November 18, 2005
Kissing the Laureate
I am interrupting my New York Series, to report from a reception held at the home of the President of MIT, honoring my friend who just won the Nobel Prize.
Once again, my camera proved inadequate, but the view of Boston from the residence, is spectacular. Just pretend you are myopic and get the general idea.
I was a little hesitant to whip out my little companion, which is why I have so many shots of the powder room (awarded a AAA rating in my book). It was so commodious that, just as I finished powdering my nose and tucking my camera away, my landlord from the office, an MIT scientist himself, walked in to greet me. His wife had to remind him that he was in the Ladies' .
Upstairs the string quartet played in the living room, while we were served wine, crab cakes and Seafood Wellington in the reception area. Got the lowdown on Stockholm. Women need two gowns, one for the Nobel Banquet and one for dinner at the palace the following evening. My friend found both a red and a silver one, each with a jacket, since, like many of us who have resisted steroids, her upper arms no longer appear in public. The men, laureates and family, are provided with full regalia from the Nobel Wardrobe Room, but must bring their own black shoes. I forgot to ask about socks.
Speeches were made. The President said that, since 1990, MIT has produced nine Nobel Laureates,seven of whom began as junior faculty. She (yes, a she) attributes this to excellent foresight, and a nurturing community that supports basic research and makes folks want to stay. (In contrast, there were rumors that Harvard's Chemistry Nobel, prior to winning the prize, had lost his office and his secretary, and was being pressured to retire. Evidently, Harvard has since reconsidered.).
The Laureate himself looked dashing in a snappy new suit and a razor cut, completely ready for the media. When complimented on his remarks in the New York Times by a former reporter, he asked what he said, hoping it was the right thing. He now has trouble keeping track of what's been written about him. Life has changed.
As I departed, the Laureate asked if I had ever been kissed by a Nobel Laureate. Now I have.
Posted by Dakota at November 18, 2005 06:13 AM