The Famous Faces of 667 Boylston

Image source Boston Herald

There’s no way to accurately quantify the crazy number of crazies that roam the streets of Beantown on any given day. From religious advocates to the most opinionated of the homeless population, to solicitors begging for my hard-earned cash, it’s hard not to catch a glimpse of some serious characters during a day-to-day routine in this city.

As the lucky inhabitant of a window-view office in the heart of Copley Square, I’m able to observe the regular craziness from afar with little threat of actual face-to-face interaction. This m.blog post would be a novel if I described each outlandish character, so here are my picks for the top three famous faces in our ‘hood:

1. Yelling Man. Every day at precisely 5:00 PM, the anonymous, safari hat-wearing wanderer known at mm/c simply as “Yelling Man” marches down Boylston Street to announce a booming, urgent message for all to hear. The problem? With all the sirens, car horns and chit chat on our bustling road, it’s tricky to interpret Yelling Man’s important words of wisdom. Usually it sounds something like “YOU WILL ALL MISS ME THIS SATURDAY!” or “I TOLD YOU YOUR FEET WOULD BE COLD IF YOU WORE SANDALS TODAY!” One of these days I’ll head down to street level just before 5 to hear the real catchphrase, but for now translating his nonsensical memos is thoroughly amusing.
2. The Piccolo Player. Another one of Copley Square’s early-evening entertainers, The Piccolo Player stands on a Back Bay corner playing familiar patriotic tunes as we wrap up our work every night (weather dependent). His go-to is Yankee Doodle, but there’s never a shortage of jolly jigs when Mr. Piccolo is around. And you’d be shocked by the range in which his tunes can be heard. Blocks and blocks of Boylston Street office buildings are fortunate enough to be surrounded by woodwind melodies when the end of the work day rolls around.
3. The Spare Change Songster. Everybody knows the tune. “Does anybody havvvve any channnnge? Does annnnnybody have any change? Change, change, change, change-cha-change change!” It’s my favorite change cup plea, with just enough repetition to get stuck in my head for days. The Spare Change Songster is a walking legend in my book.

Who would you add to the list? The “Can I have one dollar? Can you spare one dollar?” gal? The metro Boston distributor who’s always down to hug a stranger? This list could go on and on…

Posted by Mary

The Rules of Civility

During my annual spring cleaning flurry last  weekend I came across two peculiar items that comprised an inheritance from my late grandmother. Pushed back into the depths of my rather prolific bookcase, the 700-page volume, Amy Vanderbilt’s Complete Book of Etiquette, and a slim doctrine entitled George Washington’s Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation had been politely passing the days collecting dust since their arrival from Virginia a few years prior.

Whilst flipping through their heavily dog-eared pages pertaining to everything from quintessential cutlery to courteous comportment, I realized to my horror that I am guilty of violating these strictures not singular times but have been doing so daily! Flabbergasted, I took some time to reflect on my devious breaches of decorum.

Don’t get me wrong, I was raised to garner a deep appreciation for salad forks, thank you letters and proper introductions, but have always taken pleasure in the accepted, albeit provocative and somewhat narcissistic, mannerisms of our day.

Below is just a sampling of George Washington’s 110 rules that I would like for you to consider as etiquette conundrums I have recently encountered in today’s society.

On Social Graces:
“2^nd When in Company put not your Hands to any Part of the Body, not usualy Discovered.”

Image source The Daily Mail

I suppose I should start with an explanation – NO, I do not run around public streets and establishments with my hands in inappropriate places, but, I DO love a good RiRi performance, crotch pats and all.  Sometimes you just have to do you and let your freak flag fly, manners be damned.

Regarding Table Manners:

“55^th Eat not in the Streets, nor in the House, out of Season.”

Image source Grubstreet Philadelphia

One of my favorite not-so-guilty pleasures: watching Anthony Bourdain eat, curse, drink, pass out drunk, eat, travel and make genius commentary on wonderfully bazaar customs and cuisines in fantastical locations (in that order). Even the title of his show, No Reservations, gloriously calls to attention his  blatant and oh-so-charming lack of social graces. It’s pretty clear that he doesn’t give a $*&% whether he scarfs his meals indoors or outdoors, during whatever season, as long as they are tasty. My guilty pleasure? Sometimes I like to eat ice cream outside in the winter – usually because I am too excited to wait until I get home.

On the Subject of Cleanliness, Hygiene, and Attire:
“54^th Play not the Peacock, looking every where about you, to See if you be well Deck’t, if your Shoes fit well if your Stokings sit neatly, and Cloths handsomely.”

Image source FanPop.com

I am a peacock. I primp. I have a habit of checking the status of my hair in any/all reflective surfaces on my way to work. I make no apologies for my ever so slightly narcissistic need to look un-rumpled and appropriately deck’t, as you will. I have a little tidbit of etiquette advice for you Mr. Washington…Tights, my dear man, are not pants.

Proper Business Propriety:
“35^th Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive.”

Image source Weheartit.com

Ok, I’m with you on this one George.

Posted by Jenna

Image source Nobility.org

Catch-22 for Sofia’s Boobs

FINALLY – Sofia Vergara and I have something in common. The Modern Family star recently told Cosmopolitan there are certain clothes she can’t wear because of her 32F chest. “I can’t wear something backless, because what holds them up? Then the magazines would be saying, ‘What was she thinking with those sagging t*ts?’”

As a fellow member of Camp Busty, I’m extremely envious of gals who can show off their shoulders and backs in strapless or scoop tops.  Not just because of how they look, but because (to me) it seems like they’ve gobbled up the dress market! Finding a non-strapless wedding gown was an ordeal.  And the bridesmaid’s dress I wore last summer, with its plunging back, lead to a crushing collection of straps, snaps and point underwire to avoid the dreaded sags.

So don’t “woe is me” Sofia for her complaint. As someone whose job it is to walk red carpets night after night with fresh new looks, she’s definitely at a disadvantage over the clothes-hanger body types of Gwyneth Paltrow or Nicole Kidman. Fashion reviewers might complain that she always wears the same cuts.  But has that diminished her beauty one bit?  No way!

Check out some shots of Sofia Vergara’s smokin’ signature red carpet look:

2011 SAG Awards
Image source Pursuitist.com

2012 Emmys
Image source HollywoodReporter.com

2013 White House Correspondent’s Dinner
Image source Vogue

Posted by Michelle

Image source Cosmopolitan

Why May 26 Will Be The BEST Day Ever

Image source GeekTyrant.com

In case you haven’t heard, on May 26 the legendary TV show, Arrested Development, will make a roaring return to a Netflix screen near you!

If you like dysfunctional families, inappropriate humor, clueless grown-ups, magicians who ride around on Segways, a failed psychologist who thinks he’s a member of the Blue Man Group, dramatic family lawsuits, and the most awkward person alive (Michael Cera), then make sure to tune in.

Arrested Development also teaches us important life lessons, like what to say if you don’t understand someone, how to use proper grammar, how to greet your siblings, and how to get your child’s attention. Truly, it’s a life-transforming and informative show.

In case you don’t know her already, let me introduce you to my favorite character of the family, Lucille Bluth; a 60-something mom who winks when she drinks, refuses to dine anywhere that isn’t a country club, outwardly criticizes her children, and fosters an unhealthy and clingy relationship with her youngest son. Not to mention she has the best one-liners. In case you find her just as amusing as I do, check out BuzzFeed’s “28 Ways To Live Life Like Lucille Bluth.”

In the meantime, make sure to do your research, catch up on all the inside jokes, character developments, and plot lines before the new season airs. That way, you’ll be ready to rumble as soon as Netflix simultaneously streams the entire season.

Who else will be staying up until midnight on May 25? Dedicated fans at mm/c, let yourselves be known!

Posted by Carolyn

Bikini Bod Boot Camp, Lazy Girl Style

Image source ITrecruiterDC.com

The time has come, ladies and gents, to put away those fuzzy sweats and squeeze into the cheeky bathing suit bottoms you’ve been hiding away for months. A scary thought, I know.

With that comes the time to slim and firm the parts of your bod that haven’t seen daylight in a while. Another scary thought.

I’d like to say the change in seasons means I’ll be hitting the gym harder than ever, but in reality, my three-days-a-week spin routine is probably going to continue the way it is at best. That said, I’m instilling a new routine to get this little bod into tip-top shape for the beach. Follow my newfound regime to laze your way to Victoria’s Secret status in no time.

1. Stop eating free cupcakes (and the like). When you work a couple blocks from Georgetown Cupcake, it’s easy to turn the free, super-secret cupcake of the day into an everyday occurrence. Time to take a momentary hiatus from the daily cupcake party.

2. Walk places. Nice weather = walking weather. The trek from North Station to Copley Square is a cakewalk with the right footwear.

3. Take the stairs. Sorry, peeps. Elevator’s off limits until August.

4. Drink vino, not beer. What?! mm/c client/friend/resident wine queen Liz Vilardi once told me that the secret to lookin’ great whilst dining on pork belly, rabbit rillette and fromage from Belly’s “butter” category is washing it all down with lots of acidic vino. That science makes sense to me! I am not going to argue that point.

5. Commercial breaks = sit up breaks. Said it. I’ve been known to get my crunch on in between American Idol performances.

6. Get up at lunch. I’ve made a vow to get my butt outta this chair at lunch time, even if it’s just to walk around the block, and I suggest that all you loyal m.blog readers do the same. Plus once in a blue moon I’m lucky enough to run into this talented guy.

7. Workplace exercises are not off-limits. Don’t worry, Marlo. We won’t be whipping out the running shoes for midday sprints, but someone at mm/c (cough cough, Maya), has taught me that lunging to and from the bathroom makes for toned thighs and a good giggle.

See? Easy as pie (although pie should probably be in the free cupcake category). See you on the beach, white wine in-hand, fellow fitness buffs!

Posted by Mary