Hoopin' it Up

I noticed the shirt I was wearing today matched my hula hoop. So obviously I had to hula hoop for a bit before work.

The Mandala of Arya Tara

It's made out of colored sand. I was worried I'd sneeze and ruin it. Watch this video of them making it: http://groups.csail.mit.edu/graphics/mandala2009/eyefi0/video/timelapse.mp4

The Official Start of Spring

Chicken legs make their first appearance of the year! Yes, all the ladies are jealous John.

Kung-Fu Chemist Hugging a Walrus

This is some sort of inflatable bag with gloves attched so you can do air-sensitive reactions inside. John says, "It feels like hugging a walrus". Nick thinks it feels more like you are "a villain in a Kung-Fu movie with super-long fingernails". It just sorta felt like a bag to me.

Zito H Ellas!

I went to the Greek Independence Day Parade. There were several floats shaped like the Acropolis. I was disappointed I didn't hear the Zorba the Greek song though.

Feel the Rhythm

Meanwhile, next door to the breakdancing competition was a ballroom dancing competition. These leopard-clad lovelies were competing for the champion latin title. They didn't win.

Breakonomics

The breakdancing competition at MIT was very educational. I learned that there are three sub-genres of breakdancing: popping, house and bboy. I also learned that it is easier to spin on one's head when wearing a knit beanie.

Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full

Sheepshearing festival at Gore Place in Waltham, Mass. They must have been glad to get rid of the wool for the 80 degree weather.

Brownstones and Magnolias

Spring flowers on Commonwealth Avenue a block away from my apartment. I walked past them on my way to work this morning.

Journey to Jordan's

Eva and I made friends with the driver of the 137 on our way to trapeze tonight.

The Ring of Fire

The best way to dispose of nitrocellulose membranes.
I fell in to a burning ring of fire.
I went down, down, down and the flames went higher.
And it burns, burns, burns
The ring of fire, the ring of fire.

The Troll in the Corner

My boss was given this troll as a thank you present for speaking at a conference in Norway. Now he welcomes everyone who enters our lab.

Visiting Scientists

John got kicked out of his bench by a gaggle of safety goggle sporting high schoolers and took refuge at my bay. Andrew made him feel welcome.

If your recipe calls for alligator legs...

you can get them in NYC chinatown.

The Cupcake Showdown

We did a taste test of cupcakes: Magnolia vs. Buttercup vs. Crumbs. Jon and I favored the flavor of Buttercup, while Amanda could not get past their shoddy appearance and preferred Crumbs. All were delicious!

Christos Anesti!

Happy Greek Orthodox Easter! My brother and I went to the midnight candlelight service. The Archbishop came out of the cathedral and sang Bible verses in Greek.

No Sleep 'til Brooklyn

Spring has arrived at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden!

The Lab Jungle

I grew this from a wee seedling. I think it might be poisonous.

Paper Sculptures

I went with a friend to her cousin's art exhibition. She makes awesome sculptures out of paper pulp. These are my friend's aunt and uncle.