On Hiatus

Hi all,
Just wanted to know I won't be posting much over the next few weeks. I'm swamped with lab work and various other commitments, so I just don't have the time and energy to work on the blog right now. Don't worry, though, I'll be back soon enough, especially considering that this is my main avenue of communication.

Cheers!

Restaurant Review: The Mission

Several years ago, I worked in the Longwood Medical Area. Since that time, the smattering of bars and restaurants in the Mission Hill area has grown. Last night, I decided to check out one of the new (to me) places with some friends. We met for food and drinks at The Mission on Huntington Ave in Brigham Circle. I really liked it. The room itself has an brick and wood yet airy design, and it was busy but not crowded on a Tuesday night. The beer selection was quite extensive, which inspired me to order 4 of them (oops!). I had the Steak N’ Bleu Salad and enjoyed it, and everyone else seemed pleased with their meals as well. The staff members were all very friendly and the bartenders seemed knowledgeable about the different beers. The only downsides were that they were out of a few of their draft beers, and that it's a little bit of a trek for me to get there now that I don't work across the street from Brigham Circle. Oh, and JR was sitting directly under an air vent, but the rest of us (including the doorman and the owner) had a good laugh about his conflict with the "pillar of arctic wind". I would definitely recommend checking out The Mission if you're in the area, or in the mood to for some good food and beers at a place a little hipper than the Sunset.

More music

Hey all, I made a new mix on muxtape.com....listen to it here. I threw in a couple examples of my musical guilty pleasure: duets.

Also, for those of you in Boston who like rock and roll, and like free stuff, The Hold Steady (and awesome band...how can you not appreciate lyrics like "She was a really cool kisser and she wasn’t all that strict of a Christian." ) are playing at the Paradise this Thursday night. The show is sponsored by Miller Lite and you can get in free by signing up for the guest list here. Let me know if you register, because I am planning to attend.

What Scientists Read

These two magazines were sitting side by side on the table in our break room. I enjoyed the disparity.

Weekend Report

Friday- Lab happy hour, then I headed out to Johnny D's in Somerville to check out a potential band for my sister Eri and Ryan's upcoming wedding. Since they live in San Diego, I've been recruited to scout out entertainment. (I'm really tempted to make a casting couch joke right now, FYI.)
So if anyone in eastern MA knows of a fun wedding band, let me know!

Saturday- My mom's birthday was last week, and as a present, I took her to the Red Sox game. Unfortunately, they lost, but it was a beautiful day and we had a great time. Except for a couple of incidents. I spotted a bum peering through the windows of the women's bathroom. I entered the stall and just happened to glance up, only to see a man's face looking at me through the window (luckily before I got down to business). I shouted at him to go away- something like "Hey you! What are you doing? Get out of here!" and he did, but of course I told my mom, who freaked. Oh, and my mom cut herself on a screw sticking out of the back of the seat in front of us, but the first aid people were really nice and helpful. But other that that, no other strange incidents. I was impressed by the number of Cardinals fans at Fenway. All so cheery and midwestern. After the game, we went out to dinner at the Farragut House in Southie. I can't believe I had never been there before! I really liked it. Normally, I turn my nose up at the hundreds of fake Irish bars in Boston- I mean, they're fine, but they're all the same. Same menu, same prices, same phony antiques covering the walls, and most of them are owned by the same restaurant group. Farragut House seemed much more authentic- it's small, independently owned, good food, good prices, and a definite neighborhood vibe.
The I went home and watched 3 episodes of Lost.

Sunday- Worked in the lab, then watched the Spain-Italy game with friends. It was not the most exciting game, but Italy lost, so I was happy about that. Italy: lovely country, vile (albeit very, very good-looking) football team. Later on, I watched more Lost and started the vampire smut book that my sister Kerry lent me.

One last Celtics photo

Here are Dennis and I on the floor of the Boston Garden, shortly after the trophies were handed out. Pretty awesome, huh?

Shortly after this picture was taken, I stood on top of a folding chair, the seat of which promptly flipped up and sent me crashing to the floor. Not so awesome. I was really embarassed, until I saw the exact same thing happen to like eight other people.

Happy Friday, everyone!

And for you non-NBA fans, I promise that this will be my last Celtics post for a while.

And now for the post required by all female bloggers...

My Sex in the City movie review!

Yes, I finally saw it. In sports-speak, it was what I thought it was. I won't say much, because basically, everyone who was a fan of the show probably saw it weeks ago, and for anyone who didn't, I'll avoid the spoilers.
If you liked the show, you'll like the movie. It's fun, cute, very predictable, and my lord, those outfits are atrocious! Charlotte is still my favorite; she just cracks me up.

You know what I find strange? I've heard several men go on about how they would never go to see that, no, not in a million years. I wouldn't go ever go see Alien Vs. Predator III, but I don't feel the need to make a big production about it. Methinks thou dost protest too much.

Links!

Slate starts a whole bunch of hilarious Obama rumors. This one's my favorite: " He travels mostly by FORKLIFT."

If you thought KG's postgame interview was strange, check out this one with Big Baby. I have the feeling Disney won't be airing that as a commercial. According to all reports, he's the locker room clown of the Celtics. And this picture flat out kills me. The pose reminds me of those ridiculous casual shots people took as part of their senior pictures in high school.

via Basketbawful, my new favorite basketball blog.

The story of a basketball team and the girl who loved them.

I grew up in a basketball household. My dad loves the game and played in high school and college (Cal Tech and UC-Riverside). He had high hopes for his three tall, moderately athletic daughters. He took us to the park and had us shoot free throws. He sent us to boy's basketball camp. (Note to parents: never do this to your 12 year old daughter who has braces, a mullet, and stick legs.) Unfortunately, we are all inexplicably terrible at the sport of basketball. But we still loved watching it. Specifically, watching the Boston Celtics. Larry, the Chief, McHale, DJ, Ainge, KC Jones, Red, etc. We used to gather around the tv in the den while our parakeets chirped like mad because they liked the sound of the squeaking sneakers on the parquet. A couple of times a year, we all headed in to the Garden, the hot, steamy old Garden and watched from our rickety obstructed view seats, ducking down to see the court around whatever overhang or pole was in the way. Sometimes, come playoff time, I couldn't even watch the end of close games. I'd leave the room because my heart felt like it was going to explode in my chest.

As I got older, the Celtics weren't a dominant force in the NBA anymore, but I still loved watching them. Players came and went, sometimes tragically. Paul Pierce joined the team in 1998, breathing new life into the franchise. I watched him and Antoine Walker advance two rounds in the 2002 playoffs by sheer heart alone. After that, there were a few dark years. I admit that I didn't like the way Danny Ainge was running things. Jim O'Brien was one of my favorite coaches, and Ainge pushed him out of town. I also didn't like the fact that he blew up that successful 2002 squad to bring in young, unproven players. But that's water under the bridge now. I still watched them, I still cheered for them, and I still went to games. I also kept following some of my favorite players on other NBA teams, like Kevin Garnett. He first showed up on my radar when I tuned in to the 2003 All-Star game. KG was the MVP of that game, scoring 37 points and playing like a fucking madman. Players aren't supposed to try their hardest in all star games, but that's the essence of Kevin Garnett. He always plays his hardest, no matter what the circumstances.

This summer, things started happening. The Celtics traded for Ray Allen. I liked the move. A month later, they acquired KG. I was ecstatic. When tickets went on sale, I bought a 12 pack. For cost reasons, I needed to find someone to with whom to share it, and after all of my friends who live in the city of Boston and claim to be sports fans said no (and you know who you are. feel the shame. feel it!), I contacted my high school friend Dennis, who lives an hour outside the city but absolutely loves the Celtics. He had also been going to games this whole time, as evidenced by past emails saying things like "Hey, my dad saw you and your sister on the Jumbotron." I believed that the new Celtics were going to be the best team in the East, and perhaps in the entire NBA. And I was right. When they made the playoffs, Dennis and I had the option to purchase one round of playoff tickets. We chose the finals.

Now, onto last night....it was absolutely amazing. Dennis and I headed in early, and got to our seats around 8:15. Very few people had arrived, so we sort of sat there for a while soaking it all in, and then I went to meet my friend Jen who was at the game with her fiance. The Garden was filling up. Green, white, everywhere. The good part about sitting in the balcony is that there are only real fans up there. Not corporate guys who came in their button-downs only so they could tell everyone that they went to the NBA finals. Celtics fans. Families, couples, old friends, gathered together to watch their favorite team compete for a championship. All of the people who were sitting near us in Game 1 were in their same seats. The Garden was getting louder and louder. The chants started. "Let's Go Celtics!" and "Beat L.A.!" Screaming, clapping, jumping, shouting. The team was introduced. The anthem was sung. The crowd was whipped into a pure frenzy. There was no way the Celtics were losing this game.

The whole thing is sort of a blur, impossible to describe, and I'm sure most of you watched it on tv. The game started out fairly even. Kobe hit some big shots in the first quarter. The Celtics remained poised. Notably, Rajon Rondo, who had looked tentative in previous games, poked and prodded and stole the ball over and over and over and went to the basket. It seems like throughout the playoffs, the wins were the result of one player (usually Paul Pierce) having a huge night. Did you ever wonder what would have happened if all of the Celtics, the Big 3 and the bench, all had their huge nights on the exact same night? Well, now we know, and it's called a blowout. They made the Lakers look like a JV squad. Over and over, the Celtics got stops on defense- stealing the ball, pressuring, forcing a turnover or a rushed shot- only to storm down the other end of the court and score. And the crowd ate it up. At one point in the second quarter, Paul Pierce hit a shot and the Lakers called time out. A "Beat L.A." chant rose up from the crowd. Louder, and louder, and louder. The building shook. I honestly have never heard such a thing in my life. At that moment, everyone knew what was happening. The Celtics were going to win their 17th NBA Championship, and we were all going to be there to see it. The Celtics never looked back, continued to play tough defense and to score, score, score again. Every single player except Sam Cassell (I think it was the only time I actually wanted Doc to put him in!) contributed on the court. Pierce went to the line, invoking MVP chants from the crowd. Meanwhile, Kobe headed to the bench. The clock ticked down, but the Celtics didn't slow down. Soon enough, it was Gino time. Even Paul Pierce started dancing when the don of disco appeared on the screen. Celtics win 131-92. Confetti. Celebration. Trophy. Championship.

It was AWESOME.

Some pictures. Unfortunately, my camera battery ran out during the game, so I'll post some more once Dennis sends me his.

Game 6

In a few short minutes, I'm going to leave work, change into my jersey dress and lucky socks (one of which is still dirty), and head to the new Boston Garden, where I will watch the Boston Celtics play the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA finals. If the Celtics win tonight, the 17th banner is ours!

At first, I was incredulous (Wait, I have tickets to the NBA finals? To watch the Celtics? That's impossible.)...then I was nervous (OMG what if they lose what if they lose Rondo's ankle Perk injured Ray's kid is sick Kobe ref conspiracy foul trouble). But now, I'm just very, very excited.

GO CELTICS!

BEAT LA!

Weekend Report

Better late than never, right?

Friday- Had friends over for tapas and sangria to celebrate Ern's birthday. With the help of a hardworking team of chefs (Meg, Lisa, Carolina, Pat, and Ern...yes I made the birthday girl cook at her own party. No one is exempt from food prep. NO ONE!), we served olives, almonds, spicy potatoes, Spanish tortilla, garlic shrimp, dates wrapped in bacon, chickpea salad, toast with prosciutto and cheese, sauteed mushrooms, and bruschetta. And lots and lots of sangria. And dumpcake. I hardly took any pictures, but here's one of the finished product. The food, drinks, and company were all splendid, but I must confess that dumpcake was too sweet for my tastes.

Saturday- Slept in, did some cleaning, then had a lazy day of movie watching and leftover tapas consuming. I watched Sling Blade (depressing) and The Savages (even more depressing).

Sunday- My friend Yuki and her fiance Jonathan were in town, so we met up with our friend Dennis and his pregnant sister and his pregnant wife (two separate people, you sickos!) for lunch at Wagamama, which Yuki informed us means "crybaby" in Japanese. Yum! Yuki, Jon and I hit the Freedom Trail for a while and walked around the North End, and managed to catch the exciting second half of the Turkey vs. Czech Republic Euro Cup game. That night, I went home to Framingham to cook a Father's Day meal for my parents. Ah yes, and the Celtics didn't clinch the series in L.A. which means that I have a couple of more days to stress out, lose sleep, and generally fret over my favorite team. And also that I will be able to use those Game 6 tickets tomorrow night. Fingers crossed for the good guys! In case you don't follow the NBA, the good guys wear green.

And now for something not related to the NBA

For those of you (and you know who you are) who became fans of modern creative genius Dave Secretary after I linked to his hilarious stories, well, I've done some Google stalking. Because, based upon what I've read, I sort of want to marry him.

Looks like he's also dabbled in art, specifically, poorly drawn comics that he overexplains in the captions. Not as glorious as RIDICULOUS STORIES WRITTEN IN ALL CAPS, but entertaining nevertheless. Time for some comics.

In other news, I've slowly been working through the Modern Library's list of 100 Best Novels. The Board's List, not the Reader's List, because apparently the readers surveyed included an overabundance of scientologists and Ayn Rand fans. Ick. I just finished Go Tell It On The Mountain by James Baldwin. Published in 1953, GTIOTM is the story of a black boy growing up in Harlem in the shadow of his bullying father, who is the worst sort of religious man: one who mistakes his own arrogance for righteousness. The book is interesting from a historical perspective, and I was impressed by how Baldwin transitions through different character's viewpoints (son, father, mother, aunt) with ease and believability. However, I've never been a big fan of religious-themed literature (think The Scarlet Letter and Sinners in the Hands on an Angry God and all those other books you had to read in high school, oh, wait, you never had a crazy Puritan for an English teacher?) and this book is absolutely chock full o' Christianity. Like, pages on pages of sermons and psalms and speaking in tongues and whatnot.

Anyways, I'm now looking for a new book to read (I like to alternate the classics with more modern fare), so please let me know if you have any recommendations. I'm also considering giving the DCoE Book Club another go, so if you're interested in participating, drop a line in the comments.

I promise, no Salman Rushdie complicated 800 page novels this time around!

Have a great weekend, everyone. We're celebrating my roommate Ern's birthday tonight, and I'm making a special dessert. Hint: starts with dump, ends with cake.

YEEEEAAAH CELTICS!

Celtics come back from a 24 point deficit to beat the Lakers, 97-91.

Just one more win to go.....

BEAT LA!

For the record

You know how when you're a kid and you get a cone at the ice cream shop, and it falls on the floor, they give you another for free? Well, if you're an adult and you buy a six pack of beer at the liquor store and on your way out the bag breaks and the beer falls, shattering two of the bottles, you don't get new ones for free. Even if you make a Sad Face.

And the parade of strangely named food products marches on...

mmmm...dumpcake!

Odd canned goods are the new interspecies friendship.

Are you neurotic?

I'm currently fascinated by the website i am neurotic, where people submit their neuroses for posting. Some weird, some mundane, some crazy.

A lot of these make my own neurotic habits seem rather dull in comparison. For example, when at the grocery store, I absolutely must walk through the produce section first. I don't like to venture to new grocery stores because I am unsure of where the produce section will be.

If you have any strange habits you'd care to share, comment away!

Busy, busy

So much to post, so little time.

• Celtics win again! 108-102. Let's just pretend that scary Lakers comeback never happened, mmmkay? Way to go, Leon Powe! I've liked his play all season long, and he really had a breakout performance last night. Paul Pierce looked great, too. Oh, and Curt Shilling agrees- Kobe's a jerkface.
• Phil Jackson possesses a talent that I've always envied- the ability to stick a couple of fingers in your mouth and produce an ear-piercing whistle. Here's a nice little article on Jackson's whistle.
• Hillary Clinton drops out. Here's the text of her concession speech, in which she thanks her supporters and throws her full support behind Barack Obama. I been fairly mum on politics lately, mostly because the democratic infighting left a bad taste in my mouth, but I'm glad that everything is settled and that Hillary made a graceful exit. Now, let's go Obama!
• I had a busy weekend- bridal shower, lab work, crawfish boil, soccer, sushi, and Celtics. Oh, and it's currently 1000 degrees in Boston.
• Perhaps the most significant discovery of the weekend was learning that Whole Foods sells Snickerdoodle flavored soy ice cream. And it's delicious! Since I'm lactose intolerant and allergic to chocolate, the dessert category is almost completely eliminated, so it's nice to find a new one.
• Lastly, the New York Times covers the microeconomy established around the Chinatown to Chinatown discount bus lines. Fung Wah 4 Life!

For the scientists!

Hilarious new commercial for automatic pipetting from Eppendorf. No, really. Okay, maybe it's only funny if your daily life is exactly like the girl in the video, complete with pain from "pipettor's thumb."

Celtics win Game 1

That. Was. Awesome. Pierce's amazing comeback from injury. KG's monster dunk. Bench players playing killer defense and snatching up rebounds. Ray-Ray knocking down shots. Randy Moss on the jumbotro, fist bumping an old man in an argyle sweater. Kobe missing shots. Celtics defeat Lakers, 98-88.

Photos from the game: James Taylor sings the anthem, tipoff, Kim, me, and a whole lot of foam finger.

I liked what ESPN's J.A. Anande had to say about Boston and Celtics fans:

"I don't like being in Boston. I think it has the worst weather in the country (that's coming from a guy who lived in Chicago for 6 years). The street layout is a mess; terrible drivers. But I have to respect the Celtics fans, particularly when I was sitting in the lower bowl in the second half. They're into the game at all times. Not talking on their cell phones or making plans for afterward. Every word I heard throughout the second half involved the game, strategy, etc. They were on their feet about half the time. But man, I wish I had the alcohol concession in that building. Every time they showed a fan on the scoreboard screen, he or she was holding a beer."

Although due to the late start time, I think it was the first time in history the coffee lines were as long as the beer lines at halftime.

FAAAAAAANTASTIC!

I'm a sports fan, but basketball is my favorite sport, and the Boston Celtics are my all-time favorite sports team, and always have been.

As a kid, my parents used to take us to watch Celtics games from obstructed view seats in the old, sweaty Boston Garden. We could never get Lakers tickets, so we often ended up seeing the Clippers, who, by my mother's logic, were the closest substitute. If you had told me then that someday I'd watch the Celtics play the Lakers in the NBA finals, I never would have believed you. But tonight, I'm going to be there. And I can't wait.

BEAT LA!

Time to come clean

Did you hear about the guy from Somerville who was pretending to be a former NBA player?

"A man in the Boston area who has been passing himself off as a former NBA player and Sonics front-office employee told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer he is an impostor.
Ronnie Craven of Somerville, Mass., went by the name Jeff Turner. When contacted by the Seattle paper he says he misrepresented himself on an online dating site and lied to women for sex."

Heh. I guess now's a good time for me to make a similar revelation: I'm actually not a Miami Dolphins cheerleader. I'm a model/flight attendant.

The Boston Globe goes all Life Magazine on us

Check out the new Boston.com feature: The Big Picture.
Basically, they post one huge photo from the news each day, and the photos of choice are amazing. I love the shot of the indigenous Brazilians on the bus.

Hi

Nothing much to say, I just wanted to bump the spotted dick down the page a bit. I'm at a microbiology conference (a.k.a. Nerd Convention) all week. The new convention center is really nice, in case you were wondering, and as a bonus, it's a short walk from my apartment.

Unappealing Product Name Hall of Fame

New inductee:


















I saw cans of spotted dick (link surprisingly SFW) on the shelf at the Stop and Shop in Southie. Gross.