Blue Ribbon BBQ

February 7, 2008

Blue Ribbon Bar-B-Q, Arlington, MA

I took the day off work today. I decided to take advantage of the weekday off (usually I go somewhere where one can enjoy weekdays), so I went to Blue Ribbon Bar-B-Q in the depths of the Boston suburbs for some good, authentic Carolina style pulled pork. It was busy (undoubtedly, not as busy as it would be on weekends), but I managed to find a spot at a standing counter to enjoy my sandwich. I enjoyed it so much that I realized halfway through it that they had accidentally given me a pulled chicken sandwich rather than the pulled pork that I ordered. I was in heaven as it was, and it didn't bother me one bit. Anyone from the South knows that the meat is second to the preparation...smoked, dry-rubbed, and free to add whatever sauce you want (I chose the Carolina Vinegar, which is a great dipping sauce). The baked beans were out of this world (I was standing across from two business people visiting from the New York area, and all they could utter was, "out of this world" in their thick accents). The pickles there are awesome, too...pull them out of a vat with tongs, and if you're lucky, you'll get a nice pickled clove of garlic and a sprig of collards as well.

This place is well worth the ride. It's accessible by public transportation...just take the Green Line to Park, the Red Line to Harvard, and then the 77 bus towards Arlington Heights to 905 Mass Ave. You can't miss it. It'll take you about an hour and 15 minutes, but on a snowy day in Boston, the ride is worth it.

BIDMC Research East

February 6, 2008

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Research East, Boston

This was taken at 8:30PM tonight and should serve as evidence that people in the Harvard Medical Area do not, in fact, work 24/7, as rumors largely dictate. I was trying to catch up on some paperwork that had been all over my desk since late November, and it took me three days until 8:30 tonight to finally get things filed away. I take my notebook keeping very seriously, so I feel very relieved that all is caught up.

Research East is a very old building (from the 1920s) that we are currently leasing from nearby Emmanuel College. We will be moving out of this building in a few months and taking residence in a brand new 18-story research tower behind the building (we'll be on the 10th floor), at which point this building will be turned over to Emmanuel College once again. While the building has served out BL2+ research operations well for the past 15 years (not to mention that it is well disguised during the summer months, as it is largely covered by ivy and has a sign outside designating it as an Alumnae Hall for the college), we are excited with the prospect of moving into more modern facilities.

Super Tuesday

February 5, 2008

Boston Arts Academy/Fenway High School, Boston

The Republican and Democratic primaries took place today in Massachusetts. My polling station was Fenway High School, which is a convenient 2 blocks from my apartment, just across the street from Fenway Park's Van Ness Gate. I arrived around 5PM, waited 5 minutes for my ballot, and everything was done in a matter of 10 minutes.

Many were undecided today...in fact, some people I spoke with witnessed people who decided to flip a coin at the voting desk (we vote by electronic scan sheet here). I'll be happy with Obama or Hillary in the race...in my opinion, unless something changes, the Democrats are screwed in 2008 (unless Romney gets the nomination)...so I chose for the one who I'd like to hear publicly speak for the next 9 months...that would be Obama.

Super Bowl XLII

February 3, 2008

Super Bowl Sunday, St. Botolph District, Boston

This rather grainy image shows the spread we enjoyed as we watched, on HDTV, the Patriots and the Giants face off in the 2008 Super Bowl. We lost, unfortunately, but it was an exciting game. We had home-made chicken wings, chili, veggies, and lots of beer to drown our sorrows at the end of the game.

View from Parker Hill

February 2, 2008

Parker Hill Avenue, looking towards Fort Hill, Roxbury, Boston

This view was taken from one of the best kept secrets of Boston - Parker Hill Playground, at the summit of the Mission Hill district in Boston. The tower to the right, which marks the Fort Hill neighborhood, was built not long after Roxbury was annexed to the City of Boston in 1868. It was originally built as a water tower, disguised as a minaret of sorts. It featured a winding staircase that encased the water tank inside. It fell into disrepair in the 1960s, and was recently restored to its original appearance. Today, it stands as a monument to the Siege of Boston that took place at this location in the 1770s during the American Revolution.

People who climb Mission and Parker Hills will immediately be reminded of San Francisco, with the views of the downtown high rises with colorful triple-deckers and houses in the foreground. The streets in the area meander to cope with the steep topography, much of which features outcroppings of Boston's famed Roxbury Puddingstone. While the Mission Hill neighborhood still maintains a negative reputation (after all, it is also known as "Mission: Kill"), it's slowly being gentrified and is a prime spot for young people looking for a well-priced condo with great views in an area that bears promise for rapid redevelopment. Anyone old-timer walking through Boston's South End, after having seen it 25 years ago, can attest to the power of urban redevelopment in Boston.

Dana Farber Cancer Institute...

February 1, 2008

Laboratory inside Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston

After a 4-hour Friday afternoon happy hour (beer), Etienne of the DFCI slaves at his lab bench to finish off some last-minute work to end the week. In celebration of a week of productivity, he flings his last latex glove at the trash can.

Finale

January 31, 2008

Finale, Harvard Square, MA

My friends Matt and Mel were at a play produced by the American Repertory Theatre last night, and I met them afterwards at Finale on Dunster Street just off of Harvard Square. Finale is a small, local chain of dessert restaurants that offer a menu of...yes, desserts...and fine dessert wines and ports to accompany their selections.

I apologize for the poor quality of the photo...it was pretty dark inside this restaurant. Having a few beers beforehand at the bar across the street, John Harvard's (great microbrews...their IPA is fabulous) didn't help with my not-so-steady hand. At least I was able to watch the Celtics game against Dallas and read my New Yorker while sipping on an ale...very nice (we won, of course).