It's Family Week

I am hosting a fund raiser. My first ever!. August 17th in Provincetown. It is to benefit The AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod of which I am a Board Member. $50 per head. $90 per couple. You are invited … read and download the invite at my site. There is an RSVP required. If you can’t make it, please send in a donation. Its amazing how many gay men in their early 20’s are now being diagnosed with HIV and even more alarming…men in their late 30’s and 40’s. We need to increase awareness and education, so please, at least send a donation. If you can’t make it to the event, send in what you can. Ok, that’s my plug ... but very important. It is still an issue…borderline revived crisis.

Provincetown, Provincetown, Provincetown. This is the land of one week affairs, men from all over the world and long distance relationships. It’s also family week and sure as there is sand on the beach, strollers have invaded Commercial Street. The diversity of our community is welcoming though and I for one, like the sound of kids crying and parents’ punishing ... as long as I’m not involved and its not in close proximity. The Splash Event didn’t seem to be a big smash, however, the verdict is still out. It was its first year and we’ll see how it grows. There seemed to be more attractive men in town last week then anything else.

It was by far an interesting week. After a fun Sunday evening with John in Hyannis for Linda Eder and Steve Tyrell, and a full workday on Monday, I headed to East Boston to visit Luiz. I haven’t left the Cape since late March so it was a bit weird leaving the island ... but necessary for the sanity. Monday night Luiz prepared a birthday dinner for his friend Vanderlei. Tuesday was a spent working from Luiz’s East Boston loft. We went to see Dark Knight after he got out of work and then to the North End of Boston for dinner. Here’s the culture shock. Holding hands with a man in Boston still gets stares and finger pointing. It’s a strong reminder to me that once I leave Provincetown it’s an entirely different world. Wednesday we checked out the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and Museum of Fine Arts. I used to work in The Fenway and grew a bit nostalgic for the past, but that passed quickly. Thursday I took the 9AM ferry back to Ptown. I had to run to the train from his loft in the morning in order to catch the ferry. Someone I once knew wrote a song about that and I thought how odd it is that people come in and out of our lives. What a weird reminder. But taking the Blue Line (subway) during rush hour was a little too strong a reminder of my corporate days in Boston and frequent trips to New York last year. I was on the train with my bright blue suitcase, flip flops and Ptown attire surrounded by glum faced commuters in corporate drag. Once I boarded the boat and we lost sight of land I shook off the stuffy energy and was relieved to know that home was just a bay away. I think I’ve become a gay Jimmy Buffett ... there’s a gig for me.

I contracted a summer cold while in Boston and was miserable for a few days while working. No energy for Tea Dance or too much else. I did however, run into many people from my past. Friends from long ago who were here for their week long vacations. Seeing most of them before I went to Boston, they were happy to be here….ecstatic. Then I saw them a week later at the Porch Bar, Friday night with long faces. Drunk and sad at the fact that it was their last chance to grab some fun before heading back to the drudgery of everyday life. Sorry guys, but I’m sure glad I’m out of it.

Enough idle chatter ... here’s what’s going on in town.

Sewer issues in the west end, north of Bradford Street on and around Snows Lane are having residents seeing red. Initial plans for the sewer expansion have become complicated due to the need for special pumps at a not so special cost to homeowners.

There have been graffiti artists on the run. He or she has been tagging buildings and cars throughout Ptown for the past few months. Police have arrested four people in the defacement and expect more to come.

A number of people have been fined for being nude on the beach. Taking the suit off will leave you with a $75 fine if caught. Be careful! The old “look around and make sure there is no ranger” doesn’t work anymore. Rangers look from a distance with binoculars and get you on the way out! You may want to use more than sun block to cover those delicate areas.

Well, that’s it for this week. Thanks for reading and if you’d like me to post anything or if you have a comment, please email me at mike.dubour@verizon.net

We changed our "Table for Three" night to Sunday. This week, Rich, Mike, John and I ate at my favorite, Fanizzi's in the east end (click here). I loved my meal, but unfortunately this wasn't unanimous.

From Bears, to Boston and Beyond

I’m sitting on the fast ferry right now heading to Boston for my weekend. The boat has had a malfunction and blew a coil, thus we are cruising at not so fast speed. At least it gives me time to catch up with you.

Well, the Bears have left Provincetown. After a week of big hairy bellies and backs, Commercial Street has returned to gay boys and girls bopping about. Restaurants and retail report to me that bears buy and last week was no exception. Strong reported revenues for both sections of our little economy.

For me it was just another summer week. The real estate market has done well and continues to stay busy even though the national trend is scary. Read my real estate blog for more on that. My routine of coffee at Joe in the morning and gym in the evening after work is chugging along.

Luiz came to visit me from Boston. He arrived Thursday evening on the ferry just as John and I finished dinner at The Caribbean Café. See his write up on this week’s "Table for Three".

Thursday night was spent walking Commercial Street and relaxing in the delicious weather we’ve been having. Did someone say “gelato” seems to be the theme of these summer evenings. Ok…check out these spots for the best cream in town. If gelato or sorbet is your thing, the Aquarium Mall’s gelato store is the place to be. Most of it is homemade. For ice cream you can’t beat a sundae at Lewis Brothers on the corner of Commercial and Standish. This is where the dancing and spinning cop directs traffic. Lewis Brothers has homemade ice cream and addictive hot fudge that is made fresh every other day. The Jamaican ladies that serve up the sweetness seem ornery at first…however, jab back at them and you’ll get a smile. Twisted Sister located just next to the Portuguese Bakery serves up ice cream until 2AM!!! Homemade by our lesbian sisters daily. Two more parlors catch my taste buds with their product …. Ben and Jerry’s is the old standby located in the center of town near town hall. Also, Spiritus doesn’t only serve up pizza to hungry drunk partygoers. Check out the back counter. Frankie may be there serving up a variety of name brand ice creams (Hagen Daz, Emack and Bolio etc).

A new place that Mark, Rich, Chad and I dined at was the new restaurant where the Euro Café used to be. They serve it all. Thai, pizza and sushi. It’s not an official Table for Three yet, but is a bit of gossip. The restaurant will open where the old theatre used to be. It will be a large sushi restaurant. Super high ceilings, potentially live music and dancing. Wow! Year round too! Now we can go out to dinner and dancing in February…lets see how long it lasts..Hopefully awhile. We’ll hit it on table for three and let you know how it was.

Friday, Luiz and I went back to the Provincetown Inn and relaxed by the pool for the day. We swam in the warm west end waters…Ok…. I carried him to the water and threw him in….gently…of course.

Friday night we all skipped the normal Porch Bar routine. In all honesty, its too crowded for me these days. If you’re looking for a bedmate or to socialize it will do the job. We may skip this week too as it is unanimous with the crew. Saturday was fun. Luiz cooked an authentic Brazilian meal. How talented. It was very good. We chased our dinners with a peach pie from Connie’s Bakery. All good.

Sunday, I bid a farewell to Luiz and waved as he steamed away on the ferry. Sunday night John and I took a trip to Hyannis to check out Linda Eder and Steve Tyrell at the Cape Cod Melody Tent. We ate tapas at Embargo on Main Street Hyannis. The food was awesome. The show was good. Steve Tyrell, who I had never heard of, was quite entertaining. A one hour set. Linda, on the other hand, although I love her dearly, only performed six songs. Her voice was fierce and on key. Very powerful… but only six songs….? She left her “clash of subculture” audience of gay boys and white Republicans wanting more. But Linda will not do the fake off stage encore and when she left the stage, house lights went up much to our disappointment. I last saw her in New York at Feinstein’s late last summer. Dinner and a show, intimate venue. It was wonderful.

Its lesbian week this week. A good week to skedaddle. “Splash” as it is called. I wonder how it will go over. Rosie O’Donnell docked her massive cruise ship in the bay on Friday and cruisers came to shore to spend money here. Yay.

Ok, I’ll wrap up this week. I’m just outside of Boston and Luiz will be meeting me on the pier.

I have to “shout out” to some readers this week. Thanks for reading btw.

T from Boston wants to compliment me on my weight loss. He’s been following the blog and wants to acknowledge the loss just from the pics. Lol. Thanks. Its amazing what a diet of water and a tic tac will do. A sugar free tic tac of course.

N from Fort Lauderdale found me after ten years. Thanks for emailing me. Come visit.

JS from the South End of Boston and his crew have been faithfully reading the blog weekly at work and anticipating their vacation here. Thanks.

If you’re reading and want to drop me line, please do so. Its nice to receive an email so just click mike.dubour@verizon.net

Next week is family week. Wear closed toed and closed heeled shoes if walking Commercial Street or a stroller will nip you. Have great week and play it safe.

The Week With No Theme

The week with no theme. That’s what last week was. Usually, the week following the Fourth of July is Bear Week. This year, however, it had no theme. We are however, right in the middle of Bear Week. It’s a Bear Jamboree and an abbreviated blog entry.

The week started great on Sunday evening. A bonfire on Race Point Beach with some friends. I met Luiz at the fire. A really nice guy from Boston.

On Monday, Duncan, Luiz, Chris, Mark and I went to Showgirls. It was probably the best yet this summer.

The week itself was pretty uneventful. John, Mark, Luiz and I ate at Cafe Heaven for "Table for Three." It was pretty good. Click to read the review.

Tuesday, Duncan, Luiz and I walked Commercial Street at night. We ate Gelato at the Aquarium Mall and caught a snippet of the old movie “Babarella” which was projected on the wall out by the water where the picnic tables are.

Friday, Luiz and I sat by the pool at The Crown and Anchor and watched as the Bears slowly bounded in.

Sunday of this week, Mark and I went to see “The Atomic Bombshells” at The Vixen. Good show . Burlesque theatre with Pearlene as theHostess. She picked on Mark the entire time.

That’s really it for this week….a short entry.

Next week Luiz comes back for a visit from Boston.

Circuit Boys Come…and Go

The climax of the summer has come and gone! The Fourth of July week was filled with beautiful men and boys, all of whom were very friendly.

The drivers were on crack! One car flew past me Monday night as I was driving up Bradford Street by Farland. This car must have been going about 60mph and swerving! He almost hit us head on. Then there was the redneck gay boy speeding down Route 6 in his bright red pick up with New York plates.…probably going 100! And finally, a lady that pulled out of Telegraph Hill without stopping! I came within inches of hitting her...with my car. Luckily, I wasn’t speeding.

Wednesday, I went to an intimate fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee and met Howard Dean. What a nice guy, pretty attractive in person and has the brightest blue piercing eyes. I asked him some questions about Hillary and Obama and was pretty much pleased with his answers. In my opinion it’s still going to be a tough election.

That night we checked out my friend and comic Kaitlin Colombo’s new comedy show called “Make me Laugh Bitch!” It’s a Showgirls type program at The Crown and Anchor. Aspiring comics get one and a half minutes to perform and the winner gets $75. I went to support her and found myself doing a comedy routine. This was completely unplanned. I had never done stand up before and was terrified….however, I came in second place! It was a close second and the money was almost split between me and the winner. The house couldn’t divide the prize money so I came in second…what an experience!

On the Fourth of July, I drove my car in the parade down Commercial Street. We dolled it up with flags and banners. We represented WOMR radio. There were five of us all together and we came in third place for best float. Can you imagine?! We were handed a trophy as we passed the judges stand in front of town hall.

In the evening we went to a BBQ at my friend Tom’s house with the usual cast of characters. Bernard and Scott were in from New York with three of their friends. I met more guys from New York and D.C at the party. The fireworks were great for our seaside hamlet. We viewed them from the rooftop deck of Tom’s condo mate. Afterwards, we walked Commercial Street and the town was abuzz. I ended my night at The Porch Bar.

I picked up my friend Duncan at the ferry Saturday and the line of boys waiting to get on the boat stretched down past the whale watch boats. Their sad expressions made me thankful that I didn’t have to leave!

Rumors are that Miss Coco Peru is coming to Ptown in August and performing at the UU. You know her, the drag queen from the movie “Trick” and “Girls will be Girls.”

I also want to check out Hedda Lettuce. She’s back in town at the UU. There’s a new queen on the scene…. Jackie Beat.…getting great reviews. I’ll check her out and tell you about it.

"Table for Three" visited Enzo Thursday night. Mark, Rich, John, Troy, Eric and myself had a decent meal there while the boys traipsed by. How many monuments? Check out John’s review.

Sunday was pretty wild. We hit Tea Dance at The Boatslip…mixed and mingled a bit and then it was shirts off and dancing right in the middle of some lingering hot gym boys…who were indeed pretty friendly on the dance floor. Friends from Long Island and Boston joined my crew and Mary Alice dished out some intense music. Afterwards, we camped out at Race Point Beach for a bonfire. The only thing missing was a harmonica and guitar, but the crescent moon over the Atlantic made up for it. 

I’ll catch you next week. Email me at mike.dubour@verizon.net if you have anything you’d like to add.