit: Steve Calitri.
Entrance to Diesel Cafe on film.
The two photos shown below are a perfect example of what happens when you try your best to hold your film camera steady…but you don’t have the required amount of light available to take a clear photo. These photos were taken at the very back of Diesel Cafe and at the time there was limited lighting. The photos still came out decent and I like how the colored pool balls are blurry in the second photo!
Drinking coffee and riding a motorcycle…because why not? Welcome to Somerville, indeed!
The deep red color of this pool table is SUCH A VIBE!
Immediately outside Diesel Cafe on the sidewalk is a wooden seating area with planters. I loved it! The digital photo on the left was taken by Steve and the photo on the right is a 35mm Film Photo!
I have always appreciated this open space, I love the art along the brick building on the right…
Another perspective of Davis Square Plaza on a digital camera. Photo Credit: Steve Calitri
The art looks excellent captured on 35mm film!!!
We made our way to the center of the square so we could walk down the opposite side of the street we were on to grab Boba. The center is very much alive and the Somerville Theatre (pictured below) almost always has something going on. I’ve been to the Crystal Ballroom a few times and it’s always an awesome time!
Davis Square center captured on 35mm film!!!
Another view of Davis Square center captured on 35mm film!!!
This large circular stone compass is an interesting feature of Davis Square… Captured on 35mm film!
There is nothing quite like Gong Cha Boba Tea and the location in Davis Square does not disappoint! I captured the storefront on 35mm Film!
These bubbles hang off the ceiling inside the space! Photo Credit: Steve Calitri
Another perspective of the bubbles shot on 35mm film!
Strawberry Milk Tea at Gong Cha is next level. It is one of the best Boba Teas I’ve ever had! Photo Credit for left and right photo above (both digital): Steve Calitri
Digital Photo Credit: Steve Calitri
After hanging out a bit in Gong Cha we decided it was time to grab dinner as it started to become late afternoon. I did not photograph it, but we ate at a mexcian restaurant, The Painted Burro, in the square. It was extremely delicious and I would definitely go back!
As I end this months story - I’d like to take a minute to share how much I love days like these. Nothing really on the agenda for my husband and I, but the weather is beautiful and perfect for photography (as well as people watching). It is my connections with the city, such as these, that become some of my most endearing memories!
Digital Photo Credit: Steve Calitri
Until Next Month…
You Are The Storyteller Of Your Own Life.
SHARE THE STORY.
The Gay Bostonian
All photos for the month of September were taken by my husband Steve Calitri and I . All photos with credit to Steve Calitri were shot on his Sony A7IV Digital Camera!
The 35mm film camera photos (aside from one that Steve took) were shot by me!
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Hoping to do some photography at a nearby park, an all-day rain forecast crushed my vision. Knowing I’d be spending a decent portion of the day at George’s house…I went online to search for a place to grab coffee that had a cool vibe. Google pointed me to Rea’s Cafe in Swansea.
OCTOBER 2023
The Southcoast of Massachusetts is an area I visit occasionally to spend time with George - one of my best friends I’ve known for over 15 years.
Join me for this months story where I hang out at an aesthetically pleasing cafe with my friend George while enjoying cold brew and a bagel on an extremely rainy day…
GRABBING COLD BREW AND A BAGEL
WITH ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS
ON AN EXTREMELY RAINY DAY IN
SWANSEA
The front windows of the cafe hint at all the plant life to be found inside Rea’s. The lit awning above the sidewalk offered solace from the rain.
15 minutes away from where my friend George lives is a cafe that serves various food items and cold brew. I decided on a bagel with oreo cream cheese and a “toasted marshmallow” flavored cold brew. There is an oversized table located opposite the area where you order.
Sitting down at the table to eat, we are first indulged in whatever is displaying on our phone screens. Eventually we get tired of that and put down our phones and begin to talk. The conversation typically spans anywhere from family life to work life to future plans. I’ve known George for over 15 years now. I previously used to live in Brockton, Massachusetts. I started chatting with him - of all places - on MySpace. Thinking back now I’m not quite sure if George had ever met anyone as flamboyant as me when we first met. We realized, personality behaviors aside, we had quite a few hobbies in common and even more in common with our beliefs of social rights and equality. It was nice to have a new friend to just chill with Steve & I. Its nice to make a friend that will be around for the rest of your life :)
After a few moments of chatting I ask George to pose with me for a photo…a memory of our time hanging out together at the cafe. A request for a photo is typically one that George declines. But this time he agrees and goes along with it. He gets distracted and most likely doesn’t realize he isn’t looking at the camera. The photo is a keeper though because I am smiling and he is lost in thought…and he has the pose to prove it.
I think George was distracted when my husband took this photo. Still a wonderful photo, though!
Bagel with Oreo Cream Cheese. Delicious!
Toasted Marshmallow Cold Brew. Very tasty cold brew!
Plants (and Art) for sale along the back wall of the cafe
For years, George has found great amusement in randomly sticking out his finger to humorously ruin a good photo for no reason at all. The smile on his face, showcasing his devilish “I’m-up-to-no-good” actions, is incredibly annoying and charming to me at the same time. So I smile back…
The oversized checkers are a cool addition to this table…
A leather couch with a view through an oversized window. I want oversized windows liek this in my house :)
Opposite the large table is an inviting black leather couch and I take an opportunity to sit at it while enjoying more of my cold brew. I begin to think of ways I can pose on this couch for photos. I ask my husband to come join me on the opposite side of the couch to take a few photos of me.
As we discuss how I’ll pose, George decides to order and purchase a snack from the counter. Shown below are the photos my husband Steve took of me. And yes, George’s finger makes another appearance too!
I really liked how inviting this area of the space was!
Comfy vibes in sweats cuz rainy days call for it!
George’s finger strikes again!
A photo taken from a lower angle creates a new perspective of the space. The wood flooring adds to the aesthetic!
There is a mirror on the wall opposite the couch so I grabbed my husbands camera and took this photo just for the hell of it!
It was time to leave the cafe and head back to our friend George’s house. The rain would absolutely not let up and continued for the remainder of the day. It was nice to get out for a little bit, grab some coffee, and take photos of one of the most aesthetically pleasing cafes in the Southcoast of Massachusetts.
As this month’s story comes to an end…
The final two photos below display how I felt about the rain ruining my plans to spend the afternoon doing film photography
Oh well….Tomorrow is Another Day!!! :D
Until Next Month…
You Are The Storyteller Of Your Own Life.
SHARE THE STORY.
The Gay Bostonian
All portrait photos for the month of October were taken by my husband Steve Calitri. I took a few non-portrait photos of the cafe space.
All photos were shot on his Sony A7IV Digital Camera!
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Roughly once every three weeks my husband Steve & I find ourselves in one of Boston’s most diverse neighborhoods: Mission Hill. Filled with college students, condos, and small businesses…this neighborhood is one of a kind. This neighborhood, like many others in Boston, is slowly but surely evolving.
NOVEMBER 2023
Join me for this months story where I spend mid-day in Mission Hill: A visit to my stylist Pedro for a haircut, a short walk up the street to hop on the swing set at a newly renovated park/playground with my friend Justin, and a selection of photos throughout to show why this neighborhood is magical!
MID-DAY ON A MAIN STREET OF
MISSION HILL
The street looks out towards Roxbury Crossing!
The purpose of visiting this neighborhood so often is simple: Our hair grows quite fast and we love getting our haircuts! Pedro, an independent stylist who recently opened up his own salon, has a true gift for cutting hair. Pedro fell in love with Mission Hill and decided to open up his salon here. Through my continuous trips to this part of Boston I have fallen in love with the neighborhood too!
The windows in the salon are amazing and bring in tons of natural light. Pedro and I have posed for many photos against this backdrop that I then post to my Instagram feed!
Pedro is part of what makes Mission Hill special! Super down to earth and an excellent sense of humor to match. Incredibly talented at cutting my hair too, I might add!
My husband Steve and I go back and forth in conversation with Pedro, always laughing. I’ll often share details about people I photograph with my film camera.
Haircut almost complete…just back from the sinks where Pedro washes my hair. The shampoo he uses is awesome.
This message displays in the bathroom of the salon. I noticed it and somehow find the message both inspirational and charming…
Haircut complete and gay powers restored…My husband Steve & I give Pedro a hug and tell him “see you in three weeks!”. I then meet up with my friend Justin who has never been to Mission Hill before. I decide to show him a little bit of the neighborhood. We head towards the renovated park/playground area due to it’s incredible charm.
And then we found the swing sets…
These steps lead down to a wide, open space. Colorful Fall leaves have fallen everywhere and add to the charm of this season.
One of the best parks/playground in Mission Hill - this space was recently renovated and it outstanding for photography!
Sometimes a fence offers a great opportunity for unique photos!
A close up view of the basketball court! Beyond the fence is an elementary school.
A wider view of the basketball court and the neighborhood beyond it!
Justin & I find the swing set. I quickly realize he is much better at gaining speed on th swings than I am! Suddenly while posing for photos, my husband says something amusing that cracks us up. Our reaction is captured below…
I am incredibly thankful for my friendship with Justin. He grew up in New Jersey (Jersey Shore Represent!) but came to Boston to complete his masters. Our personalities complement each other perfectly. I’ve always enjoyed making new friends that allow me to show them what makes Boston so special. Through hanging out in different parts of Boston, grabbing food and (of course) boba, and doing photography…our friendship continues to grow! And I know he is a wonderful friend….because I show Justin (as well as his fiancé Jason) all the cool parts of Boston that are not touristy!
As we were getting ready to leave the space and head to a cafe for a snack…we notice there is exactly one tree with reddish-orange leaves on it. We stop for a moment to admire it. We then make our way back up the steps towards the cafe…photos taken along the way are shown below.
To close out this months story, the final photo displays the opposite street view of the first photo, looking out towards Brigham Circle.
The Park/Playground’s main entrance…
This path leads towards the library…
View towards Brigham Circle…
November is my birth month. To celebrate my love for this website as well as my love of art, I have created a special portrait!
Until Next Month…
You Are The Storyteller Of Your Own Life.
SHARE THE STORY.
The Gay Bostonian
All portrait photos for the month of November were taken by my husband Steve Calitri.
All photos were shot on his Sony A7IV Digital Camera!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤎🩵🩷🤍
The year 2023 is almost at it’s end. This month, I share a story of a short trip to The Boston Commons. A story of a gift to Boston and also the story of how much of a gift it has been sharing each new story with you this year.
DECEMBER 2023
The city of Boston means different things to different people. It impacts us in unique ways. On this day in one of the oldest parks in America, I travel to where Nova Scotias gift has been placed. A majestic tree to recognize the aid Bostonians offer (and continue to offer) to other countries…
THE NOVA SCOTIA TREE FOR BOSTON
BOSTON COMMMON
A cloudy, late fall day in New England…not a raindrop in sight, but not a ray of sun either…
Partial “Boston skyline” buildings are easily seen from the Commons as you walk towards the center of the park and gaze outwards towards the Back Bay…
It was a typical, extremely cloudy late fall day. Being the holidays, A majority of outdoor spaces are packed this time of the year. The Boston Commons were no diferent - It was early afternoon and filled with people. It is not rare to see people walking through their park on the way towards Newbury Street and other parts of the Back Bay...
Up from the parking garage I open the exit door which put me in a northern corner of the park. I needed to walk towards another section, closer to Park Street, to get to the Nova Scotia tree. What I saw along the way is shared below…
A group of musicians (possibly college student?) play holiday music with their instruments as people walk by…
The Parkman Bandstand is not always empty…it has been used by many people for speeches and concerts!
The Soldiers and Sailors Monument honors the lives lost in the American Cival War…
I come across ice skaters - who were skating on the frozen Frog Pond. This is one of the busiest features of Boston Common during the winter. On this day the ice skating rink is full of people…
I leave the skating rink and continue onwards towards the tree…
The Massachusetts State House partially hidden behind the many tree branches in front of me. The gold dome atop the buildling is unforgettable…
And Just Like That…
I arrive at the tree
What a tree! As for the ground around it….I hae always felt the grass in the Commons could use a lot more love. And then I remember how much foot traffic there is here…
A humongous explosion that occurred after two ships collided over 100 years ago was the impetus for Boston providing aid to Nova Scotia.
A tree is given to Boston each year as a thank you for the support from Nova Scotia.
As the year comes to an end…I start to reflect on how much I’ve grown as a person this year. I started this website inspired by my ability to tell stories through photography. I see now just how much of a gift it truly is.
To everyone that has visited this website and read this year’s stories: Thank you. I worked with many people to make my website become reality and I could not have done it without you! I hope you found something charming in each story…including months where I had a smaller and simpler story.
I would especially like to thank my husband Steve for capturing many of the photos in these stories. His love and support is unconditional and everlasting!
Lastly - to the city that inspires me….
Believe in Boston. I do.
My husband Steve & I would like to wish everyone a very Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!!!
Here is to what’s next in 2024! I hope to share more stories with you soon!
Until Next Month…